The Word Health Organisation has declared the Coronavirus a pandemic, and a time of global health crisis. In response to the dramatic effects which the virus is having on our economy, the Australian government has considered that now is a time to act with financial stimulus. We are now facing the banning of public gatherings of over 500 people.

For many people, those in our neighbourhoods, on the train, in our work places and schools, it is a time of great concern, even anxiety. People are asking “Am I prepared for this crisis?” “Will I be infected?” “Am I doing enough to protect myself and my family?” For leaders, there is an added sense of responsibility as they ask, “Am I leading in a way that helps people or am I adding to their anxiety?”

Christians today in Baptist churches across Victoria, have questions concerning what our response ought to be as we seek to respond to the COVID-19 virus. Some of us are seeing it as a time to boldly declare our trust in God, while others find it much harder than we had thought to remain calm and full of faith.

How can we respond, as Christlike followers, to this crisis?

1. Remember that God is with us. God has promised, “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5b). Jesus declared that he is with us even to the end of the age. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter. In the midst of the social media storm that tends to either make light of the situation or spread unbridled fear, it is good to remember that God is with us. Even in self-isolation when we can feel alone, God is still with us. There is nowhere that we can be where God is not. Slow down, take a few deep breaths and acknowledge God’s presence.

2. Don’t be too surprised when things don’t go as planned. Jesus said “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Trouble is something we should expect. Suffering and setbacks are part of this world and we will face them as we live in such a way that we are looking forward with hope to the new heaven and new earth. Each day though, God is with us through each challenge to help us become more and more like him.   

3. Be a non-anxious presence. For so many people there is a growing sense of anxiety, concern and fear. It’s not helpful for us to shout, “Do not panic!” Even urging people to forget their troubles and just trust God can seem trite and unhelpful. But when you engage in a calm, emotionally present and anxiety-free way, you engender trust which will be received as caring in any environment. We do this best by managing our feelings in such a way that we are neither distant and detached, nor flooding the situation with our unchecked emotions. This calmness, which comes from knowing that God is with us, will have an effect on those we care for and assist them in reducing their own anxieties.

4. Go the extra mile to be there (even if we’re not physically there). There’s lots of helpful advice on our website www.buv.com.au/coronavirus about hygiene and ways to minimise physical contact. This is crucial and needs to be followed (especially for the elderly and vulnerable). But physical distance does not have to mean social distance. We are the Body of Christ, whether we are physically present or not. The church is more than the building. The reality of Covid-19 means we must do all that we can to be there for people. Just like the Good Samaritan who saw the beaten man on the road and stopped to help him, we can intentionally stop and help those who are fearful and feeling alone. This doesn’t have to be in person and, in fact, it may be the more loving thing not do this in person. A simple phone call, a text message, email or even a video call can make a world of difference to someone who is feeling alone at this time. We can build community by letting others know when we will be praying, so we can pray at the same time. If our church is currently not meeting together on the weekend, we have a wonderful opportunity to invite our small group, if all are well, to meet together in our homes and watch the service or listen to a podcast on-line. By remembering to check in on our neighbours to see how they are coping, we help connect and care. We can visit people we know might be feeling overwhelmed. Let’s ask God to lead us as we connect with people.

5. Be a loving listener. It is a great gift in the midst of an overwhelming situation to have someone listen to and seek to understand us. By listening attentively, we demonstrate that the other person is important to us, to God and to the wider community. To be heard in the midst of the uncontrollable circumstances of a crisis, is received as an act of love.

6. Be a bringer of hope. During this time there is real danger. People have died and will continue to die. We need to respond wisely. We don’t know how long this pandemic will last. However it is important for us to keep the big picture in mind. We are followers of Christ and through faith in Jesus we are new creations, forgiven, filled with the Spirit of God, gifted and called to live for God and there is nothing that can separate us from his love. Not Covid-19, not death, not anything.  So we can say with Paul, “if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord” (Rom 14:8). In Christ we have great hope. God is with us and will be with us forever.  

7. Pray together. Prayers spoken aloud with people in anxious situations can help the situation to be seen differently. It’s not the number of words that is important. Often fewer word are better. When we express our honest concerns to God, reflect in prayerful silence on the promises in the Bible, and are still together before our living and loving God, we can know that we are not alone and God is with us.  Be real, be honest and pray together.

This is a unique time for us as Victorian Baptists, to love and care for one another and for those around us. We can do this together, sharing the load. If you feel exhausted, step back and recover. Ask someone else to share the load with you. As the Body of Christ, we have this opportunity to provide care, love and hope to others in our community, and we can do this together for God’s glory.

On this page, you can find information and guidance from the BUV regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. For Church resources and translated information, click here.

Translated DHHS information: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/translated-resources-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Burmese: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/burmese
Chin: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/chin
Chinese: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/chinese
Hakka: https://soundcloud.com/betterhealthcast/hakka-melbourne-and-mitchell-shire-restrictions-9-july-2020/s-oHg4z19kFEN
Indonesian: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/indonesian
Karen: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/karen
Korean: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/korean
Samoan: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/samoan
Vietnamese: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/vietnamese
Zomi: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/zomi

 

Update 02/10/20
Metropolitan Melbourne Second Step 

Source: DHHS, Statement from the Premier

From 11:59pm 27 September, metropolitan Melbourne has moved to the Second Step of easing restrictions. 

The curfew is lifted in metropolitan Melbourne from 5am on Monday 28 September. There will be higher on the spot fines for breaching rules about visitors to your home and outdoor gatherings

The four reasons that you can leave home remain, however some changes have been made to restrictions:

• shopping for food or other essential items
• exercise and outdoor social activity with members of your household or up to five people (including you, and from a maximum of two households) as long as you do not travel more than 5km. This must be in a public outdoor space, and does not apply to people’s backyards or outdoor spaces connected to a home.
• permitted work, and for the purposes of education. That includes taking children to school, childcare or outside school hours care service in which they are enrolled.
• caregiving, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment

Religious Gatherings and Ceremonies

• Religious ceremonies broadcast: a maximum of 5 people can attend a place of worship to conduct ceremony being broadcast.
   
• Outdoor religious gatherings and ceremonies: permitted with a limit of five people, plus one faith leader. Must be adjacent to the place of worship (5km rules still applies) with only one group permitted at a time. Sharing of food, drink, crockery, utensils, vessels or other equipment by participants is not permitted.
   
• Weddings: permitted in outdoor public spaces with a maximum of 5 attendees, including the couple and two witnesses, but not including the celebrant. Weddings do not need to occur proximate to a place of worship.
   
• Funerals: up to 10 people, plus infants under 12 months and people to conduct funeral

As much as you can, you must stay at home. When you leave home, you must use a face mask, unless you have a lawful reason for not doing so.

Summary of Second Step

 

Third Step Metro Melbourne  – It is anticipated that the move to the third step for Metro Melbourne will happen prior to the original date of end of October.  The easing of restrictions to the third step will be based on case numbers and it is expected to be around 19th October. 

---

 

Update 16/09/20 8.30pm

Source:
VIC Gov
Roadmap for reopening – Metropolitan 
Roadmap for reopening – Regional Victoria

Coronavirus Home Safety Plan

Metropolitan Melbourne

Regional Victoria

 

 

 

MELBOURNE

 

First Step – Melbourne

CURRENT FROM 11.59pm 13 SEPTEMBER 2020:

• Curfew in place 9pm to 5am
• Stay within 5km of your home except for permitted reasons such as work or education if these can not be done at home
• Exercise or recreation: 2 people or a household can meet outdoors for two hours maximum
• Visitors to the home: "Single person bubble" 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent (all children under 18) 
• Shopping for essentials, 1 person per household, once a day
• Weddings: only for compassionate reasons, with up to 5 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant)
• Funerals: allowed with up to 10 people (not including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral)
• Religion: places of worship closed. Recording and essential public services allowed (up to 5 people and must adhere to the DHHS's cleaning, density, signage and record keeping requirements.)

General First Step FAQs

Religion and Ceremonies FAQs

 

Second Step – Melbourne

Metro Melbourne can move to the second step after 28 September AND when we reach an average daily case rate in metro Melbourne of 30 to 50 cases over a 14 day period with public health advice regarding transmission source.

• Only leave home for 4 reasons: school or work (if these can not be done from home), care or caregiving, to purchase essentials, exercise within 5km
• Public gatherings: up to 5 people from a maximum of 2 households can meet outdoors for social interaction (infants under 12 months of age are not included in the cap) 
• Visitors to the home: "Single person bubble" 1 nominated visitor if living alone/single parent (all children under 18) 
• Childcare is open to all children
• Schools return to onsite learning from Term 4 with safety measures
• Outdoor exercise and recreation allowed
• Restaurants and cafes open for takeaway and delivery only
• Retail – essential only with others only for click and collect
• Weddings: allowed with up to 5 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant).
• Funerals: allowed with up to 10 people (not including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral).
• Religion: places of worship closed, outdoor gatherings (not ceremonies) of up to 5 people, plus 1 faith leader, proximate to a place of worship, are allowed.

 

Third Step – Melbourne

CURRENT AFTER 26 OCTOBER AND Daily average number of cases in the last 14 days is less than 5 (state-wide) AND less than 5 cases with an unknown source in the last 14 days (state-wide total). The time period must pass AND the number of cases must be low enough to move to the next step. This is a trigger point for public health review.

• No restrictions on leaving home
• Spend time with others outside where possible
• Public gatherings: up to 10 people
• Visitors allowed at home from 1 other household (up to 5 people)
• Schools will see a potential staged return for onsite learning for Grade 3 to Year 10 subject to public health advice
• Hospitality open for predominantly outdoor seated service only
• All retail open, except personal care (hairdressers open)
• Weddings: allowed with up to 10 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant)
• Funerals: allowed with up to 20 people (not including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral)
• Religion: outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader, facilities open for private worship for households or social bubbles, plus a faith leader

 

Last Step – Melbourne

CURRENT AFTER 23 NOVEMBER AND when there are no new cases for 14 days. The time period must pass AND the number of cases must be low enough to move to the next step. This is a trigger point for public health review.

• No restrictions on leaving home
• Public gatherings: up to 50 people outdoors
• Visitors in the home: up to 20 visitors at a time
• Schools open for onsite learning with safety measures
• Hospitality open for seated service only
• All retail open with safety measures
• Phased return of organised contact sports resume for all ages. Limitations for spectators
• Galleries, museums and other entertainment venues open with some restrictions
• Weddings: allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence
• Funerals: allowed with 50 people (not including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral), 20 in a private residence
• Religion: public worship (not including private ceremonies e.g. baptism) can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient

 

COVID Normal – Melbourne

CURRENT WHEN there are no new cases for 28 days and no active cases (state-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other States and Territories. This is a trigger point for public health review.

• No restrictions on leaving home
• No restrictions on public gatherings but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees
• No restrictions on visitors at home 
• Schools open for onsite learning with safety measures
• Hospitality and retail all open
• No restrictions on community sports or spectators
• Galleries, museums and other entertainment venues open with safety measures and record-keeping
• Weddings, funerals, religion: no limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees

 

 

REGIONAL VICTORIA

 

Third Step – Regional Victoria

WHEN:  from 11:59pm on 16 September

• There are no restrictions on reasons to leave home or the distance you can travel across regional Victoria. 
• Public Gatherings: Groups of up to ten people will be able to meet up outdoors. This does not include children under 12 months of age. 
• Private Gatherings: visitors allowed at home from 1 other household (up to 5 people). The cap on visitors does not include children under 1 year of age. It must be the same household throughout the Third Step. The household you form a bubble with must live in regional Victoria. 
• Weddings: allowed with up to 10 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant). If you hold the wedding in your home, the restrictions on private gatherings will apply. 
• Funerals: allowed with up to 20 people. This doesn’t include the people required to conduct the service or children under 1 year of age. If you hold the funeral in your home, the restrictions on private gatherings will apply. 
• Places of worship: outdoor religious gatherings for up to 10 people plus a faith leader are allowed. Places of worship can open for private worship for households or social bubbles (up to five people), plus a faith leader. 

3rd Step – Restrictions Summary

FAQs

 

Last Step – Regional Victoria

WHEN: AFTER 23 NOVEMBER and when there are no new cases for 14 days across Victoria. The time period must pass AND the number of cases must be low enough to move to the next step. This is a trigger point for public health review.

• No restrictions on leaving home
• Public gatherings: Up to 50 people outdoors 
• Up to 20 visitors at home
• Schools open for onsite learning with safety measures
• Hospitality open for seated service only
• All retail open
• Galleries, museums and other entertainment venues open with some restrictions
• Weddings: allowed with 50 people (including the couple, two witnesses and celebrant), 20 in a private residence.
• Funerals: allowed with 50 people (not including infants under 12 months of age or people required to conduct the funeral), 20 in a private residence.
• Religion: public worship (not including private ceremonies e.g. baptism) can resume in outdoor and indoor settings subject to density quotient.

 

COVID Normal – Regional Victoria

WHEN: There are no new cases for 28 days and no active cases (state-wide) and no outbreaks of concern in other States and Territories. This is a trigger point for public health review.

• No restrictions on leaving home
• No restrictions on public gatherings but organisers encouraged to keep records of attendees
• No restrictions on visitors at home 
• Schools open for onsite learning with safety measures
• Hospitality and retail all open
• Galleries, museums and other entertainment venues open with safety measures and record-keeping
• Weddings, funerals, religion: no limits but organisers required to keep records of attendees

 

---

 

Update 12/08/20 3.30pm

Click on links below for the latest BUV advice:

Metropolitan Melbourne – Stage 4 Restrictions

Metropolitan Melbourne – Stage 4 FAQs

Metropolitan Melbourne – Translated Stakeholders Pack

Regional Victoria, including Mitchell Shire – Stage 3 Restrictions

Regional Victoria – Stage 3 FAQs

Regional Victoria – Translated Stakeholders Pack

Additional Business Support

 

Metropolitan Melbourne – Stage 4 Restrictions
(From 2 August 2020)

PLACES OF WORSHIP (Source: DHHS)

Summary : 

• PLACES OF WORSHIP ARE CLOSED FOR SERVICES AND ON SITE WORK (Source: Guide for businesses – below)
   
• EXEMPTIONS for pre-recording or live broadcasting services ( max 5 people including volunteers on site ) or foodbanks and community services
   
• CHURCH OFFICES MUST CLOSE – This means that all church administrative work must be done at home including preparation of services, pastoral care, church admin etc. Excessive fines apply (see below) for individuals and employers.  Even if your manse is next door to the church, you cannot work in the church office
   
• WEDDINGS are not allowed during the next 6 weeks unless for compassionate reasons (Source Births, Deaths and Marriages) (Source DHHS Stay at home Direction Page 14-15)
   
• FUNERALS are allowed but only for 10 people (Source DHHS Stay at home Direction Page 15)
   
• WORKER PERMITS – If staff (paid or volunteers) are attending the church for work (only for reasons above) the Church (employer) MUST issue a WORKER PERMIT  – this is the employers responsibility and must be carried at all times by the employee – excessive fines exist  (see below)
   
• FACE COVERINGS ETC – Face coverings, one person to four-square metres rule and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all time.  Includes musicians but not singers or speakers (see Face Coverings section below for exemptions)
   
• COVIDSafe PLANS ESSENTIAL – All workplaces that remain open (Churches who are prerecording services, live broadcasting or operating foodbanks) must complete a COVIDsafe plan by 11:59pm on Friday 7th August   – excessive fines apply if you do not comply (see below)
   
• 8pm CURFEW  – Please ensure you adhere to the 8pm curfew – although recording of church services could be seen as work, the BUV advises that all services should conclude by 7:30pm to allow for workers to be at home by 8pm.
   
• NO CHURCH MAINTENANCE – For the next 6 weeks, only emergency safety maintenance will be allowed – mowing lawns, basic church upkeep etc cannot be undertaken.  
   
• RECORD KEEPING – Permitted workplace such as Places of Worship or Community Facilities must keep a record of each person (staff, volunteer, contractors) who attends the premise for more than 15 minutes. See below for more information.

Permitted Worker Scheme (Source: DHHS) (Source: Justice Victoria)
From 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August, employers that require their staff (paid or volunteers) to attend a work site must issue a worker permit to their employees – this is the employer’s responsibility.

Penalties of up to $19,826 (for individuals) and $99,132 (for businesses) will apply to employers who issue worker permits to employees who do not meet the requirements of the worker permit scheme or who otherwise breach the scheme requirements.

There will also be on-the-spot fines of up to $1,652 (for individuals) and up to $9,913 (for businesses) for anyone who breaches the scheme requirements. This includes employers, and employees who do not carry their worker permit when travelling to and from work. 

Employees must carry the worker permit and should carry photo identification when travelling to and from the workplace. A worker permit can be shown electronically to authorities such as a photo, or scanned copy, on a mobile device.

COVID Safe Plan (Source: Business Victoria)
Every workplace must have a COVID Safe Plan to help protect its staff, customers and visitors and to prepare for a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in your workplace. Under the Stage 4 restrictions, workplaces that remain open must complete their COVID Safe plan by 11.59pm on 7 August 2020.

• have a COVID Safe Plan in place that is regularly updated (unless you are a small business with fewer than 5 employees)
• ensure that any workers that can work from home are able to do so
• collect records of all workers, subcontractors, customers and clients attending the work premises for 15 minutes or longer (certain exemptions will apply)
• one worker per four square metres of enclosed workspace or in shared areas
• unless an exemption applies, ensure that workers do not work across multiple sites, or for multiple employers
• ensure that workers are in good health – workers cannot work if they are unwell and employers must not require workers with symptoms to work
• if your worker is unwell, send them home and direct them to be tested. They must stay home until they have their result
• report any positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) to DHHS, Worksafe, Health and Safety Representatives, and notify your workforce
• regularly clean your facilities, shared spaces and provide additional cleaning supplies – Paid cleaners are allowed for the purpose of cleaning after a recording and ensuring a safe workplace.
• undertake risk assessments for cleaning and the potential closure of your workplace in certain situations

Record keeping requirements (Source: DHHS)
To support contact tracing, some businesses, workplaces and premises must request that each person who attends the premise for more than 15 minutes (including staff) provide:

• First name
• Phone number.

Businesses must keep a record of those details, and the date and time at which the person attended the facility. Where the patrons spend most of their time in a single space (i.e. a dining room, or a cinema), a record of the space used should also be kept. There is no need to keep multiple records if patrons move through multiple spaces. Records can be kept electronically or in hard copy. Records should be kept for 28 days.

Pens used to record details should be wiped with an alcohol wipe between users.

The record keeping requirement applies to all persons attending a facility or venue for longer than 15 minutes, which may include staff, customers, maintenance and delivery workers. 
 

(Source: DHHS) 
(Source: Business Victoria)
(Source: Justice Victoria)

 

Guide for business – stage 4 restrictions

Download the Permitted worker permit (Word)

Download Attendance Register

COVID Safe Plan

COVIDSafe Plan template example – Rowville Baptist Church

Curfew and Face Covering (Source: DHHS)
From 2 August, a curfew will be in place in metropolitan Melbourne. Curfews will be in operation from 8pm to 5am every evening, with people only allowed to leave their house for work, and essential health, care or safety reasons.

From 5am – 8pm, you can only leave your home for one of the following four reasons:

• Necessary goods and services
• Exercise
• Care and health care
• Work/ Emergency

(Source and Definition of 4 reasons: DHHS)

Stay within 5km from home for shopping and exercise.  Use the map on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website to see how far you are allowed to travel from your home under the stage 4 restrictions.

All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live. There are a number of lawful exemptions for not wearing a face covering including "Persons whose professions require clear enunciation or visibility of their mouth. This includes teaching or live broadcasting."

Please also ensure one person to four-square metres rule and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all times. 

More information:

• Stay at Home Direction – Melbourne
• Restricted Activity – Melbourne
• Stage 4 Restrictions including FAQs
• Permitted Worker Scheme including FAQs
• COVID Safe Requirements for Permitted Businesses including FAQs
• WorkSafe Victoria
• DHHS Translated Information
• Face Covering Information

 

Regional Victoria including Mitchell Shire – Stage 3 Restrictions
(From 5th August 2020)

From 11:59pm on 5 August, stage 3 restrictions apply throughout regional Victoria, including Mitchell Shire. There are four reasons that you can leave home: 

• Shopping for food or other essential items 
• To provide care giving, for compassionate reasons or to seek medical treatment 
• For exercise (applies to outdoor exercise, and with only one other person or members of your household)
• Work or study, if you cannot work or study from home.

Otherwise, you must stay home. When you leave home you must wear a mask or face covering. 
You may no longer have visitors to your home or visit other people in their homes.

PLACES OF WORSHIP 
Places of religion and worship must close for both religious ceremonies and private worship. Exceptions are:

• Ceremonies and services can still be recorded or broadcast live from the place of worship for viewing online. Those who are necessary to conduct the ceremony may be on site to record and live stream services, however this is limited to a maximum of five (5) people including volunteers on site. You should ensure those people wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres between each other at all times – See face coverings section above or below for exemptions.
   
• Essential public support services such as food banks, help for the homeless or other essential activities allowed – Limit up to 20 people per indoor space (or 1 person per 4sqm rule), ensuring face coverings are worn and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all times.
   
• RECORD KEEPING – Places of Worship or Community Facilities must keep a record of each person (staff, volunteer, contractors) who attends the premise for more than 15 minutes. See below for more information.
   
• If you can work from home, you must  – all church administrative work must be done at home including preparation of services, pastoral care, church admin etc. 
   
• Weddings limited to five people – the couple, two witnesses and the celebrant
   
• Funerals limited to 10 mourners plus those required to conduct the funeral
   
• A wedding or funeral held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household, plus the people required to conduct the ceremony

(Source and Definition: DHHS)

Please also ensure one person to four-square metres rule and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all times. 

(Source: DHHS)

Record keeping requirements (Source: DHHS)
To support contact tracing, some businesses, workplaces and premises must request that each person who attends the premise for more than 15 minutes (including staff) provide:

• First name
• Phone number.

Businesses must keep a record of those details, and the date and time at which the person attended the facility. Where the patrons spend most of their time in a single space (i.e. a dining room, or a cinema), a record of the space used should also be kept. There is no need to keep multiple records if patrons move through multiple spaces. Records can be kept electronically or in hard copy. Records should be kept for 28 days.

Pens used to record details should be wiped with an alcohol wipe between users.

The record keeping requirement applies to all persons attending a facility or venue for longer than 15 minutes, which may include staff, customers, maintenance and delivery workers. 

Face Coverings (Source: DHHS)
 All Victorians must wear a face covering when they leave home, no matter where they live. There are a number of lawful exemptions for not wearing a face covering including "Persons whose professions require clear enunciation or visibility of their mouth. This includes teaching or live broadcasting."

More information:

• Stay At Home Directive (Non-Melbourne)
• Restricted Activity (Non-Melbourne)
• Stage 3 Restrictions including FAQs
• DHHS Translated Information
• Face Covering Information

 

Additional Business Support

Business Support Fund
To support businesses impacted by these restrictions, one-off grants will be made available to eligible businesses under the Business Support Fund – Expansion program:

• $10,000 for employing businesses in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire in recognition of spending longer under restrictions
• $5,000 for employing businesses in regional local government areas (except Mitchell Shire)

Businesses which have already received a Business Support Fund – Expansion grant, or have applied for one, will not need to re-apply. Successful applicants will automatically receive this additional allocation. Applications for the program will be extended until 14 September 2020.

(Source: Business Victoria)

More information or to Apply

Let's Stay Connected Fund
The Victorian Government is helping communities to stay connected during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond with the Let’s Stay Connected Fund. The fund provides grants between $5,000 and $200,000 to support community-led initiatives.

Applications will be considered from Victorian-based incorporated community organisations, LGA’s, incorporated not-for-profits and industry groups. Individuals and unincorporated associations are not eligible to apply. All applications must provide a current ABN number.

More information or to Apply

 

Update 3/8/20 8pm (Source: DHHS)

Melbourne – Stage 4 Restrictions
(From 2 August – 16 August)

Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the following today :

• From 6pm  on 2nd August, Victoria entered a State of Disaster.  This will give the police additional powers to make sure people are complying with public health directions
• From 6pm on 2nd August, Melbourne also moved to Stage 4 restrictions with stronger rules to limit the movement of people – and limit the spread of this virus across our city.
• This includes a curfew – from 8pm to 5am – beginning tonight. The only reasons to leave home during these hours will be work, medical care and caregiving.
• Where you slept last night is where you’ll need to stay for the next six weeks. There’ll be exemptions for partners who live apart and for work, if required.
• The Night Network will be suspended, and public transport services will be reduced during curfew hours. This will also allow us to redeploy more of our PSOs into our enforcement efforts.
• New time, distance and gathering limits will also apply for exercise and shopping.
• Exercise will be limited to a maximum of one hour per day and no more than five kilometres from your home. Group size will be limited to a maximum of two – you and one other person – whether you live with them or not.
• Shopping will be limited to one person per household per day. Again, the five-kilometre rule will apply.
• Face coverings / masks continue to be compulsory right across Victoria 

See Premier's Statement here  – Melbourne  

 

Regional Victoria – Stage 3 Restrictions
(From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August)
 

• From 11:59pm on Wednesday, regional Victoria will return to Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions.
• That means there’ll again only be four reasons to be out:  shopping for food and essential items, care and caregiving, daily exercise, work and study – if you can’t do it from home.
• Otherwise, you need to stay home.
• Businesses in regional Victoria will also return to Stage 3 restrictions.
• That means restaurants and cafes can only offer delivery and takeaway.
• Beauty and personal services will need to close.
• Entertainment and cultural venues will need to close.
• Community sport will need to stop.

See Premier's Statement here – Regional Victoria 

 

 

Previous Advice:
BUV COVID-19 Advice (July)
BUV COVID-19 Advice (June)
BUV COVID-19 Advice (May)
BUV COVID-19 Advice (April)
BUV COVID-19 Advice (March)

This month, we are celebrating International Women's Day (Sunday, 8 March) with stories of ordinary women who are playing extraordinary roles within our Baptist community.

Let's Have A Chat With Gwyn Milne

We are excited to launch a new Let’s Have a Chat series where we interviewed some of the most incredible and inspiring women leaders in our Baptist family.

The first video features Gwyn Milne, who has held numerous senior leadership roles within the Baptist Union, both at state and national levels, and is a role model for many young women and men in leadership roles. Click on the video above to listen to Gywn’s journey as one of the first women leaders to break the glass-ceiling, and positively contribute to the advancement of women in leadership roles. 

 

Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Roles
 

Leading In The Middle  – Robyn Song Robyn is single, female, Asian, a migrant, a leader and a mother of four. But these titles don’t confine her. Read more >			Finding One's Voice – Charlene Delos Santos “My passion is to engage with and support this next generation of culturally diverse leaders." Read more >
The Blessings of Diminished Capacity, Tiredness and God's Grace – Jess Groszek  "I am grateful to be leading with limited capacity, with tiredness and with grace that is sufficient for today." Read more >			Watching For A Bend In The Road – Christine Wanstall “Was I the pastor’s wife? I wasn’t typical." The lack of a clear-cut path for Christine was ultimately a gift in discovering her true identity. Read more >
			Planting Hope – Sherry Maddock Sherry started social enterprise, Planted Places, when they first moved to an apartment with nowhere to grow plants in Melbourne CBD. "We began growing plants at the basement of Collins Street Baptist Church and we thought if we can figure this out and pioneer it, it will be easier for someone else."  Planted Places' mission is to combat social isolation by bringing new life and skills to disadvantaged members of the community. Read more about Sherry's work in the latest issue of Monthly Magazine: Planting Hope – A community gardening program is bringing hope to asylum seekers. You can also listen to the free podcast here.

This month, we are celebrating International Women's Day by featuring stories of courage and determination by ordinary women who are playing extraordinary roles within our Baptist community.

Watching for a bend in the road – Christine Wanstall

Growing up in 1970s Grafton NSW, Christine was more than familiar with the local joke that the most interesting thing to do in town was watch a bend in the road. It was true that outside of sport, there were not a lot of opportunities for young people. However, Christine was the sort that threw herself fully into the opportunities that Grafton did present and became involved in netball, rowing and music.

When the Canadian Leighton Ford went to Grafton in the mid 1980’s, Christine attended the Crusade with her youth group. She was skeptical of the altar call, but felt God strongly drawing her forward. The Crusade was a deposit of strength to be drawn upon one year on when Christine’s father tragically died at home of a massive heart attack.

“The night that my father passed away, I remember opening my Bible and pulling out a tract that I had been given from the Leighton Ford Crusade. The passage I went to regarding grief was Romans 8:39 – There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. There was this really strong reassurance of God being with me.”

With God’s presence in her life, Christine took the bend in the road, and left Grafton. She met her husband David and together, they made the move to Victoria. Christine started working in front-line child protection and then later in hospital social work, and David worked as a chemical engineer. They had two children in this time and were involved in a church plant in Port Arlington.

David then went on to study at Bible College and began work in pastoral ministry. This was a time for Christine of grappling with her role in ministry.

“Was I the pastor’s wife? I wasn’t typical. I wasn’t interested in leading the women’s group. I spoke bluntly at times. When we got married, I knew that David would be heading into church leadership roles. And at the time, there were not many women who were in those leadership roles. And the models of it did not resonate for me.”

Whilst there was a clear leadership path for her to follow in her work career, there was not a pattern for her prophetic gift in church leadership. In the struggle to find her contribution, Christine pursued God more fervently.

“Back in the 90s, if I were a man, I would have been given a lot more opportunities. I would have been asked to preach more and encouraged to go to Bible college. However, if I had pursued church leadership, I suspect I would have burnt out or blown up – because of the internal insecurity that sat with me. The struggle of working out my role and purpose forced the conversation about identity, which then allowed God to do that work inside me. I love what I do, but I would be okay without it.”

The lack of a clear-cut path for her was ultimately a gift in discovering her true identity.

In the years, to come she learned to challenge the natural instinct for criticism and comparison and resist the lie that her generation was sold – the lie that she could do it all. Her daughter’s fifth birthday party is etched in her memory as a day when this lie was well and truly exposed. After a long and difficult shift at the hospital, working with expectant mothers at risk, she bolted home to finish preparations for the party, welcome fifteen five-year olds into her home, present the home-baked and decorated cake and the hand-made snacks which eventually burned in the oven. But all she actually wanted was rest and peace.

“We are told you can be a mum, you can be a career woman, you can have a perfect house, you can home bake your bread every day. That is a flat out lie.”

But, more than learning to overcome the negative influences of our culture, Christine’s lack of obvious role models in her gifting caused her to focus on the Giver of her gift. She was spurred on to what God was calling her to, her purpose in the kingdom and recognising God’s love and his care for her as his child.

It was God’s clear guidance that helped Christine plant herself where she is today. In 2013, in another season of searching and discontent, Christine sensed God asking her, “What would you do if you could do anything?” And there was no doubt in her response: “I would like to be a church health consultant.” That same day, she walked into training at the BUV where she was volunteering and was told of a job opening. Since 2014, she has filled the role of church health consultant. 

The path to this point has had many bends in the road. Without the typical pattern to follow, Christine has challenged negative culture and limiting expectations within the church. In her struggle and formation, she is quick to acknowledge the role of mentors. There have been many women who have called out gifts and encouraged her to stop emulating others and be who God created her to be. And while some in ministry have not encouraged her, there have been men in leadership who have provided insight into her gifting and capacity. Christine places a high value on mentoring – those who will call out gifts, recognize capacity and create opportunities.

For those who face an unclear path, with gifts or capacities that seem to be unusual, Christine’s pursuit of God offers great encouragement. The path that is unclear and the road with unknown bends offers the hard-won opportunity to know one’s identity that reaches beyond a role.

Christine Wanstall is a Church Health Consultant for the Baptist Union of Victoria. She is a trained Social Worker (Bachelor of Social Work) with over 22 years of experience working in Child Protection, Hospitals and Local Government settings. Christine is also a 2020 Ordinand.