National Carers Week in October recognises and celebrates the tireless work of 2.6 million Australians who provide unpaid care to a family member , partner or friend .
Merri Health celebrates our 11th annual Koorie Lunch
The Care Mosaic wins Bronze at Signal Podcast Awards !
On Monday 9 October , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers came together to celebrate the 11th annual Koorie Lunch !
Over 40 attendees gathered for the special event at the Lynda Blundell Community Centre to enjoy good food , music and companionship .
Among the crowd were members from the Wandarra group , a local Aboriginal community organisation based in Broadmeadows . Merri Health have been strong supporters of Wandarra for over a decade , and the group has been instrumental in ensuring that the yearly Koorie Lunch is a resounding success .
Attendees were treated to a buffet-style lunch and speeches , before taking to the dance floor for an amazing live performance from The Stray Blacks .
A huge thank you to the Wandarra group and everyone who helped put together a fantastic day !
Supporting First Nations carers is incredibly important to our organisation , and we can ’ t wait to come back next year .
The Care Mosaic podcast showcases the diverse experiences of carers and gives them a platform to share their stories . It also explores the challenges they face daily , highlighting their incredible resilience and dedication .
Each episode focuses on caring relationships , including young carers , carers supporting their ageing parents , carers who are partners and more .
By examining these relationships and how they intersect with other aspects of carers ’ lives , the podcast offers insightful exploration into the caregiving experience .
Merri Health staff and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers celebrated Koorie Lunch .
Carer Gateway is a free support service for anyone who cares for a family member or friend with a disability , medical condition , mental illness or who is frail due to age .
If you or someone you know is a carer , please call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 , or visit www . carergateway . gov . au / to get support that is right for you .
“ In order to stand-out from other carer focused podcasts , the emphasis is on carers telling their own individual stories . We ’ re thrilled at this recognition and hope it helps illustrate the reality faced by many carers .”
Heleni Bagiartakis Carer Gateway State Manager
MerriNews December 2023 – January 2024 | 7 .