Established in 1924 as the
proudly serving Brimbank and the North West
5 APRIL 2022
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SIG N U P N O W!
Ready to remember
Caroline Springs RSL Sub-branch’s Murray Lewis and Bob Matthewman with Caroline Springs Scouts Jahvia, Jonah and Joel; and students Zara, Devaughn, Myla and Kaytlin. (Damjan Janevski) 273821_03
Caroline Springs RSL Sub-branch volunteers will be selling Anzac badges from April 17 ahead of the Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Caroline Springs War Memorial on Lake Street. The community is invited to attend the service, beginning at 6am. President Peter Burquest said honouring Anzac Day and Remembrance Day was special for veterans. “Most veterans, particularly those who were front line troops, suffer these days from Post Traumatic Stress incorporating flashbacks and/or loneliness, aggressiveness, fear of confinement, crowds, failure and more,” he said. “The day isn’t so much a day for us to remember our mates who’ve fallen in the fight and after, but more for us to share a moment with our communities and country to honour all our sons, fathers, husbands, uncles, grandfathers, brothers, daughters, sisters.” Attendants are welcomed to lay a wreath at the service. Following the service, the Caroline Springs RSL Sub-branch invites all attendees to join with the committee and members for the traditional gunfire breakfast at the West Waters Hotel complex.
Improved justice support Corrections, Crime Prevention, Youth Justice and Victim Support Minister and Sydenham MP Natalie Hutchins said the program will benefit the Brimbank and Melton communities. “By working in more co-ordinated and intensive ways we can improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable Victorian families,” Ms Hutchins said. Child protection and Family Services Minister Anthony Carbines said the new model will stop families from losing connection to services and support. “Working with one case worker instead
of several will mean families do not have to keep re-telling their stories and will prevent problems falling through the cracks – keeping vulnerable children safe and families connected.” OzChild chief executive, Dr Lisa Griffiths, said it is hoped the program will have good outcomes. “Reduced offending, improved child and parental health and increased school attendance rates are just some of the many positive outcomes we will see by centralising support via the Putting Families First initiative,” she said.
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Brimbank and Melton families involved in the justice system will receive improved case support under a state government pilot program. The program will assign a case manager to families, giving them a single point of contact and eliminating the need to contact multiple staff from different services. Up to 200 families will take part in the program. According to the government, the case manager will support families in providing
access to legal, financial, mental health, housing and family violence services and other supports. It is hoped the program will lead to reduced offending. Services will be delivered in partnership with orgainisations led by OzChild, including the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, which will help meet the needs of Aboriginal children and families. The Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity, and Charis Youth and Community, will also work with families with African and Pasifika backgrounds.
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By Max Hatzoglou