Busselton Community Safe Space Information Session - 14 March

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Have you been wondering what it's like to volunteer with us? Not sure what's involved? Please come along this Thursday 14th March for our first Volunteer Information Session to meet with our Volunteer Co-Ordinator who can tell you all about it! No expectations, just come, listen and ask all the questions you'd like!
WHEN: Thursday 14th March, 10am
WHERE: Busselton Youth and Community Activities Building (near the skate park), entrance on the Beach side.
WHO: Anyone interested in getting involved with volunteering. This doesn't just mean a Peer with lived/living experience of suicide. Perhaps you'd love to volunteer time to fundraising or awareness, we appreciate all the help we can get!
Email Hannah on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions. Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

New Organisation to Support People with Depression - BDAAD

BDAAD logo

Busselton Dunsborough Alliance Against Depression (BDAAD) is now operating in Busselton.

OUR PURPOSE "To inform and unite the community to address depression in the City of Busselton"

OUR VISION
A resilient Busselton – Dunsborough community with enhanced social and emotional wellbeing.

OUR MISSION / PURPOSE
To reduce suicidal behaviour and deaths by suicide in Busselton, Dunsborough and the local environs by improving the mental health of people prone to, or experiencing depression.

Our Goals & Objectives are to work as a community-based organisation in:

  • improving mental health literacy,
  • reducing stigma,
  • improving knowledge of services and referral pathways,
  • identifying service gaps and the duplication of services
  • reducing barriers to care
  • training and skill - building in the community

MHFA trainee pics   Claire Paperbark depression event Feb 2023

 Pam drum event BDAAD has been active in the community running fund raising events, information sessions, training, community drumming events and collaborating with other service providers and organisations providing community services to raise the awareness of depression in the community and depression treatments.

Volunteer opportunities:

BDAAD have a number of ways you can become involved.
Currently we have a committee of lovely volunteers. We would love to bolster our committee with anyone with an interest in improving mental health and community connections - Community Wellbeing Volunteers do not have to have any specific skillset or career background, just an interest in being part of community wellbeing.

Committee meetings are usually up to 1.5 hours (very efficiently run), on the first Monday of the month from 7pm. Commitment required is to attend these meetings in person or by telephone, reading the minutes and making any comments or suggestions. Volunteers may also attend our free mental health training courses and events.

Our next meeting: 2nd October 2023 7pm, at the Surf Rescue Club, Busselton.
To enquire about becoming a Community Wellbeing Volunteer click here: https://www.bdvolunteers.org.au/for-volunteers/search.html?oppId=201561

 If being on a committee is not your thing there are a variety of other ways to get involved such as social media posts, photography, website updates, article writing, attending mental health events, taking posters and leaflets to GP surgeries and other venues - crafts, or using whatever your skillset is. For more information and to enquire about general volunteering roles go here: https://www.bdvolunteers.org.au/for-volunteers/search.html?oppId=201596

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On your bikes! Cycling Without Age Australia new Busselton Chapter

Cycling

Cycling Without Age Australia (CWAA) is a volunteer-led, grassroots movement that provides Older people and People with Disabilities (PwD) who cannot ride for themselves with trishaw rides to connect them with their community, other people and the environment while experiencing the “wind in their hair”.

 

 

 

 

There has been interest raised in the local community about establishing a chapter in Busselton which offers the perfect geography and demographics. This will require a team of passionate volunteers who want to get this up and running (or should we say cycling!). Other chapters right around Australia (including Perth, Mandurah and Rockingham) know that the benefits to physical health, mental well-being and social inclusion are equally felt by both passengers and volunteers.

So if you want to be a “Change Maker” in Busselton, please let us know, more information here: https://www.bdvolunteers.org.au/for-volunteers/search/results.html#/opportunity/197193

 

Busselton Local Wins EdConnect Mentor of the Year Award

WA Mentor of the Year Award for 2022 announced
2aEdConnect Australia announced Busselton local Malcolm Jennings as the winner of the 2022 WA Mentor of the Year Award held on 22 March 2023 in Maylands.
Malcolm was one of four winners selected from 892 WA volunteers who provided 1,040 hours of support each week to 10,354 students throughout WA in 2022.
“There are many volunteers who deserve recognition for mentoring and supporting students, and choosing just ONE WINNER for each volunteer award was extremely challenging. That they have been nominated is a significant testament to their efforts,” says Gerri Clay, CEO EdConnect Australia.
Malcolm has been volunteering at Vasse Primary School (WA) for an incredible 20 years, since 2003 and has helped so many students. He is a great role model and does a massive range of activities with the students, including cooking, model ship building and erecting homes for possums.
“Just simply by meeting with Malcolm every week, the student’s confidence and self-esteem seems to be building which is fantastic for those kids that don’t have that reliable person consistently in their life. They then get that person who turns up every single week; they get an extra person that makes them feel special, and they can rely upon them to be there,” says Vasse Primary School Principal, Amy Sefton.
The annual EdConnect Australia WA Volunteer Awards recognises and celebrates the outstanding commitment and passion of EdConnect Australia volunteers to school students across WA.
“I enjoy being a mentor at Vasse and love the school as it is such a welcoming environment. The Principal and staff at Vasse are very supportive of the EdConnect mentoring program, which, I think, is very important (vital even),” shares Malcolm.
Malcolm also received a special long-service certificate for 20 years of volunteering at Vase Primary School.
"Several years ago at Vasse Primary School in Busselton, I was helping a teacher in a class of about 25 Year 2 children. At the end of my time with the class, the teacher asked all the children to write a thank you letter to me. The letters were, in most cases, both funny and heart-warming, and I decided to keep them,” shared Malcolm.
This is Malcolm’s story: https://youtu.be/tpuZxiGjdk8
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Editor’s Notes

The event was attended by 70+ local WA volunteers, member school representatives, stakeholders, staff and Board of EdConnect Australia and the following dignitaries: Ms Meredith Hammat MLA, Member for Mirrabooka and Parliamentary Secretary, representing the Minister for Education and Training; Hon Donna Faragher MLC, Shadow Minister for Community Services, Early Childhood Learning, Youth, Seniors, and Ageing; Cr Steven Ostaszewskyj from the City of Bayswater.
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Editor’s Notes: About EdConnect Australia

• The EdConnect Australia story began more than 25 years ago with four volunteers in one Perth school. The program now operates in WA, Victoria and NSW with around 900 volunteers in 250 schools. EdConnect volunteers work in local schools with young people who might otherwise struggle to realise their potential in school and in life.
• This year, EdConnect Australia is celebrating two and half decades of 25 years of helping students thrive.
• EdConnect Australia urgently needs more volunteers to support vulnerable students. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted volunteering in schools; the demand from schools for volunteers providing 1-1 mentoring or learning support to an entire classroom could not be met, highlighting the potential risk of teacher fatigue and overwhelming them.
• Feedback from teachers about the program’s impact on students is very positive, with more than 94% of teachers supporting the volunteering program at their school. 92% of teachers state that EdConnect provides useful guidance and support throughout the school year. Almost 100% of teachers agree that EdConnect is valuable to the school community.

 

Friendship develops from volunteering opportunity

Peter Wellock and Julie Goyder

It was around four years ago when, as a fairly new Community Visit Scheme (CVS) volunteer, I first met Peter and Barbara Wellock in their home. Initially, my role was to simply help Barbara and Peter negotiate the new territory of his dementia but it gradually became apparent that Barbara was also suffering some significant confusion.

At the outset, CVS 'matched' me with Peter because he and I had a lot in common. We had both lived in PNG, we both had PhDs in areas of study that included the welfare of people who were marginalised, and we both had suffered the grief of losing a family member. Peter and Barbara had lost their daughter many years prior whereas I had recently lost my husband. There was a lot of mutual empathy and understanding.

Peter's thesis was about missionary activity in Figi in the last century and, for most of my first visits, after Barbara died, I read back to him the most interesting bits of his thesis and he would say, "Who wrote that?"  'You' I would say and Peter would look bemused.

By intentional accident, I eventually met Peter's and Barbara's eldest daughter, Katherine. It was my day to visit and there was this lovely blonde gal in the kitchen making a cake. Kathy later told me she was checking me out in regard to my attitude to her parents and we are now good friends.

The Rev is now in care and doing well. I have so much more to say about this incredible couple but I shall leave that for another time.

 

For more information on the Community Visitor Scheme and to volunteer please go here: https://www.bdvolunteers.org.au/for-volunteers/search/results.html#/opportunity/42121

Environment in good hands

BDEC Logo Jpeg

Environment in Good Hands   BDEC Fascigale

 

The Busselton-Dunsborough Environment Centre (BDEC) is a community organisation based in Busselton. The organisation aims to foster a sense of community ownership of the natural environment in order to increase awareness of local environmental issues. The Centre also strives to increase public involvement in environmental projects and protection activities throughout the local region.

Recently 20 children and 27 adults had a great day out planting in the Tuart Forest. This event is held annually by BDEC and not only provides a wonderful family day out but helps the future health of our unique Tuart Forest reserves. Besides the hands on environmental care BDEC advocates for the environment through numerous avenues including submissions to relevant decision making bodies, monitoring of environmentally sensitive projects and proposals, sourcing funds for targeted intervention such as possum habitat and care, revegetation and planting and liaising with the City of Busselton to work in partnership towards sustainable planning and development.

  BDEC also have available a wonderful booklet A Journey into the Ludlow Tuart Forest. This vibrant 32 page book, produced by the BDEC, explores the many aspects of the forest and its surrounds as well as some of the impacts threatening its future. More information here: A_Journey_into_the_Ludlow_Tuart_Forest

BDEC planting

VOLUNTEER

Besides being a general volunteer for hands on planting and events other opportunities are available that provide the organisation with direction, momentum and day to day running.  Get in touch to find out more This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BDEC welcomes new members, public enquiries and the general public so why not drop in, get in touch or join up to make a difference, its FREE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Caring Support for Family & Parents

Red Cross operates the Family and Practical support programs throughout the Southwest. The purpose of the Service is to provide caring and practical assistance to families with babies and young children who are facing extra challenges in adjusting to their parenting role. It is an early intervention service that offers respite and support to multiple birth families, mothers experiencing or at risk of postnatal depression or perinatal mental health problems and social isolation.fp

Family support has been supporting families since 1993 and is a unique service that Red Cross offers only in Western Australia. Since its inception, over 3,000 families have been assisted by creating a supportive environment and helping to minimise many of the daily stresses experienced by families with babies. We support families in Busselton, Dunsborough, Margaret River and Augusta.

Since 2008 Practical Support program has been supporting families by having volunteers visit the family home weekly and work alongside the mother assisting in domestic duties such as light housework, shopping and basic childcare e.g. feeding, settling babies, and preparing meals for children. The volunteer can also help with linking in with community and local supports and enhancing social networks. This Program is available in the Busselton area.


ROLE OF THE VOLUNTEER

Volunteers provide approximately 4 hours per week of in-home respite per family and may work with the same family for up to 6 months in the case of a multiple birth. Hands-on support - child related activities, feeding, preparing meals for children, settling babies. Role modelling - volunteers encourage positive interaction between parents and children (play, talking, and discipline) to develop a child's social and cognitive development.
Emotional support - ‘being there' for the mother, the willingness to listen without being judgemental or giving advice.
Social support - supporting families in developing social networks and linking to community resources.
For more information on this volunteer opportunity or other exciting roles contact us at the

Busselton Dunsborough Volunteer Centre

Suite 5B - Ground Floor
21 Cammilleri Street
Box 11, CRC, 21 Cammilleri
Busselton WA 6280
Ph/Fax: 08 - 97542047
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web:  www.bdvolunteers.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BusseltonDunsboroughVolunteer Centre

 Open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays 9:30am to 3:30pm - other times by request

 

Alternative ways to talk to us: Zoom, Whats App, Skype

Busselton Dunsborough Volunteer Centre can conduct interviews on Skype or Zoom or Whats App

To book a call you will need to send us an email or contact us on 97542047 and we will arrange a time to call you to discuss your volunteering requirements.

Please send email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

manWant to place an event on our calendar? - Contact us at: volunteers@westnet.com.au - Phone: 9754 2047

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Environment Centre
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