Usually, when secondary school teachers talk to students about labelling each other, it's a conversation focused on the negatives of teen behaviour.

Catholic Regional College students Tara Ciantar and Christine Farrugia show off A Badge for Better. Their project encouraged fellow students to support each other through positive affirmations.

But at Catholic Regional College Sydenham, students Tara Ciantar and Christine Farrugia have turned this practice on its head with A Badge for Better.

A Badge for Better encourages students to highlight the best qualities in their classmates, teachers, friends and even parents by offering a badge which brightly declares that person's best attributes. Have a classmate who always makes you smile, no matter how bad your day has been? Then you might give her the 'Calm, Delightful, Happy' badge. Is there a teacher who always helps you work through your troubles? Maybe she deserves the 'Tranquil, Understanding, Loyal' badge.

Tara and Christine developed A Badge for Better after attending QVWC's Young Women, Body Image and the Digital Age Forum in April this year. The girls were among 34 year-11 representatives from across Victoria who came to the Centre to learn about the myths and challenges about body image presented by today's media. The girls were then given a small grant of $250 to return to their schools and deliver positive body image messages to their peers, based on what they had learned.

Working with in-school mentor Rima Daher, the girls developed their A Badge for Better idea. They even got special permission for students to be allowed to wear the badges, as badges are not usually permitted by the school uniform code.

'It's been wonderful,' Rima said, 'The girls all have their badges now and they never take them off!'

The students sold the badges for a gold coin donation in the cafeteria during lunch hour. The money raised from badge sales was donated to The Butterfly Foundation, an organisation focused on helping young women to develop positive body image.

QVWC are extremely proud of Tara and Christine for developing this great idea, and we're sure once others see it they'll be inspired to start A Badge for Better in their own schools. Great work, girls!

A Badge for Better: Instructions

A Badge for Better badges are a fun way to show others that you recognise their positive qualities.

There are better things to value about ourselves than the ones we usually do!

So…
Are you interested in turning that around?
Would you like to help someone feel great about themselves?

Thought so…
1. Go to the cafeteria at lunchtime, any day this week.
2. Choose a Badge for Better (from a range of 7 different character buttons) for one or more of your friends.
3. Give a gold coin donation for every badge you choose (Donations go to the Butterfly Foundation).
4. Give the badge and the gift of acknowledgement to your friend or LOTS of friends or ANYONE you know. Family, workmates .... maybe even a teacher!
5. Know that you have helped make a 'positive thinking' difference to somebody special. Beat that!

Help someone you know to value in themselves, what you value in them!

Purchase a 2008 Inside/Out calendar and support children in crisis.

Artworks mapping children's quest for a positive future are featured in the 2008 Inside/Out Exhibition Calendar.

Your purchase of a 2008 Inside/Out Exhibition calendar goes to support the Secure Welfare program, providing service for children and young people between the ages of 10-17 who are experiencing immediate and substantial risk of harm.

The calendars feature movingly honest artworks created by children in the Secure Welfare art therapy program. Through collage, painting and poetry, children tell their own stories of their journeys away from crisis.

The calendars make a great Christmas gift for someone you know would appreciate making a difference in children's lives.

How to purchase

Cost: $25 + $2.50 postage (or pick up from QVWC before 22 December)

Payment method: Cash only.

Contact: Queen Victoria Women's Centre to order your calendar today.

The Inside/Out: Secure Welfare Body Map exhibition was officially opened at a gala event on 29 November.

Singer-songwriter Sime Nugent kicked off the night with his unique and soulful sound before an incredible speech by Dr Caroline Taylor. Dr Taylor shared her personal history as a victim/survivor and discussed the ongoing contributions she is making to help other victim/survivors of physical and sexual assault negotiate the legal system, build self esteem and understand trauma's impacts and healing.

Following Dr Taylor's inspirational speech, girls from the Secure Welfare program courageously spoke about their own experiences. The girls praised the staff of Secure Welfare for their support and thanked art therapist Rebekah Oppenheim, who coordinated the exhibition. They said that participating in the art therapy program had been an important part of helping them to work through their experiences.

The Inside/Out Exhibition features artworks which trace the private, cultural and gendered dimensions of violence against women and children through full-body silhouettes of the artists. All artworks on display have been created by children, aged 10 to 17, as part of the Secure Welfare Unit's art therapy program.

You can arrange a viewing of the Inside/Out Exhibition weekdays, 9.00am to 5.00pm by contacting the Centre.

The office of the QVWC will close at 5.00pm on Friday, 21 December 2007 and will reopen at 8.30am on 2 January 2008.

Other Centre services will still operate during the holiday season. Details below. If you do not see the organisation you are interested in below, please contact them directly to confirm their holiday operating hours.

WIRE - Women's Information

Sometimes, the holiday period can be difficult. If you are looking for support or advice over this time, remember that the women of WIRE are there for you.

Access WIRE's confidential, friendly and helpful phone service by ringing: 1300 134 130.

WIRE's phone service will be open on: 24, 27, 28 and 31 December.

For help on public holidays or outside of business hours, you can call Lifeline's 24-hour, confidential phone service toll free on: 13 11 14

CASA House

CASA House will be open on: 24, 27, 28 and 31 December. CASA House will be closed on the public holidays of: 25 and 26 December and 1 January.

URCOT

URCOT will close from Friday 21st December and re-open Monday 7th January.

DV VIC

Domestic Violence Victoria will close from Friday 21 December and will reopen on 14 January 2008.

AFVPLS

AFVPLS will close from Friday 21st December and re-open Monday 7th January.

Wishing you and yours a safe and happy holiday season from all of us at QVWC!

This holiday season, hundreds of women and children in Victoria’s women’s refuges will be a little more comfortable, thanks to the generosity of SleepSafe campaign supporters.

Two hundred forty pairs of pyjamas were donated to the SleepSafe campaign to go to women and children in refuges across Victoria.

At the 21 November SleepSafe Breakfast, one hundred local business women and men, community workers and volunteers showed their support for the campaign to end violence against women. Guests at the breakfast, which aimed to raise awareness about and put a stop to domestic violence in our communities, were invited to donate pyjamas for women and children seeking refuge. And donate they did!

Two hundred and forty pairs of soft, cuddly and even silky women’s and children’s pyjamas were donated to support the SleepSafe cause. Flower-patterned women’s pyjama pants in soft cotton were piled next to night-time children’s tees bearing Thomas the Tank Engine and Disney characters.

The SleepSafe campaign is organised by Project 5-O, a coalition of BPW Australia, Soroptimist International, Zonta International, National Council of Women, Federation of University Women Australia, with the support of Queen Victoria Women’s Centre Trust.

Supporters of the SleepSafe breakfast raised funds in support of White Ribbon Day and Project 5.O.

SleepSafe Breakfast Committee Chairwoman Jane Treleaven, said, ‘The SleepSafe campaign aims to bring just a little more comfort to women and children seeking refuge and to remind them that they are not forgotten. We’ve seen an amazing outpouring of community support for this initiative. I think everyone can identify with how uncomfortable and even frightening it can be to stay overnight in an unfamiliar place.’

‘Events like the SleepSafe Breakfast also serve to remind the community that domestic violence is, sadly, still part of our society and we must work together to end it’, Ms Treleaven said. ‘Through the SleepSafe Breakfast, we were able to raise awareness about White Ribbon Day – the international campaign to eliminate violence against women by promoting culture-change around the issue.’

This week, the pyjamas will be distributed to women’s refuges across Victoria with the help of Queen Victoria Women’s Centre-based service Domestic Violence Victoria (DV Vic).

Anne Kennedy of the Mother’s Union, which donated 150 pairs of pyjamas, said, ‘The Mother’s Union was so pleased to be able to donate to the SleepSafe campaign. As mothers ourselves, we know how difficult it can be to spend a night away from home, even at the best of times. It’s a small gesture to give pyjamas, but I think it can make a big difference to mothers in crisis.’

The SleepSafe campaign holds a yearly November breakfast in support of White Ribbon Day. Find out more about the campaign. Or email sleepsafe@gmail.com to organise a pyjama donation.

Dear Friends, Alumni and Fellows

This holiday season brings with it a time of both excitement and change for the Centre. I wanted to take a moment to share some of these happenings with you.

Shilling Wall Garden

The Shilling Wall Garden will offer a quiet space for rest and reflection. Artist's representation: ASPECT Studios.

Since early July 2007, the Shilling Wall Garden along the Lonsdale Street entrance of QVWC has been under construction. The final phase of the project will be the erection of steel plinths which will serve as the base for the colourful, dynamic Shilling Wall. In an effort to be eco-friendly, the Shilling Wall Garden will feature a range of native plants. Planting will occur in early March, after the summer heat passes. The Trust acknowledges the generous offer from BHP Billiton to sponsor the garden planting.

The Shilling Wall Garden will provide a place for reflection and relaxation for all members of the public and will be officially opened with the launch of the Shilling Wall planned for Wednesday 23 April 2008. We do hope you can join us then and that you take time to explore and enjoy the Shilling Wall Garden at your women's centre.

Give the gift of a tribute this Christmas

You can commemorate a woman you admire, love and respect with a tribute on the Shilling Wall. Image: Cassandra Complex.

Are you currently pondering over a gift to give that special woman (or women) in your life? Want to do something extra special and leave a lasting impression? Why not consider making a donation to QVWC and recognise a woman you admire, love and respect with a lasting tribute in her name on the Shilling Wall. Donors will receive a certificate in the name of the nominee that can be shared with this special person.

Find out more about donating to the Shilling Fund and recognising a woman of significance to you through a Shilling Wall tribute.

Thank you for your support

After two years and numerous achievements I will complete my role as General Manager of QVWC. I thank all of you for your support of the Centre during this time and encourage you to stay in touch with what is happening as many exciting projects planned are implemented.

I wish you all, your friends and families the very best for the festive season and 2008.

Happy holidays

Cheryl Teng