Each year, The Compassionate Friends (TCF) accepts nominations from bereaved Victorians who’s employers have demonstrated extraordinary compassion to support them through their grief. Twenty three businesses, hospitals and community organisations from across the state today received thanks for the support they provided.

“When a family loses a loved one the grief is often crippling. Employers can be a great source of comfort or of frustration during this time. Employers who have gone above and beyond the normal policies of most companies in helping employees deserve to be recognised for the significant role they can play in the grieving process,” said Barb Summers, TCF President.

Employers have provided a range of compassionate support including: unconditional & unlimited paid compassionate leave, organising and paying for counselling for an entire family, gradual return to work schedules, a Perpetual award in memory of a loved one and financial support for a family to return to Australia after the death.

Employers named Victoria’s Compassionate Employers of 2005 are:
Dorevitch Pathology Heidelberg, Goulburn Valley Hospice Care Service Shepparton, Baker Heart Research Institute Prahran, Allansford General Store and Post Office Allansford, Mount Eliza Secondary College Mt Eliza, Community Connections Vic Warrnambool, Ballarat YMCA Alfredton, Mildura Base Hospital Mental Health Mildura, Melton Waves Leisure Centre Melton, Dandenong & Berwick Nissan & Kia Dandenong, IGA Distribution Laverton North, Linfox Armaguard Pty Ltd Bendigo, Anchor Community Care Inc Lilydale, Korumburra Primary School Korumburra, Ballarat Hospice Care Inc Ballarat Western Heights College Geelong, Infotrieve Australia Nottinghill, Concord Timber (Aust) Dandenong South, Gambro Dandenong South, SCI Australia Ascot Vale , David Falk & Co Cobden, Qanstruct (Aust) Hawthorn, Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Caulfield South.

The 2005 Compassionate Employer awards are proudly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Geelong, Optimum Recruitment, Belgair Printing and Box Hill Institute.

For further information on The Compassionate Friends Victoria, call 03 9888 4944
or email support@compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au or visit ww.compassionatefriendsvictoria.org.au
Employers are available for interview by contacting:
Belinda Richardson, 0413 701 037 Anne Wicking 0413 861 841

By acknowledging the support given to employees by the employers following the death of a loved one, TCF hopes that other companies will be inspired to review their current bereavement practises.

The Compassionate Employer Recognition Awards are also supported by the Rotary Club of Geelong Central.

Awards recognise the following qualities:
1. Employer who has personally supported an employee through their bereavement
2. Employer who has arranged for additional time off, beyond the familiar three days bereavement leave
3. Those who have provided support services and/or time off – to obtain counselling or seek a support group
4. Caring attitude and ability to empathise demonstrated by the employer’s entire workforce
5. Those who have showed flexibility in work assignments and evaluation of job performance during the stress and personal strain associated with the death of a loved one
6. Other aspects of compassion that the bereaved will remember forever

The twenty three Victorian organisations awarded in 2005 were:

Dorevitch Pathology Heidelberg
Goulburn Valley Hospice Care Service Shepparton
Baker Heart Research Institute Prahran,
Allansford General Store and Post Office Allansford
Mount Eliza Secondary College Mt Eliza
Community Connections Vic Warrnambool,
Ballarat YMCA Alfredton Mildura Base Hospital Mental Health Mildura
Melton Waves Leisure Centre Melton
Dandenong & Berwick Nissan & Kia Dandenong
IGA Distribution Laverton North Linfox Armaguard Pty Ltd Bendigo
Anchor Community Care Inc Lilydale Western Heights College Geelong
Korumburra Primary School Korumburra Concord Timber (Aust) Dandenong South
Ballarat Hospice Care Inc Ballarat Infotrieve Australia Nottinghill
Gambro Dandenong South SCI Australia Ascot Vale
David Falk & Co Cobden Qanstruct (Aust) Hawthorn,
Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Caulfield South.

Statistics on deaths in Australia

There were 133,700 deaths registered in Australia in 2002
The highest age-standardised death rate in 2002 was in the Northern Territory and the lowest was in the Australian Capital Territory.
During the last decade, Ischaemic heart diseases (IHD) and Malignant neoplasms (cancer) remained the two leading causes of death
In 2002 cancer was the leading cause of death accounting for 37,600 deaths or 28.1% of deaths

CHILDREN
For children aged 1-14, external causes of death (such as injuries and poisoning) and cancer are the leading causes of death for children.
In 2002, external causes of death, injuries and poisoning, accounted for the deaths of 229 children. This represents 37% of all deaths for this age group.
Of deaths from external causes, 105 (46%) children died from transport accidents, 2002
Malignant neoplasms caused the deaths of 118 children aged 1-14 years representing 19% of all deaths of children in 2002
Leading causes of cancer deaths were leukemia and brain cancer for children, 2002
For children aged 5-15, there were 16 road fatalities in 2003 a 4.9% of the total fatalities (TAC)
In 2001, there were 1,637 death of young people aged between 12-24 years. Of these deaths almost three quarters were males.

ROAD FATALITIES
The 0-4 age group accounted for 8 deaths on Victorian roads in 2003, 2.4% of the total road fatalities in 2003 (TAC)
For children aged 5-15, there were 16 road fatalities in 2003 a 4.9% of the total fatalities (TAC)
Of the 397 people killed on Victorian roads in 2002, 54 were riders of motorcycles.
This represents 14% of the road toll, yet only 3% of vehicles registered in Victoria are motorcycles.
Two pillion passengers were also killed in 2002
In 2003, a total of 57 drivers and motorcyclists were killed with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05g/100ml and over.
- 96% were males
- 36% were between 21 – 29 years of age
- 28% were between 30 – 39 years
- The remaining 14% were 20 years or younger.
The 18-25 age group represent only 11% of the Victorian population, yet they account for 24% of fatalities in 2003
- 95% of this age group were males,
- 44% were killed on country roads,
- 79% were killed in single vehicle crashes,
- 51% of deaths occurred on 100km/h and 110km/h sign posted roads.

SUICIDE
In 2001, 1.9% of deaths registered were attributed to suicide (ABS)
In 2001, there were 2,454 suicides registered
Method of suicide – FIREARMS, in 2001 the proportion of male suicides was 13% and females 3.9%
Method of suicide – HANGING, STRANGULATION & SUFFOCATION, in 2001 the proportion of male suicide was 44% and females 38%
Method of suicide – POISONING BY DRUGS AND MEDICAMENTS, in 2001 the proportion of male suicide was 7.8% and females 26%