Member Spotlight, Sector Voices, Events, Initiatives and More!
No images? Click here
Member News | Edition 5
Member Spotlight | Chantel Churchus, Uniting Vic. Tas.
Chantel Churchus is the Advocacy Research Lead at Uniting Vic. Tas. Her job involves collating data, research and insights from Uniting’s broad array of social services to better advocate to governments on what communities in-need require.
One of the four key advocacy priorities at Uniting Vic. Tas. is drug law reform. Uniting has a very long history of advocating for change in drug policies and laws. The Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania adopted a resolution in 2023 calling for health-based responses to drug use including decriminalising illicit substances for personal use and possession.
“We’ve been doing a big piece of work to develop a model of what we think drug law reform should look like in Victoria. It’s been informed by people with lived and living experience of AOD and the criminal justice system, along with our frontline practitioners and decades of international and local evidence. We know what works. We are now testing our approach with the AOD sector and expecting to launch a campaign moving into next year.”
Chantel is excited about the campaign because of her own long history in the AOD sector. This started more than two decades ago, as a Criminology Honours Student on placement with the Drugs and Crime Prevention Committee at Victorian Parliament. Her early research included looking at media reporting of crime in the Melbourne CBD.
“Drugs were a major feature of crime reporting at the two major Melbourne newspapers at that time. It was in the days where the Herald Sun was publishing the heroin toll next to the road toll on a daily basis. Not surprisingly the reporting was really degrading and stigmatising and really, really harmful to the people who were using drugs.”
Chantel went on to work on inquiries into alcohol, benzodiazepine and pharmaceutical opioids before moving into the community sector to work with the Penington Institute and VAADA in AOD policy. Some of her most rewarding work came when she went to the frontline of the AOD service system as a social worker after undertaking further study. Chantel worked at Moreland Hall and Uniting ReGen in withdrawal, counselling and intake. “My job was to help people figure out what was next for them after withdrawal. Talk to them about different options for treatment.”
Chantel tells a story, about a woman she worked with that has stayed with her.
“I'd been working with this woman. She was an older woman and I met her in our withdrawal service. She'd come in to withdraw from alcohol and she'd been drinking for a long, long time. She was quite a mothering kind of figure. She was worrying about, the younger people that were in there and looking after everyone and on the surface, kind of seemed like maybe not so much was going on for her. And then she sat down with me.”
Chantel’s client had a significant history of family violence. It took trust and time for her to make a big decision.
“I went off and I had my daughter, and I was on parental leave for a year, and I came back and then I heard from her again, and she had finally left. It’s an amazing story of extraordinary courage that stayed with me because it gave me this sense that it's never too late for people to make a huge change.”
Welcome to Our Newest Member...
VAADA is proud to announce that On Track Training are our newest Organisational Member.
On Track Training deliver drink and drug drive programs as well as Mental Health First Aid training. They are dedicated to empowering individuals to regain their independence, rebuild their lives, and make meaningful, lasting change.
Their mission is to support people on their journey toward independence, responsibility, and resilience, and play a vital role in fostering healthier, safer communities through evidence-based programs and accessible mental health education.
We look forward to the valuable contributions they will bring to the collective impact at VAADA.
Member update | The Loop Australia
Free pill testing now available at festivals and in Fitzroy.
The Victorian Pill Testing Service is back this summer, offering free, confidential, and judgment-free drug checking at major festivals and events across Victoria.
Festivalgoers can have their drugs tested to find out what’s really in them, get harm-reduction advice, and make safer, more informed choices.
The mobile service is confirmed to attend five events during the 2025-2026 festival season, starting with Spilt Milk in Ballarat on 6 December 2025, followed by Dangerous Goods 6XXL on 24 January 2026 and Pitch Music and Arts from 6 to 10 March. Two more events will be announced soon.
You don’t have to wait for a festival - visit the fixed site service at 95 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, open every week throughout the festival season, with expanded hours from 1 December 2025 until 28 February 2026.
Learn more at www.vicpilltesting.org.au
Member Update | Youth Support and Advocacy Service
YSAS Youth AOD Census report is live!
The 2025 Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Census has revealed that Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Services can make an extremely valuable contribution to preventing youth crime and improving community safety.
The Census report details the needs and characteristics of 893 young people when they were first engaged by Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Services across 13 organisations, including YSAS, in May and July this year.
The Census data demonstrates that Victorian Youth Alcohol and Other Drug Services can engage some of the State’s most vulnerable and ‘at risk’ young people in care.
Over half of young people seeking treatment for substance use issues were found to have had criminal justice system involvement. More specifically, in the 4 weeks prior to first engagement in treatment, 17.1 per cent of young people had been involved in criminal activity, with clients aged 16-17 more likely to have recent justice system involvement.
Member Update | Sunbury Cobaw Community Health
Sunbury Cobaw Community Health and Nexus Primary Health combine forces to become Omnia Community Health
As of January 1 2026, Sunbury Cobaw Community Health and Nexus Primary Health will become Omnia Health.
Developed through extensive consultation with staff, clients, community members, and partners, both the name and logo of the new organisation embody its purpose to help communities feel healthy, connected, and supported through trusted local care.
To find out more, visit Omnia Community Health
Member Update | sharc
You're invited to SHARC's Annual General Meeting
This year sharc is celebrating 30 years of a community that has grown together, faced challenges together, and always supported each other. Join them on Monday 24 November as they reflect on their journey, recognise the people who make sharc what it is, and look to the future.
Member update | Better Health Network
Betther Health Network closures - Bentleigh and Clarinda sites
BHN recently announced the closure of its Bentleigh and Clarinda sites.
There will be no reduction in the services they deliver, and no loss of staff as part of the upcoming changes. All team members currently working at Clarinda and Bentleigh will continue their work across other BHN sites.
These nearby sites – along with others in Chelsea, Prahran, St Kilda and South Melbourne – will continue to offer a wide range of health and wellbeing services to the community.
Member update | Jesuit Social Services
Adolescent Man Box Report
Jesuit Social Services Recently released their report on the Adolescent Man Box, a study focusing on the attitudes towards masculinity among Australian Adolescents.
Between March and April 2025, 1401 young people between the ages of 14-18 years, of all genders answered the survey, about their beliefs in relation to how teenage boys should act, and about a range of attitudes, behaviours and experiences.
Some of the findings included:
- Boys are moving away from narrow and restrictive views of masculinity and the idea that they must remain emotionally stoic
- Most boys believe in gender equality and reject sexist behaviours, and feel uncomfortable with witnessing sexist comments and harassment
- Boys still feel pressure to appear tough and confident
- A concerning number of boys express trans and homophobic views
- Many boys are accessing pornography that depicts unsafe, aggressive and non-consensual acts—shaping aggressive understandings of sex and relationships
VAADA is proud to join the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, aligning with Ending Violence Against Women and Underrepresented Diverse Groups (EVAWUD). - Tag us in your posts!
Member update | Fitzroy Legal Service
The Prison Law Handbook
Fitzroy Legal Service released its Prison Law handbook. The Prison Law Handbook is a comprehensive, user-informed, accessible online resource for people in prison, their families, and professionals who work with them.
The Handbook addresses a significant legal information need, by providing advocacy information on the rights of people in prison and humane prison conditions.
Member update | ACSO
Support and details on ACSO's new Community Care Portal now available
ACSO is implementing a new Community Care Portal to enhance its management and sharing of information with external partners. They now provide details on support, resources and training:
Support
If you need assistance or have any questions about using the portal, ACSO are there to help:
- Call us: 1800 524 200
- Online: Visit www.acso.org.au/portal and complete the support request form
- Email: digitalservices@acso.org.au and include #cc in the subject line
Portal Information
All details about the new portal, including resources, updates and a full end to end video showing how the portal works, can be found here.
Member update | Anglicare Victoria
Launch of Someone Else's Problem
Anglicare are proud to share their paper, Someone Else's Problem - The mental health crisis in out-of-home care.
Young people in out-of-home care are one of the highest-risk groups for poor mental health, self-harm and suicidal ideation. The unique needs of this group are widely acknowledged but rarely met. This paper calls for the State to do better in meeting the complex needs of the young people in its care.
Events Calendar and Jobs Board
There are currently 59 events on the VAADA Events Calendar for October. VAADA members have exclusive access to post events.
Add events today!
There are currently 5 jobs on the VAADA Jobs Board. VAADA members have exclusive access to advertise jobs.
Add jobs today!
For more updates from VAADA and our Members
follow us on social media.
