Completed projects

Men’s Shed Field Officer

The Men's Shed Field Officer Project evaluated the impact of employing a Field Officer in Latrobe Valley Men’s Sheds over a 2 year period. Supported by the Latrobe Health Assembly (LHA), the Field Officer aimed to support healthier mental and physical outcomes, and assisted and engaged with men affected by the downturn of employment in the Latrobe Valley.

CERC researchers

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Nicole Coombs
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Natalie Bransgrove
  • Megan Simic
  • Dr Daria Soldatenko
  • Dr Elizabeth Miller
  • Dr Sambath My
  • Sara Brito
  • Jan Jones
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Men's Shed Field Officer Project Report 

Food Security and Wellbeing Program

Morwell Neighbourhood House partnered with Latrobe Health Assembly to utilise the People's Kitchen and related programs to implement an inclusive whole person approach to addressing issues of food security, health and wellbeing in the Latrobe Valley. CERC was commissioned to evaluate potential solutions to providing food security to those engaging with Morwell Neighbourhood house.

CERC researchers

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Megan Simic
  • Natalie Bransgrove
  • Dr Elizabeth Miller
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Professor Carolyn Unsworth
  • Associate Professor Blake Peck
  • Dr Alana Hewitt
  • Dr Daria Soldatenko
  • Luis Antonio T. Hualda
  • Dr Sambath My
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Food Security and Wellbeing Program Report 

Evaluation of the Healthy Supermarkets Latrobe Project

The Healthy Supermarkets Latrobe project has been developed by Latrobe Community Health Services (LCHS), Latrobe Health Assembly (LHA) and community members. The project, called 'Reach for the Stars"  aimed to implement a number of initiatives to increase the promotion of healthy food and drink options in supermarkets. CERC evaluated the project and its impact on the health and welbeing of residents in Latrobe.

CERC researchers:

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Luis Antonio T. Hualda
  • Megan Simic
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Elissa Dabkowski
  • Kaye Borgelt

Evaluation of the Early Years Family Violence Advisor (EYFVA) Project

In partnership with Quantum Support Services, The CERC was commissioned to explore the activities of the the Early Years Family Violence Advisor (EYFVA), gaining an insight into how this role supports the antenatal and early childhood sectors to respond to family violence. This insight was gained from EYFVA project staff, stakeholders and steering committees, as well as the Advisor. The EYFVA project commenced in 2019 following recommendations arising from the Family Violence Royal Commission with the introduction of the role supported by Quantum. The EYFVA was designed to provide expertise and support for workers in the antenatal and early years sectors to identify and respond to family violence with their clients, whether they are experiencing family violence or perpetrating family violence.

CERC Researchers

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Megan Simic
  • Dr Carolyn Bailey
  • Associate Professor Blake Peck
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Kaye Borgelt

A full copy of the report will be available in 2024.

Rainbow Brick Road Project Evaluation

In partnership with the Gippsland Pride Initiative Inc., CERC (formally CERG) analysed survey data that explored lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community across Gippsland. This survey data collected by the Gippsland Pride Initiative Inc. was reported to highlight the thoughts and experiences of community to inform future strategic plans in the region. Through extensive sharing of the evidence-based report by Gippsland Pride Initiative Inc., they have subsequently been successful in gaining additional funding to continue their exploration and advocacy of the LGBTQIA+ community.

CERC researchers

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Associate Professor Jess Reeves
  • Valerie Prokopiv

For more information about this project, please see the resources below:

Media release - Rainbow Brick Road report shines spotlight on LGBTQIA+ experiences

Rainbow Brick Road Project Evaluation Report

Latrobe Regional Health - The Wellness Centre Evaluation

CERC (formally CERG) partnered with the Latrobe Regional Health (LRH) to evaluate their Staff Wellness Centre, designed to provide wellbeing support for staff during and post the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisation had identified an impact to staff wellness during the pandemic, responding with the Centre to help staff access health promotion services, mental and physical wellbeing services. CERC assisted with evaluating the service, demonstrating the impact the service has had on the overall wellbeing of staff.

CERC researchers

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Megan Simic
  • Maryam Ghasemiardekani
  • Valerie Prokopiv

LRH The Wellness Centre Evaluation 2021-2022 Report

Physical Literacy Scoping Project: Children and Families Evaluation

In partnership with Latrobe Health Assembly (LHA), The CERC was commissioned to scope the possibilities to improve Physical Literacy in the Latrobe Valley and provide recommendations for the LHA Physical Literacy Working Group. An appreciative inquiry approach was taken to gain insights from the community, along with a range of experts and stakeholders, exploring the possibilities to improve Physical Literacy in the region. The appreciative inquiry method was successful in generating enthusiasm and buy-in from the working group, community and stakeholders. As a result, all recommendations from the project were adopted and incorporated into a charter, visual identity, and action plan for the Physical Literacy Working Group. This project was presented at the International Physical Literacy Conference in New York and the Asia Pacific Society for Physical Activity (ASPA) in New Zealand in 2023.

CERC Researchers:

  • Sam Fenton (Lead)
  • Professor Joanne Porter
  • Elissa Dabkowski

Other Researchers:

  • Assoc. Professor Anna Fletcher
  • Alex Prins

Physical Literacy Scoping Project Evaluation Report  2022/2023

Evaluation of the Cyan Crew's preparation for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

The Collaborative Evaluation & Research Centre (formally CERG) evaluated the crew’s experiences pre and post yacht events using a mixed methods approach. The Cyan yacht had a crew of 12 and competed in a number of events in the racing calendar leading up to the Sydney to Hobart race in January 2023. This was the first time that this boat and many of the crew competed in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

CERC researchers

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Scott Talpey
  • Megan Simic
  • Sam Fenton
  • Dr Meghan Casey
  • Dr Dominic McNeil
  • Associate Professor Dixie Statham
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Cyan Moon Crew Preparation For The Sydney To Hobart Yacht Race Report

Latrobe Valley Authority: Health Innovation Project

CERC partnered with the Latrobe Valley Authority to deliver the Health and Wellbeing stream of the Gippsland Smart Specialisation Strategy (GS3).

Working in partnership with stakeholders, CERC explored current and future strengths and challenges in the heath sector. A series of workshops lead a collaborative Discovery, Inquiry and Design process that was evidence based to explore strengths and opportunities.

More information about the Health Innovation Project

CERC researchers

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Michelle James
  • Elissa Dabkowski
  • Megan Simic
  • Natalie Bransgrove

Incident Analytics:

CERC supported the Incident Analytics team to undertake a systematic review of the literature and existing tools that are currently in use to analyse data sets of organisational risk management. The literature review informed future work, modeling and strategic planning for the company.

CERC researchers

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Elissa Dabkowski
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Michelle James

'I Am Deadly' Evaluation

CERC (formally CERG) evaluated the  implementation of the ‘I Am Deadly’ project, which is a version of the ‘I Am Ready’ project targeting young Aboriginal students. The project aimed at encouraging up to 20 Aboriginal students to take up a trade and providing them with a pathway into a trade. It also aimed to encourage Aboriginal Students to continue their education to allow a greater choice for employment options post-secondary school.

CERC researchers

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Nicholas Johnson
  • Dr. Michael S. Barbagallo
  • Elissa Dabkowski
  • Michelle James
  • Michelle Prezioso
  • Megan Simic

'I Am Deadly' Project Evaluation Report

Adolescents Building Connections (ABC) Program

CERC (formally CERG) has evaluated the Quantum Support Services ABC program that provids tools and strategies to help young people understand the impact of their behaviours and encourage positive growth and maintenance of healthy relationships.

CERC researchers

  • Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Carolyn Bailey
  • Dr Blake Peck
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Adolescents Building Connections (ABC) Program Report

Gippsland Primary Health Network (Gippsland PHN)

CERC (formally CERG) evaluated the impact and reach of a number of GHPN’s early detection and screening initiatives in Latrobe City, including tobacco initiatives, illness detection and prevention, and local access to treatment and support services.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter
  • Dr Vaughan Reimers
  • Kaye Borgelt (GPHN/Federation University Adjunct)
  • Michelle James
  • Valerie Prokopiv

South Gippsland Shire Council Suicide Prevention Project

CERC (formally CERC) evaluated the impact of South Gippsland Shire Council’s suicide prevention campaigns to support the mental health and emotional well-being of men aged over 25 years and community members bereaved by suicide. Suicide prevention activities focused on community inclusiveness and included mental health training, social events and support programs for families and individuals affected by suicide.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter
  • Robyn Wildblood
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Michelle James
  • Dr Christopher Mesagno

Find out more about the South Gippsland Shire Council Suicide Prevention Project and Download the Report.

Latrobe Valley Authority: Career Journey Mapping of Health and Community Services

CERC (formally CERG) conducted a career journey mapping of professionals in Health and Community Service occupations. The work focused on exploring the experiences of individuals in the Health and Community Services sector and recording their stories, along with mapping their career journeys.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Robyn Wildblood
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Michelle James
  • Elissa Dabkowski
  • Michelle Prezioso

Find out more about the Latrobe Valley Authority: Career Journey Mapping of Health and Community Services Project and watch the videos highlighting local stories.

Remote Health solutions for isolated Far East Gippsland Communities

Working in partnership with the Deddick Valley Isolated Community Group and in collaboration with the Errinundra to Snowy Community Recovery Committee, CERC (formally CERG) evaluated and validated existing data and new information in support of an appropriate health service model for the Errinundra to Snowy District of Far East Gippsland.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter
  • Megan Simic
  • Naomi Cruz
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Building Healthy and Resilient Communities Through Service Equity Project Report

Latrobe City Council Community Engagement

CERC (formerly CEU) analysed the results of the Latrobe City Council Community Engagement Survey. This will assist Latrobe City Council prepare a new Community Vision and Council Plan, Financial Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Dr Vaughan Reimers
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Michelle James
  • Elissa Dabkowski

Find out more about Latrobe City Council Community Engagement Survey and Download the Report.

Make Your Move (MYM) Latrobe

CERC (formerly CEU) evaluated the GippSport and Latrobe Health Assembly’s MYM program, which aimed to increase physical activity opportunities, activity levels, levels of physical literacy, and social inclusion and social connectedness for communities throughout Latrobe City.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter
  • Elissa Dabkowski (Lead)
  • Dr Karen Missen
  • Chris Snell
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Increasing Access to Sport:

CERC (formerly CEU) evaluated the implementation of the GippSport Increasing Access to Sport program. The Increasing Access in Sport program was consistent with the Hazelwood coal mine fire inquiry: Victorian Government implementation plan, which aims to optimise healthy living by providing sustainable community-based initiatives to improve physical activity.

Increasing Access to Sport was an initiative developed by GippSport and funded in partnership with the Latrobe Health Assembly (LHA). The project aimed to identify the barriers affecting young people aged 12 – 25 years from participating in traditional sports in the Latrobe Valley.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Co-Lead)
  • Elissa Dabkowski (Co-Lead)
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Michelle James
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Dr Vaughan Reimers

‘I am Ready’ Program

The CERC (formerly CEU) evaluation of the ‘I Am Ready’ Program sought to ascertain the impact of the program on the preparedness to seek future employment of participating Year 10, 11 and 12 students with mild intellectual or learning barriers.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Jennifer Bur
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Michelle James

Find out more about the 'I Am Ready' Program evaluation.

Streetgames 2019 and 2020/2021

The CERC (formerly CEU) evaluation of GippSport's Streetgames program in 2019 and 2020/2021 analysed the impact of Streetgames in regional townships in Latrobe City while assessing the impact on social connectedness and increased participation.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Paul Kemel
  • Nicole Coombs
  • Dr Vaughan Reimers
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Find out more about the Latrobe Streetgames 2019 evaluation.

Yinnar Exercise Program

The CERC (formerly CEU) evaluation analysed the impact of the Yinnar and District Memorial Hall Committee’s Yinnar Exercise Program in 2019 by developing an understanding of the participant’s motivation for attending and the effect it had on social connectedness.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Elissa Dabkowski
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Find out more about Yinnar Exercise Program evaluation.

Emerging Practice Survey: COVID-19

The CERC (formerly CEU) evaluation of the Emerging Practice Survey, commissioned by LHA and DHHS, analysed how successful service organisations were in adapting to the rapidly changing environment of COVID-19.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Vaughan Reimers
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Michelle James
  • Elissa Dabkkowski
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Find out more about the Emerging Practice Survey evaluation.

HandsUp Latrobe Valley

Evaluating the impact of HandsUp Latrobe Valley, an initiative recognising the health and social benefits of volunteerism, on the development and coordination of community volunteering opportunities in Latrobe City.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Michelle James

Gippsland Aboriginal Advocacy Support Services (GAASS)

Evaluating the processes and outcomes of GAASS’s work toward increasing workforce capacity to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, their families and carers to understand and access the NDIS within the Gippsland region.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Jan Jones
  • Nicholas Johnson
  • Valerie Prokopiv
  • Michelle James

Find out more about the GAASS Evaluation

Latrobe Valley Youth Survey: Baw Baw Latrobe LLEN

Evaluating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of services to young people in the Latrobe Valley, including an in-depth analysis of the attitudes and experiences of community service agencies who assist young people.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Vaughan Reimers
  • Dr Michael Barbagallo
  • Michelle James
  • Elissa Dabkowski
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Zero Suicide Prevention Pathways Project

Evaluating the processes and outcomes of Latrobe Regional Hospital Mental Health’s Suicide Prevention Pathway, which aims to improve care for people presenting with suicide and self-harm.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Vaughan Reimers
  • Elissa Dabkowski
  • Valerie Prokopiv

'Hello.' Campaign

The CERC (formerly CEU) evaluation of the Lifeline Gippsland 'Hello.' Campaign in 2019 analysed the effectiveness of the campaign in increasing awareness that social connection improves mental wellbeing.

CERC researchers

  • Associate Professor Joanne Porter (Lead)
  • Dr Karen Missen
  • Dr Vaughan Reimers
  • Dr Damian Morgan
  • Dr Sue Whyte
  • Professor Britt Klein
  • Valerie Prokopiv

Find out more about the 'Hello.' Campaign evaluation.


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