Today's chat is with a couple of Viet Vets, Gary Ryan, and Alan Fleming.

We remember the Vietnam War (1962 - 1975) and the 60,000 soldiers, men and women, who served Australia in that war.

Over 15,000 were national Servicemen, and according to Google, of the 521 young Aussies who died defending our nation, 200 were Nashos, as they were called.

The motto of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia is: "Honour the dead but fight like hell for the living".

Two poems were read out - "Ode to Vietnam Veterans", and "Try to understand".

Words are available if you send an email to me at - [email protected], or phone Alan - 0439 229 606

For help &/or info -

VVCS is now Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling

Call us 24Hr 1800 011 046 - A service founded by Vietnam Veterans, now for all veterans.

RSL Colac, Victoria - Phone: (03) 5231 2942

Warrnambool RSL - 5562 4634

Geelong Surfcoast Veteran Centre - (03) 5222 6003

Vietnam Veterans Centre, 31 Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont, 3216. (03)52433700.

Pauley Johnson and Bob Perry joined us for a chat about their lives as LGBTIQ+ (alphabet!) parents coming out to family and friends. We talk about · Acceptance by Family &Friends, IDAHO to IDAHOBIT, Inclusion, Education - social media, role casting children, Typecasting, and much more.

eheadspace provides mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families. Call 1800 650 890, 9am-1am AEST / 7 days a week.

Kids Helpline ed 5 to 25. Call 1800 55 1800.

Lifeline Call 13 11 14.

MensLine Australia Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week.

Colac Otway pride and diversity group.

Suicide Line Victoria - www.suicideline.org.au - Call 1300 651 251

TThis week we chatted about Wintringham Specialist Aged Care with Rose Marsh who is a Social Worker, and Drew James, a recipient of their support, and aged care services, and is with NDIS.

Numbers and other info provided:-

www.wintringham.org.au

Service Enquiries - Advice & Information

Accommodation - Home Care Packages - Outreach

9376 1122

9034 4824

5243 7227

1800 200 422 - My aged care.

[email protected]

and Facebook, Twitter etc...

Mark Gunning, Operations Manager from the CFA Colac district 6, gives us a comprehensive rundown on all areas of the CFA's work. (Thanks to Steve Berry.)

CFA (Country Fire Authority) is a volunteer and community based fire and emergency services organisation. They help protect 3.3 million Victorians, and more than one million homes and properties across the state.

Today we start another year of Community Connect having a yarn with Ebony Hickey about National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC).

2019 theme - Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let's work together

.

We find out about events around the traps, catch up on what has been happening at The Gathering Place, learn why it is called Caracaramigen, and so much more.

For more about NAIDOC - www.naidoc.org.au

Numbers and contact info - Ebony - 0449 948 475 & Hayley Couzens at Wathaurong - 52 77 00 44 -or www.wathaurong.org.au

The slogan for men's sheds is "Shoulder To Shoulder", shortened from "Men don't talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder".

Matt Tippins came in for a yarn with Eddie and I. We also talked about prostate awareness and some other aspects of men's health.

Colac Men's Shed Inc.

54 Chapel St. Gate 2

Colac, VIC 3250 Phone: 03 5231 4553

https://www.prostate.org.au/

Today's chat is with Colac Otway Shire Councillor Stephen Hart, and Peter Macdonald, who is "Building Inclusive Communities" with the Shire is with us as well. We4 chat about Reconciliation Week, activities and events, that runs annually from 27 May - 3 June. Stephen mentions that the Colac Otway Shire plansto implement a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), "Our Watch". "Engage Victoria", and so much more.

This is a snap from the Shire photos, as we missed out on a "live" studio pic. Davida was with us in January chatting about the Library.

Both podcasts are a good listen for Community.

Contact Stephen and Peter - Phone: (03) 5232 9400 (shire) Phone: (03) 5232 9424 (Peter) Email: [email protected]

Today we chatted with Keith about his journey and involvement wit AA for around forty years.

Alcoholics Anonymous Colac - Thursday 7:30pm

St Andrew's Hall - Hesse Street

Duration: 60 minutes

Contact Alcoholics Anonymous

National 24 Hour Help Line

Calls to this number connect to your nearest AA office - 1300 222 222

Call Sandy - 0427 048 875 - for more information.

Today we chat with Louise Tracey, the Community Relations Officer at the SA&FV Centre, (formerly CASA)We cover, Lynda Dunne, a counselor, and a very brave "client" "Sue".

We introduce the SAFV Centre and talk about their services, how to use them, the benefits of doing so, as well as how and when to contact the centre.

Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm

(late appointments may be available)

Phone - 03 5222 4318

Write to us -PO Box 7205, Geelong West VIC 3218

Email us - [email protected]

Phone - Sexual Assault Crisis Line (Victoria) 1800 806 292

Phone - Safe Steps (Family Violence) - 1800 015 188 (24 Hours)

Today's chat is with Alan Fleming & Mary O'Donoghue about ANZAC Day. We talk of the motto "Honour the dead, but fight like hell for the living", history of involvement in the South West of Victoria, events this year in Colac and Camperdown, and more...

For more info and support:-

Deidre 5562 4634 - Warrnambool

The Colac RSL

Rsl club in Colac, Victoria

Address: 21 Murray St, Colac VIC 3250

Phone: (03) 5231 2942

FB - Colac RSL Sub-Branch Inc.

www.colacrsl.com.au/