Onemda Weekly eNews - Friday 16 December 2022
Dear Participants, Families & Carers,
Welcome to our FINAL weekly news update for 2022. Even though this is our last issue for the year, there’s still plenty happening, so make sure you check this week’s updates as some information may affect you, or the person in your care.
IMPORTANT - ONEMDA CLOSURE DATES…
A reminder to everyone, that Onemda campuses will be closed from 3pm Friday 23 December 2022 and will reopen on Tuesday 17 January 2023.
We are also closed on Thursday 26 January (Australia Day public holiday). Please make sure you plan for this closure date accordingly.
CREATIVITY FLOURISHES AT ONEMDA
Participants in the Living, Learning & Social Skills program at Glenroy have been busy working with staff over recent weeks to create this amazing artwork. The style of the ‘dot painting’ and the colours used are influenced by indigenous art, with the wording echoing an early Onemda slogan – which of course still holds true today.
This is just one of the outstanding artworks you’ll see brightening the learning, activity and administration spaces at Onemda campuses. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled when you next visit to see the talents of program participants, past and present, displayed on our walls.
Outstanding effort, everyone!
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE TICKETS
TICKET SALES CLOSING TUESDAY 20 DECEMBER!
It’s nearly Christmas – and Onemda Council are once again running our huge Christmas Raffle.
We have been busy packing hampers with some delicious goodies, all ready for our special Christmas raffle. Now, it’s time for you to get your tickets…
Tickets are $2 each or three for $5
We’ll be drawing the major hamper prize by Wednesday 21st with draws held during the Christmas celebrations at each campus. All money raised will go towards extra resources for activities, with the final wish list for each campus to be chosen and voted by the program participants.
Don’t miss your chance to be a winner! Contact your campus council representative today to buy your tickets!
CARENET – PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THOSE IN NEED
We shared this story a couple of weeks ago and we thought we’d give it another run before we wrap up for the year… It’s no secret that the cost of living is increasing right now, and many individuals and families are finding it a challenge to make ends meet. Onemda has been pleased over the past few weeks to connect with the team at CareNet, a volunteer-led service which is helping provide support by building networks and sharing food and other resources.
With the busy and financially draining holiday period coming up, we wanted to share CareNet’s work with you, as many of you may know someone who could benefit from a hand right now, while others may be inspired to support CareNet’s important work.
Anyone in need of supplies can collect hampers of food and grocery items from the CareNet offices between 10am – 12 noon every Tuesday, or from their Mobile Pantry which operates from Warrandyte Neighbourhood House car park between 10am – 12 noon every Wednesday, from the Wonga Park Community Cottage from 12.30 – 2.30pm every second Wednesday, and from Doncaster City Church from 3 – 5pm every Thursday. No referrals or bookings are required – just turn up.
If you are in a position to support the work CareNet does, you can drop donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries and cleaning products to the Manningham Christian Centre in Parker Street, Templestowe. They can also help you organise a food drive at your school, church or workplace, and financial donations can also be accepted.
For more about their work, and all the details on where to drop off supplies and how to donate, just go to the website or give them a call on 9846 7244.
HELP US FIND NEW TEAM MEMBERS!
Are you, or someone you know, looking for a career change in 2023?
Onemda continues to grow quickly, so we are always looking for great people to join our team. We currently have vacancies for a Therapy Manager, Speech Pathologist, Reporting & Business Analyst, Assistant Accountant, Occupational Therapist, Practice Lead, Educator, Senior Administration Officer, casual Educator Support Roles for Group Services as well as volunteering opportunities.
If you are interested in any of our available roles, or know anyone who might be a good fit, please click on the link below and feel free to share with your connections.
VIEW CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES
HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT THE NDIS
The NDIS Review is a chance for you to provide your feedback. Its approach is to ‘LISTEN’ and ‘LEARN’ from people who have lived experience of disability, and the ‘PRIORITISE’ actions based on the information received.
There are many ways that you can have your say. Plus, it’s fully accessible, so you can provide your input online, over the phone, via video or by writing in.
Are you ready to have your say about the NDIS?
Click on the link to head to the website and let your voice be heard…
GOVERNMENT TO REPLACE AAT
BREAKING NEWS: The Attorney General, Mark Dreyfus, has just announced that the Albanese Government plans to abolish the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and replace it with a new body to deal with administrative appeals.
The AAT is the body which handles challenges to any decisions made about NDIS participants or their NDIS Plans.
At this stage, it is not clear what the new body will look like, however the Government says it is committed to making it an accessible, sustainable, and transparent administrative review tribunal that serves the interest of the Australian people.
Dreyfus also promised the new body would be properly funded, operate by a transparent, merits-based appointment process, and implied it would resolve cases in a more timely manner, which is great news.
In first moves, 75 additional tribunal members will be appointed to address the backlog of cases, and the government will dedicate $11.7M to a ‘single, streamlined case management system’ over the next two years.
CAMPUS HIGHLIGHT
DONCASTER EAST – PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCE & EMPLOYMENT (PIE)
Participant, Allie has started a new (self-created), volunteering initiative with the help from her support workers. Allie hand decorates jars, personalised cards and flowers for residents at our local aged care centre. Over the last 8 weeks she has developed a mission statement, logo, relationships with the aged care centre and florist, sourced flowers and jars, decorated and arranged and delivered the first batch. She will deliver new flowers every 2 weeks, bringing joy and happiness to the members of the aged care centre. What a wonderful initiative – we wish Allie all the best with her new endeavour.
Please enjoy your weekend! We also ask that you have all our important dates in your diary, so you are prepared for the beginning of 2023!
In the meantime, as always, if you have any questions about anything in this newsletter don’t hesitate to contact us.
Kind regards,
The Onemda Team
P. (03) 9842 1955
