#BendigoTogether campaign rolls out yellow balloons so community can welcome refugees

Yellow balloons have been a symbol of Bendigo’s strength and togetherness since 2015, when they were used to stand up against racism, hatred and division.

And today, Believe in Bendigo and Bendigo Community Health Services are again using them to show the world that no matter where you come from, you are welcome in this city.

The #BendigoTogether campaign began in June to support the city’s Karen community after a series of COVID-19 related attacks.

Bendigo Community Health Services received reports of Karen community members being verbally abused, coughed on and called names linked to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“The campaign has been a success so far, with members of the Karen community feeling very supported to the Bendigo community for showing them they are welcome, and they belong,” BCHS Cultural Diversity and Relationships team manager Kaye Graves said.

“Karen community members have reported seven incidences to police, and since the awareness campaign began, reports of these attacks to us have reduced.

“But we don’t want to be complacent.”

As numbers of coronavirus cases across Victoria rise, Believe in Bendigo spokesperson Margot Spalding said it is important the campaign continues.

“We have printed some amazing yellow wheelie balloon bin stickers and we’ll be delivering them to letterboxes around Bendigo in the next few weeks, she said.

“It’s a great chance for locals to show their support for all communities in Bendigo, to show that Bendigo welcomes everyone and won’t stand for hatred.

“Put your yellow balloon sticker on your council rubbish bin and take a stand against racism and abuse.

“Share a photo of you and your bin on social media and tag #BendigoTogether. If you want a sticker, but haven’t got one yet, message Believe in Bendigo on facebook and we’ll put one in your letterbox.”

Learn more about the #BendigoTogether campaign by reading our original launch post click here

RELATED INFORMATION:

Visit our Coronavirus Bendigo Refugee Resource Hub for the latest videos and information sheets in Karen, Dari and Dinka language: https://bit.ly/CoronavirusRefugees

We have launched a new Coronavirus Telephone Hotline for the Karen community with our Karen speaking staff taking calls and answering questions. Learn more

VIDEO: How to choose a safe face mask and wear them correctly in Karen, Dari and Dinka language. To watch click here

Bendigo face mask request in regional Victoria's battle against Coronavirus

UPDATE:

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced everyone must wear a face mask when out in public in regional Victoria from midnight on Sunday, August 2.

Anyone not wearing a face mask in public can be fined.

Mr Andrews said the move was designed to 'jealously guard' the low transmission rate in regional Victoria.

ORIGINAL POST:

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has asked regional Victorians to wear face masks when out in public.

"As a further precaution we are now also encouraging regional Victorians over the age of 18 to use a face mask when they leave the house but cannot physically distance – such as on public transport or while shopping for essential supplies," the State Government said.

"While the rates of coronavirus remain relatively low in the regions, the risks of spread from metro areas remain.  If we can slow and contain the spread of the virus in regional areas with the help of masks and increased testing, we will keep our options for the regions open for the future."

VIDEO: How to choose a safe face mask or make your own and wear them correctly

We've put together a video to answer your questions about the safe face masks to choose, how to put  them on correctly or make your own.

To watch the video please click on the 'read more' button below. Thank you.

To see face mask information sheets in Karen language please click on this link: https://bit.ly/CoronavirusRefugees

Where to get tested in Bendigo:

If you have any Coronavirus-like symptoms - cough, runny nose, fever, shortness of breath, loss of smell or taste - it's important you get tested.

These are the Bendigo testing sites:

Bendigo Health: COVID-19 Screening Clinic, Stewart Street, Bendigo. Open from 10am to 5.30pm daily.

La Trobe University School of Rural Health: Drive-thru Screening Clinic. Entry via Mercy Street. Open from 10am to 5.30pm daily.

Bendigo Respiratory Clinic: Spring Gully. Monday to Friday. Book an appointment on 1800 573 196.

Coronavirus Bendigo refugee hotline to answer questions from the Karen community

Bendigo Community Health Services has launched a free Coronavirus telephone hotline to further support the Karen community in Bendigo.

Karen speaking guides and case workers from the BCHS Settlement Services team will run the free Coronavirus 5406 1254 Hotline Monday to Thursday from 1pm to 4.30pm.

BCHS Community Engagement manager Rod Case said the hotline initiative was in response to a rise in Coronavirus concerns and questions from the Karen community and the need to ensure important information was fully understood.

The hotline further enhanced the #BendigoTogether campaign launched with Believe In Bendigo to support the Karen community after reports of Coronavirus abuse and taunts.  

"Our Settlement Services team is seeing an increase in concern and questions from the Karen community around the Coronavirus," Mr Case said.

"The Coronavirus hotline will take on a Karen focus because there are now more than 3000 members of that community in Bendigo but BCHS is providing support to Dari and Dinka speaking refugees too through our online Coronavirus Bendigo Refugee Resource Hub.

"The resource hub on our www.bchs.com.au website has now had more than 5200 visits. We launched this hub back in early March when we first saw a real need for Coronavirus information to support the refugee communities and now there's 15 information sheets and 20 videos translated into Karen, Dari and Dinka language available. 

"The response has been amazing reaching more than 72,000 people on social media with 14,670 views of the videos and 2262 downloads of information sheets. It's clear this hub is having an impact in helping stop the spread of Coronavirus but while we have been really pleased with the support for the hub, the message from the refugee communities is clear they want someone to talk with about their concerns and questions too and that's why we're launching this free Coronavirus hotline.  

"When people ring the hotline there will be a familiar voice on the other end of the line providing the right answers and information to put their minds at ease around Coronavirus and how to keep their families safe. If you have a pre-paid phone plan and are worried about the cost it's okay - we will ring you straight back to help you out."