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This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study of the impact of casualised and independent contractor work place arrangements on the psycho-social health of 72 workers in regional Victoria. It contributes to our understanding of the crisis in rural Australia in its use of qualitative methods focusing on the impact of work on health and well-being. There is some evidence in the literature that casualised work arrangement enhance the health and well-being of workers by giving them a sense of autonomy and freedom to negotiate their conditions of work. On the other hand, these arrangements may make an already vulnerable group even more vulnerable to uncertain work conditions, poor pay and uncertainty for their future with a significantly negative impact on their health and wellbeing. The results of these interviews support this latter perspective and show that these workers do not experience freedom and autonomy, but rather lowered social status, insecurity and serious limitations to their ability to manage their health, psychological wellbeing and social relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The four years from 2001 to 2005 saw the roll out of an innovative social enterprise on one of Melbourne's high rise public housing estates, Atherton Gardens. It provided residents with access to personal computers, computer training, an intranet, internet and email, as well as establishing a training room, open access computer lab, repairs workshop and a help desk service for computer users. This paper reports on a three year research project which was undertaken to assess the impact of this initiative and to analyse its effects, not only on residents' access to and use of new forms of information and communication technologies, but also the less tangible effects of an electronic network on health, social capital and community well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health and wellbeing is defined internationally as a multi-dimensional and holistic concept, particularly within Indigenous worldviews. However, in Australia there is a lack of detailed frameworks supporting such definitions that are founded on Aboriginal knowledges. Tins study aimed to explore Aboriginal perspectives of child health and wellbeing in an urban setting. Qualitative interviews with 25 care-givers of Aboriginal children living in Melbourne, Australia were conducted. Aboriginal people and community controlled organisations were collaborative partners in all stages of the research. A conceptual fiamework of Aboriginal child health and wellbeing in an urban setting was developed comprising four main themes: Strong Culture; Strong Child; Strong Environment; and Strengths and Challenges. Aboriginal conceptions of culture are considered central to Aboriginal child health and wellbeing in an urban context. A holistic framework that privileges Aboriginal knowledge of child health and wellbeing has not previously been available. Further exploration of socio-ecological models within Aboriginal child health and wellbeing contexts is needed. This study identifies dimensions for further exploration in research, policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to highlight a link between housing and health that may have been underestimated: the pathway from poor health towards marginal housing in caravan parks. Almost all research on links between housing and health is derived from large-scale surveys and correlational analyses which suggest a causation path from poor housing to poor health. The big picture of such studies may in fact disguise a reality for a smaller group where poor health leads to class 'slide' and reduced housing options. Qualitative data and life histories from interviews probe such 'reverse' links and also flesh out contextual backgrounds. It is argued in this article that evidence from interviews with 10 caravan park managers and 50 residents from 16 parks in outer Melbourne and rural Victoria supports general arguments that poor health appears to be a pathway leading to marginal housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]