Newsletter - December 2009 Greetings Families and Friends. Thank you for all your support throughout 2009. Hasn t it been an amazing year?! We finished up with a whirlwind of highlight events that saw us on a high for about 3 weeks straight! A picture paints a thousand words and inside you will see plenty of photos of the Palmwoods and Caloundra Market days as well as the magnificent Inaugural Awards Night (see Compass 2009 Awards Night Supplement ). If you were at any or all of these events you will understand why we are all so very proud of all our Trainees as I know you were too. Many of you have expressed your appreciation of our wonderful staff and I want to add my appreciation of them as well. We also have a small but dedicated group of casual staff we call on for whom the idea of coming in at a moment s notice is sometimes a literal notion. I d like to thank our regular volunteers too. We continued our tradition this year of combining the three centres for the Trainee Christmas break-up. Once again everyone loved being together. The day was hosted by the Caloundra group, and the highlight, without a doubt was the swimming and the giant inflatable obstacle course at the pool across the carpark. Pizzas, home-made slushies, a movie, cricket and other sports activities made for a memorable day. Sadly we have officially farewelled James McManis from the Nambour crew. James has been with us for two years and helped us develop the Pre-vocation team to the professional and mature units we see today. James is leaving to pursue his Psychology qualifications at Masters level. Jo Fowell, who joined us in the role of Community Support Officer at the beginning of the quarter will step up her role to continue to guide the Enterprises as well as building the community vocational opportunities for the other centres. We go into the summer break with no other changes to report. Disability Services have only just announced funding for next year perhaps the latest in the 7 years Compass has been operating. In addition to the lateness, there appear to be several new categories of funding and no prior information has been provided to services or families about the criteria for any of those, creating enormous confusion, stress and indeed heartache for all involved. And don t forget everyone comes back into their current programs on MONDAY 11 January (2 weeks before school comes back). Just drop us an email or phone the office if your holiday plans mean you won t be back until a bit later on. Merry Christmas to you all... Jan WISHI G YOU ALL THE BEST FOR THE FESTIVE SEASO FROM ALL AT COMPASS In This Edition Coordinator s Message Christmas Markets Lawn & Garden Maintenance Movember Shave-off Message from David See our 2009 Awards Night Supplement for all the photos of our Awards Night Date Claimers Last day for 2009 Wednesday 9 December 2009 First day back in 2010 Monday 11 January 2010 Australia Day Tuesday 26 January 2010 New Trainees Commence Monday 1 February 2010 Easter Break Friday 2 April Friday 9 April 2010 Second Quarter commences Monday 12 April 2010 Page 1
CHRISTMAS MARKETS This year s Christmas Markets were a huge success for both of our centres and were the perfect opportunity for our trainees to showcase their hard work and wonderful achievements as part of International Day of People with Disability celebrations. PALMWOODS MARKET 26 NOVEMBER The Palmwoods Christmas Markets were a huge success and we raised slightly more money than on any previous market. The proceeds of the markets go directly back into unit finds to support the education and training programs, by allowing additional equipment and resources to be purchased to enhance trainee participation and learning. A huge thank-you to all trainees, staff, volunteers and parents for making this such a terrific event! Page 2
CALOUNDRA MARKET 3 DECEMBER The Caloundra Christmas Market coincided with International Day of People With Disability. A large crowd came to support the market, and a wonderful time was had by all. Thanks to all trainees, staff, volunteers and parents who worked so hard to make this such a terrific event. Deputy Mayor, Cr Tim Dwyer, presided over the official opening and expressed his support for the Compass Institute and our plans to become the lead tenant of the building we now share with the Caloundra Shelley Park United Soccer Club when the Soccer Club move to a new home in approximately twelve months time. Cr Dwyer informed us that while there were still a lot of negotiations to be made in relation to this, he was in full support of the proposal. David also presented Council Officer, Lisa Bishop, with her award from the Awards Night. Lisa, who was recipient of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Staff Recognition Award was unfortunately unable to attend the Awards Night, and it was great that David was able to present her award to her at the market. Page 3
Lawn & Garden Maintenance Our Education and Training Group programs are designed to teach our trainees the skills, knowledge and workplace behaviours required to be able to perform common workplace tasks and procedures. Our Pre-vocational Unit then develops these skills, knowledge and attitudes into meaningful and authentic job training opportunities. Our Pre-vocational (Lawn & Garden) Unit is involved in a number of work experience activities in the community where they provide a professional level of service of lawn and garden maintenance. Below: Genna from Palmwoods Education Unit learns correct lawn mowing procedure under the direct supervision of staff. Below: David from the Nambour Lawn & Garden Crew helps maintain the grounds at Palmwoods as part of the Crew s regular work experience contracts. MOVEMBER SHAVE OFF The Pump House supports Compass and Compass supports The Pump House Again this year many of our staff, trainees and members of the Dojo participated in the Movember fundraising campaign in support of men s health. Pictured, David does the honours during our shave-off ceremony by carefully and expertly de-mowing Jesse. A huge thank you to all who participated and supported this extremely worthwhile event. A huge thanks also to Wendy and Amy for organising the event again this year. Page 4
"Enso" Another circle soon to be completed and a new one soon to begin. At this time of year I d like to express my gratitude to all the staff who have worked so hard and well in the Education & Training Service. Thank you for assuming the responsibility of guiding and inspiring the young people placed in our care. To all the young people who have strived so well over the days and months congratulations on your efforts. Also thanks to the parents for your ongoing support and the genuine, positive feedback you give us. Looking back at the Progress Plan notes compiled by Jan and Norm recently it was evident that there is a very strong acknowledgement of the underlying system and a gratitude for the work done by the people at Compass. On a personal note, our thoughts are with Jeanalle Patrick (Caloundra staff) as she wages her battle with cancer. Good luck Jeanalle. As for milestones... November saw our 18 th Anniversary as a full time community organisation and the 7 th year as a disability service provider. This year also saw us opening our 3 rd centre on the Sunshine Coast. I am reminded of the passing of the years when one particular young man who has been here since the outset tells me he turned 26 this month. Highlights... The wonderful against the odds birth of Olivia to Paul Tonner (staff member in Nambour) and wife Tanya. The inaugural Compass Awards Night dinner and dance for 220 people at the Crowne Plaza with Wayne Bennett as guest speaker and awards for all. The continued support of the great people at Pelican Waters - Geoff Coleman and team. The great Markets at Palmwoods and Caloundra and the Aikido demonstration at Eumundi. And of course the making of the Compass DVD by the wonderful people at Platinum HD / PropVid. Another year full of achievement, events and memories. And now? Let s be happy and celebrate what has been achieved... however let s not be satisfied let s look ahead and gently stretch ourselves to embrace new opportunities for personal growth and the development of this fine ideal and tradition. Please accept my best wishes for you and your family over the holiday season. It has been my great privilege to share many wonderful moments with you all throughout the year and I look forward to many more in the new year. David Enso - "The Circle of Enlightenment" or the "Infinity Circle". The meanings of the two Kanji that make up the word "Enso" can be read as "Mutual Circle" or "Circle of Togetherness". I believe the Enso symbol can simply mean different things to different people. Therefore, perhaps you can let it have the meaning that you perceive. Page 5