Join a Network

Victoria has a vibrant community of primary, tertiary and allied health care workers who actively pursue better health outcomes for people from refugee backgrounds, including people seeking asylum. There are a range of networks that coordinate regular meetings to connect and collaborate with others working in the sector.

These networks can be local (place-based), statewide or focused on a specific topic and are often open to new members. Take a look below at networks that may be of interest.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Interested in promoting a network that you’re a part of? Contact us now.

Bendigo Local Settlement Network

Meets three times a year

Network to work together to facilitate self-reliance and social cohesion amongst migrants with low English proficiency , international students, and refugees in Greater Bendigo so they are settled and empowered.

Location: Online via Teams

Contact: Kaye Graves, Senior Leader – Refugee and Cultural Diversity (Bendigo Community Health Services)
E: kayegraves@bchs.com.au

Eastern Region Refugee Health Network

Meets every three months (quarterly)

Network to enhance the health outcomes of refugees and people seeking asylum within the Eastern Region catchment area through cross-organizational collaborative action.

Location: Ringwood East or Online via Teams

Contact: Merilyn Spratling, Refugee Health Nurse Coordinator (EACH)
P: 03 9837 3900
E: mspratling@each.com.au

Sunraysia Settlement Network Meeting

Meets every six weeks

Network aims to enhance social and economic outcomes for refugees and CALD migrants through integrated service responses in the Sunraysia Mallee region.

Location: Online via Teams

Contact: Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council (SMECC)
E: sunraysiasettlement@smecc.org.au

Western Region Refugee Health Network

Meets every three months (quarterly)

Network to enhance the health outcomes of refugees and people seeking asylum within the Western Health catchment area through cross-organizational collaborative action.

Location: Online via Teams

Contact: Kath Desmyth
Statewide Facilitator, Refugee Health Program

E: kath.desmyth@cohealth.org.au

ECCV Multicultural Mental Health Network

Meets every two months

Open to agencies, researchers, clinical experts, advocates and people with lived experience to share information and collaborate on mental health needs of people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Location: Online via Teams

Contact: James Houghton, Senior Policy Advisor (ECCV)

E: jhoughton@eccv.org.au

ECCV Statewide Disability Network

Meets quarterly

ECCV established a Statewide Disability Network in September 2021 to help identify key advocacy issues and support COVID-19 recovery for people with disability from migrant and refugee communities. 

Location: Online via Teams

Contact: Jennifer Borrell, Policy Advisor (ECCV)

E: jborrell@eccv.org.au

Refugee and Asylum Seeker Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordination Call 

Meets monthly

Designed to foster collaboration among mental health service providers, settlement agencies, health services, and community organisations working with refugee and asylum seeker communities. 

Sector Coordination Call – Supporting newly arrived Palestinians

Meets monthly

Developed to help support health coordination efforts for newly arrived Palestinians in Victoria.