Innovative ways of promoting responsible gambling awareness to Victorian Aboriginal Communities

Presenters: Kathy Nicholls, Michael Saunders (VAGAS) Jo Argent (VRGF)

Acknowledgements of Land and People

VACSAL ABORIGINAL GAMBLING AWARENESS SERVICE (VAGAS)

VAGAS has been set up because too many of our Aboriginal Community are being affected by the harm that gambling can create – the impact is being felt by Aboriginal families and communities, particularly Aboriginal children and youth.

funded by the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VRGF)

two Aboriginal Community Educators (male and female)

cover the state of Victoria

provide Gambling awareness information and educational materials to the Victorian Aboriginal Communities

VAGAS Program

VAGAS logo

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Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation

• Commenced as an independent statutory authority on 1 July 2012.

• Aims to reduce the prevalence and harms of problem gambling and to help those who choose to gamble, to do so responsibly.

• Our functions include: – counselling services – community education and campaigns – research – Gambling Information Resource Office (GIRO).

• Visit www.responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au

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Design of consultation• Agreement reached on which organisations should

participate in the project and their respective roles• VAGAS were involved every step of the way:

– helped plan the consultation strategy– collaborated with the creative agency on a written

discussion guide– facilitated regional consultations and hosted a workshop

the creative agency facilitated to bring it all together– recruited talent for photo shoot– helped write all copy

Aboriginal Community Focus Groups

VAGAS were given funding to consult the Victorian Aboriginal Communities for in put into the communication materials.

- Held Community Focus Groups

Views and experiences of gambling

messages would be most effective

the best methods for delivering these messages to the Aboriginal Communities

• “I feel it’s a big issue in the community. The tell tale signs come back to people accessing the community support program for food parcels because of gambling issues”.

“People need more education about what gambling can do to you. Even Koorie workers don’t really understand the impacts of gambling on the family or why they might keep gambling”.

Community Feedback from Focus Groups

Revealed that:

messages focusing directly on problem gambling would be avoided by most Aboriginal people due to shame, stigma and denial

messages should be to encourage healthy lifestyle activities

Reporting Outcomes from Focus Groups

Revealed that:

the messages should be conveyed visually

there should not be too much reading materials materials should be attractive and engaging

Materials should feature photographs of Victorian Aboriginal people

websites and referral numbers should included for easy access and assistance

Reporting Outcomes from Focus Groups

www.mobday.vic.gov.au

Footy in the Park Playground Fun Picnic outdoors Let’s Play Basketball Play-time Outside

Bush Walk with Elders

Quality time Musical tunes Kick to Kick My Culture

Enjoy a kick in the Park with the kids. One of them could be the next Footy

Hero

A push on the swing at the playground

Relax outdoors and share a feed with

the Mob

Basketball is a team sport and good

exercise

Playing outside makes it a Special time

Caring for Country. Learning to respect the environment

Showing the Little Ones new skills

Growing up and learning Music

Kicking the Footy in the Park with my Cuz

Passing down the knowledge to the next

generation

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Distribution and Promotion

Materials will be distributed to:– Aboriginal Organisations such as co-ops, health centres etc– Aboriginal progams e.g. Closing the Health Gap and the Koorie Justice – Mainstream community centres– Gambler’s Help services– Gaming venue restrooms

Via:– VAGAS– Gambler’s Help community educators – Convenience Advertising

Promotion:• Mob Day Events / Mob Day event guide• Media

Questions & Discussion

kathy.nicholls.vacsal.org.au

michael.saunders@vacsal.org.au

jo.argent@responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au