The Waitara Family Medical Practice Team wishes you and your family a joyous Christmas!

International Human Solidarity falls on December 20 each year and is an opportunity to:

• celebrate our unity in diversity;
• remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements;
• raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity;
• encourage debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals including poverty eradication;
• encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.

For more information, visit: https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-solidarity-day

International Migrants Day occurs each year on the 18th of December. It is an opportunity to recognise the complexity and challenges of international migration and the important role cooperation and collective action among countries and regions play.

For more information, visit: https://www.un.org/en/observances/migrants-day

For more information, visit:

• https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
• https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others/your-mental-health-and-wellbeing/covid-19-mental

DineSmart is an initiative to raise awareness about the prominent issue of homelessness in Australia. Dine at participating restaurants and help out local grassroots community groups attempting to aid the homeless or at risk.

Since establishment in 2003, DineSmart has distributed $7,162,515 in funds, supported 700 organisations, donated 10,000 SleepSafe Kits, and provided 93,585 SmartMeals.

How DineSmart works:

• Street Smart partners with restaurants and local homeless charities
• Diners make a $2 donation at partner restaurants for dine-in or takeaway
• Money raised will provide meals for vulnerable people who may otherwise not have eaten

To get involved this December:

• Make a donation
• Dine out at participating restaurants
• Volunteer with the organisation
• Raise awareness on social media

For more information, visit: https://streetsmartaustralia.org/

The campaign runs every year from 25 November-10 December, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Human Rights Day. 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and girls.

In 2020 the global theme is: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!” Make a difference during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by supporting women and girl survivors of violence to stay safe and free of violence.

• Globally, even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, 1 in 3 women experienced physical or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner.
• Emerging data shows an increase in calls to domestic violence helplines in many countries since the outbreak of COVID-19.
• In some countries, resources and efforts have been diverted from violence against women response to immediate COVID-19 relief.

Get involved this December by:

• Raising awareness on social media
• Donating
• Organising events in your local community
• Sharing photos, videos and messages on social media about how you are participating

For more information, visit:
https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/take-action/16-days-of-activism