The Collective West Podcast

Episode 40: Self-Care, Being A Nurse and Having a Baby During COVID-19 and What You Can Do To Improve Your Mental Health with Jessica Bonello

🌯 We wrap up Part 2 of our #HealthyWest Series with the release of yet another insightful interview! In episode 40, Julia talks to Jessica Collard - who has been working as a Registered Nurse specialising in Oncology and Immunisation at the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne for the past 7 years. 💖 Not only was Jess working with some of the most at-risk, immunocompromised young people during the pandemic, she fell pregnant in early 2021, herself becoming more vulnerable to the potential complications of COVID_19. 👉 Listen to learn more about Jess's journey into nursing and experiences working in the Children's hospital... ------------------ Jessica Bonello is a Clinical Nurse Coordinator/Specialist at The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne where she has been employed for the past 7 years specialising in Oncology and Immunisation.  She is currently on Maternity Leave after welcoming her baby daughter in late 2021. Having grown up and completed all her education in Melbourne's West, Jessica continues to call the West home. After many years of support from Western Chances during both her secondary and tertiary schooling, she remains involved as an Alumni and a member of the Star Committee which is a great passion of hers.

Episode 39: Being A Doctor In A COVID-19 Hospital, Dealing With Adversity and Self Care with Dr Melissa Garwood.

😮 This is the episode that left Michael speechless (yes, it is possible!) and brought tears to our eyes... So, grab the tissues and join us for this extra special interview with Dr Melissa Garwood, as she shares what it was like working in a public hospital during the pandemic! From not being able to see a patient's face or show her own, to this year's emergency 'Code Brown' - episode 39 gives you the inside scoop on what really went down for our healthcare workers. 🤩 A #MelbsWest local - born and bred - and one of the first Western Chances scholarship recipients, Melissa's personal story is an inspiration for anyone who thinks their current circumstances will hold them back or dictate their future achievements... From the 8 years of university study to surviving COVID and now training in Medical Oncology at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre - we are honoured and privileged to be able to share Melissa's journey on the Collective West podcast. 🙏 🙌 Melissa Garwood is a doctor who through Western Health worked for nearly two years providing care to COVID patients. Her connection to the Western suburbs stems from childhood and continues with involvement as an alumni and STAR member of Western Chances. She has recently commenced specialty training in Medical Oncology.

Episode 38: Running An Event Management Business During COVID-19 with Julia Truong and Victor Tran

Starting and running a business is difficult at the best of times.  Even more so when you are running an event management business during COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns.  Today, Michael interviews Julia Truong (co-founder of Collective West podcast) and Victor Tran (Julia's partner in life and crime) to discuss their experiences of managing a business during one of the most uncertain periods in human history.  Happy listening!

Episode 37: Managing Your Mental Health During Uncertain Times with Dylan Alexander

For episode #37 we had the privilege of speaking with Dylan Alexander, a clinical psychologist and the founder of WestSide Psych, a private practice in Footscray - the heart of #MelbsWest In high school, Dylan dreamed of being an actor but his interest in helping people and hearing their stories eventually led him to study behavioural sciences and then a Masters in psychology. Aside from seeing his private clients, Dylan also works with the Orygen Youth Health program - working primarily with adolescents and adults.  In this episode, we dive deep into the mental health impacts that COVID_19 has had on young people in the West. Dylan shares some o the signs to look out for and tips for cultivating good mental health... 🥖 🍜 ☕ Don't worry, it's not too heavy and serious - Dylan's love of food also leads us to reveal all THE BEST Banh Mi, Pho, coffee and fish and chips in the West... See we told you this was an important episode!  ----- This podcast is supported by the Victorian Government Department of Health.

Episode 36: Our Experiences Getting and Avoiding COVID-19: Staying Safe, Managing The Impact of the Virus & Life Updates

We are so excited to be in the studio recording new episodes and interviewing more inspiring community leaders.  So much has happened since our last episode, so we thought we'd take a moment to reflect and share our experiences with COVID from the past couple of months.  If you're living in Victoria, it seems like the world changed overnight.  From suppression to acceptance, we were suddenly faced with record COVID-19 infections.  We had constant news from friends, family and even pets getting COVID-19 over the Christmas and New Year period.  Today's episode kicks off the first of another 5 #Healthywest episodes. This series aims to educate and empower young people in Melbourne's west with trusted and accurate information about the pandemic and other important areas of health and wellbeing.