endeavour Gladstone’s new outlook | PAGE 7 Volunteers surprised | PAGE 5 John still creating at 70 | PAGE 9 Winter 2015 From the Chairman In this edition: Autism awareness 3 and CEO Amazing volunteers 5 From school to work 6 Your chance People make Milestone for artist 9 to drive us us who we are Love my life 13 forward Over the last few weeks I have been able to do what I enjoy most of all. I have been Home evaluation 15 If you want to help steer Endeavour catching up with some of the people at the Foundation into the future, now is the time heart of what we do. to put up your hand. The opening of the new Learning & The nominations are open for members Lifestyle location in Gladstone meant to stand in their local Area Committee I could say hello to people we support Have elections, so this is your chance to have and their families, and meet some of the a say and influence our way forward. many friends of Endeavour Foundation. It The Board of Directors is one element was great to see that our allies at Autism your of governance. We also need powerful Queensland are our neighbours. It is a say voices to offer thoughts, opinions and wonderful opportunity to create a new advice from other stakeholders. focal point for families in Gladstone. I would like to thank the Victoria Area In Rockhampton, I met some of the Committee for helping to make our residents who will live in houses being inaugural Regional Forum in Melbourne constructed as part of the At Home Our survey asked: What do you a success. There were 32 people in With Choices program. Independent want to know about the NDIS? attendance and their input, including a living in a supportive environment is an “How people can work now on identifying their range of issues and recommendations to important goal. be considered by the Board and executive, needs so they are prepared and informed of Rockhampton will be in our sights again in all options.” was highly constructive. a few weeks as it provides the backdrop “The process for those people who fall into the The Forum heard about the role of the for the finish of our Queensland Great 65 and older age group during the start-up of local Area Committee and the value to Endeavour Rally™. I would like to take the NDIS.” Endeavour Foundation of participating as this opportunity to thank the teams and “How can information [about the NDIS] be an elected member. This is why the Area supporters for doing such amazing conveyed to people with a disability who lack Committee elections are so important. fundraising for Endeavour Foundation. the support to attend forums?” Your nomination could make a huge Enjoy the ride, and come back safely. difference to our future. “The planning process for my 10-year-old son.” “Need information on how [the NDIS] will work I urge you to think about it. This is an in 24/7 accommodation.” opportunity to represent people with a disability in your community. “What are the qualifications of the [NDIS] David Barbagallo planners? What training do they have prior to CEO starting the NDIS?” “My responsibilities to obtain the best assistance for my child, and possible job Grant Murdoch prospects as an advocate or LAC (Local Area Chairman Coordinator) with the NDIA.” “I would like to hear more about 24/7 houses and trial sites for them.” “What are the alternative ways of helping people identify their needs? Are there ‘how to’ workshops for individuals, especially those with a mental illness?” Read more about our NDIS Families Forums on page 11 Cover shot: Geoffrey Atwell amongst thousands of chrysanthemums in Bundaberg, ready for Mother’s Day despatches. Photo Max Fleet / APN. We would love to hear what you think. Keep in touch with us at Phone 07 3908 7138 | Email [email protected] facebook.com/endeavourfoundation Call 1800 63 4040 to update your address details or stop receiving this magazine. Find us on twitter @endeavourf 2 | endeavour Around our regions World Autism 1 Awareness Day 2 April 2015 3 2 2 4 4 6 5 1. Cairns Learning & Lifestyle joined the ‘Go Blue for Autism’ 4. Flying the flag at Kearney Springs Learning & Lifestyle in campaign with (left to right) Louis Black, Troy Singleton, Mel Toowoomba were (left to right) Emma Storey, Grant Roche, Craig Fehlhaber and Robert Thygesen leading the way. McLardy, Isaac Campbell, Peter Balderson, David Johnson. 2. The team at Endeavour Foundation Wacol wore blue, including 5. The Townsville team celebrations included a specially made blue (left to right) Daniel Rivers, Kaye Maskey, Amanda Upton, cake and fundraising for the month-long campaign. Leanne Widdows, Heather Livingston, Ben Carr, Darryl 6. The Castle Hill commercial enterprise in Sydney marked the Beaven and Kanita Ramage. day, led by (back row, left to right) Emily Fogarty, Amal Michel, 3. Going blue at the Townsville business service were (left to right) Anthony Noonan, Anna Sindel, Daniel Brotheridge, Sean Cath Barlow, Maree Allen, Kevin Shephard, Matthew Nielson Graham, and (front row, left to right) Nicholas Jones, Marek and Zilla Ball. Klus, Gregory Balaam, Alison Harper, Cameron Mathewson. endeavour | 3 Key to future independence Kathy Greenwood cannot wait to Animal tales: Josh Cody with his self- move into her new home. published books. She is one of 12 people with a disability who will live in three five-bedroom houses being built in the Rockhampton suburb of Norman Bringing Trixi Gardens as part of Endeavour Foundation’s At Home With Choices program. and Josh to life People who access Endeavour Foundation Josh Cody enjoys working services and CEO David Barbagallo recently turned the first sod to mark the as a recycling sorter at beginning of construction on the $1.6 million Endeavour Foundation in accommodation development. Bendigo, Victoria but he is also Kathy is looking forward to moving in, and is considering starting her own a talented storyteller. vegetable garden. Josh has loved drawing since he was “I am excited to live in a smaller home with young, and has written, illustrated and my two friends Suzy and Judy,” said Kathy. self-published his stories about Trixi and Good turn: Kathy Greenwood and CEO “It is a new adventure and it looks like a David Barbagallo do the honours to signal Josh. He says his characters enjoy great pretty area, where I will have more privacy.” the start of construction in Rockhampton. adventures in his imaginary world. Up to four people will be able to live in each “Parts of the book are about the life I would of the new houses, and will have access to their own private space with a patio adjoining like to have. I like to get away from reality,” each bedroom. Josh said. Mr Barbagallo says delivering homes with fewer tenants will offer a better lifestyle and foster His plot-lines comes to him out of the blue, independence for people with a disability. even when he is working. “Residents will have more choice and greater opportunities for independent living skill “I think about stories while I’m up on the development, within a supportive environment,” he said. line, ideas pop into my head,” Josh said. Inaugural Victoria forum is great success Families and carers in Socialising outside of work hours to Victoria made the most of increase physical activity and improve interaction between services, was the opportunity presented also discussed. by our first regional forum Committee member Brendan Millane in Melbourne. It is the best spoke to the group about the work of attended forum to date. the Area Committee and the benefits of participating to support Endeavour The 32 parents, guardians, siblings and Foundation in the Victorian Region. Victoria calls: Area Committee members (left members at the event, held at the Kew Attendees had the opportunity to meet with to right) Brendan Millane, Bruce McBroom and business service, took the opportunity to ask Beverley Knowles alongside General Manager Asset Deputy Chair Bellas and the CEO on a one- Management Unit Greg Wasmund. questions of Endeavour Foundation CEO on-one basis, through the “Conversations David Barbagallo and Deputy Chair of the “It was the first time as a group we’ve that Matter” session. Board of Directors Tony Bellas. ever had people identify socialising as an The forum also created an opportunity to Forum facilitator Melinda Ewin, Senior important issue,” she said. contribute ideas about workplace training, Advisor of Endeavour Foundation’s The Board and CEO will examine all of the transport, accommodation, communication Community and Advocacy Support Unit, issues and consider the recommendations and more. says the event was a success. which were raised at the forum. 4 | endeavour Volunteers give happy & live happy Four wonderful people have “I don’t do it to get received honours to mark praise, I just love National Volunteer Week to help…I really (May 11-17). enjoy working with people.” Les Jones Les Jones of Bundaberg can’t believe he has been named Endeavour Foundation people with a disability how to Volunteer of the Year. cook, sail and sew. Carol and Sheila were nominated for their “It was a surprise to receive the award stellar efforts in sorting quality because I don’t do it to get praise, I just love clothing donations, as well as to help and to see the amazing people with their support for people with a a disability who use Endeavour Foundation disability at the business service. Amazing: Les Jones is Endeavour services,” Les said.