VCOD email news for 2003

Wednesday, 15 January 2003

VCOD AGM on 13^th February 2003

A free BBQ from 5pm at the VSDC courtyard will be followed by the 21^st AGM of VCOD at 7pm to be held in the F J Rose Hall. Interpreters and loops will be provided on the night. Supper will be available at the conclusion of the AGM.

Becoming a Board member of VCOD

VCOD is looking for up to 6 people to be on the Board for 2003 to 2005. If you would like to attend a meeting as an observer to see if you would like to go on the Board, please let Barry know at darwinsclan@iprimus.com.au and Barry will give you more information about date of the next meeting.

It is important that Deaf People are on the Board of VCOD to ensure that changes to the society we live in provide a quality of life to Deaf people.

Voting at the AGM

To be eligible to vote at the AGM, people who have paid their membership in 2002 will be able to vote. You do not have to be a member in 2003 to vote at the AGM. New membership forms will be available on the night of the AGM. Any questions about Voting please let Grant know.

Text Radio Survey reminder

A reminder to people who have mobile phone and have not fill out a survey for TXT Radio, please do so as data is being collected to determine if the idea is worth starting. To fill out the survey that takes less than five minutes, go to http://www.trex.net.au/sms/survey.htm

Discrimination appointment at VCOD

You can make a free appointment to see a solicitor on Wednesday 5^th February anytime between 1pm to 4pm. If you are not sure or want advice about something relating to Deaf and discrimination (not fair) then please email Melanie at admin@vcod.com.au Appointments are for one hour so means the solicitor can see one person for one hour. Interpreter is available at the appointment.

Deaf Deaf World

Melanie is currently organising workshops throughout Victoria for Deaf Deaf World. Places to visit include Ballarat, Horsham, Geelong, Colac, Bendigo plus Melbourne. If you would like VCOD to run a workshop in which people are better able to understand the needs of Deaf people, then contact Melanie at admin@vcod.com.au Melanie will be happy to give you information about the courses. Or if you want Deaf Deaf World at your workplace, then contact Melanie and she will discuss your requirement to provide an entertaining workshop. Deaf Deaf World can run for up to three hours and sessions includes non verbal communication, equipment demonstrations, questions and answers. There is a fee for this course.

Advocacy Services in Horsham

VCOD is pleased to announce a workshop will take place in February 25^th in Horsham that will commence the start of a three-month trial in Horsham to see if the demand for advocacy is required on a regular basis. On 25^th February, Discrimination Legal Services will be in Horsham presenting a talk about what discrimination is and what you can do to stop discrimination happening. For more information about the workshop contact Grant at VCOD on onfo@vcod.com.au This workshop is a partnership between VCOD Deaf Info Link (Wimmera) and Discrimination legal Services.

Auslan Business in the Workplace

Fiona Goldab is available to come to your workplace to teach co- workers basic signing skills. Today more and more business realise that the need to communication with Deaf staff or customers/ clients is important and hence Fiona job is to teach staff basic signing skills. Course can run from 4 to 10 weeks for 30 mins to one hour. Fiona will come to your workplace so that means staff does not have to go to night classes. So feel free to contact Fiona at auslan@vcod.coim.au for more information. There is a fee for this service.

Passing away of two Deaf People

Bob Profilio (President of Deaf Sports Recreation NSW and Acting President of Deaf Tennis NSW) is missing believed drown while swimming at their annual holiday in NSW. Bob was a very active member of the sports community. Go to www.vcod.com.au/whatsnews/media for more information

Baby Gauvin who made headlines in the newspaper last year as he was born to a lesbian couple in America has passed away due to rare lung conditions

Job as CEO of Deaflympics 2005

A position as CEO of the Melbourne 2005 Deaflympics is currently being advertised. To read more about this position go to www.vcod.com.au/whatsnews/jobs
Position is worth more than $90,000 per year.

Cochlear Implants;Family tell their stories by Dorothy O’Brien

The book is about Parents give an insight into the dilemmas faced by parents with a deaf child. All parents wants to do what is best for their child. When faced with a major decision about what is classified as elective surgery, parents take an individual approach. Nine families share their experiences.

The book is available now at $24 95 by filling out an order form at www.vcod.com.au/whatsnews/media or pop into the shop at VSDC from February 3^rd to pick up your copy.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

An Auslan interpreted production organised by VSDC Services for Deaf Children, tickets are available now for this show on Sunday 2^nd February 2003. For more information go to www.vcod.com.au/whatsnews/events

Courses at NMIT in 2003

Auslan for Deaf People (3 hours per week) for people who recently arrived in Australia or deaf adults new to Auslan

Cost is a one off fee of $70 and does not matter how many courses you do. For more information about the courses, which will be held in Preston, you can contact Tamara Pearce on TTY 92698354, or email tamarap-acc@nmit.vic.edu.au

Darebin Council seeking a rep on Advisory Board

Livia is looking for new members for our Disability Advisory Committee at Darebin Council and would like to see if a deaf person or someone with a hearing impairment would be interested in taking part in out advisory committee. It would be good to get his/her perspective on making Darebin Council more accessible for people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment. We meet once every two months and get input from members on various issues between the meetings. Livia LoGiudice LLOGIUDI@darebin.vic.gov.au

News from Alice Ewing in Antarctic

For many people who know Alice, you may like to read her story. For those who don’t know Alice, you may like to read this story to give further proof that Deaf people CAN and ALWAYS will do anything they want to do. Go to www.vcod.com.au/whatsnews/media to read her story

Looking for a lost relative

I wonder if you could help me find a lost relative. He's name is Clive Coppard and he went to a deaf club somewhere in Melbourne. I last spoke to Clive just after his mum died 2 years ago and I have moved since and lost his contact details. He did live at Sutherland Ave, Kew, Richmond, Victoria, but was due to move. I do not know of any other way of trying to find him. Many Thanks

Web site to look at

An Israeli company SpeechView, together with Cellcom Communications, launched a new milestone technology today that allows the deaf and hard-of-hearing to communicate normally by phone. The technology, invented by Dr. Nachshon Margaliot, translates basic sounds of human speech - in any language - into facial gestures and visual signs that can be "lip-read" from a color screen. SpeechView, a company dedicated to meeting the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing, claims that its real-time voice recognition engine is significantly faster than any current speech-to-text recognition engine

Gary, Indiana. so, I am wondering how to get to meet more different deaf people to contact us too. here if u can chat me use my pager okay? 1452614@archwireless.net

Other Events

Cricket news

One is the PJ Cup, to be held on Sunday 26th January at Glen Iris, which is essentially a tryout match for the Victorian Deaf Cricket Team.

The other is the Hawaiian Cocktail Night, to be held on Satuday 8th February at Melbourne Deaf Cricket Clubroom. We have hosted a Cocktail night in October 2001 with huge success and with the timing of this party, combined with the (hopefully) warm weather, this event will be even bigger. A large reason for this is because the club will be announcing the Victorian Deaf Cricket Team for ADG2003.

Basketball News

Linley Estate Conference & Reception Centre at 723 Mt. Dandenong Road, Kilsyth starting at

4 course meal including beverages, Guest Speaker, Auctions & Light Entertainment. Cost is $75 per person. Dress Code : Strictly Formal Contact Irena Farinacci for more info.

Tennis News

Victorian State Championship is on during Australia Day weekend at the home of Brian Adam’s Tennis club in Dandenong.

Cost: Depends on number of events -Closing date for entries is Friday 17th January.

Starts Wednesday night 15^th January from 7pm onwards at Flinders and Swanston St Melbourne

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VCOD email news for 2003

Pen friend wanted

Cricket news

Basketball News

Tennis News