Roads To Recovery

Spare Meals Geelong are proudly non-judgemental, a not for profit food relief, Facebook based group. No health care card or other proof of hardship is required. We help anyone who feels they are struggling. In this program, Edwina a find out about its origins, and much more, when we have a chat with Kristy Cooper, one of the founders. Follow them on Facebook for further information, to obtain food, or to offer services and goods.

The eighteenth *Having a Say Conference* is on at Deakin Uni*s Waterfront Campus from Wednesday the 8th till Friday the 10th February, and its theme is *Lead YOUR Life!* To have another yarn about the event we have Simone Stevens, the media person from VALID back in the studio with the chairperson of the local organising committee, Maree Nichols. We also have the Community Development Officer from their Geelong office, Kylie Fisher. For registrations and information - www.valid.org.au or ph: 9416 4003. Volunteer here, too. And Kylie Fisher, who is … with VALID in their local office.

Disabled Surfing is all about putting Smiles on Dials! * Disabled Surfers Association Ocean Grove * has been doing so since 2009. This week we talked with Committee Members Abraham Papp, Pam and Ray Lawrance as well as Grant Lawrance who is one of the surfers. Noah Papp supported his Dad! The events are on Sunday 5th February 2017 and Sunday 5th March 2017 – surfing starts at 9am. *Like* them on Facebook.

*Tough Times Pass* is the slogan for SPAN – which is the Suicide Prevention and Awareness Network that was started in 2009 after a spate of suicides in our area. They are holding their eighth Walk on January the 26th at Johnstone Park. Pam Virgona, the Convenor of the walk chats about this and also the launch of * Support After Suicide - SAS * service that has evolved. Join in by registering - online - www.spangeelong.com - For more information: call * Barb 0425 787 038 * or * Lisa 0425 751 357 * SAS Annie or Melinda * 4215 3358 & Jesuit After Suicide Support - https://jss.org.au/what-we-do/mental-health-and-wellbeing/support-after-suicide/

We had a yarn about who our First People REALLY are with Wurdi Youang Custodian Reg Abrahams, from the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co Op, and Professor Brian Martin, from the Faculty of Arts and Education at the Institute of Koori Education at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus. Info - Domestic students * 1800 693 888 * myfuture@deakin.edu.au * http://www.deakin.edu.au/ * www.wathaurong.org.au * 03 5277 0044 *

Geelongs Post-Polio Group are organising a trip to India to promote the eradication of this disease. we chat with Gary Newton and Jennifer Merrett, who are both Post Polio, and Peter Podbury who is an inspirational supporter of their quest. To donate, and/or contact - https://www.gofundme.com/garyspolioproject - also on facebook * Garys Polio Project to India * Geelong Post Polio - First Monday of the month at the ACA Hall at the McKellar Centre – 10.30 – noon * Phone Winnie - 0428 599 775 or Denise – 0402 104 275 *

The National Disability Insurance Scheme began in the Barwon region on 1 July 2013, and from 1 July this year, it became available across other areas of Victoria, and more. Today we talk with Deb Connock from the VicWest team at the National Disability Insurance Agency, and Consumer Advocate and participant, Lynne Foreman. For more info. and to connect - www.ndis.gov.au/ * 1800 800 110 * 8am to 11pm local times, Monday to Friday Victoria * Follow us on Twitter, Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Linkedin and Watch us on YouTube.

The eighteenth *Having a Say Conference* is on at Deakin Uni Waterfront Campus and it will run from Wednesday the 8th February till Friday the 10th and its theme is *Lead YOUR Life!* Simone Stevens, the media person from VALID, The Victorian League for Individuals with a Disability and the chairperson of the local organising committee, Maree Nichols, join with Edwina & Greg to chat about what is happening, and what it is all about. To Volunteer and/or Register - General conference enquiries * Phone: Christine Scott - 03 9416 4003 * Freecall 1800 655 570 (Vic country only) * Email - havingasay@valid.org.au * www.valid.org.au or Find on Facebook *

The Launch of a New Bipolar Support Group in Geelong occurred late November. Today I welcome Daniel G. Taylor, the media contact, Nicci Wall, the Bipolar Support Groups first facilitator, and Reid Maxwell who is the founder of Geelongs Mind Works. For more details etc. - Bipolar Support Group - 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm, at Mind Works Geelong, 284 La Trobe Terrace, Newtown. call Mind Works Geelong on 5222 5999 - www.mindworksgeelong.org.au

World AIDS Day is the 1st December, and their website states that *HIV is still here, and its on the move*. Helen Fay from Hospital Admission Risk Program (HARP) at Barwon Health, organised Dr Amanda Wade, an infectious disease specialist at Barwon Healths sexual Health Clinic, Robert, who has been living with HIV for many years, and Cath Smith, who is an active advocate in this domain, to come in for a great chat. for more info - www.barwonhealth.org.au Sexual Health Clinic ? outpatient annex 2.00 till 6.00 p.m. Tuesday - 4215 1450 HARP - Information and Access Service: 1300 715 673 Positive Women Victoria - www.positivewomen.org.au http://www.enuf.org.au/ http://www.worldaidsday.org.au

The BARWON Month of Action to *Stop Mens Violence against Women and Children* is on until the 25th of this month. Lots have happened and there are events to come, and the job is ahead for all of us to continue to eliminate violence. Today Renee Fiolet Chair of Minerva Community Services, and on the National Rural Womens Coalition, and Barwon Month of Action Committee, joins with Marsha Uphill – Community Development Officer (City of Greater Geelong), and Edwina McHenry. For help and info - Minerva Community Services * 03 5224 2903 * Service Hours: 9am-4.30pm Monday to Friday * email: admin@minerva.org.au * www.minerva.org.au *** Barwon CASA – www.barwoncasa.org * 1800 806 292 * or Monday to Friday business hours * 5222 4318 *

Edwina and Greg are still on holidays, so Leo Renkin had a great chat with John Blomfield - Counselling & Support Services Coordinator from Barwon CASA, and Nathan DeGuara from Mens Referral Service. For more info and contact - www.mrs.org.au - 1300 766 491, and Barwon CASA - 5222 4318 Business Hours Mon to Fri or 1800 806 292

The Barwon Month of Action to *Stop Mens Violence Against Women and Children* is on once again and it will run from the 28th October till the 25th November. Peter Kelly, a Health Promotion Officer with Barwon Health, Mikala McIntire (Lawyer - Barwon Community Legal Service) and Dr Pam Bjork Billings (Prevention of Violence Against Women Project Officer - Barwon CASA) talk about many angles about the issue. To find out about the many events - www.monthofaction.com.au

Narana is a division of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress that is the Aboriginal arm of the Uniting Church in Australia. It is a sponsor of ours, has a great café and the coffee is superb… And they are having their NaranaFest 2016 on Saturday 5th November. We had a yarn with Lincon Boyd, Craig McGough, and Lyndon Morgan about their programs and what is lined up for the Fest. Lyndon played Didge, with Craig on clap-sticks, and you can hear them in this pod-cast. Fo more info and to buy tickets - www.narana.com.au OR phone * 03 5241 5700 *

Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, which backs on to Mental Health Week, is about encouraging individuals, the community and industry to support the concept of responsible gambling. This year's event will be held 17-23 October. Today we talk with With Tracie McPherson - Manager of Bethany Therapeutic & Childrens Services (Gamblers Help), and Janis Koolmatrie a PhD student At the Institute of Koorie Education (IKE). For help and more info - http://www.rgaw.com.au/ * Bethany Community Support – www.bethany.org.au - N.B. A referral is not required for these services. You can contact Bethany on 5278 8122 * 9am - 5pm weekdays. 24 Hour Gamblers Help - 1800 858 858

Mental Health Week which is on from Sunday 9th to Saturday 15th October is a national event, held every October to coincide with World Mental Health Day on the 10th October. We chat with Karen Hewitt from Barwon Health Mental health Drug and alcohol services in Health Promotions, Shirley Jennings who is senior psychiatric nurse, Mishka McIntosh, consumer consultant, and Dr Olivia Dean Research Fellow with Impact. For more info and events - www.barwonhealth.org.au * www.mentalhealthvic.org.au * www.deakin.edu.au/impact *

A citizens jury of 100 Geelong residents will be formed to recommend to the Minister for Local Government, the Hon Natalie Hutchins MP, how the Geelong community will be democratically represented by a future council. To determine how this will happen, The *Geelong Citizens Jury* process has been designed and will be overseen by the *newDemocracy Foundation*, a non-partisan and independent organisation. Edwina and I chatted with Iain Walker from The newDemocracy Foundation, and Bill Mithen, CEO of Give Where You Live Foundation. For more info, and to fill out the online Survey * http://geelongcitizensjury.vic.gov.au/ *

Today I have John Hutchinson from, Homeless Male Worker with SalvoConnect, Kylie Hay who is an IAP team leader, and Steve Burton, the Intensive Case Manager for the homeless at Bethany Community Support. We also talked of Walking Home which will be on in early November. For info & Support - Bethany Community Support - www.bethany.org.au * Phone: 03 5278 8122 * email * * housing@bethany.org.au * Salvo Connect * www.salvoconnect.com.au/ * 5244 9560 * John ** 0418 347 617 ** 20 Settlement Rd, Belmont and 35 Myers St, Geelong VIC 3220 * Hours: 9am–4:30pm 24 Hour – 1800 825 955 *

Today we have a chat with Craig Harvey, who is a Drugs and Alcohol Services worker with Barwon Health. We remember Overdose Awareness Day, and talk about use and abuse of drugs in general. We reference the Penington Institutes Annual Overdose Report, which is available at * www.penington.org.au * The need for a wider availability of Naloxone for saving lives was addressed brilliantly by Craig. Well done to Edwina for her valuable input. More info & Help - Barwon Health - Information, Assessment and Referral: 1300 094 187 * 24 hours a day, 7 days a week * www.barwonhealth.org.au * Ph 1800 797 458 for Naloxone Training.

Malcolm Scott Manager of headspace, and Carl Roffey from the Youth Future Crew (headspace Geelongs youth advisory group) had a great chat with us about R U OK? and Carls volunteering. For more info ph: headspace on * 5222 6690 * or go to www.headspace.org.au