no. 359, vol 40 (1) Autumn 2014 Autumn edition 2014

Transcription

1 activ news ISSN no. 359, vol 40 (1) Autumn Autumn edition 2014

2 Contents Welcome 2 Making a Difference 4 Community Giving and Events 5 Our Stories 7 Activ Developments 9 Active Community in Focus 10 Disability Sector News 13 Supported Employee Milestones 14 Learning and Resources 15 What s On 16 Activ Board of Directors Andrew Edwards (President) Tina Thomas (Deputy President) Tony Vis (Chief Executive Officer) Leonie Walker Neil Guard Stephanie Black Howard Rae Geoff Klem Ian Brown Welcome President s Message I trust you all enjoyed the Christmas and New Year break with your families. We are now well into 2014 and I hope you have had a great start to the year. At Activ, we have continued our efforts from last year, working hard to ready ourselves for the NDIS which will be launched in WA this July. I would like to congratulate Activ Pathways who finished 2013 on a high with their well deserved win at the Count me in Awards. The team won the award for their Transport & Logistics program in the category of Education and Training, which is a fantastic achievement. The Constitutional Advisory Committee is currently exploring the concept of constitutional reform with Activ s membership through consultation meetings that commenced in February and are to continue through March. Feedback from these meetings will be invaluable to the proposed reforms, and I urge members, clients and families to attend these consultation sessions. I look forward to bringing you further updates on this matter. There are less than six months to go until this year s City to Surf. It is the event s 40th anniversary and we will look back on its history, from humble beginnings to the world-class event it has become today. I do hope as many of you as possible will join us for the main event in Perth or at one of our regional events around WA to support our cause and help us to provide a better life for people living with disability. Andrew Edwards 327 Cambridge Street Wembley 6014 tel fax Activ News Autumn Edition

3 CEO s Message Best wishes for the New Year. I hope you all had an opportunity to spend time with friends and family over the Christmas period and have returned ready for It is an exciting time at Activ as we craft a new 5 year Strategic Plan. The plan will be important as we prepare ourselves for the opportunities and challenges that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) presents for us as an organisation, our clients and families. In all of this we know that it is our staff who make the difference, and therefore with the staff we have, we are well positioned for change. In recognition of the extra work needed to be able to successfully change, we have formed a Transitional Leadership Team, which includes 22 senior managers from across the teams and functions of Activ. Our Executive Team has been expanded and is now comprised of myself and: Danielle Newport General Manager Strategy & Finance Shane Mauger General Manager Service Improvement Vincent Long General Manager Business Services We have also created two new key roles: Sector Knowledge Developmental Manager filled by Peter Batini, who comes from Disability Services Commission, with a wealth of disability sector knowledge and experience; and Change Leader/Organisational Development Manager filled by Jan McKinnell who has many years experience in practical implementation of significant change. Further, the Board and Executive Team have been looking at our purpose, vision and values and ways of improving the way we deliver services to our customers, whilst being mindful of the impact of change on them. In the year ahead we will be talking to you about our Strategy and the future of Activ. I am also pleased that Activ is proudly presenting its Inaugural Activ Artspace Exhibition on the weekend of Saturday 15 March from 10.00am to 4.00pm and Sunday 16 March from 10.00am to 2.00pm. This will be open for public viewing in the foyer/library of Activ Central Services at 327 Cambridge Street, Wembley. You are invited to come and view this exciting collection of artwork. Tony Vis Mark Furr General Manager Accommodation & Community Services Jonathan Thomas General Manager Assets The Activ News cover image shows an Activ employee at work activ news ISSN Autumn edition 2014 no. 359, vol 40 (1) Autumn Activ News Autumn Edition

4 Making a Difference Remembering Brian In November 2013, Brian Ball, Honorary Life Governor of Activ passed away after a short illness. Brian Ball, from Albany, was a significant contributor to Activ and in He was awarded a certificate recognising his 50 years of service to Activ and the parent support groups in the Great Southern. In October 2012, he was appointed as an Honorary Life Governor for his dedication and commitment to Activ. Brian first became involved with Activ (then known as the Slow Learning Children s Group) in 1961 at the age of 26 when he was appointed as Secretary of the Mt Barker branch. In the same year, Brian was appointed Vice President of the Southern Districts Regional Council, which was established to oversee and promote services for people with disabilities in the area. He held these positions until 1970 when he was appointed Treasurer to the Council. In 1973, Activ President Tom Burke and Activ CEO Clive Lambert offered Brian a salaried positon as Regional Administrator, based at the Children s Accommodation at Koonoowarra Hostel. Services expanded and in 1975, Brian, his wife Pearl and two sons moved from their farm at Mt Barker to live in Albany. During this time, there was considerable growth of facilities and services in the ensuing years. In Brian retired but continued with his Treasurer role on the Council and was given Life Membership of Activ in Over the years, Brian contributed significantly to Activ, particularly towards raising funds and promoting services in the Albany area. During his role on the Council, he also assisted with such things as the purchasing of property, installing air conditioning, financial management of the op shops in Albany and Katanning and upgrading vehicles for all of Activ Albany s services. We are deeply saddened by the passing of Photo: Brian Ball with Andrew Edwards when he was appointed as an Honorary Life Governor of Activ Brian and offer our deepest condolences to his family. Brian was a respected and tireless worker dedicated to enabling everyone. He will be missed and remembered always. Recreation and Respite grateful for NEC grant The Recreation and Respite department received a donation of $1,000 from NEC as part of a program where they provide grants of $1000 for charities or not for profits. Nelly Main, an ex-staff member of Activ who also volunteers for our Recreation and Children s Community Respite, nominated Activ last year to receive the grant. NEC Australia is a leading technology company delivering a complete portfolio of ICT solutions and services to large enterprise, small business and government organisations. We deliver innovative solutions to help customers gain greater business value from their technology investments. This money has been used to purchase some much needed equipment at the children s respite house and we are extremely grateful for the generosity of NEC and to Nelly for thinking of us. 4 Activ News Autumn Edition

5 Community Giving & Events Children s Community Respite Volunteers Would you like to donate your time to the community and become a volunteer? Do you enjoy looking after and spending time with babies and children? Do you have any spare time during the day or in the evenings? once or even twice a month? Activ runs a volunteer sitting service for children with disabilities aged from six months to 12 years old. This assistance enables parents to take a break from their caring role, attend an appointment or catch up on chores while their child is taken care of in their home. We are looking for volunteers who are available for a few hours during the day or an evening or two each month to join our sitting service. For more information please contact Nola on or volunteering@activ.asn.au Do you have something to say about Activ? Help us in our quest for continuous improvement of our services! If you have a suggestion, comment, complaint or a compliment about any of Activ s services we would love to hear from you. This will help us to better understand what services you need and what we need to improve on. However, it is also good to know what you think we do well, so we can ensure that we keep doing it! Feedback is welcome from anybody (for example; clients, employees, volunteers, families, carers, advocates and members of the public) even if it is provided on behalf of somebody else or anonymously. Your confidentiality will be respected. You can provide your feedback in a number of different ways: you can talk to a member of Activ staff; you can contact the Activ Complaints Officer by calling (08) or writing to: PO Box 446 Wembley WA 6913; you can us at feedback@activ.asn.au; or you can go to our website ( and complete a feedback form. Activ News Autumn Edition

6 Community Giving & Events 2014: Forty years of City to Surf The Chevron City to Surf is on again in 2014 and Sunday, 31st August will be the 40th time participants have hit the pavement in support of Activ. This milestone event is now less than six months away, so there is no better time to not only start training but to also make those new year s resolutions a reality and get into shape. This year, we want to celebrate this significant milestone and make the Chevron City to Surf for Activ a memorable one. We hope that more people than ever will get on board and support Activ in our fundraising efforts. We look forward to having you join us for our 40th year and to supporting you with your fundraising and training goals. Thank you for your support and best of luck with your training! 1975 Forty years ago, the very first City to Surf was held on 23rd February 1975 as a fun run. There were 1500 participants who ran the much shorter course from Council House Perth to Jubilee Park, City Beach. Forty years later, the Chevron City to Surf for Activ is now WA s largest community sporting event and has grown to a record 48,000 participants in Last year was also the very first time regional events were held in Karratha, Geraldton, Albany and Busselton, another significant development in the event s history. Due to their success, the regional events are set to continue and dates will be confirmed shortly. Registrations are now open and early registration will ensure you do not miss out on your preferred wave. It s also a great opportunity to get started on your fundraising efforts early because this year, we have some great incentives and rewards on offer to everyone raising funds for Activ. Funds raised by runners at the Chevron City to Surf support Activ in our purpose to help people living with disability realise their dreams and goals for the future. Activ believes in giving people living with disability every opportunity to succeed in life by providing quality services that focuses on each individual s needs and aspirations Be sure to keep an eye on the official website for registration updates and keep in touch with us on Facebook. perthcitytosurf. 6 Activ News Autumn Edition

7 Our Stories Mace Pedler is a champion in the pool Mace Pedler joined the Winter Swimming Movement in 2000 and since then, he has been a very active member of the Cottesloe Crabs Winter Swimming Club accumulating over 200 swims. Mace has had great success in his 14 years with the club, attending 11 national championships and winning a silver medal at the national championships in Wollongong NSW in He has also had two placings in the West Australian Championships and has been Club Champion five times and finished in the top three on five other occasions. Mace travels with his Dad to swimming each Sunday and this year, he is looking forward to making the weekly trip on his Dad s new Harley Davidson. Congratulations Mace on your fantastic achievements! Photo: Mace and the President s Trophy he was awarded at the end of last year The Cottesloe Crabs swim during the winter months from May to September each year. The end of 2013 saw Mace take out the President s Trophy, which is awarded to the best all round clubman of the year. Our friend Rodney retires Rodney Pyke started working on 4 May 1980 with Ad West in Fremantle before transferring to Activ Palmyra. During his 33 years of service at Activ, Rodney has always been known as a friendly, hard working and happy employee. Rodney enjoyed working on a variety of packaging tasks that included labelling and collating goods. His enthusiasm and willingness to give any job a go will be missed. A very special morning tea was held at Activ Palmyra on 18 December 2013 to farewell Rodney and to celebrate his well deserved retirement. Rodney s co-workers and all the staff at Activ Palmyra wish Rodney the very best for the future and look forward to him visiting them soon. Photo: Rodney (front, left) with his mother Beryl, support worker John, father David and sister Lee Activ News Autumn/Winter Edition

8 Our Stories Talented Roslyn launches her six pack Gifted artist Roslyn Burns has released a six pack of greeting cards comprising her most beautiful works to date. Roslyn paints with her left foot and with support, she applies the paint directly to the sole of her foot. From there, Roslyn creates engaging and award-winning paintings. All six works chosen for this beautiful card set were painted by Roslyn while she was attending Pam Teede s Tuesday Club painting class at Stirling Street Arts Centre in. The Works The Vase of Poppies painted on paper in 2011 and was Roslyn s first work as an Art Partner. The Cockies painted in 2011 and exhibited at the Wildlife Park. The Waterfall created in 2012 and was most recently exhibited at the 2013 As We Are Art Award and Exhibition in Perth. Spring is Coming dates from 2012 and exhibited at the 2013 As We are Art Award and Exhibition. Roslyn also won the Aurenda Art Award for this piece. The Spirit of Christmas created in 2012 and exhibited at the Stirling Street Arts Centre s Christmas Craft Fair and Open Day. This piece won the Activ Christmas Card Design Competition. The Kangaroo Paw painted in 2013 and was Roslyn s entry in the Stirling Street Art Centres Christmas Craft Fair and Open Day. If you are unable to make it to, please contact the Communication & Fundraising team communications@activ.asn.au and we will endeavour to assist you. The six-pack of cards are A6 size, blank on the inside, come with envelopes and are priced at $10 per ribbon-wrapped set. All profits from sales will benefit Roslyn. From top: The Cockies, The Kangaroo Paw and Spring is Coming, by Roslyn Burns The cards are available from Southern Picture Framers, 7A Cornwall Street Open Monday Friday 9.00am 5.00pm and Saturday 9.00am 1.00pm. 8 Activ News Autumn Edition

9 Activ Developments Activ Constitutional Reform Update As noted in previous editions of Activ News, our membership has substantially declined in recent years, which potentially impacts on the governance of Activ. As a result, the Constitutional Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising of Board Members, Honorary Life Governors and Honorary Life Members was formed late last year to explore possible constitutional reform solutions. The CAC has commenced consultation meetings which are open to clients, families and members to discuss this issue, answer any questions and concerns and capture any feedback in relation to the proposed constitutional reform. These consultation meetings will continue through March 2014 as follows: Tuesday 11 March North Metro 134 Dundas Road Inglewood 5.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm 9.00pm Wednesday 12 March Central Metro Central Services 327 Cambridge Street Wembley 5.00pm 7.00pm 7.00pm 9.00pm Friday 21 March Geraldton Geraldton Business Services Cnr Shenton and Crowther Streets Geraldton 9.00am 11.00am Friday 28 March Albany Albany Chamber of Commerce and Industry Conference Room, 76 Collie Street Albany 9.00am 11.00am It is important to note that any proposed constitutional reform will not impact on the level of quality or delivery of our services. We welcome those who wish to provide input, or simply find out more information, to take part in the consultation meetings. Your feedback is extremely important to us. Please contact Latasha Kirton, Board Administrator at latasha.kirton@activ.asn.au or via phone (08) to RSVP or to find out more information. We will continue to provide you regular updates on the outcomes of this process. Future Living Trust Launches New Service Activ clients now have access to a new service provided by Future Living Trust aimed at increasing community connections and friendships with others. The Individual Support Network is a dedicated circle of people who provide companionship and support to people living with a developmental disability. The network is set up initially by parents with the assistance of a trained facilitator. Networks can make such a big difference to peoples lives, said Ms Parnell, CEO of Future Living Trust, at the Individual Support Network launch event, held on 1 December They provide a genuine and meaningful connection to others and a real opportunity for people to be a part of their community. The Individual Support Network Service compliments the other services that Future Living offers to Activ clients. If you are interested in knowing more, please visit the Future Living Trust website org.au or call Erica or Yvonne at the Trust office on Activ News Autumn Edition

10 Activ Developments Funding News: Special Assistance Grants 2014 A call for applications Since the closure of the Central and Southern Suburbs Branches of Activ Foundation, residual funds held by these groups were quarantined and the annual interest earned is made available as Special Assistance Grants. For any questions about the grant, full eligibility criteria, or to request an application form, please contact the Board Administrator via phone on or via at latasha. kirton@activ.asn.au. These grants will be available to assist the development and improve the general welfare of people living with developmental disability. Please note that applications/nominations close at 4.00pm on Friday, 27 June The Awards and Recognitions Committee comprising of Honorary Life Governors will be assessing applications for the 2014 Special Assistance Grants at their July 2014 meeting. Activ Community in Focus Activ Artspace Exhibition Showcasing the talent of Activ clients Activ is proud to present the inaugural Activ Artspace Exhibition. Open to the public for viewing in the foyer/library of Activ Central Services. Entry is free of charge. Activ invites you to come and view this exciting collection of artwork. Activ Central Services, 327 Cambridge Street, Wembley 10am to 4.00pm Saturday, 15 March am to 2.00pm Sunday, 16 March Activ News Autumn Edition

11 Activ Community in Focus employees donate to Foodbank On 13 November 2013, the Activ RTO Certificate 1 in Leadership and Development visited Foodbank WA to donate 88kgs of canned food collected by the employees at. Foodbank WA is a non-profit organisation who supports 2,500 charities and 640 schools who provide food to adults and children in need as prepared meals, food hampers and emergency parcels to the community in WA. Las year, four million meals were provided to the community. Louise Godfrey who attended the field trip said, I saw people receiving food parcels and how the food was weighed. We were shown around the place and I thought it was very interesting. I enjoyed the visit. Photo: Right to Left- Debbie Turner, Samantha Stade, Louise Godfrey, Travis O Hara, Christine Taylor, Robyn Mastas Palmyra Employees Join the Kmart Crew Activ O Connor and East Victoria Park have been sending employees to Kmart for over two years now. This enables the employees to gain new skills, work with other people and be part of a group representing Activ out in the community. They have just emptied over 1,000,000 boxes and in the past couple of months, O Connor has been including some of the Palmyra employees. Each day Kmart calls and request teams for the following day. As both sites have been busy it made sense to try to recruit and train more employees. Discussions were held at Palmyra and a list of employees was drawn up. We now have 13 employees from Palmyra who are able to go to Kmart. Some are still in training and others are going really well. We try to send two employees from Palmyra each day teams are required. Photo: Employees Sarah Morien and Sonya Trimboli from Palmyra have just started going to Kmart Activ News Autumn Edition

12 Activ Community in Focus Activ: Count me in Award Winners As part of Disability Awareness Week, the Disability Services Commission hold the Count Me In awards and in November, Activ Pathways was selected as a finalist for our Transport and Logistics program. We are very proud of Trish Ridley and the RTO team for their well deserved win. Well done everyone! The award recipients were announced on Tuesday, December 3 at a ceremony in Forrest Chase and we are proud to say that our Transport and Logistics program took out the award in the category of Education and Training. This program was undertaken with students from Gladys Newton School at last year and continues to be a feature program for both employees within our ADE facilities and external students undertaking VETinSchools programs. Photo: Trish Ridley accepting the award Activ Kewdale raises funds for fire victims Activ Kewdale has been busy fundraising for the Perth Hills fire victims who suffered significant losses in the January fires. Committee member Marceena Wheater had seen the tragic stories on the news and decided to get the ball rolling so that the team could contribute something towards helping the families who had lost so much. Employees and staff at Active Kewdale as well as family and friends and members of the community helped to raise the money. A special morning tea was held on 24th January where Supervisor Christine Booth had made and donated cupcakes for a gold coin donation. Money was also raised from Kewdale s weekly raffle. The team s fundraising efforts raised a total of $ which was donated to the Parkerville Fire Appeal. Members of the Activ Kewdale team personally delivered their donation to Lord Mayor, Lisa M Scaffidi, who took time out of her busy schedule to accept the money in person. A great team effort! Photo: Left to right: Activ Employee Coordinator, Christopher Goh, Activ Employee Marceena Wheater, Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi and Activ Employee Mal Wheater 12 Activ News Autumn Edition

13 Disability Sector News Update: My Way Scheme The My Way Scheme is Western Australia s version of the NDIS and is built on the WA Local Area Coordination program, which has been operating since Similar to the NDIS, it has a flexible, responsive and person centred approach which places choice and control in the hands of people with disability, their family and carers. The Disability Services Commission (DSC) commenced the rollout of My Way in the Lower South West region on 1 July 2013 to explore the full potential and strengths of the model, whilst aligning with the emerging national system. Activ clients who live in the Lower South West are currently working with their My Way Coordinator and Activ staff to develop their own My Way plans. Some of these plans have already been completed with funding aligned to their support needs so they may meet their dreams, goals and aspirations. Allow the customer using services to determine the level of information and control they have over resources and funding Outcomes for people with disability, their families and carers living in the Lower South West will be independently evaluated to inform the future provision of disability supports and services in Western Australia. For more information about My Way, visit what-is-my-way/. If you wish to know explore how My Way funding or individualised support packages could apply to you and/or your family situation please contact clientservices@activ.asn.au or call or myway@dsc. wa.gov.au Activ staff have been working closely with clients, their families and My Way Coordinators in the development of responsive and flexible individualised supports for people living in the region. Activ has taken significant steps to ensure that we are ready and well placed to support families as the sector transitions toward the My Way and NDIS models. Our aim is to ensure that our services: MY WAY Are personalised approaches to planning, design and implementation of supports and services, with the customer at the centre of the decision-making Provide genuine choice and decisionmaking by the customer about the supports and services they use Activ News Autumn Edition

14 Supported Employee Milestones Supported Employee Service Recognition January to March Years 15 Years Mark Somers Kay Sharp Maureen Down Gregory Smith Louise Godfrey 35 Years Owen King Alan Lawrence Suzanne Letchford Jennifer Carle 30 Years Stephen Chamberlain Kathleen Grljusich Ronald Hynes Anna Nero Gordon Pead Della Reed Catherine Maynard Peter Flynn Patricia Anderson Alan Gallop Patricia Oliver Timothy Trovatello 25 Years Tony Purcell Paul Plowman Deborah De Freitas Peter Szwec John Byk Catherine Crannigan 20 Years David Nix Christopher Lyon Margaret Reimann Kylie Andrews Carolyn Salter Michael Brandis East Victoria Park O Connor Palmyra O Connor Palmyra O Connor O Connor Esperance Esperance Kewdale Bentley Busselton East Victoria Park Embleton Kalgoorlie Property Care East Victoria Park Esperance Embleton Matthew Stacey Mark Preen Bevan Green Dennis Bowron Brett Welch Julie Dace 10 Years Lynette Guest Christopher Guest Allison Rush Andrew Denton Marian Gawthorne Gordon Dace Colin Cook Ryan Bordas Sarah Warren Jordan Hunter Kathy Leavy 5 Years Lorraine Dunn Natalia Buchholz Gerry Martin Cameron Wood Anton Pintaudi Heather Jansen Lorna West Stefania Cortellazzi Cameron Slemmings Emma Huizenga Jessie Huizenga Neil Criddle Ross Davidson Ariaane Walters Catherine Campbell Samantha Rowe Michelle Hobbs East Victoria Park Busselton East Victoria Park Embleton Kewdale Property Care East Victoria Park Esperance O Connor Property Care Busselton Property Care Rockingham O Connor Kewdale Property Care Bentley Kewdale Kewdale Geraldton Rockingham East Victoria Park Embleton 14 Activ News Autumn Edition

15 Learning and Resources Library developments There have been some very exciting developments in the Activ Library! Free WiFi access is now available for clients and their families in the library. Parents can now browse the library at their leisure while their children are occupied. We have also recently acquired an ipad Mini for visitors to use whilst in the library. This new asset was made possible by a donation from the ANSETT Down to Earth Club WA. We are very grateful to the Club and to Jan Graham for making this possible. With these new additions to our already brilliant resources and existing coffee machine, there is now even more reason to come and visit us at the Activ Library. We look forward to seeing you soon! Library resources We have a number of new resources available for loan in the Activ library that may be useful to those engaging in Person Centred Planning. If you would like to see any of them, please call us on or library@activ.asn.au. Personalisation and Learning Disabilities: a handbook Tyson, Andrew Ed Brighton, Pavilion: 2011 This handbook gives readers an insight into what personalisation means in practice. It focuses on the leadership role of support staff and their managers, friends and family of people with learning disabilities, and training and development staff in creating a health and social care system where people with learning disabilities are in control. Personalisation in Practice Franklin, Suzie; Sanderson, Helen. London Philadelphia, Jessica Kingsley: 2014 of support and services works in practice. The authors describe how Jennie, a young person with autism and learning difficulties, was supported through the transition from school to living independently using simple evidencebased person-centred planning tools. Personal Planning Book McIntosh, Barbara; Whittaker, Andrea. London, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities: 2011 This book is designed to help people with learning disabilities to create a detailed personal plan possibly with the support of a facilitator or an advocate. It is for individuals, their carers, families or professionals to work through together to ensure that a person centred approach is at the heart of the individuals support. It can also be downloaded freely at org.uk/publications/personal-planning-book/. This book demonstrates how the personalisation Activ News Autumn Edition

16 Get Involved! What s on this autumn Activ Calendar March 11 ACROD parking: what you need to know workshop, National Disability Services Activ Artspace Exhibition, 10am 4pm, 327 Cambridge Street Wembley WA Disability Support Worker Awards, National Disability Services 21 World Down Syndrome Day Mental Health First Aid for the Disability Sector workshop, National Disability Services 30 City of Bayswater Have a Go Day, 10am 12pm, The RISE Maylands April 3 Communication Skills for Support Workers, National Disability Services 5 Activ s Got Talent PCYC Hilton 32 Paget Street Hilton May 3 Basic and Intermediate Auslan Classes hosted by WA Deaf Society 46/5 Aberdeen Street, East Perth events-2013/events/events-2014/ Activ clients and their families are invited to join us to cheer on our Activ s Got Talent contestants Saturday 5 April PCYC Hilton, 32 Paget Street, Hilton 4.00pm for 4.30pm start followed by a sausage sizzle and disco for a gold coin donation Activ would like to acknowledge and thank our major government funders, WA Disability Services Commission (DSC), Australian Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and WA Heath Department s Home and Community Care Program (HACC). Thanks also to the many others who contribute to Activ who are too numerous to mention here. Your generous support is invaluable.