Better Place Australia

15/07/2025

On July 31st, 10am to 1pm, Better Place Australia will be attending the Geelong Aged Care Expo 2025, hosted by Muirfield Financial Services!

At this free event, we will provide resources and information related to our services that help empower our older community and help them live independently. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about what's available, as well as come say hi!

14/07/2025

Today is International Non-Binary People's Day! Today, we acknowledge and respect the identities of those whose gender exists outside of the gender binary of male or female.

The Non-Binary flag represents these identities, with:
🟡 - The yellow stripe represents those whose genders do not exist within the binary.
⚪️ - The white stripe corresponding to people identifying with all or many genders.
🟣 - The purple stripe corresponding to those who may consider themselves a mix of male or female.
⚫️ - The black stripe accounting for those who identify as not having a gender.

For more information, we recommend checking the following links:
- https://www.lgbtiqhealth.org.au/international_non_binary_people_s_day
- https://www.minus18.org.au/articles/i-just-came-out-as-non-binary-here's-what-that-means/
- https://clouddancers.org/a-brief-history-of-nonbinary-gender-from-ancient-times-to-the-early-modern-period/

08/07/2025

Today, we had our Morning Tea for National NAIDOC Week 2025, in recognition of the culture, history and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our food was sourced from an Indigenous catering company, and included damper scones and lamingtons with wattle seed and lemon flavours that are culturally significant to First Nation's people.

In line with this year's theme "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy", we examined our past selves, drawing them and discussing how they became the socially conscious people we are today.

The NAIDOC Awards achieve the same purpose, reflecting on those that have paved the way for the next generation of Indigenous Australians, as well as emphasising those that are setting an example. You can see the winners of this year's NAIDOC award here: https://www.naidoc.org.au/awards/winner-profiles

07/07/2025

Yesterday, on Sunday the 6th July 2025, marked the beginning of NAIDOC Week 2025, an important annual event in which we as a country celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year's theme is "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy" which, as stated on the NAIDOC website, "celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors."

It goes without saying that we encourage everybody to participate. The NAIDOC website (https://www.naidoc.org.au/) provides a wealth of information and resources to help you understand the historical and cultural significance of this week, the incredible people the event celebrates, and the events with which you can get involved.

03/07/2025

Earlier this week, we delivered the 'Your Life Your Choice' Forum to the Greek Senior Citizens Club of Clayton and Districts in partnership with PRONIA and the Southern Melbourne Elder Abuse Prevention Network.

The session was delivered in Greek, with facilitator Kelly from PRONIA discussing the risks of elder abuse and how they are driven by ageism. Kalliroy from Themida Legal provided information on what to consider when keeping your will and EPOA updated. We empowered community members to stand up for themselves, make their own decisions regarding their Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney, and to know the signs of feeling pressure from family members.

After the Forum, 100% said they now feel more confident to stay in charge of their finances and decisions. Many learned something new at the forum and said the forum gave them the confidence to trust themselves.

02/07/2025

Yesterday, Better Place Australia attended the Victoria Police Professional Development Day on Elder Abuse. Libby Blake and Rhonda Withers delivered important and informative talks on police response to Elder Abuse.

For more information as well as resources on Elder Abuse, visit the South Melbourne Elder Abuse Prevention Network at https://eapn.org.au/get-support/

30/06/2025

July is Disability Pride Month, and we are excited to celebrate, raise awareness, and amplify the voices and experiences of people with disability.

What is Disability Pride Month?
(description from https://www.kiind.com.au/disability-pride-month-2025/)
Disability Pride Month happens every year in July to promote awareness about people with disability. The month was established to commemorate the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July 1990 in the USA, which made discrimination against people with disabilities illegal. It’s now become a time to celebrate individual disability identities and take pride in them across the world.

Disability Pride Month has its own flag, with distinct meanings behind its colours:
🟢 Green: Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
🔵 Blue: Psychosocial disabilities
⚪ White: Sensory disabilities
🟡 Yellow: Neurodiversity and developmental disabilities
🔴 Red: Physical disabilities
⚫ Charcoal background: Symbolises the anger and mourning for victims of violence and abuse

Want resources to help you celebrate?
We have compiled a list that you can access below:
1. Historical Resources
- https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/disab/history
- https://pwd.org.au/about-us/about-disability/history-of-australias-disability-movement/
- https://www.yacvic.org.au/ydas/blog/learn-about-disability-history/
- https://www.adcet.edu.au/disability-awareness-further-resources
- https://www.vic.gov.au/disability-and-inclusive-education

2. Organisations
- https://dpoa.org.au/about/
- https://www.disabilityaustraliahub.com.au/category/organisations/vic/
- https://pwd.org.au/
- https://cyda.org.au/

3. Content Creators (from kiind.com.au)
- https://www.instagram.com/chloeshayden/
- https://www.instagram.com/edesmarchelier/
- https://www.instagram.com/amy_c_evans/
- https://www.instagram.com/mr_a_plus_michael/
- https://www.instagram.com/jimmy.jan/

30/06/2025

Better Place Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Elders in each of the communities where we work.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Blak History Month, both in Australia and all around the world. Using the guide presented at https://www.blakhistorymonth.com/ways-to-celebrate
we have put together a list of resources that you can use to celebrate along with us.

1. Discover events you can attend
- https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/neighbourhoods/naidoc-week-events-city
- https://kht.org.au/whats-on/
- https://museumsvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka/whats-on/
- https://www.firstpeoplesvic.org/category/events/

2. Find blak owned businesses to support
- https://buyblackau.com/indigenous-owned/
- https://supplynation.org.au/
- https://business.vic.gov.au/business-information/aboriginal-business-support/victorian-aboriginal-business-directory
- https://deadlystory.com/page/service-directory/statewide_organisations/Victorian_Aboriginal_Business_Directory

3. Read books from aboriginal authors
- https://www.instagram.com/blackfulla_bookclub/?hl=en
- https://www.welcometocountry.com/
- https://magabala.com.au/
- https://shop.ilf.org.au/

4. Get curated lists of films (both fiction and non-fiction)
- https://iview.abc.net.au/collection/518
- https://www.nfsa.gov.au/latest/short-history-indigenous-filmmaking
- https://www.creativespirits.info/resources/movies
- https://www.commonground.org.au/article/first-nations-films-you-should-watch

5. Visit exhibitions and historical sites
- https://www.visitmelbourne.com/see-and-do/aboriginal-victoria
- https://wathaurongcc.org.au/
- https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/grampians-national-park/attractions/central-grampians/things-to-do/brambuk-the-national-park-and-cultural-centre
- https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/melbourne-gardens/whats-on-melbourne/aboriginal-heritage-walk/

6. Find educational resources
- https://www.vaeai.org.au/
- https://www.vacca.org/page/get-involved/external-training
- https://www.narragunnawali.org.au/professional-learning
- https://museumsvictoria.com.au/cultural-competency-program/

7. Volunteer for indigenous advocacy
- https://www.volunteeringvictoria.org.au/for-volunteers/indigenous-volunteering/
- https://antar.org.au/get-involved/
- https://www.vals.org.au/volunteer/
- https://nasca.org.au/get-involved/volunteer-my-time/

8. Follow indigenous creators
- https://indigenousx.com.au/contributors/
- https://www.commonground.org.au/about/people
- https://www.5why.com.au/the-deadly-indigenous-australians-you-should-be-following/
- https://www.russh.com/indigenous-creatives-on-instagram/

9. Discover historical resources
- https://www.blakhistorymonth.com/
- https://www.naidoc.org.au/resources/educational
- https://australian.museum/learn/first-nations/
- https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/evidence-of-first-peoples

10. Support first nations organisations
- https://www.timeout.com/sydney/things-to-do/13-amazing-first-nations-organisations-that-you-can-support
- https://www.vaccho.org.au/
- https://www.vacca.org/
- https://www.coalitionofpeaks.org.au/

24/06/2025

Join our Wyndham Consumer Focus Group!
Apply now at: https://tinyurl.com/48zjaw3c

If you have accessed individual counselling, mediation, family relationships, separation, or financial counselling services, or are planning to, your voice can help us make a difference to our new Hub in Wyndham.

It's an online, hour-long focus group on Tuesday, 22nd of July at 6pm.

All eligible participants receive an $80 gift voucher.

20/06/2025

This video is an initiative of the Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Hon Will Alstergren AO and features messages from prominent Australian men speaking against family violence, including Hugh Jackman AC, Darcy More, Usman Khajawa, Hamish Blake and more.

‘So let's lead by example and show our children and young men that violence is never okay by calling out disrespect when we see it and when we hear it and never making excuses for violence all men can help to end violence against women in our community.’

You can find more information and resources on family violence at the Victorian Government website: https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/safer-communities/protecting-children-and-families/family-violence

Additionally, if you're experiencing family violence, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) at any time for qualified support.

This video is an initiative of the Chief Justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Hon Will Alstergren AO and features messages from ...

19/06/2025