NEWSLETTER deafaccess Gippsland

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1 NEWSLETTER deafaccess Gippsland Edition: 130 July 2015 Hello everyone, Welcome to the July newsletter. My name is Brooke and I will be doing Stephens job for the next six months. I know I have some very big shoes to fill, Stephen has done an amazing job over the last 2 years. Some might remember my name from a few years ago when I was working as the case manager, or from interpreting. I am so excited to be starting this new job and love that I will get to catch up with some old friends. A little bit about myself, I was born and raised in Victoria, then moved to Tasmania 15 years ago. The past 6 years my family and I spend a lot of time in both states. I am often asked which state is better?, that is a very hard question. Tasmania is amazing with it s scenery and beaches, then Victoria has so many opportunities and of course some beautiful people that I miss so much when I am not here. My work life has included Interpreter booking officer, administration manager, freelance interpreter, Auslan tutor, disability support and case management. I am happiest when I am learning new things and meeting new people. The World Association for Sign Language Interpreters will have their conference in Turkey in a few weeks time. This is followed by the World Federation of the Deaf congress. This years congress will have lectures, workshops, panel discussions, meetings and entertainment surrounding the theme Strengthening Human Diversity. I look forward to reading some of the outcomes from both conferences early next month. If there is anything you would like to chat about please contact me on or Gippsland@vicdeaf.com.au (same as Stephen old contact information). I will also be at the Traralgon bowls club on Friday night for the Deaf social day, so I look forward to seeing some old faces and meeting new ones (please see the social events page for more details) It s a short but sweet newsletter this month, I hope you enjoy. Take care Brooke Campbell deafaccess Gippsland Coordinator

2 Special Announcement: Co-Location of Vicdeaf and Deaf Children Australia MEDIA RELEASE Monday 13 July 2015 Vicdeaf and Deaf Children Australia ( DCA ) are pleased to announce the intention to co -locate and establish a Deaf Centre to better serve the needs of the Deaf community and hard of hearing adults, along with deaf children, young people and their families. V icdeaf and Deaf Children Australia will work together to achieve the best outcomes for those who are Deaf and hard of hearing at every stage of their lives by joining forces around a Deaf centre Paul Richardson, Deaf Children Australia chairman. For full information, there is an Auslan video with Mac Adam ( Vicdeaf president ) and Paul Richardson ( Deaf Children Australia chairman ) online at If you do not have access to the internet, please contact deafaccess on Hopefully we will have more information regarding this exciting partnership in the next newsletter.

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4 Gippsland Deaf Regional Centre When: Saturday 8 August 2015 Time: 2pm onwards Where: House of Frank at 136 Franklin Street, Traralgon (old name Cargo ) Any questions please contact Peter Adams SMS. Everyone is welcome. East Gippsland Deaf/Hard of Hearing Social Club When: Sunday 23 August Time: 11.30am to 2.00pm. Where: Bairnsdale RSL on Princes Highway, Bairnsdale. Any questions please contact Matthew Tantaro SMS. No need to RSVP Everyone is welcome. This Friday Gippsland Deaf/Hard of Hearing Social Day When: Friday 17 July Time: 5pm onwards. Where: Traralgon Bowling Club at 50 Liddiard Road, Traralgon. Any questions please contact Julie Patterson SMS. Everyone is welcome.

5 Want to join a sporting club and not sure how? Access for all Abilities can visit your club and give them advice on how to be more accessible for Deaf and hard of hearing people. Access for All Abilities is a Victorian Government initiative coordinated by Sport and Recreation Victoria. It s the only sport and recreation program of its type in Australia. For over 10 years the program has, and continues to support and develop inclusive sport and recreation opportunities for people with a disability throughout Victoria. Clubs working in partnership with Access for All Abilities can increase memberships and participation, and sporting competitions can enjoy more diversity. This will promote greater levels of inclusiveness, liveability, improved health and a stronger sense of community In Bass Coast, South Gippsland, Latrobe and Baw Baw shires please contact Daniel Poynton on or daniel@gippsport.com.au. In Wellington and East Gippsland shires please contact Brenton Dinsdale on or brenton@gippsport.com.au Auslan Tutorial Wanted! Pam Mead, who has a deaf and autistic son and needs to learn Auslan. Pam is unable to attend any Auslan classes. If you are interested to provide Auslan one to one tutorial to Pam in Moe/Newborough area. Pam s contact details are: littleonepam@yahoo.com.au and Community Course Auslan To learn AUSLAN ( A ustralian Sign Language ). Auslan Class at Traralgon Neighbourhood Learning House, Breed Street, Traralgon. Face to face classes with qualified tutor, Peter Adams. Classes start at 6pm till 7.30pm. 1 1/2 hours X 10 Sessions. $170 per person. Concession $150 with proof card. Contact Co-ordinator Jenny Poon, tnh@wideband.net.au. Phone : ( 03 )

6 SMOKE ALARM SUBSIDY SCHEME If you are applying for a smoke alarm over the next few months, you may notice it s a different type. The Brooks smoke Alarm is currently being supplied under the Smoke Alarm Subsidy. The Bellman device is currently unavailable but we hope in the future we will have it back. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA - CAN I APPLY? To receive a smoke alarm, you must meet all three point of the criteria: 1. Be profoundly deaf or have a cochlear implant. Provide your most recent ( past 6 months ) audiogram from an Audiology clinic. 2. Be over 13 years old or living independently. 3. Be able to provide one of the following: One ( 1 ) reference from a service, Deaf club, support or social group where Auslan is the main form of communication. One ( 1 ) reference from a member of Vicdeaf, Victorian Council of Deaf People ( VCOD) or Able Australia. One ( 1 ) written reference from hearservice, Australian Hearing or private audiologist stating that you have a profound hearing loss You are now able to apply for more than one smoke alarm per household. For example, if four people live together, and three of the four people are deaf. Three smoke alarms can be purchased for the same house, one for each deaf person. You are not eligible to receive a smoke alarm if you: 1. Live in any of the following: DHS Office of Housing accommodation ( e.g. Public Housing ) DHS Disability Services accommodation ( e.g. Community Residential Unit ) 2. Are eligible to receive a smoke alarm or smoke alarm subsidy from any other source of government funding.

7 2015 Opera Australia Victorian Auslan schools tour: Hansel & Gretel This Saturday Event Date - July 18, 2015 Time - 1:30pm Where - The David Williamson Theatre Melbourne Polytechnic campus at 144 High St Prahran. This Opera Australia production is suitable for all ages especially audience members aged 6 13 years. Getting there: Easy access by public transport to the theatre from Prahran Station or on Glen Iris No 6. Tram Auslan cast members: Maxine Buxton & Georgia Knight Tickets: : $10.00 Booking tickets is essential. ticket requests to peter.folan@deafchildren.org.au ( C redit card payment facilities available ) Remember to book early for this popular show to avoid any disappointment. Please don t hesitate to extend this invitation to your friends. It only happens once a year. It s that time of year again - Need to file a tax return? Tax Help is a free service to help individuals that earn under $50, lodge their tax return. You can also ask for a Vicdeaf case manager to come with you to your appointment. ATO pays for interpreters.

8 DEADLINES FOR INCLUSION IN NEWSLETTER 2015 If you would like to include notices about events please send them to deafaccess before: Friday 31st July for the August Newsletter The deafaccess Gippsland newsletter is available online at If you don t have computer and want to see the internet links or files in this newsletter: Please contact deafaccess Gippsland for a copy. gippsland@vicdeaf.com.au SMS deafaccess Gippsland Office: MacArthur Street, SALE, Victoria 3853 Postal: P.O. Box 9314, SALE, Victoria 3853 Mobile/SMS: gippsland@vicdeaf.com.au deafaccess Building Inclusive Communities