Earlier this week, the Victorian State Government shared its Coronavirus (COVID-19) reopening roadmap.

The first step has been in place since Monday 14 September and will continue until 28 September.  Stage 4 restrictions continue with the following changes:

• Curfew in place from 9pm – 5am
• 2 people or a household can meet outdoors for 2 hours maximum
• People living alone or single parents can form a social bubble
• Outdoor playgrounds have re-opened

These Stage 4 restrictions continue:

• You must stay within 5kms of where you live
• Wear a face covering or mask when leaving home
• You can only leave home for permitted work, exercise, to give or receive care, or shopping for food or essential items
• You must continue to work from home if you can

After 28 September Metro Melbourne will move to the 2nd step of the roadmap depending on the rate of new cases and public health advice.

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.

VicHealth 'Reimagining Health' Grants

VicHealth is offering grants of up to $3000, $10,000 or $50,000 for local organisations who can support young people (aged 0-25 years) or Victorians experiencing disadvantage. The grants will help create meaningful social connection, provide opportunities for physical activity or address food security issues. The total funding pool is up to $2.5 million.

From 16 September, register via the new VicHealth Community Portal, then fill in our new, streamlined application form (takes roughly 30 minutes).   Apply early for the fastest outcome. Applications close Tuesday 27 October.

Find and connect with local retailers in your neighbourhood by using the new interactive directory on the Love Moreland, Buy Local website.

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

2020 Local Council Elections

Voting is compulsory for all residents who are enrolled to vote.  Ballot packs including candidate information and voting instructions will be sent in the mail between 6-8 October. Once you have received your ballot pack you must submit your postal vote by 23 October.

The Victorian Electoral Commission have prepared helpful 'How to vote' resources here, including translated information in 20 community languages, an Easy English guide and braille ballot packs. 

Legal clinic for international students during COVID-19

With support from Moreland Council, Northern Community Legal Centre (NCLC) is implementing a Legal Clinic for international students.
  
A dedicated lawyer is available to provide advice by telephone on common issues experienced including housing and renting rights, employment, managing debt and accessing financial support.

Appointments can be made by calling (03) 9310 4376 or email to: admin@northernclc.org.au

Multi-language message of support

During this tough time, it is inspiring to see our community rally together, regardless of where you're from or the language you speak. 

We recently asked Morelanders to share a message of hope and solidarity for their neighbours.  Their messages show how kind, strong and proudly diverse our community is.

Help us to improve our COVID-19 Community Support e-news 

Since April, we have published 8 editions of our e-news and will be back on 28 October after a short break. 

Please let us know how we can help you to stay better informed about major developments and opportunities during the COVID-19 recovery phase by filling in the short online survey below.

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.

Council service updates

Due to the ongoing stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne a number of our services and facilities are closed until further notice.  Details on how you can still access services are provided on Council's website here.

Changes under Step 1 of the State Government's Coronavirus (COVID-19) reopening roadmap effective 14 September include: 

Libraries' Books to Your Door is now accepting registrations and you can place reservations through the library catalogue.  Register your interest here.
And stay tuned for the Click and Collect service that will be available soon.

Family Day Care, Child Care and Sessional Kindergarten - stay tuned for re-opening from 28 September. Please contact the Family Day Care Team if you would like further information.​

Oxygen Youth Space is currently closed but the team is available online and over the phone for all youth support. Please call 9389 8645, visit the Facebook page or email 
oxygen@moreland.vic.gov.au 

Rates payments - COVID-19

We recognise that the current pandemic has caused financial hardship for members of the community. 

If you are experiencing difficulties paying your rates and charges by the due date it is important that you contact Council's Revenue Services Unit on phone 03 9240 1111 to discuss an alternative payment plan.  You can also request a rates payment plan online here. 

If you are a pensioner you will automatically receive a $50 rates waiver in 2020-21. If you are a Health Care Card holder you can apply for this discount.

Small Tales: Our Moreland Stories

Moreland City Council and Merri Health are working together to publish your stories across the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will share your stories here, and across Council's social media and printed newsletters. Each month we will invite you to share a story based on a theme or story question. This month the story question is:

‘What has been a challenge for you during this time and what has helped you to manage it?’

WeVolunteer: Emergency Volunteering

Volunteers support the frontlines during any emergency response. Agile, responsive and on-the ground groups are a vital resource for many communities in times of crisis.

As a volunteer you will provide support and help community organisations respond and recover from emergencies such as COVID-19.

Volunteers: Apply here

Organisations: Apply here

Guided workouts for all levels of ability

Looking for inspiration when it comes to home workouts? The State Government has launched Get Active Victoria, a website full of ways to get moving that don't just involve squat jumps or jogging on the spot. There are games you can play with your children, pilates and yoga, strength and family workouts. Head to the website to find what works for you.

Week without Violence from 18-24 October 2020 is an annual campaign to end violence against women, led by family violence support services in the Northern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne. 
The theme for this year is: COVID is no excuse for family violence. 

Resources to participate in this year's online campaign are here and everyone is invited to join:

• Draw your Message on a T-shirt
• Post a Photo on Social Media
• Share photos with the NIFVS Team at info@whin.org.au for inclusion on NIFVS facebook and NIFVS e-News.

Coming up at your local Neighbourhood House

Connect with interesting offerings at Moreland's 7 neighbourhood houses!  Due to COVID-19 restrictions courses, many activities are now online:

• Brunswick Neighbourhood House
• Newlands and East Coburg Neighbourhood Houses NECCHI
• Fawkner Neighbourhood House
• Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre
• Reynard Street Neighbourhood House
• Sussex Neighbourhood House

Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service

Beyond Blue has a dedicated website with information, advice and strategies to help people manage their well-being and mental health during this pandemic.

Trained counsellors are available 24/7 on phone 1800 512 348

People who don’t speak English as a first language can get free translation support from the Translating and Interpreting Service or call 131 450.

Listen to the The Royal Melbourne Hospital's Scrub Choir 2.0 sing "I'll stand by you" by The Pretenders, released recently on RU OK Day

My Health My Voice newsletters

My Health My Voice is a quarterly newsletter of the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN), a non-profit organisation working to improve health care in local communities.

The newsletter is now available in five community languages: Arabic, Chinese, Italian, Turkish and Vietnamese. 

You can find the newsletters online
here or to subscribe please email myvoice@nwmphn.org.au or call (03) 9347 1188.