Spring Edition news2011

Achieving Employment Change is on its Way Property Redevelopments

page 1 Spring Feature Change is on its Way

The date 10 August 2011 will be Achieve Australia Chief Executive The NDIS will be launched in forever etched into Officer, Anne Bryce said: “This is stages and not fully implemented history books. It was the day the very exciting news for everyone until 2018-19. However, regional Federal Government announced involved with our organisation, launch sites will operate in 2014 that a National Disability Insurance including staff, people we support to enable the new system to be Scheme (NDIS) will soon become and their families. People with tested and fine tuned. It is vital for a reality. disability will be empowered to the NDIS to be built on the security have greater choice and flexibility of a guaranteed and sustainable This announcement reflects the when it comes to accessing funding commitment. Productivity Commission’s final support and services. Everything report on Disability Care and will be much more individualised Every Australian Counts Campaign Support and is a tremendous and affordable.” Director, John Della Bosca, said victory for the tens of thousands “This is the biggest socio-economic of Every Australian Counts In line with the 1,000 page report reform Australia has seen since supporters who have worked on Disability Care and Support, the introduction of Medicare. It will hard to ensure the Federal the Government, with the States have a transformational impact on Government paid attention and and Territories, will: our community and our economy.” took rapid action for an NDIS. • Deliver an immediate, additional The Federal Coalition has also Achieve Australia would like to $10 million to support the shown their support. thank our staff and members of technical policy work; the community who have helped Building blocks are now being • Move to establish a COAG support the Every Australian set in place so that the Scheme Select Council of Ministers Counts campaign. is rolled out Australia-wide by from the Commonwealth, States 2018-19. and Territories to lead reform We look forward to a very bright in this area; future for the provision of disability While it may seem far away, • Take steps to establish an services in our country. the initiation of the process Advisory Group to the Select to establish an NDIS is highly Council, led by Dr Jeff Harmer, Stay tuned for further significant to service providers to provide expert advice on updates on our blog – such as Achieve Australia. delivering the foundations for www.achieveaustralianews.org.au reform and preparation for launch.

Focus In this issue Property developments 7 Feature Exciting redevelopments at Disclaimer: Change is on its way 2 Crowle Home 8 Achieve News provides general news and information only and must not in any way be Message from the CEO 3 What’s the update on Araluen? 10 construed as providing legal opinion or advice. Reports Star Achievements 11 Copyright to published material is reserved. Achieving Employment 4 Achieve Events 12 The views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Achieve Australia. Every effort is Achieve Community It’s a Date 15 made to ensure accuracy of information in The good life as I see it 6 How you can help 15 Achieve News.

page 2 Message from the CEO Creating more choice, security and economic benefits

We are currently taking significant managers are also readily available Achieve Australia, including his steps towards the improvement of to answer any questions that you visit to one of our houses recently housing for many people. may have. for a DisabiliTea and donating autographed Dunlop Volleys for Achieve Australia has proposed the Thank you to the dedicated auction at our Achieving with the redevelopment of Crowle Home at team working diligently behind Stars Gala Evening. Belmore Street, Ryde to build a 470 the scenes to help make the residential dwelling development. redevelopment possible, Speaking of the Gala Evening, The organisation will be retaining including Meadowbank Public thank you to those who supported up to 10% of the apartments for School for donating the use us for the event. It was fantastic people with disability. of their hall for our Community to see everyone dressed up in Information Session. their formal wear and enjoying If approved, the co-housing themselves – particularly on the model will see the people These exciting plans are dance floor! we support living within the well-aligned with the recent community, allowing us to move announcement that a National Plans are underway for the Annual a step closer towards achieving Disability Insurance Scheme is Crowle Fete in November. This social inclusion. The redevelopment on the way. Just like the new year, we aim to have even more will also ensure economic security development, an NDIS will ensure games and activities for the whole for Achieve Australia for many financial certainty for people family. Fingers crossed for beautiful years to come, potentially with disability and their families weather! funding ongoing improvements by allowing more choice in across all of our services. You accessing support and services. I look forward to providing you with can read more information about We will feature more information more updates in the near future. the proposed development in our as it arises on our blog – special centrefold lift-out on www.achieveaustralianews.org.au Anne Bryce pages 8 and 9. In other news, we are currently While change often brings working in collaboration with uncertainty, processes have been our Brain’s Trust for the 10th developed to aid the transition Annual Fundraising Golf Day and process into community living Lunch. Our Ambassador, Duncan for current residents. We have Armstrong and Member for been hosting frequent transition Bennelong, John Alexander MP meetings and are increasing overall will be supporting us at the event communications via our website, in the Sporting Legends Challenge. Twitter, blog and new e-newsletter I’d like to thank Mr Alexander to keep everyone up to date. Our for his continued support of

page 3 Achieve Australia news Spring 2011 Reports

Achieving Employment – You’ve come to the right place Our Disability Employment Services, known as Achieve Funded by the Department of Education Employment, have been assisting people with disability, Employment & Workplace Relations (DEEWR), injury or health condition to find and keep paid a combination of Achieve Employment’s modern employment for nearly 25 years. We have also provided facilities, technology and qualified staff ensure opportunities to expand educational experiences and that both jobseekers and employers experience qualifications and run a Transition to Work program for a smooth transition into open employment. school leavers.

The Jobseeker Process

1. Job Capacity Assessment 2. Jobseeker Plan 3. Job Analysis or Direct Registration An individualised plan is formed Achieve Employment visits a The jobseeker is referred to with the jobseeker to determine potential workplace and qualified Achieve Employment by Centrelink a pathway into employment that trainers conduct a thorough analysis or will register directly with us. meets their goals. on the company and job role.

4. Job Match 5. On The job Training 6. Ongoing Support The employer is presented The worker is trained for the role in the Workplace with three of our most suitable for up to three months full time, Achieve Employment visits candidates based on the Job which includes teaching them how the worker once a week to ensure Analysis; ultimately the employer to perform their duties. their success in their role. chooses who to hire.

page 4 Achieve Australia news Spring 2011

Benefits to the jobseeker • Highly individualised service. • Expert advice in becoming work ready and career progression.

• Access to FREE professional interview clothing.

• Assistance in job search. Getting more people into the workforce – • On the job training and support. • We ensure you are Changes to the employed under the right work conditions/wage. Disability Support Pension Over the last three budgets, the Jenny Mackin MP, Community Australian Government has initiated Services Manager, said “Many a series of reforms to fundamentally people with disability are great Benefits overhaul key aspects of the contributors, and many more want Disability Support Pension (DSP) to do more. We want to ensure to the to get more people into the we get the system right so that workforce and eliminate a lifetime it encourages and rewards effort, employer spent on income support. and doesn't penalise initiative.” • Achieve social responsibility. The most recent changes At Achieve Employment, only announced in July 2011 involve the 26% of people placed in work • Receive support from professional introduction of new Impairment currently receive the Disability staff and qualified trainers. Tables that reflect today's medical Support Pension. As a whole, and rehabilitation practice, ensuring 48% of workers don’t receive any • Individualised service – a person’s ability is reviewed when Government allowances at all. we meet your requirements. assessing their eligibility for the Pension, not just their disability or Operations Manager, Achieve • Save time and money mental health problem. Employment, Martine Porret said when recruiting. “Our aim at Achieve Employment There will also be more support is to help reduce the dependency • Assistance in role creation, for employers to cover the costs and need for a Disability Support freeing up your current staff. of recruiting and training when Pension. We want the people hiring someone with disability. placed in open employment to have • Employ a staff member who as much independence as possible.” is work ready and matched to your job. If you are a local employer looking for reliable staff or a jobseeker looking for work, please contact us on 02 9334 0900.

page 5 Achieve Community Great support from Gladesville Hornsby Football Association

Achieve Australia has been elected by Gladesville Hornsby Football Association to be their nominated charity for 2011. THE Nominated by one of our long serving volunteers, George Mavros, this affiliation involves a $13,000 donation towards our organisation’s unfunded and underfunded GOOD services for people with disability. Chief Executive Officer, Anne Bryce said “I’d like to thank the Gladesville Hornsby Football Association for LIFE this very generous donation.” As I See It

Five students from the University of things they liked and didn’t like of Western are volunteering about living in their community. with our Day Programs to assist with an exciting photography project. Focusing on the notion of achieving ‘The Good Life’, Nathalie Called ‘The Good Life As I See thought it would be a fantastic It’, the project involves Day opportunity for Day Program Program participants buddying up participants to express themselves with university students to take in a creative way. photographs of what they consider to be ‘The Good Life’. They are “It’s also a chance for people we working together to raise funds support to meet new people and UWS students and Day Program for digital cameras and visiting further develop their networks,” participants getting to know each other various locations to capture the said Nathalie, “They have all perfect image. At the conclusion naturally paired up with a student of the project, participants will buddy. It is amazing to see collate a portfolio of their favourite friendships being built.” photos for an exhibition at Araluen to celebrate the International Day This project is just one of the of People with Disability. new enjoyable programs being established leading up to the The inspiration stemmed from opening of Araluen. For more Operations Manager, Day Programs, information about Day Programs, Nathalie Neveu, who had stumbled contact us on 02 9034 1600. across a similar project conducted in Haiti, where children took photos

Deep in conversation

page 6 Spring Property Focus Developments Crowle Home Redevelopment Araluen Update

pagepage 7 7 Spring Focus Proposed Redevelopments • 470 dwellings. • Six buildings – height will range from one to seven storeys. • Maximum 584 car parking spaces (residential and visitor). • Open space areas. • Local transport plan. • Retention and refurbishment of the heritage house `Tellaraga’ (Crowle Home) and memorial gardens.

The current Belmore Street site

Exciting redevelopments at Crowle Home

Have you heard the news? Achieve So what does this mean for Overall, by opening up the purchase Australia has taken the next step in Achieve Australia and the people of apartments to the broader our overall Housing Strategy – we we support? community, we will be one step have put forward a proposal for the This ground breaking project will closer to our vision of achieving redevelopment of Crowle Home. make a significant difference for social inclusion. people with disability by providing If our Concept Plan is accepted, greater choice and creating a high Chief Executive Officer, Anne 76 Belmore Street, Ryde will level of excellence in ‘fit for purpose’ Bryce said, “Services for people soon become known as facilities. The security and economic with disability across Australia ‘Crowle Gardens’; a 470 dwelling self sufficiency created will also are in crisis. We are incredibly residential development with allow us to improve other services fortunate that we have the Achieve Australia retaining up to we provide, including community opportunity to develop and 10% of the apartments for people living, employment, day programs extend our facilities and programs with disability. and respite. for people with disability and their families in this area.” Similar co-housing developments In addition, Achieve Australia will have proved to be highly become less dependent on rentals successful overseas and in other and increase the ownership of parts of Australia. our properties.

page 8 The proposed plans for redevelopment

Why redevelop Crowle Home? place, we will continue to Achieve Australia will seek a joint Crowle Home was established on move residents into alternative venture partner for the next part the Belmore Street site in 1952 and housing within our community of the planning process. is no longer suitable for the needs living program. or expectations of the ageing How can I keep up to date with residents. Many of the buildings What about the Vintage and the progress? are now unusable and have already Value Enterprises? You can interact with us in the been closed. Thanks to the dedication and following ways: hard work of volunteers, the Achieve Blog We are confident that our proposed Vintage and Value Enterprises www.achieveaustralianews.org.au residential development will have become part of the heart substantially improve the living and soul of our organisation. Twitter conditions of people we support, www.twitter.com/AchieveAus while creating social integration After running onsite for many (@AchieveAus) with the surrounding community. years, it is our intention to work with the volunteers to discuss a Email The long history of the property will new location for these important [email protected] be honoured with the restoration community activities. and retention of the heritage listed Achieve Australia website Tellaraga house (Crowle Home) and What happens next? www.achieveaustralia.org.au memorial gardens. After our public exhibition period ends, the Department of What will happen to the current Planning and Infrastructure (DoPI) residents at Crowle Home? will assess our Environmental While there is a possibility Assessment Report (EA) and One step closer that some people can stay on submissions received to determine the property during the approval and conditions. to achieving redevelopment, residents may social inclusion. need or want to be relocated at Following DoPI approval, a some stage in the process. Development Application will be prepared and submitted to However, with a timeline for the Ryde Council. redevelopment not currently in page 9 Day Program activities What’s the update – Watch this space! Our staff has had several training on Araluen? days in preparation for the transition from Belmore Street, including visits Everything is progressing well at the new innovative hub for Day to various locations across Sydney Programs and Respite. Renovations at Araluen should be completed for inspiration for new activities. over the next six weeks and our staff are currently finalising transition We have also received great ideas plans and exciting new educational and creative programs. and feedback from Day Program participants and their families. After much collaboration, a shopping list of equipment required for future programs has now been devised.

A photography project has begun with students from University of Western Sydney, which will hopefully include our first photographic exhibition at Araluen in late 2011. We are also aiming to form an alliance with Northern Sydney TAFE to establish learning and training initiatives.

Stay tuned for more information in the next edition of Achieve News!

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Renovations are in the final weeks! Purchase • Fabulous balloons • Bathrooms have been engaged contractors for the • Party decorations completed. installation of a new accessible Hire kitchen. • Chairs and tables • Outdoor areas now feature • Glassware and plates access ramps, pathways and • The lift, manufactured in Italy, • Chafing dishes and Bain Maries recreational decking. has now arrived in Australia • Urns and percolators and is in the process of being Plus more! • Electrical installations are installed. It will be installed at As a social enterprise of Achieve in process. the same time as the kitchen. Australia, proceeds from sales and hire are channelled back • Interior painting is • Once everything is finalised, into the organisation to support nearly finished. we will be bringing out the various programs. beautiful furniture and crockery • The old kitchen has been from storage. Please contact us on 02 9804 8533 stripped out and we have or visit www.completeparty.com.au

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Celebrity encounters –

Alex Roustan had the “best day But the most exciting part of the ever” when he recently met some day was when Home and Away’s of his favourite celebrities from Director invited Alex to be an extra Home and Away. in one of the upcoming episodes!

An avid viewer of the TV show, “Everything was very cool,” said Alex has been keeping scrapbooks Alex. “I’ve always wanted to be an dating back to when Home and actor on the show.” Away began and was thrilled to have some of his pictures Alex was joined by other Day autographed. He also got the Program participants who also got opportunity to have photos taken the chance to interact with the cast with (who plays and find out firsthand how a Home Darryl ‘Brax’ Braxton), Lincoln and Away episode is filmed. Younes (Casey Braxton) and (Ruby Buckton).

page 11 Achieve Events

Achieve Thank you to everyone who Events contributed towards the event: Leisure MAJOR Learning SPONSORS Laugh Lines - ALLMARQUE Stanley Toohey NBRS + Lindt & Partners Sprungli Austbrokers Australia ABS Medina GIO Workers Apartment Compensation Hotels Elton Murray Harris Consulting Photography Manna From Navman Heaven - Nespresso Sydney Biscuit Company Next Generation Achieve Australia staff Ozmates Travel Club Ryde Taste Living Nutrimetics Ozmates Travel SUPPORTERS Andrew Hill Prolegis Achieve Australia Sports Lawyers Art Gallery Ryde Aquatic of NSW and Leisure Centre Bendigo Bank Rotary Club of Employee Blossom House Eastwood Florist Cumulus Estate Wines Stamford Grand North Conference Currency Ideas. Ryde Ideas that create rewards. St George Eastwood On 30 June 2011, we held our second and fitness coach Ariel Gonzalis Divisible By Zero State Member annual Employee Conference at who helps people with disability for Ryde, Waterview Conference facility in to improve their overall health Dog Tired Victor Homebush Bay. and wellbeing. Another highlight Event Cinemas Dominello MP from the day was the presentation Macquarie Spoonful As MC, Achieve Australia by Professor Simon Darcy from Centre Design Ambassador, Duncan Armstrong University of Technology, Sydney Federal Taste Living ensured the smooth running of the who talked about tourism and Member for event, including presentations by the current lack of accessibility Bennelong, Tenpin City our CEO Anne Bryce, Executive for people with disability who wish John Alexander The Art Scene Team and external guest speakers. to travel. MP Train Works Gallagher Hotel Hannen Abdallah and actor, Thank you to all of our external Management - Top Ryde City Union Hotel Shopping Gerard O’Dwyer, spoke to us about speakers as well as our suppliers Centre overcoming barriers to achieve HESTA, St George Eastwood, Green and Gold their dream careers, despite their Access Pay, Bright Sky and Printers Vodafone Hutchinson disability. We also heard from OzMate Travel, who contributed Governor Australia Daniel Kyriacou on behalf of the towards an informative and General, Her Every Australian Counts campaign insightful conference. Excellency, Waterview in Quentin Bryce Bicentennial AC Park Hunt and Hunt Wines By Lawyers Design Intimo Lingerie Yvonne Levenston

page 12 Achieve Australia news Spring 2011 Achieving with the Stars Our Achieving with the Stars Gala Evening was a wonderful night of celebration and great entertainment held at the exquisite Curzon Hall on Friday 8 July. Duncan Armstrong with his caricature by Stanley Toohey

Our fabulous auctioneer, Mr Sold Russell Wilkinson and Leah Atkinson on the dance floor

Duncan and the face of Achieve Australia, Paul Perazza Paul Lynch (ALLMARQUE), Anne Bryce, Duncan Armstrong, Vince Boulus (ALLMARQUE) and Ian Rutter (Chairman, Achieve Australia) pagepage 13 13 Upcoming Events

DisabiliTea – 10th Annual Fundraising Golf Day and Lunch Building support for As one of our most well supported events of the year, the Achieve Australia an NDIS annual golf days are always enjoyable for golfing enthusiasts and novices alike. At the beginning of August 2011, numerous occasions for our Achieve Australia hosted four organisation’s community and PR At the milestone event to be held at DisabiliTeas to promote the need events and we really appreciated Killara Golf Club on Thursday 6 October, for a National Disability Insurance him opening up his home for the we will be joined by sporting legends Scheme (NDIS) within our local DisabiliTea. Duncan Armstrong and John Alexander. community. We will be having a nice early start The other DisabiliTeas at with registration and breakfast at 7am We were honoured by the guest Residential, Achieve Employment and 8am shotgun. After completing the appearance of John Alexander MP, and the Eastwood head office all 18 holes, lunch will be provided. There Federal Member for Bennelong, went well with many more people will be novelty events, auctions, raffle at the DisabiliTea in Russell signing up to show their support prizes and the Sponsors’ Cup up for grabs. Wilkinson’s home in Eastwood. for an NDIS. Russell has volunteered on Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Hurry, places are filling up fast! Get a team of four together and download the registration form - www.achieveaustralia.org.au/ annual_golf_day

Annual Crowle Fete The Annual Crowle Fete on Saturday 5 November 2011 is shaping up to be John Alexander MP with Lionel Saxby and Leah Atkinson an exciting day filled with music, entertainment, a jumping castle, games and a wide range of stalls. It’s not too late to get involved! If you would like to volunteer or contribute to the event, please contact us at [email protected].

Movie Fundraising Night at Event Cinemas

Fancy a night out at the movies?

Enjoying the DisabiliTea at the Eastwood office Join Achieve Australia for a fundraising night at Event Cinemas, Macquarie Centre on Wednesday 14 December City2Surf – We survived! 2011. We will be watching a screening Achieve Australia formed a team of the new release film ‘New Year’s Eve’ to participate in The Sun Herald with Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Biel 2011 City2Surf. and Ashton Kutcher. Stay tuned for more information. Everyone in the team succeeded in completing the famous 14km Enquiries: event, raising money for Achieve [email protected]. Australia in the process.

page 14 Achieve Australia news Spring 2011

Corporate volunteers – In the In-Kind Donations past, corporate volunteers have Donations of goods and services been involved in successful garden that can be auctioned or raffled It’s a makeovers in the homes of people at our fundraising events are most with disability. However, we are welcome. Donors will receive always open to new ideas! appropriate recognition and acknowledgement of their gift. School or university students – Date! Spend time with our Day Program Please donate your unwanted cut participants on a weekly basis or fabrics, needlecraft supplies, clothes, 6 October 2011 - 10th Annual become involved with an exciting books, plants and household items Fundraising Golf Day and Lunch project. to the Achieve Australia Vintage at Killara Golf Club. and Value Enterprises. 5 November 2011 – Annual Crowle Be a buddy – Form a close Fete at 76 Belmore Street, Ryde. companionship with someone we support by taking them 14 December 2011 – Movie Visit our website Fundraising Night at Event shopping or having a weekly casual chat over coffee. www.achieveaustralia.org.au Cinemas, Macquarie Centre – and follow the ‘How You Can ‘New Year’s Eve’ If you would like to get involved, Help’ links for more information View our website for full details visit the ‘Volunteering’ section on all these activities. about these events – on our website and complete the www.achieveaustralia.org.au. Alternatively, you can call us on interest form. 02 9034 1600. Purchase our Goods or Services All proceeds from sales are How you can help channelled back into Achieve Australia to help us continuously Achieve Australia Want to make a donation? improve our provision of services To make a tax deductible donation for people with disability. Social Media to Achieve Australia, simply visit www.achieveaustralia.org.au and Vintage and Value click on the ‘Donate Now’ button. Enterprises – Open Mondays, New-look Achieve Blog Fridays and 1st Sunday of the www.achieveaustralianews.org.au. You can donate by credit card, month. Entry via Porter Street, or cheque as well as BPay. A tax Ryde. Call 02 8878 3353 during Facebook deductible receipt will be issued opening hours. www.facebook.com/AchieveAus within minutes and your donation will start making a difference to Complete Party - Open 6 days. Twitter the lives of people we support. 1039 Victoria Road, West Ryde. www.twitter.com/AchieveAus Call 02 9804 8533. (@AchieveAus) Become a volunteer Achieve Australia has a variety Merchandise – Caps, t-shirts LinkedIn of opportunities for volunteers to and copies of the book Paul: His www.linkedin.com/company/ get involved throughout the year. Story by Wendy Cosier available achieve-australia for purchase. More coming soon. Fundraising events – Join a Call 02 9034 1600. Website fundraising committee or help www.achieveaustralia.org.au out on the day. Commercial Enterprises – If your organisation requires Subscribe to our e-Newsletter Vintage and Value Enterprises – high quality packaging and www.achieveaustralia.org.au/ Become part of the fabulous assembly solutions, contact us subscribe_newsletter team at our Needlecraft Emporium, at [email protected] Fabric Cave, Laurel Grove, Folly or 1800 106 661. Nursery, Pre-loved Clothing or Second-hand Bookshop.

page 15 Register a team annual fundraising golf day NOW and lunch Download the registration form online www.achieveaustralia.org.au with sporting legends or call 02 9034 1600 Duncan Armstrong and John Alexander

Killara Golf Club 556 Pacific Highway, Killara NSW Thursday 6 October 2011 Registration opens at 7.00am Shotgun at 8.00am

highlights • Sporting Legends’ Challenge & Novelty Events • Great prizes to be won all day • Auctions and raffles • Entertainment • Perpetual Sponsors’ Cup

Special thanks to our Major Sponsors:

Achieve Australia PO Box 1029 Eastwood NSW 2122 T: 02 9034 1600 F: 02 9874 8870 [email protected] www.achieveaustralia.org.au building extraordinary lives ABN: 49 133 306 902

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