With the findings of the inquest into Veronica Nelson’s death at Dame Phyllis Frost centre in Jan 2020 being handed down this week we have heard announcements from the state government about the changes to health provision at the women’s prisons, but what else is changing?

I’m joined by community lawyer, prison activist and board member of Flat Out, a support and advocacy service for women and gender diverse people who are existing prison or at risk of going to prison, Amanda George.

 While Veronica Nelson’s death highlights problems with the criminal justice system Amanda walks us through what happened to Veronica over the three days of her custody.

We have heard from the Andrew’s govt that the outsourced health care provided at women’s prisons will be now conducted by local heath providers, while this is a step in the right direction, is this just putting the mattress at the bottom of the cliff?

 What reforms do we need to be seeking when it comes to the incarceration of women in Victoria?

Amanda addresses these questions and more in our conversation that at times is hard to listen to, but needed if we are to create change.

To find out more about Flat Out Inc click HERE

Brief Interventions is a free, confidential and easy-to-access counselling service for anyone aged over 16 who is concerned about their mental health, wellbeing, or drug and alcohol use.

BCYF delivers the program throughout Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, Colac Otway region, and the Golden Plains Shire.

How does it work?
Their experienced clinicians use a range of approaches and practical strategies to help improve health and wellbeing.

Brief Interventions offer up to five one-hour counselling sessions, along with referrals and further treatment planning if required.

Who can access Brief Interventions?
Anyone can access the service by contacting BCYF’s AOD (Alcohol & Other Drugs) Intake or completing the referral form HERE. Referrals from GPs are welcome and prioritised (no Mental Health Care Plan required).

For more information contact:
Phone: 1300 022 293

This season I'm sharing interviews with inspirational people about conversations that need to be had and heard.  These chats are part of the morning program Loretta's Front Page broadcast on 94.7Pulse FM community radio in Geelong

We all hang out for Summer.  That time of the year where the days are long, we spend time at the beach, with friends, having endless BBQ’s and long walks.

But the reality can be different and I want to shine a light on the other side of Summer in case you are feeling some of the Summertime Blues.

In this episode I'm joined by Kylie Broadfoot Founder of KMB Coaching and we spend time understanding the types of goals we could be making at this time of year and why we sometimes sabotage them .

 Kylie works with women in their business and their lives to make a significant impact in the world, but who may find burnout, self sabotage or people pleasing may be getting in their way.

We begin our conversation with the idea of New Years resolutions and if are they helping us or harming us?

This season I'm sharing interviews with inspirational people about conversations that need to be had and heard.  These chats are part of the morning program Loretta's Front Page broadcast on 94.7Pulse FM community radio in Geelong

Have you seen sunflower lanyards getting about the place? 
The Hidden Disability Sunflower Scheme began in England at Gatwick airport and is now spreading its inclusion cheer all around the world.

Sandee Facy from Bayley House joined me in the studio to share who the scheme is for and to call out to organisations and businesses who are looking to be more inclusive for the whole community, to get on board.

Living with a Hidden Disability can make daily life more demanding for many people, but it can be difficult for others to recognise, acknowledge or understand the challenges faced. Wearing the Sunflower discreetly indicates to staff, colleagues and health professionals that the wearer (or support person with them) has a hidden disability and may need additional help or simply more time.

In the studio as well for this conversation is Ainslee Hooper from  Ainslee Hooper Consulting our resident inclusions and accessibility expert.

This season I'm sharing interviews with inspirational people about conversations that need to be had and heard.  These chats are part of the morning program Loretta's Front Page broadcast on 94.7Pulse FM community radio in Geelong.

Change...eek! Who is good at it?
Lisa Taylor, my resident relationships and communication expert, from Strengthening Families Australia and I dive headlong into the notion of change.

From being frustrated with someone who is not progressive with their point of view or holds a different opinion to you to struggling to comprehend how someone else can now think something you find too "out there", we can trip up when it comes to our communication and maintaining healthy relationships.

Lisa and I tease out how we can navigate these testing time in the first part of our chat and then dive further into why humans find change sooooo tricky in the first place.

Stick around for the second part where Lisa shares a framework for change that is extremely useful.

Lisa's upcoming full day event "Love and Connection Mastery" to be held on 18th of Feb, 2023 will cover much and more of the ideas we covered in our conversation today. 

This season I'm sharing interviews with inspirational people about conversations that need to be had and heard.  These chats are part of the morning program Loretta's Front Page broadcast on 94.7Pulse FM community radio in Geelong

"From doctor to patient to doctor again, Dr Steven Sommer's uplifting story is told alongside the story of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Steven's life and career was soaring with potential before it was derailed by ME/CFS.

Steven and his partner, Tori, unveil the horrors of what it was like to have this disease as he shares his search for answers, a quest that culminates in a joyous turn-around.

Interwoven, is the fascinating medical research that's blowing the hat off our understanding of this oft-maligned illness. It exposes and verifies that ME/CFS is truly a biomedical disease not a psychiatric one.

Currently, close to two hundred and fifty thousand Australians and millions of people worldwide are impacted by ME/CFS. This number is likely to swell as a percentage of people with Long Covid go on to develop ME/CFS." 
drstevensommer.com

Steven and Tori share with us their journey with ME/CFS and how their story, research and books can help many who are living with long covid.

It's estimated that 1 in 10 people who have covid will develop long covid. This diagnosis usually happens after a person has had lingering covid symptoms for over 3 months.  50% of those are likely to develop ME/CFS. 

Dr. Steven's books are available at the Geelong library as well as online at the above website.

For more information and support about ME/CFS please head to Emerge Australia

This season I'm sharing interviews with inspirational people about conversations that need to be had and heard.  These chats are part of the morning program Loretta's Front Page broadcast on 94.7Pulse FM community radio in Geelong

What's mHBOT and can it help with long covid symptoms?
The simple answer is yes, the longer answer is ...listen to the interview.

It was great to speak with Chris Reed from Geelong Bowen and Remedial Therapies about the use of mild Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for people experiencing long covid symptoms.

While each person is different the research Chris refers to in his latest blog shows very encouraging signs.

We also speak about his best advice when it comes to engaging a body work practitioner, whether that be Bowen therapy or another modality, to best support the recovery of people with long covid.

This season I'm sharing interviews with inspirational people about conversations that need to be had and heard.  These chats are part of the morning program Loretta's Front Page broadcast on 94.7Pulse FM community radio in Geelong

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, in collaboration with the Surf Coast Shire Council, will hold an inaugural truth-telling event: Pilk Purriyn, which means ‘sunrise’ from 5:30am - 7am Thursday 26th of January 2023.

It is an opportunity for members of all communities to come together for deep listening and reflection as the sun rises.

 The event will acknowledge the trauma and harm to First Nations People through colonisation and recognise the resilience of their people and culture which continues today.

 The day will begin with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony followed by truth-telling. 
To register for this free event CLICK HERE.

It was wonderful to sit with Corrina and Jenna and briefly hear about why they are holding this event and what it can mean for our community moving forward together.

Corrina brought in but we didn't get time to discuss a Djillong Timeline, please access it HERE.

This season I'm sharing interviews with inspirational people about conversations that need to be had and heard.  These chats are part of the morning program Loretta's Front Page broadcast on 94.7Pulse FM community radio in Geelong