No Images? Click here Thank you for all your hard work in 2018From the Victorian Refugee Health NetworkIt has been a big year for the Victorian Refugee Health Network thanks to all of your contributions. We hope you have a safe and restful break and we're looking forward to seeing you all in the new year. Farewell to our energetic, creative and brilliant Lindy MarlowPhoto: Lindy Marlow (right) and Chiedza Malunga. Photo credit: Annette Ruzicka Photography Lindy has made an enormous contribution to the refugee health sector in Victoria and Australia as the Statewide Facilitator of the Refugee Health Program. Lindy was the first refugee health nurse in Victoria and has been dedicated to growing the Refugee Health Program and improving access to health care for people from refugee backgrounds and people seeking asylum over many, many years. We wish Lindy well and can't wait to hear about what she's up to next - as we know she won't be retired for long! We welcome Kath Desmyth into the role. Kath has previously lead Marie Stopes’ 10 health centres and hospital in Tanzania, and managed health services in remote Northern Territory. More recently, Kath has managed a Commonwealth funded refugee health project in Victoria, and has been working with GPs to improve their work with people from refugee backgrounds and people seeking asylum as part of the OPTIMISE project. The Water Well Project celebrates receiving a Melbourne Award and delivering 500 health education sessionsPhoto: Dr Linny Kimly Phuong and the Water Well Project team receive a Melbourne Award with the Deputy and Lord Mayor The Water Well Project is a not-for-profit organisation that connects medical and allied healthcare professionals with refugee and asylum seeking communities to provide culturally sensitive, interactive and tailored health education sessions. The Water Well Project was recently recognised for their contribution to Melbourne’s multiculturalism with a Melbourne Award. The 2018 Multiculturalism Award celebrates The Water Well Project’s efforts to increase community awareness, assist with cultural integration and enable others to contribute to a tolerant and inclusive society. Dr Phuong reflects that “supporting health literacy in our multicultural communities is a powerful way of enabling individuals to be active and healthy participants in our diverse society”. On 21 August 2018, the Water Well Project celebrated its 500th health education session with three volunteer facilitators delivering a Women’s Health session for an AMES Werribee Female Student Group. The Water Well Project plans to increase their reach into rural and regional areas in the next few years, and welcomes new volunteers and connections with community organisations engaged with people from refugee backgrounds and people seeking asylum in Australia. For more information about The Water Well Project visit www.thewaterwellproject.org or email mail@thewaterwellproject.org Government announces review into refugee settlement outcomesThe Australian government has announced an independent review into the employment, settlement and integration outcomes of people from refugee backgrounds. Read the media release Resources and reportsUNHCR Global Trends: Forced Displacement in 2017 Earlier this year the UNHCR released its Global Trends report announcing the latest compilation of statistics on forced displacement in 2017. The Global Trends report tracks forced displacement based on data gathered by UNHCR, governments, and other partners. Watch the video Intimate partner violence in Australian refugee communities: Scoping review of issues and responses Alissar El-Murr This paper looks at what is currently known about intimate partner violence in Australian refugee communities, and what service providers can do to ensure appropriate support is available to this client group. A video of research highlights from the paper is also available. 2018 Mapping Social Cohesion Report The report builds on the knowledge gained through the ten earlier national surveys (2007, 2009-2017) and twelve local area and experimental surveys, which in total have been completed by 48,000 respondents. The surveys enable annual tracking of public opinion on social cohesion, immigration and population issues. Professional development2nd Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference When: 27-29 March 2019 Where: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre Find out more about how to get involved with the Victorian Refugee Health Network and upcoming statewide meeting dates for 2019. Read the report from the latest statewide Victorian Refugee Health Network meeting held on 1 November 2018. Sign up for updates about upcoming statewide Victorian Refugee Health Network meetings in 2019
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