COMMUNITY NEWS

SunSmart's new campaign

Get to know your skin

 SunSmart is urging Victorians to check their skin for signs of skin cancer and if you notice any changes to spots or new spots, don’t delay and see your GP.  

With two in three Australians being diagnosed with skin cancer at some point in their life, early detection of skin cancer can be lifesaving.  

SunSmart has a range of resources and information about skin cancer, particularly what to look out for when checking your skin.

Check out SunSmart's Get to know your skin resources.

Get to know your skin and what’s normal for you. If you find anything new or changing, don’t delay, see your GP immediately.

 SOUTH GIPPSLAND SHIRE COUNCIL 

Council is developing a new Children and Families Plan which is part of our commitment to supporting children and families to feel they belong and can be happy, healthy, and develop to their full potential. The Plan will concentrate upon children aged up to 12 years and their families, and we will develop the Plan in partnership with service providers and our community. 

Council has an important role in supporting children and families, as do many other organisations and services in South Gippsland.  We deliver maternal and child health and immunisation services, run supported playgroups and new parent programs, operate a centralised registration system for kindergarten, and provide buildings and spaces where early years programs and services can operate from. 

Council also provides universally accessible facilities and services which are very important in the lives of children and families such as playgrounds and open space, swimming pools and leisure centres, libraries, community events and social support services. 

We need your involvement to help us understand more about what is important to children and families, and what might need to change to better support you and your family.  

How you can get involved 

You can be a part of planning for children and families in South Gippsland Shire by:

·         Completing an online survey

·         Sharing your ideas through our ideas board, click on ‘ideas’.

·         Participating in one our online focus groups – register via email:  shelley.fixter@southgippsland.vic.gov.au

·         Completing a short survey which you can find in lots of community places like kindergartens, childcare centres and libraries. We will also be conducting some pop up sessions in many places throughout the engagement period.

The online survey, the short survey and ideas board will remain open, until midnight Monday 19 June, 2023. 

Here’s how we will develop the Children and Families Plan 

Stage 1: Consultation and Background Research May to July 2023

Extensive consultation and engagement will occur with families and children, early years services and government, health and community services agencies. The background research will include an analysis of current and forecast demographics, examining the policy context for supporting children and families, assessing the existing services, programs and resources supporting children and families in South Gippsland Shire and identifying how they may need to change. 

Stage 2: Preparation of Draft Children and families Plan July - August 2023

We’ll use information gathered through the consultation and engagement and background research to inform the development of a Draft children and Families Plan. 

Stage 3. Consideration by Council August - September 2023

Following stages 1 and 2, Council will consider the Draft Children and Families and decide whether to place the Plan on public exhibition.