- Newsletter From Andrew What a great newsletter, it only reinforces what I already knew with regard to the fantastic work that is occurring. I hope everyone can share the pride in what we are achieving and the satisfaction in helping so many people. We are almost at the end of our first year of NDIS and I would like to personally thank everyone for their efforts to date, whilst a difficult time and with challenges still remaining, I believe thanks to everyone s efforts we are well positioned for the future. Contents Community Living Newsletter Business Services Newsletter Scenic Flight Report Recreation and Living Newletter Community Activities Newsletter Sam Retires ADE Vacancies Foundation Day Workplace equality update I look forward to continuing to work with you all. Regards Andrew Daly SCENIC FLIGHT FOUNDATION DAY
Community Living Newsletter Hi Everyone! This year is off to a flying start and everyone has been busy getting out and about even the wet weather has not stopped us. The gang at Caratel Avenue went to the Royal Easter show on the 1st day. Chris s favourite part was purchasing show bags and the dog show. A New Home Cedar Street house moved to a new home at Caratel Avenue in Hazelbrook. The move went well and Chris, Craig, Jess and Les love their home. Leslie St clients are enjoying a freshly painted house and new kitchen and blinds. Bellevue Rd has had a makeover and Killara Crescent have a lovely new kitchen and all new guttering (just in time for the torrential rain) Ellison Road clients love to bake. Here are some of David s yummy cupcakes.
June 2017 Business Services Newsletter Farewell to Lindsay Mogg We wish you every success with your move to the North Coast and your new job Farewell to Dennis Coomer Who has successfully completed his apprenticeship with DARE Ground Crew Congratulations to Donald Bright, Employee of the Month January 2017 Chris Anderson, Employee the Month February 2017 Belinda Simon, Employee of the Month March 2017 Graham Horne, Employee of the Month April 2017 Ben Smyth, Employee of the Month May 2017 Important upcoming dates Employee of the month BBQ dates 5th May 2017 2nd June 2017 30th June 2017 14th August 2017 1st September 2017 6th October 2017 3rd November 2017 1st December 2017 Thanks from Revolution Surveys Please give the boys a big thank you for the delivery of my order. I wasn t home at the time and they dropped them off in such an orderly fashion and appropriate location. Thank you More on our flight experience on the next page. Have you been contacted by the NDIS about your up-coming planning meeting, and need help? Please contact Liza in Training and Support, or phone 4751 0912
Business Services Newsletter Scenic Flight 28th April 2017 Many thanks to Matt from Scenic flights for donating a scenic flight over the Blue Mountains. Paul Harrington and Stephen Williamson were the lucky winners of the flight along with Sam Tomlinson. (www.bluemountainsgetaways.com) On Friday the 28th of April we had an early start heading from the Blue Mountains to Bankstown airport. Stephen and Paul were both very excited about the upcoming flight, with Stephen even waking up early. Neither Paul nor Stephen had ever been in a small plane before, so they both felt nervous but also very excited. Butterflies, chatter and excitement could be felt in our car the closer we got to the airport. The weather was perfect; a clear day a blessing indeed! This was a clear sign of what we were about to experience. Pure joy. Matt, our pilot met us at the airport. He was an absolute delight and explained to us what to expect for the day and what we would see. He was amazing and even explained the working of the plane and how it is possible to fly. We all found it fascinating and we could even assist with the pre-flight safety checks we really all felt like co-pilots! We were now ready to take off. What a pleasure it was for Paul to see his old house from the air. We had a beautiful scenic flight and it was bliss to fly over Manly beach. The hour long flight came to an end just too quick. Paul and Stephen had a great time and could not get the smiles off their faces. Our journey back to our glorious Blue Mountains was accompanied by sharing our experiences and thoughts. We could not stop talking about the wonderful experience that we would forever treasure in our memories. What would a trip back without a pit stop for burgers and a milkshake be Yes! We just had to do it. The conclusion for the day was simple. It was exquisite! Paul s favourite part of the day was seeing his old house and Stephen said seeing Manly beach from the sky was unbeatable. We have amazing photos of our trip, but nothing can beat the everlasting, imprinted memories.
Recreation and Leisure Newsletter DARE s Rec Group have been getting out and about in the community and taking part in some great events. Friendships and socialising can help you: Live longer Have better physical health Have better mental health Have better self-esteem and self confidence Reduce stress levels Boost memory Improve brain function Do you want to get together with friends? Meet new friends? If you are interested in joining our groups or making your own give Virginia a call on 4751 9041.
June 2017 Community Activities Newsletter Biggest Morning Tea Community Activities hosted Australia s Biggest Morning Tea. We raised $570 and would like to thank everyone for donating to a great cause. Clients from Community Activities music held a concert showcasing our drama and music programs. Clients had a wonderful time sharing their achievements in DARE Music and Drama programs. MUSIC DARE music programs are proving to be very popular with clients accessing individual music therapy and group music sessions The service is hoping to expand the group in future to group drumming. Clients have covered many different styles of music. You can hear us practicing our music at the training centre on Thursdays.
Other News Sam Retires Sam Tomlinson has been with DARE for 18 years and is leaving at the end of this month. In Business Services he has seen and been involved, in many changes to the disability employment area. He was heavily involved in the development and implementation of the Workplace Agreement for supported employees in 1992. This was a very complicated process but Sam ensured we got success for all supported employees and the service. Sam also saw the change from block funding for clients to individual case funding. This intensive process was similar to the NDIS and took many months to go through. He always wanted to encourage everyone to achieve their goals. He facilitated Apprenticeships and supported everyone who chose to undergo training both internal and using external courses at TAFE. If an employee was unable to achieve a particular task Sam was your man to develop and make jigs which would enable a person to carry out that task. He was very creative and talented in this area. He created the majority of our internal training programs and was always happy to hold a Quality Circle training session! Besides all his abilities listed above one of Sam s personal qualities which everyone loved him for was his genuine approach to helping people even if it was outside work hours and advocating for client rights. No one person was treated differently by Sam. We will all miss Sam, his personality and commitment and wish him all the best!!! Are you looking for work? DARE is currently seeking expressions of interest from people with a disability wishing to join the grounds & maintenance, workshop and library crews. For more info contact us on: 02 4751 0912 Foundation Day, 29 April DARE attended the 2017 annual Foudation Day in Springwood. We ran a free photo booth for the day to raise awareness. Thanks to Nicks Cycles, Cassiopeia Coffee and Blue Mountains Computers for donating some fantastic prizes. On 12 May 2017, DARE Disability Support lodged its annual public report with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (Agency). In accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (Act), we are providing access to this report to our employees. If you wish to access a copy of the report, please contact Joanne Sepetauc in HR jsepetauc@daredisability.org.au or 4751 0906. You may also make comments on the report by emailing jsepetauc@daredisability.org.au or ceo@ daredisability.org.au or direct to the Agency. Please refer to the Agency s guidelines on this process on their website www.wgea.gov.au.