Rural change & community wellbeing forum

Page content: Overview | Presentations | Outcomes

Wednesday 24 June 2009, 9.30am - 4.00pm,
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

Overview

Over eighty professionals and consumers from primary and community health, mental health, government and community organisations attended the ‘Rural change and community wellbeing’ forum on Wednesday June 24 2009.

The forum aimed to help improve the mental health and wellbeing of those living in drought-affected areas by showcasing a range of initiatives developed in rural Victoria. The initiatives formed part of the department’s broader drought response program which commenced in September 2006.

Overview of initiatives (145kb, pdf)

Presentations

Presentations included:

• a summary of the department’s drought initiatives
• highlights from major achievements
• exemplary sustainable programs.

Brenda Boland
Regional Director, Grampians Region
Department of Human Services

Achievements to date (721kb, pdf)

Sylvia Barry
Manager, Primary Health Integration
Department of Human Services

Journey so far (122kb, pdf)

Rosie Rowe
Director, Community Services and Allied Health
Western District Health Service

Leading on from the drought (928kb, pdf)

Emily Anderson
Drought Recovery Officer
Northern Grampians Shire

Presented: Harnessing community spirit: Working together and generating real outcomes

Case studies
Presentations were complemented by small workshops (story dialogue) based around six case studies. These case studies were chosen as worthy examples of leading work in responding to the immediate and longer-term impacts of drought and rural change.

Overview of case studies (147kb, pdf)

The workshops allowed participants the opportunity to discuss the case studies in greater detail and share their own practice, ideas, challenges and solutions in relation to building the resilience of rural communities.

1. Benalla Drought Outreach Service (179kb, pdf)
2. Wimmera Primary Care Partnership: Building community resilience (201kb, pdf)
3. Campaspe Farm Gate: Assertice outreach (230kb, pdf)
4. Southern Grampians and Glenelg: Climate change adaptation framework (206kb, pdf)
5. Northern Mallee Primary Care Partnership: Sustainable approach (194kb, pdf)
6. Loddon Mallee Region Sustainable Development Network (188kb, pdf)

Outcomes

Rural change and community wellbeing forum: Report on outcomes (290kb, pdf)

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