TURN IT UP

You often hear the phrase ‘good mental health and wellbeing,’ but what does it actually mean? Is it about health or illness? How is it measured? Capire Associate Athalia Zwartz opens this discussion with young people, to expand our thinking and gain fresh insight through lived experience.  She chats with Emily Unity and Achol Kooc about identity, perceptions, understanding and how we experience mental health.

Emily Unity (they/them) is a mental health professional passionate about co-designing solutions to systemic barriers. Emily endeavours to help create a world for all people, regardless of their backgrounds, identities, or intersectionalities.

Achol Kooc is a South Sudanese Australian and an aspiring advocate for South Sundanese young people and mental health. She recently completed studies in youth work and is working towards opening up safe spaces for young people to help them with the issues affecting them such as systemic racism.

Please note, this episode is a general discussion about mental health and wellbeing and is not intended to provide professional advice or treatment. If you, or someone you know, wishes to access professional mental health treatment, please visit www.beyondblue.org.au

Matthew Gordon and Tiffany Tang discuss the transmission of renewable energy and what that means for the communities that are impacted. They chat to Darren Edwards, Director of Energy Grid Alliance, about the critical importance of planning and engaging with communities early to acquire and maintain acceptance to operate.

How do we manage the issue of waste generation? The Victorian Government has announced that all of Victoria’s 79 local councils will be required to transition to a four-bin kerbside waste service by 2030. This is part of a $515 million reform of the recycling system to reduce waste to landfill, improve the quality of recyclables and implement a system that we can rely on. On this month’s Turn It Up episode, we talk waste and recycling with City of Monash Mayor Stuart James and Senior Sustainability Officer April Williams about their waste and recycling program, the government’s Recycling Victoria policy and how to manage the issue of waste generation.

Deliberative Engagement refers to a process where a diverse group of people is selected to meet regularly over a specified period to deliberate on a particular topic before coming to a group decision at the program’s conclusion.  It’s a long and careful discussion of a problem or an opportunity, with an equal share of voices. Deliberative Engagement for local government is now a requirement in Victoria under changes to The Local Government Act Victoria (2020). Capire Associates Denise Francisco and Eleanor Howe discuss the requirements of the act and reflect on what it means for councils. They also provide examples of Deliberative Engagement projects Capire has worked on, the secrets to their success and why good food goes a long way.

Tricia Malowney OAM is a disability rights and inclusion advocate and Chief Accessibility Advocate at Department of Transport. Not only that, but she’s great company. Capire’s Niamh Moynihan and Matthew Gordon chatted to Tricia about her advocating the rights and interests of people with disability and practical techniques and methods that result in sensitive and inclusive community engagement. 

As we emerge from two years of uncertainty and change, we speak to engagement practitioners about their communities – the changes they have observed, the new motivations driving participation, and how people found their resilience and connection. Join Matt and Amy as they chat to Michelle James (City of Melbourne), Fiona Jemmett (City of Greater Bendigo) and Nat Noonan (Cardinia Shire Council)