In February Melba supported 19 people to attend the annual VALID ‘Having a Say’ conference in Geelong. This year’s theme was “Lead your life”, and the conference centred around the six powers of self-advocacy: Self-Expression, Self-Determination, Self-Confidence, Self-Reliance, Self-Development, and Self-Esteem.The conference was a great opportunity for people to make new connections and friendships, and participate in forums about NDIS,

and future housing and accommodation options. There was also plenty of time for fun, and one group from Melba combined the conference with a supported recreation and skill building trip. Apart from attending the conference they also cruised to Sorrento on the Searoad Ferry, explored Point Nepean, and dressed up for a night of dining, partying and dancing at the Pier. A visit to Werribee Mansion was their final stop before heading home.

Catherine recently moved out of her family home, and with the support of Melba’s ISL team she’s enjoying living independently in a place of her own. According to Catherine, the best things about living in her own home are “having some time and space to myself, and being able to go out when I want to. I’m learning how to look after my own money, and I like having greater choice about my staff and who comes into my home.”Although Catherine was very excited to move into her own place, it’s taken some getting used to. “The best thing about

living at home was that I didn’t have to do all of the housework that I have to do now!’”Living independently in the community has also meant that Catherine can get another job. She now volunteers two days per week, sharing her time between Brotherhood of St Lawrence in Bentleigh and Kilsyth. She’s also working towards finding paid employment.So what’s Catherine’s next challenge? “I have just started learning how to cook my own dinners. Last week I made veggie burgers for dinner and they were yum!”

‘HAVING A SAY’ CONFERENCE

A PLACE TO CALL HOME

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N E W S L E T T E R

In January, six people were supported by Melba on a 5 day trip to Lakes Entrance. Colquhoun State Forest was a highlight with its Trestle Bridge, walking tracks and picnic area. The group also visited the lakes history centre and museum to learn more about the local area. There was time to soak up some sunshine at Ninety Mile Beach, and spend an evening at a local carnival. The group also visited the Buchan caves and took an eco-tour on the waterways. Lots of fun and great memories for everyone involved.

A colleague recently suggested to me that, for Melba, 2017 is the ‘year of brilliance and opportunity’ and I think that’s a great way to approach the changes that this year will bring. First and foremost will be the opportunities flowing from the National Disability Insurance

Scheme (NDIS). A number of people we support already receive funding through the NDIS – and it’s going well! One man we support is now successfully living in his own home as a result of NDIS funding. There will be many more great stories as people make the transition from November this year (eastern suburbs) or in 2018 (southern suburbs).At Melba, we’ve been preparing for the NDIS for several years to ensure that people we support, and those who might be considering purchasing our services, can make a successful transition.One of the first things we have done is expand our planning process. Sarina Bunnett and her team of facilitators have developed a ‘pre-plan’ to assist people to prepare for their first NDIS plan. It will help you consider the goals you want to achieve, and reduce any anxiety you might feel about transitioning to the NDIS. If you’re interested, please call Sarina on 9212 0134.Sarina is also planning a series of NDIS information sessions throughout 2017. We will advertise these sessions on social media and our website, so look out for those if you want more information about how Melba can help you or your family member benefit from the NDIS.

The NDIS will also be positive for our staff. We look forward to growing new job opportunities and career pathways. Melba is proud of our reputation for providing excellent person-centred services (with distinction!) and our staff are the key to this success. Sally Nicol, in her new role of General Manager, People, Culture and Quality is keen to keep all our staff informed about NDIS-related changes and the resulting benefits.I recently had the great privilege of talking with families at a housing forum in Mornington. Melba was asked to work with Community Lifestyle Accommodation, and we’ve helped to progress a project that will deliver new homes on the Peninsula to eight people. We are hopeful that many other similar projects will create more housing choices for people with disabilities. The Specialist Disability Accommodation payment, available through the NDIS, is a very positive development, stimulating new thinking about how to increase the supply of housing.Finally, an update on our merger discussions with Karden Disability Support Foundation that we announced in December last year. Karden has already started providing services under the NDIS in the Ballarat area. The Boards of both organisations, along with senior staff, are working hard to ensure the merger will be a positive experience. A key foundation of the merger is to take the best of both organisations. We are already sharing our knowledge and experience which will help the individuals we support.I think 2017 will indeed be a ‘year of brilliance’– a year to shine!

CEO, GLENN FOARD

SUMMER FUN IN

LAKES ENTRANCE

Melba’s new Chief Operating Officer, Hayley Dean, brings with her over 20 years diverse experience in the disability sector. Hayley describes her role at Melba - in a nutshell - as supporting the organisation to thrive in an NDIS environment whereby “more and more people can lead everyday lives”. “Melba’s culture is one of our greatest assets, and it is really important that we continue to nurture our culture into an NDIS world. Our culture is critical to everything we do, including our financial planning and our long term strategies. Of course we want to continue to support people to live an everyday life, but we also want to grow into the future to support more people to live the life of their choosing. People will always come first at Melba.” Hayley has a passion for human rights, from her early days being a part of deinstitutionalisation and working in one of the first three community residential houses in the state, to seeing in the NDIS where the person truly is in the driver’s seat and people have real choice and control. So, what brings Hayley to Melba?“I’ve worked all my life to enable people to exercise choice and control. Melba exemplifies this, supporting people to be heard and to make their own decisions. I couldn’t find a better fit in terms of Melba’s rights-based values and respect for people. It really is a privilege for me to work in this environment and be part of Melba’s community and future.”

We’ve been sharing a lot of smiles recently with the rollout of Melba’s ‘One Community’ project. You might remember the pilot project in 2014 which involved wheelchair art on giant canvases. It was so enjoyable, but also a bit tricky to replicate! So for the rollout we scaled down our ‘works of art’ to a more manageable size – reusable canvas shopping bags.With the generous support of Yarra Ranges Council, we’re expanding the project to Mt Evelyn, Bimbadeen and Rolling Hills Primary Schools. The project is an opportunity for primary school students to talk about disability in a safe space and learn that we’re all a bit different - but still part of ‘one community’. In late 2016 we visited Mt Evelyn Primary, where students’ natural inquisitiveness brought out plenty of really interesting and thoughtful questions, like “How often does he have cake?”, “What is her favourite place?”, “What size are his shoes?” and “What does he treasure most?”.Malcolm taught students some key word signs, including how to say coffee and cake; book; home; ‘thank you’; and ‘Happy Christmas’; and Brendan shared with everyone his unique way of waving hello. Sam, Sarah, Grace and Tristan also participated in the project, sharing their own stories.Students and people we support decorated their own calico bag with handprints using multi-coloured paint and it wasn’t long before students realised that Sam had the biggest hand prints of all! “We learnt how to work as one community together… that we’re united not divided.” said Mackenzie, Grade 6. We hope to see the bags used all across Yarra Ranges conveying the ‘One Community’ message.

ONE COMMUNITY -

SHARING AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE

MEET HAYLEY DEAN - MELBA’S NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

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Able Bakehouse produce a unique and delicious range of biscuits and slices that anyone can purchase – whether you’re an individual, a café owner or a local business.Through the Able Bakehouse, Melba provides the opportunity for people with disabilities and members of the community to work together and participate in a valued role. You can support Able Bakehouse by purchasing our high-quality

baked products, or by becoming a community partner in our new Social Enterprise Hub – helping us to create more opportunities for people to get involved.

CONTACT US Able Bake House Kerry Kift, Project Manager 0413 719 474ablebakehouse@melbasupport.com.au

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is coming to the Eastern suburbs in November. Have questions about the NDIS? Call Melba today.

CONTACT USSarina Bunnett (03) 9212 0134sarina.bunnett@melbasupport.com.au

NDIS

THE ABLE BAKEHOUSE

EMPOWERING PEOPLE THROUGH BAKING