Road Trauma Support in Esperance
Road Trauma Support WA is back on the road! The team had the pleasure of visiting Esperance for 3 days in mid-June and engaging with different groups in the community. The team were on the go as soon as they landed in Esperance with a workshop delivered to trucking and transport organisations on the importance of investing in physical and mental health which was organised through the Shire of Esperance.
Following this, the team provided mental health first aid support and information to attendees at the RAC Road Smart event which promoted road safety to local high school students and teachers. Other activities included an information session at the Esperance Country Women’s Association and presenting to the teaching staff and approximately 50 students at the Wongutha Christian Aboriginal School in Gibson on road safety and how Road Trauma Support WA can assist individuals impacted by a road incident.
The final activity on this trip was a 2-hour presentation for 25 local emergency responders to inform and educate them on the impacts of road trauma and how RTS WA can support them in their important role in their community so they can continue to do the much-needed and valued work that they do.
If you think your community would benefit from having the team visit your region, please connect with us at [email protected] or 6166 7688 so we can tailor something to suit.
Post-crash support in Northam
The Road Trauma Support Service WA will be heading to Northam to deliver a two-hour information session for community members who would like to know how they can support themselves, and respond appropriately to those impacted by grief, loss and trauma following a road crash.
When: Wednesday 10th August 2022 from 7 pm – 9 pm.
Where: TBC
This session is suitable for the general community, emergency services and people who may be exposed to road trauma as part of their work and will provide information on:
- Common reactions experienced after a crash
- Understand the impact on yourself of working with grief, loss, and trauma
- Respond appropriately to those impacted by grief, loss, and trauma
- Develop self-care strategies to prevent burnout
- Find out where and how to access support for yourself and others.
If you would like to be kept up to date on this event, please email us at [email protected].
Regional Visit to Bunbury
The team will be heading down to Bunbury to present at the 27th Road Transport Safety Forum in Bunbury on the 18th of August 2022 held by Transafe.
If you would like our team to meet with your organisation or workplace and hear how we can support people impacted by a road incident, please connect with us.
Save the date and keep up to date by visiting the Transafe website below to secure your tickets.
SOCK Week
SOCK stands for ‘Save Our Country Kids’ and is a road safety initiative created by the Narembeen Community Resource Centre. SOCK week runs from 27 June to 3 July 2022 and is a weeklong campaign of education on road safety and the impact poor decision-making can have within a small community. This year sees activities extending through the Augusta CRC also.
Injury Matters team member Clare Robbins will be supporting some activities in Augusta this coming week including a Memorial Night at the Augusta Hotel on Thursday, 30 June.
Injury Matters support SWAMS for Bunbury Reconciliation Bridge Walk
Injury Matters were privileged to be invited by South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) to join them in the Reconciliation Bridge Walk in Goomburrup (Bunbury) on Thursday 26th May.
Two members of the Injury Matters team joined over 2,800 people attending the event. The walk began at Koombana Bay and ended at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell. Following the ‘Be Brave, Make Change’ Reconciliation Walk attendees enjoyed listening to cultural music, performances, stories, and poetry; alongside a flag-raising ceremony and a free sausage sizzle.
The event was organised by Yaka Danjoo Events, The City of Bunbury, with partnerships and support from SWAMS and many other local businesses and organisations.
National Road Safety Week
National Road Safety Week (NRSW) is an initiative from the Safer Australian Roads and Highways (SARAH) Group, drawing national attention to the impact of road trauma and ways individuals, organisations and governments can reduce it.
Injury Matters understands more than most the impact road trauma can have on those involved. During the 2022 week, we met with Peter Frazer, founder of the SARAH Group, and members of the Road Safety Commission to continue our work in reducing road trauma in WA.
Meanwhile, some of our team members participated in Fatality Free Friday, taking the pledge to put a stop to senseless loss on our roads for a reason.
Translating knowledge in practice
The team at Injury Matters will be sharing their knowledge and experience with professionals working in the area of road safety and post-crash space.
Abstracts have been accepted in a range of topics at varied conferences including advocacy, regional engagement, media guidelines and community attitudes to injury prevention.
Upcoming conferences include:
Mental Health Foundation Australia
National Consumers Art Competition
The Mental Health Foundation Australia is back with the Art Competition yet again this year, with the theme of Resilience and Mental Health.
Create your creative artwork using submit it online in any form be it either paintings, drawings, mosaics, photos, computerised images or other art mediums.
Winning artwork will be selected by a panel of judges for a virtual showcase at the Mental Health Month Launch on the 1st of October 2022. Open to all members of the community.
Road Safety Commission Community Grants
The Road Safety Community Grant Program is open for applications through to mid-July. Grants are available for sustainable projects and one-off community activities that assist in promoting road safety across WA.
Applications are open to community groups, clubs, health organisations, service clubs, local governments, schools and others. Find out more and apply through the link below.
Have something to share?
Let us know if you have an event or item you would like to include in our next quarterly eNews due out in September 2022. Contact Road Trauma Support WA with your request.