May 2015
Aspire Support Services
Newsletter
CEO Message
Welcome to the May edition of the Aspire Newsletter.
It is an exciting time at Aspire. Over the last several months we have been
rebuilding our Executive and Management teams after our organisational
restructure in December 2014 and all of these roles have now been filled.
This new structure we have in place is fit for purpose and will drive Aspire in
readiness for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Our new Executive / Management Structure is as follows:
220 Borella Road
Albury
PO Box 7374
East Albury NSW 2640
Tel 02 6058 4000
Fax 02 6058 4050
www.aspiress.com.au
[email protected]
Chief Executive Officer
Nigel Stone
General Manager Operational Services
Trevor Cowell
General Manager Corporate Services
Mardi Weber
Manager Early Intervention
Rachael Webb
Manager Aspiring Lifestyles
Rachael has been seconded to
manage Aspire’s Day Programs
for a period of six months.
Rachael will be focusing on
driving the quality of the service
we provide and working closely
with the team to gain a better
understanding of the needs of
our service users.
Manager of Supported Accommodation
and Respite Services
Josh McPhee
Manager Finance
Bianca Mann
Manager Human Resource and Quality
Emma Webb
Manager Administration
Donna Johnstone
All of the new managers collectively bring a great deal of experience, energy
and enthusiasm to our organisation, and together we are well equipped to
manage the transition to the NDIS. During this transition period, we will be
self-assessing all our systems and processes to further enhance our services,
so that we can provide the highest level of support possible and ensure that
our clients can achieve their goals and aspirations, no matter how big or
small.
During May, we will be celebrating National Volunteers Week. Aspire is very
fortunate to have many volunteers who support our organisation; the work that
they do is invaluable. I personally would like to thank all the volunteers who
support Aspire, as services like our Opportunity Shop would not be able to run
without them.
Nigel Stone
CEO
Easter BBQ
To the delight of many Aspire children and their families, Easter
Bunny made a visit to our annual Easter BBQ. Pictured to the
right is Andi and Victor Wang, who both enjoyed the treats from
the rabbit’s basket. A special thank you to Pat Williams who
always makes the event such a ‘bunny’ occasion!
Aspire Mother's Day Luncheon
12.00PM
T H U R S D AY 7 T H M AY
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Where: St Ives Hotel, 64 Lincoln Causeway Gateway Island, Wodonga
WhenM Thursday 7th May
TimeM 12:00PM to 2:30PM
CostM $10 per adult, $5 per child
RSVP: Thursday 7th May - 10am - Sue Pringle 02 6058 4000
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Support Groups - May 2015
Autism/Aspergers Family Network Group
Where:
When:
La Maison – 40 Lincoln Causeway – Gateway Island Victoria
Tuesday 19th May – 10.30am – 12.30pm
Morning Tea - $4.00 per head
(Children welcome – large area booked)
Guest speaker: Dr Evelyn Ferris, Occupational Therapist
Topics directed by discussion on the day can include Cognitive and learning skills; Self care and
life skills; Social/emotional development; Physical/Sensory/Psychomotor
Please RSVP for seating and catering:
Telephone Aspire on 02 6058 4000 or email [email protected].
Albury/Wodonga Down Syndrome Family Network Group
Monthly Meeting at Aspire
When:
Where:
Monday 18th May - 12pm – 2pm, BYO Lunch
23 Stanley Street, Wodonga
RSVP:
Parent Contact: Jo McConnell 0466 467644 / email: [email protected]
Aspire 0260 584000 [email protected]
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and/or Oppositional Defiant
Disorder & related conditions Support Group
Where:
When:
23 Stanley Street, Wodonga
Thursday 28th May 2015 – 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Please RSVP for seating and catering:
Telephone Aspire on 02 6058 4000 or email [email protected].
Dads/Mens Group
As the Dads/Mens Group weekend away to Melbourne is being held on the 15th – 17th May,
there will be no dinner meeting this month.
For enquiries about this group, please contact Glenn Rowbottom on email
[email protected] or phone on 0412 084 537 or Aspire – 02 6058 4000 or
[email protected]
Should you wish to be on a contact list for any of the Support/Networking meetings, or have any queries, please contact
Sue Pringle at Aspire on 02 6058 4000 or email
[email protected].
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Do you have a disability? Are you interested in playing netball?
BE PART OF THE WODONGA NETBALL SSOCIATION
ALL ABILITIES MIXED NETBALL!
Do you have a disability? Are you interested in playing netball?
SEASON STARTS: Saturday 9 May, 2015
10am - 11am, Wodonga Netball Courts
(Cnr Melrose Dr & Lawrence St)
$70 per player
10 week program with players aged from 12+ yrs,
mixed male and female session
Come and join the fun, meet new people and make new friends!
For further informaAon contact
Carolyn Muller on 0438 592 223 or
email: [email protected]
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Business Nae
YOU
are invited to lunch at
Beechworth
Thursday 21 May 2015.
Pick up Albury rail 9.30
Wodonga Target/Elgins 9.45.
Return Wodonga 4.00, Albury 4.20
Donation $10
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL!
Please phone
Reception or Sue Pringle at Aspire Support
Services 0260 584000
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The Every Australian Counts campaign has launched a report into Australia's disability
housing crisis. The report is a response to 18 months of inaction by State and
Commonwealth governments and has been released to coincide with a meeting of all
Disability Ministers held in Melbourne on Friday the 24th of March.
Here's a brief summary of what the report has to say:
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The majority of people with disability want to live in a home of their own (with or with
out formal supports) and choose the people with whom they live
Around a third would like a form of shared living such as a share house with one or
two others, or community with others of similar disability
No-one expressed a wish to live in a large residential centre
One of the biggest concerns for older parents and their children is what will happen
when the parents are no longer able to act as carers
Housing affordability is a very common, strong and recurring driver and concern
The most common theme of all relates to personal autonomy of people with disability.
In whatever way it is expressed - and there are many ways in which it is said - across every
form of housing type, tenure and model of support, people say they want themselves or their
family members to live with support models that maximise personal freedom.
To download a copy of the report visit:
http://www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au/housing-plan/
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Carers NSW NDIS resources
Carers NSW is developing a series of resources to help carers in NSW understand and
engage with the NaAonal Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
All of these resources can be found on our NDIS web page, www.carersnsw.org.au/NDIS.
If you don’t have access to the internet, you can request copies of our NDIS fact sheets by
calling the Carer Line on 1800 242 636.
Our NDIS web page contains:
Eight fact sheets wriGen especially for carers on the following topics:
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What is the NDIS?
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Where do carers ﬁt in the NDIS?
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How can I prepare for the NDIS?
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NDIS checklist for carers in NSW
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Tips from carers on the NDIS
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Carer stories from the NDIS (coming soon)
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What if the person I care for is not eligible for the NDIS? (coming soon)
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What if I have a problem with the NDIS? (coming soon)
A monthly NDIS update e-newsleGer you can sign up for. The update summarises the
latest news, resources and events relaAng to the NDIS and of interest to carers.
Our report on the ﬁrst year of the NSW trial of the NDIS, The NDIS one year in:
Experiences of carers in the Hunter trial site.
Links to informaAon and resources from the NaAonal Disability Insurance Agency,
NSW Government and other organisaAons on topics such as the planning and
assessment process and managing NDIS supports.
1800 242 636
www.carersnsw.org.au/ndis
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BROADBAND FOR SENIORS
FREE INTERNET KIOSK
Learn more about using computers and the internet for free.
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Create your own email address,
Connect with family and friends,
Search for any subject of interest,
Research your family history,
Plus much, much more.
Sessions will run for 1 hour, with a maximum of 2 students.
You can bring your own laptop or tablet, or use the computers provided.
Sessions Available:
• Monday - PM
• Tuesday - AM & PM
• Thursday - PM
For more informa8on or to book your session, please contact Eve Bya: on 02 6043
5875 or ybya:@alburycity.nsw.gov.au
Broadband for Seniors is an Australian Government iniAaAve to increase the skills of older Australians
using computers and the internet.
19 Martha Mews, Lavington J T: 02 6043 5875 J F: 02 6043 5879
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Albury Wodonga Volunteer Resource Bureau Inc. - Volunteer Week
Date:
Venue:
Time:
RSVP
Monday 11 May 2015
Birralee Park Neighbourhood House, 39 Emerald Ave, Wodonga
12pm – 2pm this is a rolling sit down BBQ Lunch and choice of salads with a
vegetarian opAon. Come with your volunteer team or come alone. Door
prizes and random giveaways will be part of the aNernoon
Contact your volunteer coordinator/ organisaAon to reply and to aGend this
event (compulsory for catering purposes)
Date:
Wednesday 13 May 2015
Venue:
Mirambeena Community Centre, 19 Martha Mews, Lavington
Time:
12pm – 2pm this is a rolling sit down BBQ Lunch and choice of salads
with a vegetarian opAon. Come with your volunteer team or come
alone. Door prizes and random giveaways will be part of the aNernoon
RSVP
Contact your volunteer coordinator/ organisaAon to reply and to aGend
this event (compulsory for catering purposes)
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