Free Legal Service Opens at Melton Library from April 2014

Melton and Brimbank residents are struggling to access affordable justice services when they need it the most.

In response, the Brimbank Melton Legal Centre has officially opened its doors to provide a generalist drop-in legal advice clinic on Saturday mornings to people who live, work or study in the Brimbank, Melton and Bacchus Marsh communities. The office provides generalist drop-in legal advice clinics, family violence advice clinics, infringements advice clinics and divorce workshops in both English and Vietnamese, as well as various community projects.

Mayor of the City of Melton, Cr Bob Turner said the centre would provide a valuable service for residents. “The Brimbank Melton Community Legal Centre is a real asset for our residents and we value the knowledge and skills that it brings to our community."

“The addition of this service cements the fact that the Melton Library and Learning Hub is more than just a library. It is a true Hub that delivers important services and supports our community’s needs.”

The Melton Library and Learning Hub is located in McKenzie Street, Melton.

Read more at the Melton City Council.

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Emergency Relief by the Sunbury Community Health Centre

The Sunbury Community Health Centre to those who are experiencing financial stress

This service is available to residents of Sunbury, Bulla and Diggers Rest who hold a current Health Care or Pension Care Card.

Emergency Relief, in the form of food or petrol vouchers, maybe provided once in a 3 month period. The value of vouchers is determined by an assessment.

Emergency Relief is available Monday to Friday between 10.00–11.00 am only. To arrange an appointment, please contact the Sunbury Community Health Centre on (03) 9744 4455.

Other organisations providing emergency relief in Sunbury are:

• CareWorks SunRanges Inc. CareWorks is a community crisis centre located in Sunbury, servicing the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges region. They provide relief to those who find themselves in a crisis or emergency situation. They do this through the following programs: Foodbank, Helping Hand, Home Assistance Program, Specific Youth Aid and Listening. Click here to be directed to CareWorks’ website.
• The Salvation Army which is located on 27–37 Anderson Road in Sunbury. Please call (03) 9744 2095 for more information.
  

Related Articles:

• In Times Of Crisis Careworks Care

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Feeling Down? Connect With Someone Right Now!

Are you really okay? Is there anyone who you could talk to about being upset? Are you at risk?

Photo: Getty Images

You're not alone. 3 million Australians are living with depression or anxiety according to Beyond Blue.

Maybe you're not sure whether you have a problem. It only takes a minute to try the Anxiety and Depression Checklist to find out.

There are times when we all have problems that seem too big to sort out on our own. If you’re feeling like this, one of the best things you can do is talk to someone. While it’s important that you let your friends know how you’re feeling, it’s often best to talk to an adult or a professional – just because they’re likely to know more about what to do.

Who are you going to talk to?

When you know you need help, it can be difficult to decide who to talk to. Sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone you don’t know about what’s troubling you.

Seeing a General Practitioner (GP) is a good place to start. If you have particular concerns that you want to talk through, there are counsellors who specialise in different issues - like family problems, schooling and careers, alcohol, drugs, pregnancy and abuse. If you need to talk to someone right away or don’t feel ready to see a counsellor or doctor, you could try telephone counselling services, which are available free or for the cost of a local call.

Remember, if you need to talk to someone right now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Help Line on 1800 55 1800.

Read more about people who may help from the Beyond Blue fact sheet.

One way to connect, or simply discover stories about other people's journeys, is to try the Beyond Blue Online Forum. You can anonymously chat to others who have dealt with the similar issues and professional councillors.

Remember, you deserved to be loved and many people want to help. Don't be afraid to ask if you are okay?

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Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance

Many services are ready to help victims in time of need and recovery. Do not hesitate if you feel the need for help whether you have: lost property, been traumatised, been affected financially, lost your livelihood, seeking legal aid, or  need someone to talk to.

 Photograph by Scott Pape of his property in Romsey

Nobody is exempt and you may be surprised to find out that you are suffering more than you think.

We have compiled a short list of contacts who may help disaster victims in our area:

• Lifeline Ph: 13 11 14
• Beyondblue Ph: 1300 224636
• Nurse-On-Call Ph: 1300 60 60 24
• Blaze Aid Ph:  0418 530 471
• Red Cross Ph:  03 9345 1800
• RSPCA Emergency Advise Ph: 03 9224 2222
• Macedon Ranges Wildlife Network Ph: 13 000 94535
• Rural Finance Ph: 03 5448 2600
• Centrelink Ph: 180 22 66
• Hume City Council Ph: 9205 2200
• Disaster Legal Help Ph: 1800 113 432
• Australian Government Disaster Recovery Assistance Ph: 180 2266
• Careworks Sunranges Ph: 03 9740 5061
• Lions Club of Diggers Rest Ph: 03 9740 0440

Diggers Rest Talk will also help with articles for your assistance.

Please post other contacts in the comments section below.

Related articles:

• Emergency Contacts
• Victorian Government Hotlines

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Victorian Government Hotlines

Hotlines Victoria

 Five hotlines in case of emergency:

1. Emergency Contact 132 500 (Victoria State Emergency Service)
   Call 132 500 from anywhere in Victoria for emergency SES assistance in a flood or storm.
   www.ses.vic.gov.au/forms/contact-form

2. NURSE-ON-CALL (Department of Health, Victoria) - home page

   Call 1300 60 60 24 for the cost of a local call from anywhere in Victoria for health advice 24 hours a day. (Calls from mobile phones may be charged at a higher rate).
   Arabic Chinese Coatian Dari Dinka Farsi Greek Italian Karen Macedonian Russian Serbian Somali Spanish Turkish Vietnamese
   www.health.vic.gov.au/nurseoncall

3. Poisons Information (SAFETYvictoria)

   Poisons are present in a number of commonly used substances that we come into contact with on a regular basis. They are also present in many common manufactured substances and occur naturally, particularly in vegetation such as wild mushrooms and fungi. To avoid poisoning or to access information on suspected poisoning, advice is readily available.
   www.safety.vic.gov.au/home/safety/poisons+information+-+right

4. Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) (Country Fire Authority, Victoria)

   The Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) provides information during and after major bushfire incidents. It also offers information to help householders, landowners and small businesses reduce bushfire risk.
   www.cfa.vic.gov.au/contact/bushfire-information-line

5. Victorian Poisons Information Centre

   In an Emergency, ring 13 11 26 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Victorian Poisons Information Centre (VPIC) provides Victorians with a timely, safe information service in poisonings and suspected poisonings.
   www.austin.org.au/poisons 

Other Victorian Alerts and Warnings

• Bushfire & fire warnings
• Emergency alerts
• Flood & storm warnings
• Power blackouts
• Product recalls
• Services disruptions
• Traffic & road alerts
• Travel alerts & warnings
• Weather warnings

By the Victorian Government

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Fire Restrictions In Force From 23rd December 2013

Diggers Rest and Sunbury Burn Offs

Fire restrictions for the Diggers Rest and Sunbury region came in to force on Monday 23rd December. And our firefighters are struggling to keep up with the illegal burn offs.

No fires can be lit in the open air without a written permit by the Country Fire Authority.

Burning off

Burning off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation is generally permitted outside the Fire Danger Period.

Local laws on burn-offs can apply year-round.

Before burning off:

• Check and follow local regulations or laws set down by CFA or your local council
• Notify neighbours at least two hours before starting the burn
• Notify the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) on 1800 668 511
• Check the weather forecast for the day of the burn and a few days afterwards
• Check the fuel moisture conditions
• Establish a fire break of no less than three metres cleared of all flammable material
• Made sure there are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively.

Register your burn-off

All burn-offs should be registered with ESTA on 1800 668 511.

Unregistered burn-offs can cause brigades to be called out unnecessarily.

You can also download the Burn off Notification Form (DOC 132k) and email: burnoffs@esta.vic.gov.au or fax: 1300 674 428.
Some information that you provide may be displayed on CFA's website. This may include the street name and area where the planned burn you are registering will take place. This information may be shared using the CFA, DEPI and MFB websites at the time of ignition, as well as the CFA iPhone application and internal incident management systems.
- See more at: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/burning-off/#sthash.1JeBrqao.dpuf

Burning Off

Burning off grass, stubble, weeds, undergrowth or other vegetation is generally permitted outside the Fire Danger Period.

Local laws on burn-offs can apply year-round. Before burning off:

• Check and follow local regulations or laws set down by CFA or your local council
• Notify neighbours at least two hours before starting the burn
• Notify the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA) on 1800 668 511
• Check the weather forecast for the day of the burn and a few days afterwards
• Check the fuel moisture conditions
• Establish a fire break of no less than three metres cleared of all flammable material
• Made sure there are enough people to monitor, contain and extinguish the burn safely and effectively.

Register your burn-off

All burn-offs should be registered with ESTA on 1800 668 511.

Unregistered burn-offs can cause brigades to be called out unnecessarily.

You can also download the Burn off Notification Form (DOC 132k) and email: burnoffs@esta.vic.gov.au or fax: 1300 674 428.

For more information on what you can and can’t do during the fire danger period and when a total fire ban is declared, please visit the CFA what can I do? page.

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Live Updates Of Emergencies - It Could Save Your Life

VicEmergency is a great new web site that provides live updates of house fires, bush fires and grass fire incidents, as well as other emergencies such as storms, earthquakes, power outages and traffic incidents.

The VicEmergency web site, developed by the Department of Justice and Fire Services Commissioner, is the primary site for fire and flood warnings, and shows emergency incidents in Victoria on a real-time Google Map display.

Stay tuned to VicEmergency with your browser or phone this Summer

Read more at VicEmergency

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Emergency Contacts

Compiled by the Lions Club of Diggers Rest in 2013

DIGGERS REST EMERGENCY CONTACTS

Fire-Police-Ambulance	000
Electrical Fault	131626
Gas Leak	132771
Life Line	131114
Poison Information	131126
Sunbury Taxi	1300 121 314
Western Water	1300 650 425
Diggers Rest Family Services	9740 1258
Diggers Rest Fire Brigade	9740 1303
SES	132500
Melton Family Service	9747 7200
Sunbury Family Service	9744 3924
Victorian Bush Fire Info Line	1800 240 667
Sunbury Police Station	9744 3924
Melton Police Station	9747 7999

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In Times Of Crisis Careworks Care

Sunbury CareWorks understand that from time to time, people may find themselves in an emergency situation and need a little extra help to make ends meet. The team are always working at providing solutions for anyone who finds themselves facing a crisis in their lives. CareWorks helps many people around the area to overcome temporary disadvantages by providing a food bank, family violence assistance, emergency accommodation assistance and support groups.

Their major project is constructing and distributing Christmas hampers to families in need across the Sunbury, Diggers Rest and Macedon Ranges.

Lions Club President, Rob Mackay with CareWorks Manager Nicky Gallus
2013. Photo By Bob Cassar

If you know someone who needs the help that CareWorks may provide then you can find them at 34 Macedon street, Sunbury, Victoria, right next to the Western Water and Hume City Council Offices.

If you need more detailed directions, please contact them at:
Sunbury Careworks
Phone: (03) 9740 5061
Email: info@careworks.com.au
Our open hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-3pm

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Workers Re-training and Adjustment Program (WRAP)

A web-based one-stop-shop for Melton Shire job seekers

Melton City Council is enabling Melton Shire job seekers easy access to a variety of services and resources needed to find new employment or learn new skills. The online tool helps job seekers and people facing redundancy by connecting them with career counsellors, employment agencies; educational and training institutions and money management advisers.

The website is called "Workers Re-training and Adjustment Program (WRAP)" where job seekers learn:

• what to do if you have been retrenched or received a redundancy note
• what should you do if you have received (or will receive) a redundancy payment
• what assistance you may apply for if you haven’t received (or will not receive) a  redundancy payment
• where to find a government program or assistance that meets your needs
• how to find a suitable training course
• where you may get help with writing or upgrading your resume
• how to search for a job using a variety of sources and techniques
• where to receive useful tips to make your interview a  success.

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