In-house pharmacists
The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia is renewing its call for embedded pharmacists in residential aged care facilities, following worrying findings from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
The first quarterly report on the AIHW National Mandatory Quality Indicator Program for residential aged care services since its expansion to include medication management, specifically ‘polypharmacy’ and ‘antipsychotics’, shows some concerning findings.
The report revealed that more than 40 per cent of residents were prescribed nine or more medications and 50 per cent of those who were prescribed an antipsychotic had no diagnosis of psychosis.
PSA national president Associate Professor Chris Freeman was deeply troubled by these findings.
“It feels like Groundhog Day when it comes to medicine-related problems in aged care, as worrying data continues to emerge,” he said.
“With more than 19,000 Australians in residential aged care prescribed antipsychotics with no indication, the level of chemical restraint must be addressed.
“The evidence is clear, the more medicines someone is prescribed, the more likely it is to cause harm. Pharmacists therefore need to be an embedded part of the aged care equation if medication misadventure is to be minimised and rectified.
Bendigo Pride festival
Two important events to highlight family and gender-based violence faced by LGBTQ communities will take place in Greater Bendigo in March as part of the Bendigo Pride Festival.
A unique one-man show called My Other Closet the Cabaret, which raises awareness of family violence in LGBTQ relationships, will take place from 5pm to 7pm on Sunday, March 20, at the Engine Room, Old Fire Station, View St, Bendigo.
Also taking place is The Dark Side of the Rainbow, a LGBTQ family violence professional training day (incorporating the My Other Closet the Cabaret show), which will take place from 9.30am to 4pm on Friday, March 18, at the Bendigo Bank Room, Capital Theatre, View St, Bendigo. The aim of this event is to provide the region’s service providers with an opportunity to learn how they can better support LGBTQ people experiencing domestic and family violence in our region.
Mayor Andrea Metcalf said the City of Greater Bendigo was proud to support both events in partnership with Greater Bendigo Against Family Violence and a range of other organisations.
“Domestic and gender-based violence is never okay and the city is pleased to support the LGBTQIA+ community through these two events,” Cr Metcalf said.
The 2016 Royal Commission into Domestic and Family Violence found LGBTQ people experienced similar rates of violence as heterosexual couples, and yet were most often under-supported by professional services. It also found the issue was so poorly understood that even LGBTQ victims often didn’t recognise the abuse when it is happening to them —and it’s often also unrecognised by their families, colleagues, friends and even family violence professionals.
After selling out seasons across Australia since 2013, My Other Closet the Cabaret is a raw, personal and deeply affecting true-life account of violence in a same gender relationship and it will expose a local audience to a topic they might never have considered.
Heathcote festival
The best of Heathcote is celebrated in a new autumn campaign that begins with the inaugural Heathcote Harvest Festival on Saturday, March 12, from 4pm at Barrack Reserve.
The free family event will kick off with a twilight market featuring a variety of local and regional market stalls including local produce, sweet treats, jewellery and crafts.
The festival will have tastings from some of Heathcote’s famous local wineries, craft beer, gin and cider producers and food trucks offering a diverse selection from paella to tapas. Live music will be played from 4.30pm to 8pm featuring Hot Potato Band and local musicians Vino Sapiens and The Ratbags.
Heathcote Tourism and Development president Peter Young said this was the first time a tourism campaign had focused on autumn, which until now was traditionally a quiet time for Heathcote, with wineries focusing on producing vintages.
“Heathcote can be enjoyed all year round, but the autumn colours of our beautiful natural surrounds are truly spectacular, and we want everyone to know that it’s not to be missed,” Mr Young said.
“The Heathcote Harvest Festival brings together the best in one place and it’s a great way to launch our new Heathcote Harvest campaign.
“With this new branding, the aim is for Heathcote to become a must-see destination in autumn, a magnet for visitors seeking an amazing array of experiences and things to see and do. We want Heathcote Harvest to become established as an annual feature in the events calendar.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on our business community and we were forced to cancel many of our popular food and wine festivals. The launch of Heathcote Harvest is telling the world that we are back and ready to welcome visitors.
“Come and enjoy our famous boutique wineries, craft beers and explore the great outdoors with our stunning national park, walking and cycling trails, lookouts and our unique Pink Cliffs on your doorstep.
“Heathcote is a perfect autumn getaway to escape, indulge, be active or simply relax. In addition to the Heathcote Harvest Festival, other seasonal events and experiences will include a range of winery experiences, the O’Keefe Challenge, the Valley of the Liquidambars and Heathcote on Show.”
RSPCA wombat paintings
Thirty unique wombats painted by Australian artists have gone to auction online to mark the 150th anniversary of RSPCA Victoria, with all funds raised supporting RSPCA Victoria’s mission to end animal cruelty.
The ‘Wombat in the Room’ art auction includes 30 stunning pieces of art that showcase 150 years of animal care, protection, education and advocacy by the RSPCA, with the auction closing on Sunday, March 20.
RSPCA Victoria chief executive Dr Liz Walker said the wombats represented an iconic RSPCA symbol, with bidders in for an opportunity to own a striking piece of art, as well as a piece of RSPCA Victoria history.
“The Wombat in the Room is our way of storytelling through art. Acknowledging the significant progress we have made in animal welfare, whilst also highlighting an important message,” she said.
“While we have come so far over the last 150 years, the elephant in the room – or in this case, the wombat in the room – is that animal cruelty hasn’t ended. This conversation must continue, and it is through art that we chose to emphasise this unspoken message with our community.”
Thirty artists were enlisted to paint their own wombat, each with their own style and interpretation. Artists include Carla Scotto, Clare Clarity, Jeswri, Melina McGough, Viet-my Bui, and graphic designer for Peter Alexander Sarah Jane Lightfoot – among many more.
All funds raised will go to RSPCA Victoria to help care for more than 17,000 animals every year.
Find out more, view the wombats and the full list of artists, or bid on a wombat before Sunday, March 20 at: witr.rspcavic.org