From our CEO: Season's greetings and thank you for your support in 2022
It has been another busy but successful year. Many of us have experienced challenges, particularly as a result of COVID-19. As the end of the year approaches, I want to acknowledge the resilience of our clients, colleagues, friends, stakeholders and community partners in navigating 2022.
I’m proud of what Relationships Australia Victoria has achieved this year, which is a credit to our organisation and to our staff. They have and will always remain focused on our clients and their needs. It is also the result of the support of our clients, community agencies, consortium partners and funders.
While there are many highlights from the year, some of our key achievements include that we:
- supported over 20,000 Victorians through a diverse range of services
- began transitioning back into our offices and centres, and increased our face-to-face service delivery
- launched a range of new programs including online play therapy to support child mental health in East Gippsland and post-men’s behaviour change programs to support men who have used family violence to continue implementing non-violent behaviours
- collaborated on initiatives to support culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including a family violence podcast series and a new project to develop a culturally appropriate response to family violence in Afghan communities
- began valuable new partnerships with organisations including Victoria Legal Aid, Melbourne City Football Club and the Victorian Amateur Football Association
- developed and launched our updated Open Place website for Forgotten Australians
- announced a brand-new suite of health and wellbeing workshops for school staff and educators
- appointed a new Manager of Evaluation and Social Impact who is leading our expanded research and evaluation program
- published new Relationships Indicators research on the state of relationships in Australia as part of the Relationships Australia federation
- re-connected in-person with community members and sector partners at a range of events and conferences, including the Australian Institute of Family Studies conference and the Safe Steps Walk Against Family Violence.
On behalf of everyone at Relationships Australia Victoria, thank you for your support this year. I wish you a happy, safe and peaceful holiday season and new year, and we look forward to working with you in 2023.
Dr Andrew Bickerdike
Chief Executive Officer
Our holiday centre closures
- Saturday 24 December 2022 to Monday 2 January 2023: All our centres will be closed for the holidays.
- Tuesday 3 January 2023: All our centres and services will re-open.
If you need additional help during this time, you can contact one of the services listed below, who are open throughout the holiday period.
Emergency and crisis support
If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or danger, call emergency services now on 000 (triple zero).
If you need to chat to someone urgently for support, the following organisations are staying open over the holidays and are available to help.
- Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services.
- SuicideLine Victoria - 1300 651 251 24/7 telephone, video and online counselling for anyone affected by suicide.
- Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 24/7 telephone counselling.
- Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 24/7 phone and online counselling for young people aged 5 to 25.
- MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78 24/7 telephone and online counselling and information for men with emotional health and relationship concerns.
- 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732
24/7 sexual assault and family violence helpline.