As of 10 November 2020, Melbourne has had 11 consecutive days with 0 new Covid-19 cases. There are currently 0 active coronavirus cases in Moreland.  

This means we now have more freedom to travel around Victoria, go out to restaurants and meet with our friends and family, while being Covid-safe. 

Please be aware the coronavirus is still out there. And we must help to keep it under control. Keep physical distance, wear a mask, wash your hands, and get tested. This isn’t over yet.  

For more information in your language, see www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translations 

Coronavirus hotline: If you are concerned, call the coronavirus hotline 1800 675 398 (24-hours).
Interpreting service: If you need an interpreter, call TIS National on 131 450.
Triple Zero: Please call Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing sites

If you have symptoms, get tested at:

• your local general practitioner - call them before you visit, they may perform the test or refer you to a pathology provider for the test.
• a GP respiratory clinic - visit the Australian Government coronavirus (COVID-19) site for a full list of GP respiratory clinics and how you can book an appointment.
• a Victorian hospital respiratory clinic.
• a Community Health Centre respiratory clinic.
• a pop-up drive-through or walk-in testing site (details below).
• a regional walk-through clinic.

Please call ahead before visiting a testing site, unless you choose to be tested at a pop-up testing site.

Be Kind Moreland: Where to get help and support

If you are experiencing hardship or doing it tough as a result of the pandemic Be Kind Moreland provides details for services that may be able to help. To find a particular service please use the menu below. The information is updated regularly:

• Food relief services
• Government payments and support
• Rent relief and housing support
• Assistance with energy bills
   
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support
• Disability support and information
• International student support
• Refugee and Asylum Seeker support
• Support for young people
• Useful services for Older People
   
• Family violence
• Gambler's help remote support services
• Legal assistance
• Family support
• Mental health and Wellbeing

Do you need support with food or material aid due to COVID-19?

The Community Connector Moreland program is open to all residents impacted by the pandemic, with a particular focus on more vulnerable residents: Call 8311 4140 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm or email Casi@moreland.vic.gov.au

• Food and material aid, including masks for vulnerable residents.
• Emotional support such as regular chats.
• Practical help such as running errands or helping people to video chat with friends and family.
• Connecting you with community support in your local area.

You can also call the coronavirus (COVID-19) 24-hour hotline on 1800 675 398 and press 3 to speak to an Australian Red Cross volunteer if you require an urgent response.

eLearning modules for Community Services Workers

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has developed three free eLearning modules about reducing the risk of COVID-19 that take about 20 minutes each to complete. The topics are:

• COVID-safe for Residential Carers 
• PPE for Community Workers
• Use of P2/N95 masks

You will receive a certificate when you complete each module. Watch this 3 minute YouTube clip  showing the key features of the first two eLearning modules. To access the eLearning modules, log in or sign up to the Eve Learning learning system.

For more information, please email COVID Disability Prevention COVIDDP@dhhs.vic.gov.au at the Department of Health and Human Services.

FREE Course - A Partnership between queerspace and DARU

In this course you will learn how to be inclusive for the LGBTIQA+ community and look at how to advocate for LGBTIQA+ people with a disability.  This is a free online course available to anyone through the DARU website.

This course is available to anyone, free of charge.  See course flyer.

Heat can cause illnesses such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion which can lead to the life-threatening condition, heatstroke. Heatstroke is fatal in up to 80% of cases.

If you or someone you know is unwell call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 for 24-hour health advice or see your doctor. In an emergency, call 000.

Survive the heat tips:

• Drink plenty of water
• Never leave anyone in a car
• Stay somewhere cool
• Plan ahead
• Check in on others

Immunisation

Immunisation continues to run by appointment at the Coburg Town Hall. More venues in Moreland will be introduced in 2021. Appointments can be made by visiting the immunisation section of the MCC website or by calling 9240 1111 and following the prompts.

Venues

Starting Monday 2 November 2020, Community Venues can allow essential public support groups (such as AA and NA groups, family violence and parenting groups) to return to a limited number of venues for meetings of up to 10 people. Additional COVID Safe restrictions apply. Contact community venues on email. 

Oxygen Youth Space

Oxygen is reopening and we are looking forward to seeing everyone again in person. From Monday 16 November, Oxygen Youth Space will be open for drop-In sessions: • Monday’s, 12pm – 2pm for 18-24 year olds; Wednesday’s, 3pm – 5pm for 12-18 year olds; Friday’s, 3pm – 5pm for 12-18 year olds. visit the Facebook page or email 
oxygen@moreland.vic.gov.au 

Primary school holiday program

Booking for the Summer 2021 school holiday program will open on 16 November 2020. The program will operate at Brunswick North West and Brunswick East Primary Schools from the 4th to the 22nd of January 2021,  from 8 am – 6 pm during this period.

The program offers a variety of in-house activities, including games, crafts, cooking, sports activities and incursions. Find out more. 

Brunswick, Coburg & Glenroy Libraries will open 10am-5pm, Monday – Friday from Monday 9 November.

• A maximum of 10 members of the public will be allowed in the library at any one time.
• People visiting the library will be required to wear a mask, provide contact tracing details and sanitise their hands before entry.
• Public PC use will be limited to one booking of a maximum of 30 minutes per day.
• People at the library will be able to access and borrow collections, access WIFI on their own device, use a computer, print and photocopy.
• Books To your Door will continue until 20 January 2021
• Visit moreland.vic.gov.au/libraries

Moreland Council Aged and Community Support Services

Moreland Council Aged and Community Support continues to offer services to Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP) clients.

If people are an existing Moreland client, they can phone us on 9240 2302 to discuss their services and needs.

New clients aged over 65 (or over 50 years if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) can visit the My Aged Care website or call the My Aged Care contact centre on 1800 200 422 to register as a My Aged Care user before accessing our services

For new clients under 65 years of age (or under 50 years if Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander), please get in touch with our Assessment Services on 9240 2338.

Survey for older people in Moreland

Moreland Council wants to understand how older people in Moreland are currently feeling, and how they can be better supported to stay happy, active and part of the community.

We are delivering the survey in a range of formats – paper survey, digital survey and 1:1 interviews with non-English speakers.  We will be using the results to improve our Aged and Community Support services.

The survey is open from 16 November to 17 December 2020. You and your clients can visit Conversations Moreland to find the online survey as well as a downloadable paper survey.

For more information, please contact Elly Gardner, Living and Ageing Well Officer, 0429 611 331, egardner@moreland.vic.gov.au

Moreland Libraries Events 

Improve your memory using Indigenous methods
6.30 pm, Thursday 19 Nov; Moreland City Libraries Facebook Live

Without writing, Indigenous elders from across the world memorised vast amounts of information on which survival depended, both physically and culturally. Dr Lynne Kelly, author of The Memory Code and Memory Craft, will explain the mechanisms used to help improve your memory. Facebook Live with Q&A

Carly Findlay – Growing up Disabled in Australia; 
7:30 pm, Thursday 3 Dec; Moreland City Libraries Facebook Live

Award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist Carly Findlay will discuss disability and chronic illness representation and her editing experiences around the soon to be released anthology Growing Up Disabled in Australia.

More Food 4 Moreland Campaign

Many members of our community have been hit really hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have experienced job loss or are struggling to make ends meet. Become a Morefood4Moreland supporter! Check out their community fundraising campaign, aiming to raise $10,000 before Christmas 2020 to provide fresh fruit and vegetables for community members. You can make an online donation in under 2 minutes, and lend a helping hand to community members who need it the most! To donate directly  

To keep informed of how the campaign is going and how your contribution has helped log in to the Facebook page.