The Advocate: March 2021 Edition

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THE ADVOCATE 1 ENVIRONMENT

COMMUNITY

Australians say “no way” to runway in Antarctica

As our young grapple with mental health issues, it’s time we step up

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NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA’S NOT-FOR-PROFITS & CHARITIES

$2.50

IT’S TIME TO END ENDO

Challenge yourself to wear yellow every day in the month of March to raise money towards endometriosis education, research and awareness. Image Credit: Endometriosis Australia.

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YOUR ADVERT GOES HERE, YES? ing a common disease, symptoms vary and is another. “Pelvic health physiotherapy-

LARA SHEARER

arch is Endometriosis Awareness Month, which aims to spread awareness of the disease, which affects one in nine women and people with menstrual cycles between the ages of 15 to 49.

Director and co-founder of Endometriosis Australia, Donna Ciccia, said that research and awareness has come a long way since her diagnosis in 2001.

“We still don’t know what prevents it, what causes it or how to cure it – we still have a lot of gaps,” she said.

What we do know is that there are several treatment methods available. Ms Ciccia refers to the disease as one that requires a multi-disciplinary team. Surgery with an endometriosis specialist is one as-

P1

should be in everyone’s toolbox, before and after surgery,” she said.

“Treatments, which may be very effective for some, may be a detriment to others. It is important to keep trying to find the practitioner who becomes part of your team that you click with.”

Commending the efforts of other specialists such as naturopaths, acupuncturists and nutritionists, Ms Ciccia added: “Pain management is an evolving space.

We’re learning more about pain, but it has only just started coming to the forefront of research,” she said.

For a lot of women diagnosed, it comes as a relief after years of not knowing what the problem is, where the pain is coming from or what to do about it. Despite it be

a full diagnosis can only be made through laparoscopic surgery, thus it can often take seven to twelve years to be diagnosed.

Endometriosis can be debilitating to the point where one’s quality of life is drastically impacted. “What is ‘normal’ period pain is not normal when you have to miss out on events – school, uni, seeing friends, sport. It’s something that needs to be investigated,” she said.

As well as the physical and mental anguish that often comes with Endometriosis, it is also extremely expensive. It costs the Australian economy $9.6 billion annually due to lost productivity, and direct and indirect healthcare costs. Individually, Endometriosis warriors spend an average of $30,000 a year to combat the disease.

MARCH 2021

“It is not a lack of research which let the gaps in our knowledge of Endometriosis persist. Compared to other diseases which affect a similar amount of people, such as diabetes and asthma which receive multi-million dollar investments annually, Endometriosis receives one million. “If this affected the general population, we would see a much greater investment”, Ms Ciccia said.

“Our general healthcare for women needs to be better. We challenge gender bias and inequalities in healthcare because we need to have people at the table who want to have that discussion. Endometriosis needs to have a seat at the table.”

Lesley Freedman co-founded EndoActive with her daughter Syl, upon Syl’s diagnosis at 21. Before that, Lesley had never heard of Endometriosis and had assumed it was similar pain she had experienced when she was young.

There is a stigma surrounding pain which still looms socially and medically, especially when it comes to invisible chronic illnesses.

“A lot of women have suffered – with family that don’t actually believe them and doctors that make careless remarks, making them think they’re not believed,” Ms Freedman said.

To learn more about Endometriosis, participate in events taking place this month, donate to the cause and access more resources visit: https://www.endometriosisaustralia.org/.

2 THE ADVOCATE

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OUR STORY

The Advocate, founded in 2014, is here to help promote the causes of not-for-profits and charities Australia’s changemakers. We’re passionate journalists writing for positive change..

This is The Advocate’s first digital edition, which will give not-for-profits and charities even more of a platform to tell their powerful stories to readers who care.

This edition will be free but will cost $2.50 hereafter to help fund our team of volunteer journalists.

THE ADVOCATE TEAM EDITOR

DEPUTY EDITOR

The following writers are volunteer journalists at The Advocate:

Ryan started The Advocate in 2014 to provide not-for-profits and charities another media platform to tell their worthwhile news stories and opinion pieces effortlessly.

In 2020, Ryan formed a team of volunteer journalists to help spread even more high-quality stories from the third sector.

He also has over 10 years experience as a media and communications professional for not-for-profits and charities.

Sarah is in her final semester of her Masters of Journalism. She is currently working on publishing her thesis on the 2020 domestic violence homicide of Hannah Clarke.

Sarah wants to use her role at The Advocate to highlight issues affecting women and the LGBTQI+ community. In her spare time, she loves listening to true crime podcasts, reading sassy restaurant reviews and drinking too much coffee.

JOURNALIST

Ryan Fritz

Sarah Davison

Georgia Franc JOURNALIST

Carol Saffer JOURNALIST

Lara Shearer JOURNALIST

Simone Francis JOURNALIST

Pat Callanan JOURNALIST

Benjamin Murdoch

Tasmanian Land Conservancy calls for support to protect Tasmania’s precious natural beauty SARAH DAVISON Tasmanian Land Conservancy

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he CEO of The Tasmanian Land Conservancy (TLC), James Hattam, is calling on Australians to help support the community-based organisation in their mission to protect Tasmanian’s unique wilderness.

Since 2001, the Tasmanian Land Conservancy has worked with environmental scientists to identify privately-owned properties worthy of conservation. The TLC will then reach out to landowners to enquire about purchasing the property to develop into a nature reserve. James describes the next stage as a “giant crowdfunding campaign”, where the community raise funds to assist the TLC in the purchase of the land.

The TLC’s current campaign is the purchase of a 67ha property on the Tinderbox Peninsula, a project 10 years in the making. James believes that this property epitomises why nature is so valuable in Tasmania. Lying just south of Hobart’s CBD and abound in threatened species, the proximity of this reserve to the city showcases how lucky we are in Tasmania says James, “nature is all around us, wherever we live”. Neighbouring 3 other reserves, the purchase of the Tinderbox Peninsula property will result in 250ha of protected land just a 20-minute drive from Hobart.

“Tasmania is a real island oasis. A really special place that has so many natural areas still intact and so many species still species still here

here that it’s really worth protecting,” James said.

In addition to the purchase of these properties, the continued management of the reserves is key to the TLC’s ethos and James wants to “smack down that myth” that environmental conservation is about “locking the gate and walking away”.

Funds are dedicated exclusively to both the management and scientific monitoring of these reserves in perpetuity.

Interestingly, bequests from members of the public have become a significant portion of The Tasmanian Land Conservancy’s donations. Whilst James acknowledges that these sorts of donations can sound “a bit morbid,” these donors or ‘Natural Guardians’ as the TLC has christened them, play an important role in their conservation work.

For James, bequeathing some of your estate to an organisation such as the TLC is a really powerful way that you can support society in a way that aligns to your values.

The TLC received $3 million solely from bequests last year, including an incredibly generous bequest from one estate of $1.6 million. These donations have directly gone to the purchase and protec-

of $1.6 million. These donations have directly gone to the purchase and protection of a new reserve on the Prosser River on Tasmania’s East Coast.

With a clear mission to make Australia’s smallest state a global leader in nature conservation, the TLC is dedicated to protecting Tasmania’s unique beauty and our innate connection to the natural world.

From humble beginnings as the origin of Australia’s environmental conservation movement, organisations such as the Tasmanian Land Conservancy are ensuring that Tasmania remains at the forefront.

Vale of Belvoir Reserve, Tasmania. Image Credit: Tasmanian Land Conservancy.

Copyright - The Advocate Published by Helping Hands Media Published bi-monthly. Edition 1 Melbourne, Australia. March 2021

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THE ADVOCATE 3

DonateDirect helps people donate quality used items straight to people in need CAROL STAFFER Donate Direct

Fitted for Work helps women with a criminal record gain life-saving employment directing her to services she may need such as Fitted For Work’s resume writing, upskilling and preparedness for technical and tech-enabled roles, and appropriate clothing for interviews.

“It’s obviously about confidence and having the capacity to build the rapport with the mentee and for her to perceive CAROL SAFFER that the mentor is there to add Fitted for Work value and not stress to their life,” ane Doe*, six months shy Ms Murphy said. of release from VictoAt the program’s commenceria’s Tarrengower Prison, ment, Zoom meetings between decided the opportunity mentors and mentees, lasting to prepare for getting a job after between 30 to 60 minutes, were she was out was too good to facilitated by the prison. pass up.

“It is entirely up to them to She was one of the first maintain their virtual relationcohorts of women accepted into ship by phone or zoom, once the mentoring for women in they are out,” she said. prison program initiated by FitFitted For Work does not ted For Work, an independent force either participant to connot-for-profit organisation, tinue after release; however, Ms working to help women expeMurphy may follow up with the riencing disadvantage get and ex-prisoner to ensure the woman keep sustainable work. is alright if the mentor ceases to Fitted For Work’s volunteer hear from her. manager Merredith Murphy Ms Murphy contacted Jane describes the program as Doe recently to check-in to see empowering women leaving if she was okay and let her know prison by giving them the skills her mentor is there waiting to and ongoing support they need support her if she needed. to break the cycle of crime and Jane Doe was thrilled to say: unemployment.

“I got a job the second day I was “In December 2020, we out, and then not long after that, matched four of our fully I got my dream job, and I love it.” trained mentors with individual *Name has been withheld for women prisoners who were privacy reasons within three to six months of release,” Ms Murphy said.

To find out more information, “The mentor is there to let please visit: the woman know they can have www.fittedforwork.org safe conversations like ‘I have a criminal record how do I go about that on my resume’ or if I get an interview how do I talk about this?’

“They will explain what to do and will help to normalise and practice that conversation.

“They are there to help the woman with how to tell her story.”

The mentor is a source of knowledge for the prisoner,

J I

t was sheer frustration and a will to recycle good-as-new furniture rather than have it end up as landfill, which led to Rachel Samuel’s lightbulb moment.

“It all started with a couch,” Rachel said.

“We were moving house and had a couch in excellent condition that wouldn’t fit into our new place,” she said.

Rachel took to the phone, contacting charities in the hope of donating the couch to someone who needed furniture.

She was interested, in particular, in helping a family or person who had lost everything in the recent bushfires, but unfortunately, her intention was to no avail.

Realising this situation must be repeated in many homes where people redecorate, upgrade their household goods, and downsize their homes, Rachel asked herself, what to do with your stuff when it is too good to throw out.

Not one to sit on her hands, Rachel founded DonateDirect, a centralised free online platform that matches the household needs of disadvantaged community members with what people have to donate.

One part of the platform is accessed by charities looking for items for their clients, while the public can use the other side to list what they want to give away.

The concept and aims of the charity are as simple as their name. Donate Direct does not store or stock items, therefore no need for warehousing.

Volunteers manage the online

platform, while the donor or a subsidised courier service delivers the recipient’s goods.

Televisions are one of the most common requests.

“A typical scenario is when a single homeless person moves into accommodation, a TV is what keeps them company,” Rachel said.

“Microwaves are also popular; we recently had a request from an elderly man who wanted to be able to cook his meals easily,” she says.

“Washing machines mean no more trips to the laundromat.

“We are on the frontline dealing with homelessness and financially disadvantaged people and families.

“Donors tell us they like the feeling of their items being appreciated and loved while recipients say it makes a positive difference to their lives.”

Please visit: www.donatedirect. com.au

What’s needed?

Vacuum cleaner, Portable air-conditioner.

For Who? Elderly disadvantanged individuals.

Location: St Kilda, Victoria What’s needed?

Queen bed frame and mattress, Couch, Dryer, Fridge, Vacuum cleaner, Washing machine, Microwave, Bed sheets for Queen bed, kitchenware (pots and pans, cutlery, utensils, kettle etc.).

Location: Richmond, Victoria What’s needed?

Washing machine, Single bed and mattress, Kitchenware, Fridge, Bar Fridge, Vacuum cleaner, Lounge suite, Queen bed.

For Who? Homeless Youth.

Location: Richmond, Victoria https://www.donatedirect.org. au/whats-needed.html

Zahra: Filling a gap in domestice violence recovery services SARAH DAVISON

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The Zahra Foundation

he Zahra Foundation was launched in 2015 by Atena, Arman and Anita Abrahimzadeh -three siblings who tragically lost their mum to domestic violence homicide. Zahra Abrahimzadeh was brutally murdered by her former husband in front of large crowds at a Persian New Years’ function in Adelaide.

A night that was meant to be a joyous celebration of Zahra’s 44th birthday had ended in devastation- another woman’s life cut short by the scourge of domestic violence. Zahra had suffered 24 years of domestic abuse at the hands of

domestic violence. Zahra had suffered 24 years of domestic abuse at the hands of her husband and had made the brave decision to flee the family home with her three children only 10 months prior.

The foundation is unique in the domestic violence sector. Focused more on the recovery stage than crisis services, Zahra Foundation aims to help South Australian women and children as they recover from DV and move forward with their lives. The financial burden of leaving an abusive relationship is an

underrecognised barrier for women who have often been subjected to financial abuse Focused on economic empowerment and independence, the Zahra Foundation offers a range of services targeted towards financial literacy. “We know we’re still a small organisation but we like to say we’re small but mighty,” Gemma General Manager of the Zahra Foundation, said.

For every 12 women that The Zahra Foundation is currently helping, there are at least 30 on the waitlist. Donate to this cause: www.zahrafoundation.org.au

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HEALTH

Disabled? Gifted? Both? How to support twice-exceptional kids in a problematic Australian Education System SIMONE GAGATAM Gifted 2E Support Australia

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ifted 2E Support Australia is a volunteer-run association focused on supporting parents, families and those who work with twice-exceptional children, through the provision of educational consultancy, advocacy, support, networking systems, services, and products to ease the complexities of life with twice-exceptionality.

So, what exactly does “twice exceptional” mean?

The term twice exceptional, 2E, or gifted learners with disability (GLD), refers to children of high intellectual ability who also have one or more disabilities or perhaps other problem such as social emotional. In IQ tests they typically score very highly in some sub-tests and poorly in others, and at school are often hard to identify due to the fact they tend to have uneven or inconsistent academic performance which is unexplained and unpredictable. The opposing characteristics of both giftedness and disability mask each other, leading to children slipping under the radar and performing well below potential.

Amanda Drury, Managing Director of Gifted 2E Support Australia said: “2E kids can spend their whole day at school focussing on masking a persona, and once in a safe environment like at home, will explode or fall apart. We see many 2E children not getting their learning needs met by the system due to lack of information. I don’t really blame the teachers as they try their best, but they aren’t being educated about this at a university level. They barely even get taught about special needs. The system is failing these kids.”

According to a study by Dr Michelle Ronksley-Pavia from the School of Education and Professional Studies and the Griffith Institute for Educational Research, more than 280,000 of all Australian students may be classed twice-exceptional.

“These students are largely unrecognised in Australian schools and education policies. I really wonder if teachers realise the potential of these kids. They could be the next Einstein!

“You will have one school in a suburb that is very supportive to gifted children with disabilities, and a complete lack of support in the school just one suburb across. Often parents can’t cross their school catchment zone to get the support their child needs. There are also too many students for one teacher, and I have heard many times that schools are not adequately differentiating the curriculum.”

One support forum member Bridgette Gable, has found both private and state education systems within Brisbane inadequate for their eleven-year-old son.

Although a couple of staff members at the private school were understanding and

extremely supportive of their son’s ASD and ADHD needs, as well as his incredible giftedness in mathematics, they had very little understanding, training or resource to support him. As Bridgette revealed: “There was no collaboration of how to best support our son and everything was so negative about him. This culture was also evident in the bullying my son received and the way parents spoke to and treated us.”

Although Bridgette was initially happy with the state school their son next attended, as it was better resourced, and more proactive and positive, a behavioural program offered in conjunction with the state school ended. This pulled away necessary supports, leaving Bridgette now needing to distance educate her son.

Sue Grant, mother of an eleven-yearold boy with ASD and ADHD who also attends a South East Queensland State school, is absolutely outraged by the inadequacies of the education system. Every year she has had to chase the school for an education adjustment program, and has even had to buy sensory equipment for her son to use at school.

“My son has been manhandled by teachers, injured by other students, as well as been suspended, punished or sent home for taking breaks during class time or not completing work. Although he has learning difficulties, he is capable of completing his sister’s year nine maths homework.

Despite this, his grades are constantly marked down due to his behaviour and his difficulties writing answers compared to verbalising them. None of the specialists can ever get the school to respond to their suggestions for learning alterations, and the Special Education Teachers and Deputies don’t even communicate! The inability to adapt a way to educate my child, and others, creates even more problems for my son,” Sue said.

According to The Department of Education Queensland’s policy on inclusive education, schools must adjust a child’s education to meet their specific ways of learning.

Although Sue has made complaints to the department of education, and although they have provided good advice about what to say or how to “handle” the school, nothing has lasted.

“It is a widespread issue, and without a school willing to adapt or to communicate with parents or outside specialists, it seems nothing will change,” she said.

“We requested comment from the Minister for Education QLD, who forward our questions on to the Queensland Department of Education. We asked if they were aware of the huge difficulties that parents of twice exceptional children are facing in Queensland state schools, regarding inad

A mother hugs her twice-exceptional child (Image Credit: Supplied).

equate adjustments for twice exceptional children. They responded: ‘Parents that are having difficulties with learning, programs and strategies to support their child should address the school directly with their concerns. The department also provides professional learning and a range of inclusive resources designed to provide targeted support for schools and teachers of gifted and talented students including those with disability’.”

Emma Burk, a South East Queensland State School teacher with almost ten years of teaching experience, admits she has never heard of the term ‘twice exceptional’. She has however worked with a broad spectrum of children with disabilities, and feels that the workload of a teacher is so overwhelming that it’s almost impossible to meet the needs of such children adequately.

“I love my job but there is a lot of constant pressure, and we are often micro managed and left feeling inadequate. We’re pressured by principles and deputies to do things so many different ways, and keep changing the program like a new diet.

We’re suffering having to cover so much curriculum, meet the diverse needs of all of the children, and report on a continual basis. And if a teacher is stressed it all goes to the children,” Ms Burke said.

Data sourced from the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) indicates that up to 25% of beginning teachers may leave teaching within the first five years. This departure has been associated with an overload work and a lack of support from leadership.

Ms Burk has seen some children present with a very high intellect and believes that they should be levelled to their ability so that they are challenged, take risks, and do their work, which prevents poor behaviour.

“The state system is a nightmare! It doesn’t support the teachers, the parents or the child. If it’s too much for the school they simply won’t support you, so many parents have not been happy with the system. Every child has a right to education, and to learn and be safe. If a school promises something and doesn’t follow through on the delivery of a parents request then

what are they doing to the children? As a parent, you scream and shout and that is very vile that your kid isn’t getting the help they need.”

Although it seems that state schools appear to have serious issues meeting the needs of children with learning difficulties, parents of private school students are also be facing major challenges.

Michelle Burns, mother of a five-yearold boy with ASD, has had a rough start to prep in a Queensland-based private Christian school. Her son Brian is an extremely talented artist, and even created his own comic book at age five.

“We have been gobsmacked with the lack of support. I was told by the teacher that my son is more “special school material” and will never graduate high school as it’s not an option for us. The experiences we have has so far have left us insulted, frustrated, and completely traumatised with the school and school environment,” Ms Burns said.

With NDIS funding not covering any educational supports whatsoever, and with inadequate access to suitable schools for many twice exceptional children, parents

Women to tell

Share the Dignity

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hare the Dignity distributes period products to women and girls, and this week launched its Period Pride campaign.

At the heart of the project is its Bloody Big Survey, a callout for at least 10,000 menstruating women to share their experience, thoughts and feelings on this natural occurrence.

“While the distribution of products is so important, if we still have shame and stigma surrounding menstruation, we can’t empower those in need to take control of their period,” said Rochelle Courtenay, Founder and Managing Director of Share the Dignity.

Almost half the population commonly suffer from shame, anxiety, confusion and

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THE ADVOCATE 5

HEALTH struggle to face the reality that they may either have to home school, fork out thousands of dollars for a specialised school and likely relocate, or watch their gifted child waste their potentially huge full potential.

There may be some light on the horizon for 2E children in some states however.

The NSW Department of Education began operating the High Potential and Gifted Education policy (HPGE) in all NSW public schools from the 27 January 2021.

This policy is explicitly inclusive of a whole range of reasonably under-represented students, including those with disability Pru Wirth, mother of Alex Cutcherwirth is happy to see her son’s needs finally being met in a NSW-based school.

Although Alex is highly gifted, his talents were overlooked for years due to his learning difficulties. Pru argues that twice-exceptional students are not a problem but can do well if supported appropriately.

“Although sometimes teachers can get really frustrated as they lack understanding about the particular learning needs of 2E kids, their allyship can really turn a kid’s confidence and behaviour around. It makes such a difference,” she said.

Ms Wirth also worries about the cultural change required to implement the new NSW policy effectively under-resourced schools.

“I wonder how the kids fare that are not as strong in advocating for themselves or with parent advocates, have never been identified or tested for giftedness, or have behavioural issues that have developed over many years. That really saddens me that they will continue to be overlooked, and the impact can be so great,” she said.

Melinda Gindy, President of the National Gifted Association (AAEGT) also believes it’s all about resourcing.

“We regularly receive a number of enquiries from both parents and teachers of 2E children. Parents often worry about how the school is going to meet their child’s learning and wellbeing needs.

Education for 2E children should be all about providing opportunities of choice. or instance, if a 2E child is ready to

access the curriculum at levels beyond their aged peers, it is essential that barriers which exist due to disability are removed.”

Until the resourcing and cultural change required to effectively support 2E kids across Queensland and the rest of Australia takes effect, perhaps the best option for parents is to jump at the support offered by community organisations like Gifted 2E Support Australia. Their website offers a lot of free information, including articles, adverts for authentic organisations that help 2E children, and links to information web sites. With an aim to educate the community, access to the website and Facebook Group are free to anyone who wants information about 2E. Click here to access the Gifted 2E Facebook Support Group. Click here to access further 2E information and support.”

The Coo-Wee Ride back on the road again to help veterans strugglingn with mental health Fundraising farmer Matt Aldridge, from Northwood, Victoria, will be back on the road in March to raise funds and awareness for veterans struggling with mental health issues and their families.

The Coo-Wee Ride founder rode over 140 kilometres from Tallarook to the summit of Mount Buller and back again on Wednesday, 24 March, to help raise the $40,000 for the Goorambat Veterans Retreat, a not-for-profit charity providing welfare and crisis accommodation support for veterans of Australia’s Defence Forces.

The retreat, which is just under 15 minutes West of Benalla, plans to build four, seven by three and a half metre sleeping cabins, ‘bedroom pods’, for veterans from around the country who visit the Retreat for respite, and wellbeing support.

Each pod costs about $10,000 each to build, and Matt, who has raised thousands of dollars to support veterans since he started his charity in 2016, couldn’t wait to get back on his bike to raise the money for all four pods.

“These sleeping pods will help veterans who are suffering from a range of health issues including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression,” Matt said.

“The retreat will also give homeless veterans the opportunity to take shelter

l it how it is in Bloody Big Survey sometimes trauma because of their periods Share the Dignity will use the survey data to help open dialogue and crush period stigma.

Analysing the responses will also transform access to education on menstruation and to period products when needed.

Barbara Merrifield, Share the Dignity’s regional leader Ballarat, Grampians and Goldfields, will be leading her team of volunteers with the rollout of the biannual Dignity Drive, which occurs each March and August.

“While we will be busy at the coal face collecting donated period products to supply our charity partners for distribution, the survey is an opportunity for women and girls to contribute in a personal way,” Ms Merrifield said.

Tanika Johnston, 16 years old, jumped

online when her grandmother Ms Merrifield mentioned the survey.

“The survey was very easy to complete,” Ms Johnston said.

“The questions were reasonably detailed but didn’t make me feel uncomfortable,” she said.

“My periods generally make me feel like curling up in a ball and crying; it is an emotionally heavy time for me.

“I just hope my answers are beneficial for the survey.”

Jane Bennett, Australia’s most renowned menstrual educator and author of About Bloody Time: the menstrual revolution we have to have, said running the survey in an online environment makes it accessible.

“Women and girls can sit in the privacy of their one home and type away,” Ms

Bennett said.

“This will help the conversation, but the degree of understanding about periods and the menstrual cycle in the mainstream is still fairly appalling.

“We know how to manage diabetes and how to be heart-healthy, but we don’t know how to cope with our periods.”

Learn more about period pride and complete the bloody big survey: https:// www.sharethedignity.org.au/period-pride

whilst making further arrangements for their long-term needs. Veterans are also supported by other veterans and families using the Retreat’s camping ground for recreation and holiday purposes. It’s a place where they can get the support they need to achieve their goals and get their lives back on track.”

Matt wasn’t able to take part in his annual charity bike ride last year, because of COVID-19, and is looking forward to getting back on the bike.

“The ride up to the summit of Mount Buller will certainly test the legs. Our rides are usually longer, but because of COVID, I wanted to keep it as local as possible this year,” he added.

Phil Thomson served in the Australian Army for 20 years before founding the charity, Goorambat Veterans’ Retreat Incorporated, which purchased the old primary school property for veterans in 2019. It is now supporting Veterans facing personal hardship while Phil and his wife have continued to work with the charity to improve facilities on the threeacre property ever since.

“It’s a great location for veterans to come to enjoy a bit of respite and just relax,” Phil said.

“Our sleeping pods are only bedrooms, and they have been designed that way intentionally so that maximum use is made of the communal spaces developed in the old school buildings. Veterans’ are then encouraged to interact with each other so that they do not feel alone. Engaging with others and peer support is an important part of the healing process.

“It’s great that charities such as Matt’s are chipping in to help, and it’s really nice to know that every dollar raised will be going directly to veterans who need it, and is not being frittered away on administrative overheads. If any local businesses out there think they can help out in any way, please let me know.”

Phil is encouraging those to support Matt’s fundraising efforts to donate via https://www.givenow.com.au/organisation/public/5186. The retreat has DGR status and all donations are tax deductible.

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HEALTH

Sunday, 28 February was International Rare Disease Day, a day to raise awareness among the general public and decision-makers about rare diseases and their impact on people’s lives. The Advocate has spoken to three people with rare diseases via Rare Voices Australia.

5-year-old Angela: Living without the middle part of her brain

RYAN FRITZ

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ngelina Moschoudis was born with a rare congenital disorder called Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC). The now five-year-old is missing the middle area of her brain that connects the two cerebral hemispheres and is the control centre for higher neural functions, including motor, sensory and cognitive functions.

Angelina also suffers from Microcephaly, a condition in which a child’s head is smaller than the typical range for the child’s age and gender.

Angelina’s condition arises from a Calcium/calmodulin-dependent Serine Protein Kinase (CASK) gene mutation. It’s an extremely rare condition affecting only an estimated 50 children worldwide.

Angelina’s mother, Giovi, says her smile lights up her mummy’s, daddy’s and brother’s heart each day.

“Behind her smile is a little girl fighting to walk, talk, eat and play. Day to day life can be immensely difficult due to the delay in her cognitive and physical abilities.

Eating solid food is still very hard for her.

Some days feeding can take up to an hour,” Giovi said.

“Not understanding her needs and wants when she is unable to communicate can result in regular meltdowns, which can be heartbreaking to watch.

“Pushing Angelina through therapy on a daily basis can be both emotionally and

physically draining for the whole family.”

Giovi said the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their lives greatly.

“Angelina’s face-to-face therapy came to a sudden halt. Missing out on physiotherapy was probably the most difficult and this meant that her walking and balance has suffered,” Giovi said.

Giovi said being forced to stay indoors wasn’t all bad for her daughter.

“Angelina began to explore her toys and just play like any other normal child independently and with her older brother.”

Giovi says that as a result of playing and watching her older brother, Aydan.

“She has now said more words and is communicating so much more. Most of all, her personality is shining through. Her laughter and playfulness brings us so much joy! There are no words that can describe the feeling of being able to experience her joy as emotion was something we were told she was unlikely to have or to understood.

Giovi, now a full-time carer of Angelina, said her daughter’s condition is now degenerative. This means that Angelina may lose her skills including her ability to walk, that she has been trying so hard to achieve.

In 2020, the mother of two started a foundation in Angelina’s name, the Angelina CASK Neurological Research Foundation, in an effort to advance

medical research to find a cure for CASK gene mutations and associated conditions related to CASK. “Genetic screening is so important and was something that we were not familiar with until we obtained a report from a neurologist in the US who informed us

that this could provide the gene that caused Angelina’s brain abnormalities and whilst this does not change her diagnosis it provides avenues for treatment or research into a cure.

“Whilst Angelina’s condition was not inherited from either I or her father, it occurred in Angelina for the first time.

Genetic screening also provides an option for families who may carry a genetic condition and are unaware of it prior to starting a family.

“I was informed of Angelina’s diagnosis when I was 34 weeks pregnant, following a routine ultrasound. I was told by members of the medical team that Angelina was unlikely to have any quality of life. I was given the option to terminate and had seven days to make this life-changing decision due to the impending birth being only weeks away.

“We made the decision to proceed with the pregnancy and have our little angel. Thank God we did. She has defied the odds. We wish to raise awareness and give other families hope that science is not always black and white, and that choosing hope, love and faith sometimes wins.”

You can follow Angelina’s journey on her Facebook Page: Fierce Beautiful Angelina.

Living with Still’s disease: “Just.

D

RYAN FRITZ

espite being diagnosed with Still’s disease, a rare auto-inflammatory condition that causes severe muscle and joint pain, Timothy Fulton from Canberra, is on his way to running 100 kilometres, and raising an incredible $2250 for Rare Voices Australia.

The 27 year old is pushing through the pain barrier to raise awareness of not only Still’s disease, but all forms of rare diseases ahead of International Rare Diseases Day on Sunday, 28 February. Still’s affects between one in 100,000 to one in 1,000,000 people globally.

Before his life-changing diagnosis, Tim grew up playing competitive sport and represented Australia in ice hockey at under-18 and under-21 level. He also competed in the National Australian Ice Hockey League for three seasons until the age of 21.

“I continued to play sport and exercise regularly, but in 2015 my health began to slowly decline. I remember vividly driving to training one night and just knowing something was wrong, but being unable to put a finger on why. I continued to push the feelings of fatigue, sore throats, and joint niggles

www.theadvocate.org.au

THE ADVOCATE 7

HEALTH

Living with myositis: “I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be in a wheelchair” RYAN FRITZ

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amian Slater’s life changed forever when he was diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) when he was just 35-years-old.

Myositis, also known as IBM, is a rare and incurable disease where the body’s immune system attacks healthy muscle tissue, particularly in the arms and legs.

Damian was one of the youngest people in Australia, under 50, ever to be diagnosed with the disease. It affects an estimated 1,250 Australians.

“The diagnosis was devastating for my wife and me. The hardest thing about living with my condition has been the limitations it puts on what I can do with my wife and son.

“It’s really tough not being able to do all those things you naturally want to do as a father, like kick a ball, go camping, playing at ground level or just walk along the beach together,” Damian said.

“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be permanently in an electric wheelchair unable to shower myself, get dressed, and be on extended leave from the job I loved for over 25 years.

“The broken bones and staples to head after falls with no warning have become something I fear and live with.”

Damian is amazed by his son who has grown-up with his father having physical limitations.

“He’s adapted to it and is always the first to open a door for me or spot a hazard. That kind of support from any child is pretty incredible but it’s heartbreaking too,” Damian said.

“My wife is my rock and she gives me the strength to carry on each day. Her love and positive outlook is my greatest

Keep. Moving.” aside for several months excusing them as being a result of low-grade colds,” Tim said.

“In January 2016, my health rapidly declined and I found myself lying on my back in the hospital unable to move and in extreme pain. My joints were swollen and sore, and my throat felt like it was on fire.

A rash covered my torso and face and my inflammatory markers were through the roof.

“It took a few weeks, but I was eventually diagnosed with Still’s disease. At this point, my life came to an abrupt stop.

Tim was bed-bound for two to three months after his diagnosis and housebound for close to eight months until he could get his Still’s under control using a biologic therapy.

motivation.”

Damian still hopes that one day there will be a drug that will make life easier for him.

Two trials are underway in Australia and offer glimmers of hope for people with IBM. One is for the use of rapamycin in a phase 3 trial, and another phase 1 trial of a new compound. Drug trials are taking place overseas for other forms of the disease.

Whilst these trials give some room for optimism, any results will take years.

“For those with IBM, which has no treatment, life can become incredibly small. It’s like motor neurone disease in its progression, but it’s not fatal and patients typically live a long life,” Christine Lowe, President of the Myositis Association Australia, said.

“We need support for our patients and their families along their journey.”

May is Myositis Awareness Month and you can support the Myositis Association of Australia via their Facebook Page.

Q

A quick interview with Rare Voices Australia CEO, Nicole Millis.

: Can you list the biggest challenge facing Australians with a rare disease in 2021?

A: The great complexity and unmet need in rare diseases can be overwhelming for the entire sector: for policymakers, clinicians, practitioners, researchers, academics, industry and especially for people living with a rare disease.

To respond effectively to rare diseases, Australia needs to reduce uncertainty through policy. There are many challenges in rare disease relating to awareness

tion, care and support, and research and data. The National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases (the Action Plan) provides a comprehensive policy framework to achieve the best health and wellbeing outcomes for Australians living with a rare disease.

Q: Can you list its biggest priority for RVA in 2021?

A: All three Pillars of the Action Plan - Awareness and Education, Care and Support, Research and Data - are interrelated and each outlines priorities, actions and implementation steps. As

In 2017, Tim went into a medication-free remission that lasted close to two years. In 2019, Tim unfortunately relapsed and is continuing to manage his symptoms with medication.

“My life had abruptly changed in the space of two weeks and it felt like my attitude was the only thing I had control over so I was determined to make the most of it,” Tim said.

In August last year, to stay on top of his mental health, combat the effects of calcium leaching from his medication, and his desire to encourage people, particularly those in the rare disease community, Tim set himself the audacious goal of running 100km before Rare Disease Day, 28 February.

On 26 February, the day before Rare Diseases Day, Tim ran 100 kilometres in 199 days and raised an incredible $2250 for Rare Voices Australia.

“I’m a big believer of living with an ‘It is possible’ attitude. This doesn’t mean you’re

naive to the reality of your circumstances, but it does encourage and motivate you to think about what might make something possible, and that is such an important first step,” Tim said.

“It’s undeniable that Still’s has taken a lot from me physically, emotionally and socially. It has radically changed my life for the time being, but every day I have things to be truly grateful for. Each day starts with putting on the right lens and viewing my situation a little creatively so I don’t miss the opportunities that lie before me.

You can follow Tim’s journey via Instagram: Running Rare.

To make a donation, please click here: https://bit.ly/3ut7M9b.

such, the strongest policy responses address areas across multiple pillars. This means that effective policy reform in one area will create change and movement in other areas.

RVA continues to lead the collaborative implementation of the Action Plan in 2021.

Activities include Newborn Bloodspot Screening advocacy and advocacy around equitable access to repurposed medicines.

Access the 2020 Rare Diseases Action Plan.

8 THE ADVOCATE

COMMUNITY

Small Steps Foundation: Remembering Hannah Clarke SARAH DAVISON

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n February 19, 2020, Hannah Clarke and her three young children were killed when the car they were in was intentionally set alight by Hannah’s estranged husband.

In a shocking culmination of years of domestic abuse, the murders of Hannah, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey stands as a devastating example of the insidious nature of family violence and was viewed by many to be a watershed moment in Australia’s response to domestic violence. It is a heartbreaking reality that in the few short months of 2021, five Australian women have already lost their lives to domestic violence homicide.

In the wake of unspeakable tragedy and in response to Australia’s domestic

violence crisis, Hannah’s parents Sue and Lloyd Clarke started Small Steps 4 Hannah. In a touching homage to their beloved family members, Small Steps 4 Hannah aims to H(annah) A(aliyah) L(aianah) T(rey) the cycle of domestic violence in

Back2Bikes keep bicycles on the road

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CAROL SAFFER

ack2Bikes, is an oasis of calm and order on busy Williamstown Road.

Back2Bikes is a not-for-profit social enterprise providing affordable transport for low-income earners, those in need, assisting local schools and other charities.

The organisation accepts bikes and parts, and volunteers bring the bikes back to life for sale or donation to those in need.

Mobility is vital in a city as large as Melbourne.

For people who don’t have access to a motor vehicle or cannot afford public transport, pedal power is an option.

Caseworkers contact Back2Bikes for assistance for the likes of newly arrived refugees, ex-prisoners who need transport to get to a job, and low-income households.

Mark Bradley, Back2Bikes workshop manager, describes the mainly male volunteers as “members of the habitual older generation, they love a routine, and we love them.”

“We have about 80 volunteers in total with a regular corps of 20,” Mr Bradley said. “There is a sense of connectivity amongst the people who volunteer as they undergo a training process and then work in our high-quality workshop helping the community.”

Phil Warren, a 66-year-old man in lycra, first heard about Back2Bikes over a coffee at the end of a ride.

Having been forced to retire and looking for something to keep him occupied, volunteering at the Back2Bikes workshop ticked all the boxes. I come here two days a week and learn something new every time,” Mr Warren said.

Mike King started the social enterprise

seven years ago “I knew a bit to start with, and now I pick up subtle differences, and I love it.

Socially this place is important to me.”

Mike King started the social enterprise seven years ago after identifying a need for bike training and recycling in the local community.

“Bicycle usage is increasing dramatically, more people are using them for daily transport, and the government is spending money on bike infrastructure,” he said.

Mr Bradley says the free 10-minute service they offer to bike owners and riders every Saturday at the South Melbourne Market is good for the community, enhances their reputation, and spreads the word.

Australia. Through avenues of education, advocacy, fundraising and support, Small Steps 4 Hannah plans to put a HALT to the incidences and severity of domestic and family violence in Australia.

It is the education component that Professor Molly Dragiewicz, an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Griffith University believes is key to Australia’s response to domestic violence. Professor Dragiewicz believes that university degrees in disciplines such as healthcare and law should have elective courses in domestic violence available to students, to help inform their future professional practice.

“I would really like to see broader, more widespread education especially at universities- it just seems like there’s such an opportunity. When we have domestic violence electives, they are quite well enrolled that they’re quite popular with students too. I think if we offered it, more students would take it out of interest.”

Professor Heather Douglas is a Professor of Law at Melbourne University and an internationally renowned expert on legal responses to domestic and family violence. Professor Douglas also believes that education and community outreach are imperative if we are to effectively address the domestic violence crisis in Australia.

More focus should be placed on prevention and early intervention, including for example better housing options, child care, financial support and better education in schools for children and adolescents. Programs like men’s behaviour change, drug and alcohol and so on are desperately under-resourced and these kinds of programs are more successful in addressing violent behavior that criminalisation.”

Small Steps 4 Hannah is particularly focused on coercive control, Professor Douglas describes coercive control as a variety of methods by an abuser to “hurt, degrade, intimidate, exploit, isolate, and control their victim.

“The forms of abuse used develop and change over time and are specific to the abused person’s circumstances, with the abuser testing different approaches to see what works best to control the individual woman at a given time.

“This means that methods change over time and depending on the context, and might include physical violence, threats, deprivation of basic needs like food and sleep, surveillance and degradation.”

It is these non-physical forms of abuse that Hannah Clarke herself was subject to in her marriage and that she and those around her struggled to define as domestic violence.

Whilst Small Steps 4 Hannah is in its infancy, Sue and Lloyd Clarke along with their son Nat are determined to “fight the good fight so that another family won’t have to endure the pain and loss of losing their daughter, sister and grandkids.”

The National Sexual Assault, Family & Domestic Violence Counselling Line – 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) – is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for any Australian who’s experienced, or is at risk of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

Please visit: Back2Bikes

SOCIETY

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LARA SHEARER he women’s support sector swiftly adapted to the throes of remote support, though for organisations like the Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE), it has still been fraught with challenges.

In a recent survey conducted by Monash University, the amount of firsttime family violence reports increased by 42 per cent in Victoria and support practioners struggled working remotely, due to COVID-19.

Chief Executive Officer of WIRE, Julie Kun said that COVID has only demonstrated how “resilient and strong” women are.

“As society was pivoting, women were as well. We hear stories after stories of women who kept themselves and their

A new age of support in helping wom children safe whilst in lockdown experiencing family violence and really abusive behaviour,” Kun said.

Teleconferencing has enabled women to get the support they need remotely, but people have struggled without the in-person connection that they specifically seek from support organisations like WIRE. “For a long time, people haven’t had that face to face response and that can be really important, to really get the sense of that support worker, you really get to see whether they’re understanding or believing you by way of body language,” Kun said.

Without the resources to get help remotely, some have not been able to receive the free services that Wire provides.

“You have challenges that you don’t

have face to face such as internet dropout or people who don’t have access to the internet. You have homeless people that are experiencing trauma and need to get services but don’t have the devices or the Wi-Fi to do it,” Kun said.

WIRE is committed to offering the safest possible services, though during these times it has been out of their control to an extent, as they have not been able to provide their normal safe physical space.

“We’ve needed to think about how can we safely contact people and get very personal information through the internet.

Do you have a password that is secure or could people who know you easily access your emails? They’re constant conversations that we need to have.

“Many services have said that family

www.theadvocate.org.au

THE ADVOCATE 9

imagine if you got on a tram and your walker doesn’t fit? What would you do?

Walk out backwards? Be left on the road?

There’s too much risk involved.”

At a Federal level, the government is currently undergoing a reform process and are seeking feedback from the public with regard to public transport standards for people with disability. You can have your say here.

For more information or to donate to the DRC you can visit their website at https://drc.org.au/.

The ‘Most Liveable City’ missing the mark for those with physical disabilities

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LARA SHEARER ublic transport is a civil liberty for all to take advantage of, but a recent audit of Melbourne’s tram services established that 85 per cent of such services are not accessible to those with physical disabilities.

Not only are they inaccessible, they are failing to meet legislative requirements set out in the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport (2002), which say that all tram stops must be disability-accessible

by December 2022.

Ally Scott is the Transport Campaign Coordinator for the Disability Resources Centre (DRC) and says it will take a lot more lobbying to see the government take action.

There have been efforts such as the installation of ‘super stops’ on Dandenong road, though Ms Scott said where there is infrastructure work, the vehicles are miss-

ing as “there’s never any accessible trams along there”.

At the rally hosted by DRC on Thursday March 4, Ms Scott said that there were a lot of people there with a diverse range of disabilities, including those with energy conditions and visual impairments who have expressed their concern over the lack of audible announcements.

“It really restricts their mobility and their ability to take advantage of all the opportunities that should come with living in any kind of community,” she said.

Zanthi, 30, has faced a series of life-threatening and ultimately life-changing events which have left her permanently disabled as of a year ago.

“I randomly lose consciousness a lot, I have brain damage and peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet, I have to use a walker wherever I go. Even with the

men in a COVID-19 world violence being committed through cyber stalking and hacking have increased during COVID…. We do have people that do harm through accessing peoples technology without their knowledge and stalking,” Kun said.

Remote support has also meant that people who don’t have English as a first language have had an additional barrier with online services as “face to face can be really helpful if you don’t speak English properly,” Kun said.

COVID has also caused great delay for some access to the support needed in order for WIRE to help enact important changes for them.

“We have people constantly telling us that they can’t access services as easily as they could before… we have longer wait-

ing lists to return phone calls, a constant frustration of people who are wanting information and support and to get it in a timely manner,” Kun said.

Despite its drawbacks, Kun can see an ongoing benefit with more options available for people. People with mobility issues have described COVID as “the great leveler”, bridging the gap between those physically able and those less so or not at all.

WIRE is the only state-wide free information & referral service for Victorian women, non-binary and gender-diverse people. If you would like support from WIRE, please find their information below: Contact via phone on 1300 134 130 (9am to 5pm Monday – Friday)

walker, I’ve broken three bones in the past 12 months just from passing out”.

Driving, training and walking are not an option due to her disabilities. Living in Metropolitan Melbourne, “you assume that the world will be accessible if you’re in between three major tram lines, then you realise you can’t get on a single one” she said.

To get around, Zanthi resorts to Uber, which is costly and also uncomfortable at times. “I’ve actually had Ubers turn up, see me with a walker and cancel the trip in front of me and drive away,” she said.

Despite 17 percent of Victorians living with a disability, Zanthi strongly feels that: “the world is not built for people like me.”.

“I can’t get up a flight of stairs normally, let alone in the middle of the road where there are cars, and I don’t know if the tram is going to be packed or not. Can you

DRC ‘GET ON TRACK’ Direct Action on Thursday March 4, calling for tram accessibility for all (Images Credit: Ally Scott).

10 THE ADVOCATE

ENVIRONMENT

Australia’s vast concrete Antarctic airport should not go ahead

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The Bob Brown Foundation

his week, the Bob Brown Foundation met with the Federal Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, at Parliament House to express grave concern for the enormous environmental impact of Australia’s planned concrete airport at Davis Base, Antarctica.

The proposed 2.7km concrete airport will increase all nations’ human impact on the continent by 40%.

“We came to Canberra to tell Minister Ley that this proposal needs to be stopped right now. It will require a staggering 3 million cubic metres of earthworks and the explosive levelling of 60 metres of hills in the neighbourhood of 160,000 Adelie penguins, Weddell seal pupping habitat and with nesting sites of Wilsons Storm Petrels,” Antarctic campaigner Alistair Allan said.

“Minister Ley said that she only oversees the EPBC section of the project. But the environment minister is appointed to be an advocate for our environment. Minister Ley should be our leading environmentalist and she can start by pulling the plug on this environmental disaster in the pristine wilderness that is Antarctica,” Dr Bob Brown said.

Concurrently, during senate estimates, Greens Senator Hanson-Young questioned the Director of the Australian Antarctic Division, about the budget for the project.

“A 5-billion-dollar figure has been touted for the concrete airport. This project is going to be a logistical nightmare. The government has already spent $68 million dollars on investigating this aerodrome.

The question to Australians is, at a price tag of 5 Billion, what would they prefer? A concrete airport that destroys the homes of penguins and seals in an area the whole world wants protected, or $200 in the pocket of everyone?” Alistair Allan said.

EARTH HOUR: 10 EASY WAYS YO EARTH HOUR

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Earth Hour: 27 March : aving the planet doesn’t have to mean turning your life upside down.

Australia has the opportunity to make the switch as a nation and become a renewables powerhouse, and, as individuals, we can all do our part and make simple switches to create change. It’s people power at its best. Every small switch made today will have a huge impact tomorrow.

Thankfully, some brands and local community initiatives are starting to make it easy to turn lifestyle choices into global action. By taking on any of the simple switches in this blog, you can help us help our planet. What will you do to #SwitchforNature this Earth Hour?

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. Switch to an ethical superannuation Superannuation is savings for your retirement, but it doesn’t just sit in a bank account until you’re 65. Super funds invest this money — trillions of dollars — to turn a profit for you. While you can’t choose specifically how your fund invests your money, you can choose a fund that makes investments that benefit your future, such as renewable energy, instead of choosing to support fossil fuels, arms manufacturing and mining. . Switch to a planet-friendly mobile plan While we’re scrolling, swiping and texting whenever we want, the cell towers and data centres our phones are connected to are producing carbon emissions through the electricity they use.

Thankfully, there are new carbon-neutral mobile plans that let us enjoy our phones and reduce our impact at the same time. . Switch to solar power Did you know that if all households were to switch to solar, that’s equivalent to taking all forms of transport off the road? If you’re a homeowner, there

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are still government subsidies that will fund the installation of solar panels on your house to help offset your usage. If you’re renting, choose projects and products that use solar power, switch to a green energy provider (see tip #9), or join a community solar project. . Plant for pollinators in your garden Bees, butterflies and pollinating birds are crucial to our global food security. One-third of the food we consume and 80% of flowering plants need pollination to do their thing. By choosing plants that attract native pollinators, your flowers and veggies will thrive while offering pollinators a place to rest and feed as they move around our cities.

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. Choose carbon offsetting wherever you can (and understand why it works) Carbon offsetting is reducing the impact of everyday activities that cause carbon emissions. It’s simple: one carbon credit equals one tonne of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by trees. The easiest way to do this is by always choosing to offset your air travel or parcel deliveries where possible — your money will be invested in projects that could empower communities, protect ecosystems, restore forests or reduce reliance on fossil fuels. . Give your old wardrobe new life We all love clothes, but clearly, we don’t love them enough because each of us is sending an average of 23 kgs of textile waste to landfill each year.

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Celebrating women in ocean conservatio JANIS SEARLES JONES

I Image: Bob Brown and Alistair Allan at Parliament House. Image Credit: Bob Brown.

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Want to help the planet? We’ve come up with 10 simple lifestyle switches you can make this E

nternational Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions, achievements and challenges of women around the world.

Women play an integral role in furthering ocean research, conservation and policy. More than half of undergrad marine science degrees today are awarded to women, and women make up the majority of biology graduate students around the country. In 2018, women made up more than half of all law school students. From the halls of Congress to regional fisheries management councils to local beach cleanups, women are leaders in the fight for a healthy ocean.

It wasn’t always this way—for centuries many women were barred from partici-

pating in official ocean research. In 1872, the HMS Challenger set out to sample the world’s ocean and is recognized as the first modern oceanographic expedition. It had 243 people on board—none of whom were women. In fact, no women were allowed on research vessels in the U.S. until the 1960s.

Within ten years, Sylvia Earle led the first all-female aquanaut team in an experiment where they lived in an underwater habitat for two weeks. In my chosen profession, women were only admitted to the American Bar Association in 1918. With each decade since, women’s role in academic research and marine policy has skyrocketed.

Although we’ve made great strides in the

gender representation in ocean research and conservation, we still have work to do.

Although women make up the majority of marine science and biology students, they are underrepresented in professor positions. Women also face biases in the workplace—a study of applications for a science research position found that faculty rated male applicants more highly than female applicants, even though their resumes were identical. Another study found that women were half as likely to receive stellar letters of recommendation for postdoctoral fellowships than their male counterparts.

We also have a serious problem with harassment in the field—according to a re-

www.theadvocate.org.au

THE ADVOCATE 11

ENVIRONMENT

OU CAN #SWITCHFORNATURE

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. Switch to a carbon-neutral or green energy provider There are lots of energy providers to choose from, and some of them offer either carbon-neutral or renewable energy product options (or both). While breaking up with your current provider can feel hard to do, it’s actually really simple and will instantly reduce your impact on the planet.

0. Switch to a reusable coffee cup In 2017, ABC TV’s War On Waste program showed us the extremes of our single-use plastic addiction by filling a Melbourne tram with 50,000 disposable coffee cups — the number Australians were using in just 30 minutes each day. It’s still a confronting image today. Simply by switching to a reusable coffee cup, and taking it with you every day, you can help greatly reduce waste sent to landfill.

So, what #SwitchforNature will you make when the lights come back on?

Sign up here to join the Earth Hour movement and download your exclusive social media bundle! Make sure to use the hashtag #SwitchforNature and show us how you’re switching off this Earth Hour.

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Earth Hour to help Australia become a renewables nation. (Image SUPPLIED.) According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, that’s 85% of all textiles purchased ending up in landfill. This switch is easy: choose high-quality clothing that lasts, only donate wearable clothing and find a textile recycling service for anything stained or unwearable. And give your old wardrobe a good once-over every few months — you may find some gems in there that you can roll out again, instead of purchasing new clothes. . Reduce your food waste Did you know that on average, one-third of all food produced globally goes to waste? Choosing to be conscious of the amount you buy and cook, as well as always eating leftovers, is a good place to start. Disposing of your food scraps into a worm farm or compost heap

will help your garden thrive while also greatly reducing the amount of food that ends up in landfill. . Switch to different forms of planet-friendly transportation Bicycles.

Electric scooters. Public transport.

Electric cars. Walking. There are so many ways we can reduce our impact on the environment by choosing to reduce our reliance on cars and fossil fuels. Transport like walking or cycling is good for your health too!

This year, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Fonz to bring you this year’s Earth Hour competition prize – a brand new Fonz electric scooter to help you make the #SwitchforNature! Sign up to Earth Hour 2021 to go in the draw.

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on and science cently-released study by Women in Ocean Science, 78% of women have experienced sexual harassment in marine science. We still have significant work ahead of us.

For women in this field, we need to lift and celebrate others as we climb. We are leaders in the field today because of the work of generations of women who came before us, and it’s our responsibility to continue to open doors for the women who will come after us. For the men in this field, I urge you to stand alongside your female peers and continue to challenge the status quo, whether that is advocating for equal pay or calling out bias and harassment when you see it.

It is a gift to work alongside a group of incredible women here at Ocean Conservancy—lawyers, scientists, advocates, communications and policy experts, and

Container deposit schemes show a new way to fundraise

all of the women volunteers around the world who make our work possible, like the International Coastal Cleanup. I am grateful to the women in my life who encouraged me to pursue my path of environmental law and ocean conservation—if I am able to do the same for other women, I know I will have left this sector and the ocean a better place.

Join me in celebrating the incredible women in ocean science and conservation.

This is a snippet of Janis Seales Jones’ article online here. International Women’s Day was on 8 March.

Image Credit: Rebecca Griffiths / Sea Shepherd.

C

Exchange for Change

ontainer deposit schemes in NSW and ACT have become a way for charities and community groups to fundraise, utilising the 10c refund given for each bottle, can or carton taken to a return point.

In NSW alone, nearly $11 million has already been raised through formal partnerships with the Return and Earn container deposit scheme since it launched in December 2017.

Last year, as COVID-19 restrictions put fundraising events on hold for many charities and community groups, Return and Earn became a lifeline. Groups that used to rely on community events such as market stalls or Bunnings sausage sizzles needed to find other revenue streams.

One example of this is the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter (NBWS), which not only struggled to fundraise, but saw an increased demand for assistance during COVID restrictions. The charity partnered with Return and Earn and TOMRA Cleanaway to be featured on Reverse Vending Machines.

When customers deposit their containers at RVM, they can chose whether to receive their refund, or donate it to a featured charity. In this way, the NBWS was able to maintain an income stream. As well as formal fundraising partnerships, countless organisations have made collecting bottles and cans a mainstay of their fundraising.

Students at Warilla Public School, near Wollongong, led an initiative to raise money for solar panels, which will soon allow the school to become entirely self-sufficient for power. Living by the coast, the students were acutely aware of the impact of plastic pollution on oceans and sea life, so they wanted to reduce litter as well as making their school more sustainable.

Students set up recycling bins, and established a volunteer ‘Sortin’ Squad’ to separate the containers. They also took responsibility for making sure drink bottles and cans from the cafeteria – 8,000 per semester – were all collected.

Through the 10c refunds per container, the students raised $2,500 towards the initial 50 solar panels. These panels were installed at the beginning of 2019, and immediately halved the school’s power bills, saving tens of thousands of dollars annually. Fundraising continues, with the final 50 solar panels due to be installed imminently. The savings on electricity go back into the school to support learning and development.

In ACT as well, a number charities have used the container deposit scheme for fundraising. At the National Zoo and Aquarium, volunteers operate a network of container collections to raise money for a different animal charity each month.

To support charities, schools, and community groups, boyh NSW and ACT schemes have launched digital assets to get the best results from using container returns for fundraising.

12 THE ADVOCATE

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Heart Foundation: The brave new workplace JOHN G. KELLY, AM

Female suicide and International Women’s Day

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his International Women’s Day (March 8), Mates4Mates is encouraging people to get involved and support the female veteran community.

This year, the theme is Choose to Challenge, providing an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements and take action to change the world for the better.

We know that veteran issues are often seen as a male-centric issue, but it’s important that female veterans impacted by service feel seen and heard. We want them to know that there is support available for them too.

Nearly one third of all those reaching out for support at Mates4Mates are women – many who are veterans.

Defence-related injuries, mental health issues and suicide can affect anyone in the Defence community.

Sadly, the rates of suicide among ADF veteran women are more than two times higher than those of Australian women who have not served.

Let’s use this time as an opportunity to rally around female veterans – mums, daughters and grandmothers – and show we care. If you know a veteran, reach out and show them that they’re not alone and encourage them to reach out for support.

Those impacted by service who need support can reach out to Mates4Mates on 1300 462 837.

Georgia Ash National Clinical Manager Mates4Mates

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OVID-19 has not only changed the way we work, it has changed the way we think about work – and will doubtless shape how we work far into the future. You don’t need a crystal ball to see that.

That said, if I could peer ahead into the coming year or so, I suspect that what I’d find would be in many ways familiar: more rolling lockdowns in pockets or regions across the country; state borders opening and closing at short notice, restrictions coming and going. Which is to say that, for employers and working Australians, 2021 will probably look a fair bit like 2020 – hopefully minus the sort of extended closures we saw in Victoria.

This means many staff will still be working from home, and that businesses and companies will continue to rely on digital technologies to connect within and externally. Only, instead of a novelty, these practices will, to greater or lesser degrees, have become part of the new normal – whether we like it or not.

But what that new normal means – how it affects our moods, our management styles and our bottom lines in the longer term – is in no sense fixed. It will be powerfully influenced by the actions we take, the attitudes we bring, and the questions we ask now.

As things stand, for staff, as for employers, remote working has been a mixed blessing.

When we surveyed Heart Foundation staff in late 2020, many told us they enjoyed the greater flexibility and autonomy of working from home, with time saved commuting or on public transport now available for exercise, childcare or other activities. Their responses echoed international trends. Inevitably, the shift also has its downsides: isolation, loneliness,

feelings of disconnection from colleagues and, sometimes, employers; the blurring of private and public realms, and with it increased risks of burnout for staff who feel that they are effectively on call much of the time.

But overall, surveys of staff working from home here and overseas show a strong appetite to hold onto at least some of those changes.

Of course, employers have their own challenges. Productivity is central. And here again, the picture is mixed. Earlier in the pandemic, the media focus was on increased productivity coinciding with the move to remote working. Today a more nuanced picture is emerging.

Writing in Harvard Business Review late last year, Bain and Co’s Michael Mankins and Eric Garton note some companies have managed the shift to WFH well, harnessing new technologies to stay connected to staff, and increasing productive time by an estimated 5 per cent. But most have struggled, with productive time dropping by 2 to 3 per cent.

In Australia too, the outcomes for employers have been mixed. A study by consultants AlphaBeta found that despite rapid and widespread uptake of new technologies, a quarter of businesses recorded a drop in productivity – the same proportion as reported increases – although, interestingly, those increases went up to 40 per cent for companies that embraced WFH. But what was striking was that the technology was an important but relatively small part of the story. The study, done in collaboration with Microsoft, found that firms that also introduced practices such as flexible working hours, and new initiatives to increase social connections, update training, and support physical and mental

health, were nearly three times as likely to boost their output.

Similarly, Bain and Co’s Mankins and Garton found that the capacity to adjust and stay productive during the pandemic depended in large part on the strength of the company pre-pandemic, in particular its ability to channel the time, energy and talent of its workers.

The blurring of public and private space creates its own challenges for employers – and means asking ourselves, and our staff, other questions. How, in this brave new world, do we ensure that flexibility is balanced by accountability? What are the expectations of being an employee in this new paradigm? What indicia might we use to determine that this is happening?

Here’s another question, one that a year ago would have been unimaginable for many: will we ever again have all of our staff working under the same roof at the same time? And if not, how, as an employer or organisation, do we redefine our physical workplaces? How might we design office space differently? Is there an ideal home/ office ratio? Do we even need an office? And what are the alternatives?

Many of these questions are not new.

Moves towards remote and more flexible work practices, and questions about the continuing role of bricks and mortar, have been gaining traction for years. But the pandemic has not only brought the conversation into sharp focus, it also presents the opportunity for us to ask how we might do things differently.

We will be asking this question and thinking through the answers for some time.

By John G Kelly, AM, Adjunct Professor and National Heart Foundation of Australia Group CEO

As our young grapple with mental health issues, it’s time we step up SEDIM UCAR

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Humanity Matters

The past year was tough for marginalised young people, and the challenges they faced carry into the present.

While Australia as a nation slowly emerges from the pandemic, young people who were disproportionately impacted by the crisis continue to grapple with increased mental health challenges.

In fact, health departments point to a mental health legacy of COVID-19 among our youth (aged 17 and under) with NSW reporting a 25 per cent increase in youth self-harm attempts between 2019 and 2020 and Queensland reporting a spike in emergency department presentations of young people with mental health problems.

For young people dealing with a decline in mental health, obtaining the health services they need is not always easy. Barriers can relate to anything from availability, accessibility, acceptability, lack of information to even the equity of health services.

This is a recipe for problems to go unseen and unheard.

To ensure young people struggling with

mental illness don’t fall through the cracks of our social fabric, here are ways to improve the way we address complex mental health needs and deliver holistic solutions where it matters most.

Listen to young people with lived experiences A systematic approach for involving young people with lived experiences in mental health planning is key to redressing system fragmentation and building stronger health service provisions. The lived experiences of young people from diverse backgrounds and situations need to be recognised in the design, delivery and governance of youth mental health strategies to ensure complexities of mental health conditions are captured and initiatives are appropriate.

The recently announced Youth Aftercare service program by the NSW government, designed by young people for young people for community-based, non-clinical support and continuity of care following an attempted suicide, is a step in the right direction. By meaningfully involving young people in developing mental health initiatives and services, there will be a

better understanding of what’s important to young people and what they need. A collaborative and coordinated approach to any mental health initiative is crucial to ensure a system that hears, involves and shares power with our vulnerable youth.

Take services to where the young are at Initiatives need to be accessible to young people, no matter where they are located. Young people who experience exclusion and marginalisation are often negatively perceived as ‘hard to reach’ by society. The narrative needs to be changed and the focus should instead be on providing services that are ‘better at reaching’.

That is, services that reach out to young people “on their turf, and on their terms”, meeting them where they are at both “geographically” and “emotionally”.

Youth streetwork is one way to better reach young people undermined by poor mental health conditions, especially those highly marginalised. The approach centres around taking services to the community, rather than traditional fixed centre based services - bringing support programs to community spaces and empowering each unique community to inform the ap-

proach and service provision. Youth-serving organisations must be flexible to pursue engagements outside of non-traditional settings, so that all young people can get the right support.

Building community and support systems The collective efforts of society as a whole is important to prevent an ongoing trend of mental health decline among young people. Equipping and empowering peer networks, schools, families and communities to support young people struggling with mental health can be life-saving.

As often, mental illness is an isolating experience for young people.

Whether it be through community education, raising awareness to mental health issues or establishing youth peer networks, community interventions can open up the dialogue to redress stigmas around mental health, promote the provision of health services and ensure no struggle goes unseen.

By Selim Ucar, Youth Street Services Manager at Humanity Matters

www.theadvocate.org.au

THE ADVOCATE 13

A year in Australian sport A record of $43.3 million distributed to Aussie sport by the Australian Sports Foundation

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The Australian Sports Foundation

019-20 brought with it unprecedented challenges and changed the day to day lives of millions of Australians.

The havoc wrought by the summer of bushfires hit community sports clubs hard, damaging facilities and equipment, and causing financial hardship for affected members. This was closely followed

by COVID-19, which has created a crisis that threatens the existence of thousands of community sport clubs across Australia – and, of course, impacts the millions of members, volunteers, coaches, and families that make up community sport all over Australia.

Despite these challenges, the financial year results continue to recognise the high regard Australians place on sport and the important role sport plays within communities. In FY20, the Australian Sports Foundation distributed a record $43.36m to Australian sports clubs and athletes, as a result of generous support from donors in communities all over the country.

Sports Foundation Chief Executive, Patrick Walker, said “The 2018-19 financial year was a record result for philanthropic funding for sport at all levels throughout Australia. Sport helps create better, healthier and more vibrant societies and we thank Australians for their continued generosity and support of their club and community”.

Active sports participation has many proven health benefits such as combatting obesity and other health problems that are linked to sedentary lifestyles, including heart disease and cancers. Importantly, studies have also shown that sports participation helps to improve mental health, and the Sports Foundation believes that sport has a particularly important part to play in building our resilience and social cohesion as we recover from the challenges of the pandemic.

Mr Walker said there were several fundraising highlights in 2019-20.

- A record $43.36m was distributed to Australian sports clubs and athletes, funded by donations from nearly 23,000 generous donors

- The Sports Foundation supported over 4,400 individual fundraisers by clubs, schools, athletes and organisations at all levels - $2.6 million was donated to support clubs affected by COVID-19 - $1.4 million was donated to support bushfire affected clubs - Emerging or representative athletes received more than $1.41 million in FY20 to support their training, coaching and competition costs The top 10 fundraising sports in 2019-20 were: AFL $15.70M Golf $3.55M Football $3.29M Rugby Union $3.06M Sailing $3.00M Basketball $2.98M Rugby League $2.47M Multi-Sport $2.45M Rowing $1.12M Softball $1.08M The Australian Sports Foundation was established by the Australian Government in the 1980’s, and today is Australia’s leading sports fundraiser and charity.

Sport is at the heart of every community which is why we have helped countless sporting clubs, organisations, schools and athletes across Australia with funding.

Over the decades we have distributed hundreds of millions of dollars to Aussie sports clubs and athletes to help develop an inclusive and active sporting nation.

We do this because we know that sport has the power to enhance lives. It improves an individual’s physical and mental health and brings people and communities together. It is fundamental to the Australian way of life.

The ASF’s Vision is that everyone in Australia, regardless of background, ability or culture, has access to the health and social benefits of sport.

Chance meeting leads Reclink increases opportunities for to the inclusion of women in sport events for disabled swimmers

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Sport Inclusion Australia

he Commonwealth Games Federation this month announced the full list of medal events for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Included in that list are three events for athletes with an intellectual disability, the S14 200m freestyle for men and women and a mixed relay.

The previous Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018 were lauded as the most gender equal multi-sports event in history. An amazing goal which Games organisers did achieve. It was also an amazing inclusive event with a large number of events for athletes with a disability.

Unfortunately for female swimmers with an intellectual disability, the Games did not feel equal or inclusive with the sole event for athletes with an intellectual disability being for men only.

This inequality wasn’t lost on Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin DBE either.

Sport Inclusion Australia CEO, Robyn Smith was fortunate to meet Martin on two occasions, once at a forum during the Games and then again at Sport Acord Summit held on the Gold Coast in May 2019. Martin was aware of the inequality, stating she personally awarded the medal to the Men’s 200m S14 Freestyle event at the Games and questioned where the women were and gave an assurance that this would be rectified.

Martin was true to her word as this week’s announcement of events for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games includes events for male and female S14 swimmers.

IMAGE: Wheelchair Rugby Australia

Lifestyle Solutions sign on as major sponsor of the Wheelchair Rugby National Championship

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heelchair Rugby Australia (WRA) is pleased to announce the acquisition of leading disability service provider Lifestyle Solutions as a major sponsor of the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby National Championship.

The announcement comes as a major boost to wheelchair rugby nation-wide, providing some much-needed stability in an otherwise interrupted year of competition for athletes and programs. The previous Wheelchair Rugby National Championship was the closest on record, and Lifestyle Solutions commitment to contribute to the events growth will generate greater athlete pathways to competition

and allow wheelchair rugby to reach a larger audience nationally.

Wheelchair Rugby Australia’s General Manager, Chris Nay, said “The impact that this sponsorship will have on the wheelchair rugby community is significant. In such uncertain times for our sport and our nation as a whole, the commitment from Lifestyle Solutions to engage with wheelchair rugby and align themselves with our showcase event is a true reflection of the growth our sport has seen in the past twelve months. It will make a genuine difference to athletes, officials and coaches around the country.”

“To partner with a national disability organisation that holds such a strong community reputation and presence in our sector is a positive step forward for

wheelchair rugby in this country and we look forward to working with Lifestyle Solutions for a long time to come”, Nay continued.

Lifestyle Solutions CEO Andrew Hyland said “We are very proud to sponsor Wheelchair Rugby Australia, particularly the Wheelchair Rugby National Championship. We are committed to providing the necessary support to enhance the experience of athletes, officials and wheelchair rugby fans across the country. We are excited to connect our community with this great sport and make a significant difference.”

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Recklink Australia

rompted by the recent report on the National Women’s Health Strategy 2020-2030, Reclink identified the need to further investigate women’s participation rates in our sport and recreation programs. As a result, Reclink West Australia is initiating a pilot women’s health and well-being participation program to help increase women’s physical activity levels.

The Reclink Western Australia team has taken the opportunity to increase our engagement rates among disadvantaged women through breaking down participation barriers for women from our member agencies. Reclink will create targeted pathways into sport and active recreation to help improve women’s health and well-being.

The program will deliver weekly sports and recreational programs and activities free of charge, specifically for women. The project aims to improve participation rates in physical activity amongst disadvantaged and vulnerable women.

The Reclink team will collaborate with local community service providers and women’s refuge organisations to develop an innovative gender-specific sport and recreation program to support disadvantaged women’s needs.

The project will also provide these women with appropriate resources, including clothing, shoes, and equipment to participate in sport and recreation because a lack of appropriate equipment has been highlighted as a key barrier.

The program is set to commence later this month.

CHANGING LIVES THROUGH SPORT

14 THE ADVOCATE

St Kilda Saints lauch ‘Spud’s Game’ for mental health St Kilda Football Club is proud to launch Spud’s Game: Time 2 Talk, a ground-breaking new initiative designed to tackle mental health issues AFL

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t Kilda Football Club is proud to launch Spud’s Game: Time 2 Talk, a ground-breaking new initiative designed to tackle mental health issues within the community.

The special tribute match will take place in Round 2, 28 March and has been established in honour of the late Danny ‘Spud’ Frawley.

Frawley was a fierce advocate for destigmatising mental ill-health and a trailblazer in starting a broader conversation about mental health.

The announcement comes in the wake of Victoria’s Royal Commission into Mental Health, which uncovered both the concerning prevalence of mental ill-health and the need for more community focussed care.

Almost half of all Australians aged 16 to 85 years — 7.3 million people — will experience a mental illness at some point in their life.

One quarter of Australians aged 16 to 85 years — 4.2 million people — will experience an anxiety condition during their lifetime. It’s also estimated that in any one year, around 1 million Australian adults have depression, and over 2 million suffer from anxiety.

Spud’s Game will be brought to life by a host of big names celebrating the life and influence of their mate, Spud. Through a series of powerful videos, we’ll witness his closest family and friends courageously open up and have the conversation that’s been so hard to start.

Spud’s Game: Time 2 Talk sees St Kilda partner with global mental health juggernaut Movember to deliver research-based community mental health programs, such as Movember’s Ahead of the Game.

Movember Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Program Lead Owen Brigstock-Barron said the charity was honoured to be part of such a significant and game-changing match.

“We take hope in knowing that Spud’s legacy – putting your hand up and speaking up – will continue to spark conversations and play a pivotal role in normalising Australians talking about mental health more openly,” Brigstock-Barron said.

“Funds raised during Spud’s Game will help to ensure that Ahead of the Game, an evidence-based mental fitness and resilience program, can reach even more junior footballers, their coaches and parents, helping them to deal with mental health challenges both on and off the field.”

Alongside Movember, the Saints will set about changing the face of mental health, with a focus on fostering mateship and connection to aid early intervention and detection, thereby improving outcomes for the community.

Spud’s Game will not only encourage greater connection within the community, but it will also raise crucial funds to support mental health programs through the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing as well as Movember.

The Centre will host dedicated mental health facilities, shared work areas for program development and research, an education room to host prevention and training programs, as well as casual meeting spaces for the community.

Anita Frawley said the potential for her late husband’s legacy to make a real difference was incredibly powerful.

“This means the world to our family. It gives us hope that Danny’s legacy is being honoured in such a meaningful way, and we know this will help to improve the lives of Australians living with or supporting someone who suffers from mental illhealth,” Anita said.

“Danny would be so proud to have a mental health game in his honour. He spoke so openly about his struggles in the hope that he could encourage others to do the same. To have St Kilda Football Club continue his legacy by encouraging this vulnerability is extremely powerful,” she

said.

“We hope that this match not only raises funds for community-based mental health prevention and intervention programs, but it raises the importance of mental health awareness within the industry as a whole, because it’s time to talk.”

St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis echoed Anita’s sentiments, adding how proud the entire football club was to continue Danny’s work in mental health.

“Danny was a giant of St Kilda, and we are immensely proud to be able to honour him in such a significant way,” Finnis said.

“Danny’s legacy transcends the football field. He was more than just a footballer and entertainer – he was a father, husband, mental health warrior and the ultimate mate to those who knew him.

“He was so committed to destigmatising mental ill-health and was never scared of speaking up or being vulnerable. He proudly wore his heart on his sleeve and encouraged others to do the same.

“Spud’s Game is our chance to not only celebrate Spud’s legacy but promote a national conversation that can help lead to early intervention and tackle the prevalence of mental ill-health within the community.”

Funds will be raised through movember.com/spud with special edition caps and tees also available for purchase, while fans can lock in priority access to Spud’s Game by purchasing a 2021 membership.

All funds raised support mental health programs through the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing and Movember’s Ahead of the Game.

Round 2 is scheduled for 27 March when St Kilda is set to face Melbourne at Marvel Stadium for what will be an emotion-charged tribute fixture.

If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.