Latest News & Information

Dear Carers,

At halfway through the 2025-26 financial year we are able to report that a great number (approx. 400) of you have attended KCV face-to-face seminars. If the trend continues through the second half of the financial year, we will set a record for the highest number of attendances. Some of these activities are funded by the Victorian Government’s Carer Kafe program of learning and development for carers.

This year we have also sent carers to the National Loneliness Conference and a conference on poverty in Bangkok.

Kinship carers, be they statutory, voluntary or informal carers, often express their appreciation at being able to gather with other carers and meet expert speakers. The feedback we are receving from you verifies the value of these gatherings. Thankyou and well done to all of you who have made these actvities so successful and such fun.

See you at the next seminar.

Cheers,
Anne McLeish, OAM
Director

Dear Readers,

Late last year a number of GPV/KCV Board members attended the national Ending Loneliness Together conference in Melbourne. As a result, the Board decided to highlight the problem and the need for each one of us take some action to address this worldwide issue.

This paper is food for thought and ends with some helpful tip sheets drawn from the Ending Loneliness Together website.

I recommend it to you all.

Cheers,
Anne McLeish
Director

Dear Readers,

It is often difficult to secure appointments for young people who need support to cope with mental health issues. Carers, in particular, find this circumstance very frustrating and have to witness the health of the young people in their care deteriorate while waiting for an appointment. This resource lists some centres/clinics that might be able to provide support.

Cheers,
Anne McLeish
Director

Dear Carers,

It has been some time since we reminded you about the availability of camps for the children and young people in your care.

We are pleased to alert you to the emergence of two new camp options. They are now included in our camps book and as this separate flyer.

We hope you are all well.

Regards,
Anne McLeish
Director

Seminar for kinship carers
A new nutrition seminar series in Epping. The previous nutrition seminars have been very popular. Our resident speaker Nikki Valentini has returned, focusing on nutrition for healthy ageing. These seminars are engaging – and remember, kinship carers who attend will receive a $50 voucher.

Register with KCV at admin@kinshipcarersvictoria.org
or by phone and SMS on 0499 969 234

Dear Readers,

Free public transport for Victorian children and young people under 18 years old is now available.

This advice tells you how to apply and receive the special travel card required.

Please attend to this asap.

Cheers,
Anne McLeish
Director

Dear Reader,

The debate about the adverse effects of social media on children and young people has been raging for some time now. The adverse effects are now well documented and talked about across our networks.

The end point of the debate is that the Australian Government has passed laws restricting access to social media based on age. The implementation of these restrictions is one more strategy designed to protect our children and young people from physical and/or emotional harm.

There will, no doubt, be some teething problems. However, the onus is on the media companies to do the right thing by our children and young people and implement the laws.

This statement issued by the Australian Government will assist you to understand the detail.

Cheers,
Anne McLeish
Director

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

KCV is pleased to present you with the latest of our magazines in the carer wellbeing series.  This one is about nutrition, as are others of our magazines. However, this one concentrates on nutrition that is appropriate as we get older – as we all are!

The book was launched at a nutrition seminar in Dandenong yesterday and was well received.  I commend it to you.

Cheers,
Anne McLeish
Director