MATTERS
Spring Edition 2015
From the CEO
Picture: Riverine Herald
On 16 September
2015 the dates for the
roll out of the
National Disability
Insurance Scheme
(NDIS) in Victoria
were announced.
For MHS, the key dates are May 2017 for our
Echuca and Kyabram sites, and January 2019
for Swan Hill and Kerang.
From those dates our clients will start to
transition from their current funding
arrangements to funding under the NDIS.
It will, however, be anything but a seamless
transfer of funding sources unless we, and the
people we support, are well prepared.
Now that we know the start date for the arrival
of the NDIS, our preparations – which are well
underway - will gather pace.
We have much more to do.
Inside this Issue:
Page 1:
From the CEO
Page 2:
Lockington Golf Day
Page 3:
Lockington Golf Day
Page 4:
School Based Trainees
Page 5:
Staff Training
Page 6:
Swan Hill Expressive Arts Program & AGM
Page 7:
Watch this space
Page 8:
Meet the Board
Page 9:
Follow us on Facebook
Page 10:
Staff News & Client Milestones
Page 11:
Client Dinner Dance
Page 12:
In the News
For example, the NDIS will require us to vastly
improve our data and information
systems, so there will be a shift from paper
based record keeping to computerised
solutions.
With our workforce, it will need to be upskilled
and more flexible as, amongst other things,
the traditional model of delivery of day
programs is likely to change.
And our services – programs, accommodation
and supported employment – we must ensure
that they are agile enough to swiftly respond
to the changing needs of the people who
receive and depend on those services.
The primary objectives of the NDIS are to
provide people with disabilities more choice
and control over the lives they want to lead –
and that is entirely consistent with MHS’
mission to empower people with disabilities to
achieve great lives.
To fulfil that mission every component of our
organisation must be focussed on, and
responsive to, the needs of not just the
people we support, but their families, carers
and the broader MHS community.
The NDIS is a once in a generation social
reform which has vast support in the general
community – and we’re privileged to be at the
forefront of that reform.
As our newly minted Prime Minister recently
observed, it’s never been a better time to be
an Australian.
Scott Alexander
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Spring 2015
Lockington Golf Day ...
On Sunday 30 August, the Lockington Golf Club hosted our second MHS Golf Day 4-person
Ambrose event.
It was a fantastic day with over 90 golfers on course, including visitors from Bamawm,
Rochester, Rich River and Quarry Hill.
The Creative Kitchens crew cooked a delicious all-day barbecue for the very hungry golfers,
while Flip Evans kept everyone hydrated on course zipping around in the golf cart to deliver
beverages.
Golfers enjoyed expert advice and tips from Rich River Golf Club’s Pro “Ben”, and the many prizes and giveaways during the day.
Thank you to Flip and his team for organising another successful day, raising over $7000 and
special thanks to our major partners, Moama RSL and the Lockington Golf Club (who had the
course in pristine condition).
MHS—Pathways to Independence
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Spring 2015
Lockington Golf Day ...
Many thanks to the following
supporters
Ash Hall Cycles
Bennett Sports
Coolabah Turf
Cottrams Family Butchers
Dempsey Galvan Timber
Dorman Electrical
Echuca Betta Electrical
Echuca Lucky Lotto
Echuca Mazda
Echuca Pump Shop
Elders Residential Echuca
Feedomatic
Forty Winks
Horsfalls Optometrist
Hunter Rural Merchandise
Kober Echuca
Maddison Livestock & Property
Majors Supa IGA
McGillivray Electrical
Merridale Angus
Murray Goulburn Rochester
Nichol Trading
Paperartzi
Paul Evans Welding
Reece Plumbing
Rochester Native Nursery
Rochester Sportspower
Rochester Tyre & Batteries
Smartmove Computing
Underground Constructions
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Spring 2015
School Based Trainees ...
Secondary students can undertake training in
the accredited course CHC30408 Certificate III
in Disability as part of a School Based
Traineeship with MHS.
They attend weekly training sessions with our
senior trainer, Karen Carpenter, and participate
in employment at the various sites of MHS for
one day a week.
Current School Based Trainees in Echuca are
Ebony Vicary-Lackmann, Gabrielle Vick-Elgar
and Jade Groves.
Ebony works side by side the Supported
Employees on Mondays and is involved in
various contracts at Echuca Regional Health, the
car wash and also works in administration.
Jade (left) and Ebony on a site tour
of Kerang
Gabrielle is based at High Street South on a
Thursday assisting with the Body Therapy and
Armchair Travel programs.
Jade Is also based at High Street South and on
Mondays travels to Shepparton with the
Hydrotherapy program.
We also have a Swan Hill School Based Trainee Brylie Cattlin. Brylie is based at Harrod’s Lane
on Fridays and assists with the Day Service’s
Programs.
Brylie (left) catches up with Gabrielle
during a visit to Echuca
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Spring 2015
Staff Training ...
In August Echuca and Kyabram staff attended training at High
Street South.
The emphasis was on getting ready for the National Disability
Insurance Scheme, which begins to roll out in Echuca in May
2017. The key presentations on that topic were delivered by
David Moody, National Disability Services’ Victorian State
Manager, and Amy Whelan of Mesh Communications.
Services Manager Nicole Doolan, presented training on
Non Violent Crisis Intervention.
Here Nicole is demonstrating the techniques of non violent crisis
intervention with Annette Allan (above left) and also with Swan
Hill staff, Joanne O’Bree and Wendy Graham.
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Spring 2015
Swan Hill Expressive Arts Program ...
Preparations are well underway for the
Imagine that Magical Mystery Tour
Concert.
Clients have been busy constructing
and painting sets, with
rehearsals in full swing.
“Imagine that Magical Mystery Tour”
Concert
Swan Hill Town Hall, Thursday 3rd of December.
11.00am and 7.00pm.
Tickets available from Harrods Lane. Ph: 5033 1351
$10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children and concession.
8.30
AM
Annual General Meeting ...
“Achieving Great Lives”
Murray Human Services Invites you to attend our
16th Annual General Meeting
Tuesday, 20 October, 2015, 1.00pm
Swan Hill Club, Swan Hill
RSVP: 9 October
Phone: 03 5480 6611
Fax: 03 5482 6708
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Spring 2015
Watch this space...
11.00 AM
Swan Hill...
Fireworks and a night of
entertainment by
The Drowning Sorrows
2.40 PM
Date soon to be released
Task Force Kerang...
Plans are before the Gannawarra Shire for a
facade makeover and construction of a
verandah at Task Force Kerang.
Works are also underway for a new side
entrance, gate and fence.
Watch this space as works proceed!!
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Spring 2015
Meet the Board ...
Introducing:
How long have you been a board member? 13 years.
Why MHS? My youngest son Brian has Down Syndrome
and after finishing at the Special School in Swan Hill he
entered employment at Task Force. He is nearly 33 now,
so that was 14 years ago. A year or so after Brian started
employment, I was asked if I would take membership on
the Board. It was a time of new development, growth and
change for MHS. Initially I had to wonder what specifically
I had to offer, but I needn’t have worried and I’ve been
there ever since!
What do you love best about your role? I’ve seen lots of
changes over the years and have seen the organisation
develop with more emphasis on providing a good
opportunity for employment and other services. It has
been a really rewarding role. On a personal front I have
seen my own son grow from being a lad finishing school
to a young man who has grown enormously in confidence
and ability.
Are there any challenges? There have been quite a few
over the years. The changing demands of government
and standards and the amount of work that goes into
ensuring those standards are met has been difficult at
times. There is so much paperwork and managerial work
on top of the main purpose of providing for those with
disabilities and I don’t think people always realise or
appreciate how much background work goes into that.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Melbourne. After I
married my husband John we lived in the Western District
for 16 years, and then moved onto a sheep farm just
outside Kerang in 1983 when Brian was just 12 mths old.
Childhood ambition? I was always going to be a nurse,
which is what I became. I had to give up nursing when we
got married because I had my children very close
together.
Tell us about your work? I trained as a nurse at St
Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne and had grand ideas of
what it would be like to be a nurse and of the wonderfully
exciting theatre work I would do. That was a far cry from
what we found once we got there and started nursing.
But it was a wonderful job – I loved being able to help
people and make them feel comfortable.
Favorite holiday spot? I’m not very big on holidays, but
we used to go to Port Fairy for a couple of weeks in the
summer – usually because the weather was pleasant
down there at that time. We also used to visit Bright
around Christmas time and I always found
that to be a lovely place.
Elaine
Coolahan
Tell us about your family?
I grew up with four brothers – two older and two
younger. My late husband John and I had seven children together, of whom Brian is the youngest. When
we moved to Kerang we had three in high school,
two in primary school and two at home. My children
live all over the place now – Brian is in Echuca, I have
a son in Melbourne, another son in Darwin and a
daughter who’s been living in Hong Kong for two
years as a speech pathologist working at an international school. I have 15 grandchildren – ranging in
ages from 8mths to 25 years.
Can you share something about yourself which
might surprise us? I live across the road from the
high school and for the past ten years I have been
the school’s staff room ‘tea lady’. Every day I make
and serve the morning tea and clean up afterwards.
It keeps me out among people and involved in my
community. Other than that, I enjoy being at home,
reading books and knitting. I don’t worry too much
about watching television.
Best thing about living in Kerang?
Kerang is a friendly, pleasant town. It’s attractive to
drive down the streets and I enjoy the familiarity and
sense of belonging. I still have my independence and
am within driving distance of my family which is
important.
MHS Board Members
Currently the Board comprises:
Vince Fusti (President, based in Echuca)
Ted Paynter (Vice President, Swan Hill)
Paul Glennen (Treasurer, Echuca)
Elaine Coolahan (Kerang)
Andrea Fitzsimmons (Echuca)
Denis Gell (Swan Hill)
James Goulding (Shepparton)
Geoff Tighe (Moama)
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Spring 2015
Follow us on Facebook ...
Echuca Creative Kitchens Cooking Course
Swan Hill Netball for All Abilities Program
A joint initiative of Mallee Sports Assembly,
Swan Hill Netball Association and Netball
Victoria
Tri State Games
Trivia Night Fundraiser
Task Force Kerang
Plant propagation
micro business is
expanding!!
Regional Network Development Consultation Workshop
Task Force Echuca is a finalist in the
GMCU Campaspe Murray Business Awards!
Below is the photo shoot of the troops taken by the
Riverine Herald. Winners to be announced
October 14, fingers crossed!
Disability advocate
Maureen Hewitt, with
Kiahna Shields and
Maree Miliano
expressed their views
at the workshop
facilitated by Public
Transport
Victoria.
Our website continues to evolve and attracts a broad range
of viewers, both locally and from around the world. Visit our
website to read our latest CEO news, find out more about us,
and just to enjoy a good browse:
www.murrayhumanservices.org.au
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Spring 2015
Staff News and Client Milestones...
20
Years of
Service
Geraldine Gallivan started working with (now
Task Force Echuca’s Business Coordinator)
Wendy Austin and at Pygalls which is now the
Star Hotel.
Geraldine, worked at the Moama Public School
Canteen with Wendy Quinn and Rose Quinn for
many years and for the past 3 years has been
working at Francis Street.
At Task Force , Gerri enjoys cleaning- we would
all love Gerri at our house for a week as she is
so particular with the quality of her work and
Francis Street is always “gleaming”. She loves
to clean oven racks and her ironing skills are
peerless.
Gerri’s outgoing and happy personality brings a
ray of sunshine to Francis Street on the days
she works!
David Turnball is a valued member of the
Task Force Echuca Cleaning/Car Wash
Team.
He is a keen advocate for his work
colleagues and a popular and happy
member of the Team.
David loves to “spin a yarn or two” and is
always happy to share a joke. He ia also a
very keen author of science fiction short
stories with plot lines sure to give readers a
fright.
David takes great pride in his work and its
quality is fabulous.
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Spring2015
Client Dinner Dance ...
In the lead up to this year’s dinner dance, Clients spent many hours making
table centres, decorations and even creating and painting the props. Such is the reputation of this
evening, guests travel all the way from Maryborough as well as two bus loads made the journey
from Swan Hill, fantastic effort!
Thank you to all those involved in organising the dance, everyone looked amazing.
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Spring 2015
In the news ...
Contact us:
MHS Echuca
461 High Street
MHS Swan Hill
Harrods Lane
MHS Kyabram
17 Albion Street
Web: www.murrayhumanservices.org.au
Phone: 5480 6611
Phone: 5032 2170
Phone: 5853 1990
Task Force Echuca
Phone:
Phone:
Phone:
Phone:
Task Force Kerang
Task Force Swan Hill
Francis Street
Mundarra Road
Scoresby Street
Shepherds Road
5480 2699
5482 6938
5450 3036
5033 2722
A0038286X
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