We have made it through another year and the Christmas break is just around the corner. As you dust off the barbeque for the summer, don't forget about food safety - we have included some helpful information on this.

Also included in this edition are some great events happening in the new year, both locally and overseas.

As always, we welcome your feedback - it's as easy as sending us an email.

Have a very safe and Happy Christmas from the IP News team. We look forward to bringing you more news in the next edition in February.

Events were held around the country to coincide with White Ribbon Day on 25 November. Read about them here.

Alcohol harm costs between $1 billion and $4 billion a year. A substantial proportion of this is related to community safety and injury. This workshop led by ALAC will bring together all sectors within community safety including those with an interest in road safety, injury prevention and crime reduction to share information and knowledge on how to reduce alcohol related harm in our communities. Register now with sandra.james@wmk.govt.nz. Details of workshops in other locations will be provided in the February edition of IP News.

Hear from the New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy team about key achievements from the Strategy and also from each of the 6 lead agencies about future directions. Not to be missed! 8 April, Christchurch Netball Centre, Deans Ave, Christchurch - 9.30am - 4.00pm
Register via sandra.james@wmk.govt.nz

A fatal car crash in Clutha has led to Dunedin and Clutha road safety partners winning a premier award for their road safety initiative. See attached.

The terms of reference for the Review of Regulatory Framework for the Sale and Supply of Liquor are available. Stakeholder consultations are currently being conducted and public consultation will be announced next year.

Peter Burt has commenced as Portfolio Manager at the Ministry of Health based in Christchurch. Peter has responsibility for public health contracts including Injury Prevention for the Canterbury region and some national contracts. Contact Peter at peter_burt@moh.govt.nz

Nicola Martin has commenced as Injury Prevention Project Facilitator as part of the new Safer Christchurch Team. Contact Nicola on 03 941 8937 or email nicola.martin@ccc.govt.nz

Nicolas Fahey has begun work as the Crime Prevention Co-ordinator also based at the Christchurch City Council. Contact Nicholas at nicholas.fahey@ccc.govt.nz

Clare Milne - Team Leader - whose role it is to manage the development of initiatives to reduce the incidence of graffiti vandalism. Contact Claire on claire.milne@ccc.govt.nz

Grant Harris will develop restorative justice programmes and youth intervention programmes that develop pathways for positive change. Contact Grant on grant.harris@ccc.govt.nz

Belinda Barrett-Walker will commence employment in January as volunteer programme co-ordinator and will work with organisations, individuals and the community on volunteer removal programmes. Contact Belinda on belinda-barrett-walker@ccc.govt.nz

Rosemary Olwage is acting Team Manager, Auckland Central and Safety Culture.

Ellen Mildon has been appointed to the injury prevention position in Wanganui and commenced on 28 October.

Michael (Mike) Flanagan, has been appointed to the injury prevention position in Christchurch and started on 29 September.

Alisa Davies (IPC, Christchurch) and Khan are proud to announce the arrival of baby Chloe Ellaina, (9lb 6 oz) born on 19 September, all exhausted but very happy and healthy.

Lara Blackmore (IPC, Palmerston North) has left the corporation to rejoin the Royal NZ Air Force. Her last day was 17 October.

Michael Morris (IPC, Christchurch) has been appointed to the injury prevention position in Palmerston North and took up his role in November.

James Murch will be working for Injury Prevention Delivery as part of the student holiday programme from Monday 24 November to the end of February 2009.

Darrin Alexander has been appointed Injury Prevention Consultant at Palmerston North.

Anna Lardelli (IPC, Hamilton) will be on maternity leave from mid December 2008.

The event is organised by the Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) and Concordia University. This multidisciplinary conference will provide a unique opportunity to exchange information on the potential injuries associated with exposure to whole-body vibration and mechanical shock.

For more information visit their website.

An internet-Based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Self-Help for Depression (RID) is a major risk factor for self-harm and the leading cause of disability. Online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has been demonstrated as being effective for overcoming depression. This study, known as Recovery via Internet from Depression (RID), is using a randomised controlled trial to evaluate two promising interventions. Go to the website.

Grants from the Community Internship Programme allow non-profit community organisations to pay the salaries of staff with high-level skills to work as interns, helping community groups to improve their services, to plan strategically and become more effective.

$581,000 is available for the 2008 funding round. The actual number of internships this year will depend on the salary amount the intern receives from their usual employer and the length of the internship.

The 2008 funding round for the Community Internship Programme opens on 1 October 2008 and closes on 15 December 2008 at 4.00pm. Go to the website for more information.

ACC and CUE TV have collaborated to produce a series of 30 minute programmes designed to reduce accidents on the farm. Free copies of the DVDs are available by either phone CUD TV on 03 214 6900 or via email admin@cuetv.co.nz.