The COVID-19 vaccine has commenced its rollout across VMCH’s aged care residences. Star of the Sea Aged Care Residence, Torquay was the first of the organisation’s 12 homes to receive the vaccine. VMCH CEO Sonya Smart said 80 residents received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, with all feeling well after their initial dose. 

Corpus Christi Community Greenvale is delighted to introduce Domenic Savoca, Assistant Cook at Corpus Christi’s Community in Greenvale. Domenic is the latest recipient of The OSCARS Recognition of Excellence program. OSCAR Care Group recognises Domenic’s excellence and cooking innovation when he creates professionally presented meals and personally serves them to residents to ensure that they enjoy them. Prior to joining the team at Corpus Christi, Domenic was a baker for 26 years and also worked in restaurants.

The John Pierce Centre (JPC) has been partnering with the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne since April 2020, throughout the Victorian lockdown and now into 2021, to provide Auslan Interpreters for their weekly televised Mass service at St Patrick’s Cathedral. JPC has recently evolved to provide Deaf Interpreters for these services. To have the Eucharist interpreted by Deaf Interpreters means that the Deaf person watching, receives the information in their own language from someone who shares their lived experience and their cultural and linguistic connections.

Wellsprings for Women hosted a visit by the Honourable Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Women in the Victorian Government on Friday 5th of March among a number of other VIPs. The Minister was shown around Wellsprings, with emphasis being the new kitchen, which was funded through the Multicultural Infrastructure grant. The Minister then listened to a Wellsprings presentation regarding the Women’s Support program before she addressed the meeting expressing her support for Wellsprings and appreciation for all the work they do to assist women to take charge of their lives. 

Edmund Rice Camps Victoria (ERCV) is excited to be adding a second camp to its calendar for the upcoming school holidays (Tuesday 13th April - Friday 16th April 2021) for children aged 8-11 years. The camp will be focused on building relationships and resilience through a range of fun and engaging activities. Expressions of interest are open to all agencies/schools who support children! The fee for this program is $400 per participant. Applications close Monday 15th March 2021.

VMCH is looking for a full time Pastoral Care Practitioner to oversee and coordinate the sacramental and spiritual life of VMCH residents. As an integral member of Pastoral Care Services within VMCH, the applicant will have significant responsibility in the provision of face-to-face pastoral care at VMCH's Aged Care Facility in Balwyn. 

This year St Mary’s House of Welcome (SMHOW) in Fitzroy is working to ensure Christmas is as merry for our homeless community by providing festive meals and in the delivery of Christmas hampers. Volunteers are working pack up to 750 hampers over the next few weeks, said Robina Bradley, CEO of SMHOW. In exciting news, SMHOW’s campaign, Welcome Relief @ Christmas has been chosen to be featured by the City of Melbourne in their Christmas giving campaign.

The John Pierce Centre's (JPC) annual Christmas Rally will be a little different this year. Instead of going into the centre, JPC's Christmas Rally Mass will be online on Facebook and their website from 12pm on Sunday 13th December. At 1pm, JPC is hosting its online Christmas community event on Zoom. All are invited to join the JPC community for some fun and games online. Prizes to be won so wear your best Christmas outfit! 

World Children’s Day (November 20) is a timely reminder of the vulnerabilities of children and the need to ensure primary school aged children are in the playground – not in prison. Jesuit Social Services’ Worth A Second Chance campaign has just launched a new animated short film illustrated by Melbourne artist Ben Jelfs and narrated by Aboriginal author and activist Marlee Silva, highlighting the importance of keeping children connected with school, family and the community and the long-lasting damage that can be caused by contact with the justice system.

Congratulations to Vinnies Victoria, whose International Student Aid initiative has been shortlisted for the Volunteering Victoria ‘COVID-19 Innovation and Resilience Award’. The award recognises predominately volunteer-run organisations for demonstrating innovation and resilience in adapting to accommodate COVID requirements and changes while still delivering high-quality services to their community.