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The Vision Initiative was invited to attend the Diabetes Australia – Victoria Community Network Program Annual State Conference on Saturday 22 October. The Community Network Program, ComNet, are support groups which provide people with diabetes an opportunity to receive support and education, and share information about other their experiences in an inclusive environment, amongst peers, family and carers. ComNet includes more than 70 diabetes support groups across Victoria - over 60 participants attended the conference this year.

 

Sandra Leone from Diabetes Australia-Victoria, invited the Vision Initiative, Guide Dogs Victoria and the Australian College of Optometry to attend the conference, drawing on the success of the 2011 National Diabetes Week Diabetes:Don’t be blind to the risks campaign.

 

At this years Conference, ComNet group leaders participated in facilitated workshops to develop their skills and strategies to build capacity, grow and maintain groups.They learned about group engagement methods including the provision of practical information and interesting activities to motivate their members.

 

Vision Initiative Coordinator, Robyn Wallace, was pleased to be approached by group leaders looking to source expert speakers on eye health, which will be  coordinated through the Vision Initiative partners. Robyn also commended that one group leader was delighted to receive the Vision Initiative promotional magnifying card, “This group leader, and others with diabetes, have found the magnifiers helpful when reading food labels in the supermarket, which is fantastic and one use that I didn’t expect!”

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