SCENE AT SHARE CARE Summer 2011 |
CEO Chit Chat
Welcome to the Summer 2010-11 Scene at Share Care Newsletter. What a three months it has been! Firstly we had the reopening of the Support Centre. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding support of our corporate and individual sponsors. Without them the centre would not be the amazing place it has become. I had the pleasure of being part of the opening on the 27th November and I got to meet lots of families and friends of Share Care. The highlight of my day was seeing the excitement and laughter coming from the children as they entered the building and played in their centre. There were a lot of excited carers, staff and community members and the new sensory room was a hit.
The AGM was held in November 2010 and we welcomed a new board member, Anthony Keyzer and a sad goodbye to Michelle Siciliano. Our Board of Directors continue to invest many hours in supporting Share Care. Their commitment to good governance and standards is second to none. I thank them for that.
Share Care has joined the growing list of organisations supporting and participating in the inquiry into a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). You may have seen recent media articles regarding the scheme and wondered what it is all about. We believe this scheme has the potential to transform the lives of Australians with a disability and their families. The concept is very simple: a NDIS could provide people with a disability with the care, support, services, therapy and equipment they need to lead an ordinary life. As a Medicare-type scheme it would create a secure and consistent pool of funds for services and support.
Most importantly, it could provide support and assistance to all people with a disability no matter how their disability was acquired.
To find out more and TAKE ACTION!!: visit www.everyaustraliancounts.com.au or pick up a flyer at one of our centres and or ask one of our staff. Let’s take action together!
Sherie Avalos
Our Time at Summer Holiday Camp
On the 10-14 January 2011, 9 clients, 3 staff and I went to Broken Bay to experience a Sport and Recreational Camp.
It was everyone’s first time away at this kind of camp and the first time away for a whole week for some also.
With the goodbyes said to their parents we were ready to start our adventure. We took the bus to a wharf and then a short ferry ride saw us arrive at the camp with the camp staff to welcome us.
We joined 80 other children and were split into our day groups. Half of us were the Sharks and the other half were Dolphins.
Throughout the day the groups participated in many activities including archery, swimming, beach games, raft building, rock climbing, a very tough high ropes course and a long challenging bush walk which ended with us making damper over a camp fire.
Nights after dinner gave us the time to interact with the other groups of kids on camp. We went to a games night, an improve night (where we put on a sketch and came 3rd place!) and the most fun night was the disco night. This was a highlight for both the staff and clients.
New people were met, new friendships were formed and memories were made to last a lifetime.By Kate Parry
Re-Opening of the Support Centre:
Saturday 27 November 2010 saw the magnificent beginnings of the newly renovated Support Centre which was officially re-opened with a large ribbon cutting group.
The day was filled with many fun activities with all the children enjoying face painting, an entertaining clown, jumping castle, puppet shows, motor bike rides, vegetable planting in the new gardens and eating some tasty fairy floss.
The weather was very warm so the slushies were a cool refreshment on the day, as well as the sausage sizzle which was kindly managed by the Rotary Club of Liverpool.
The Support Centre is now a welcoming, bright and airy learning place that children of all ages can enjoy. The Sensory Room now contains a large ball pit, massage chair, rope lights, disco ball and bubble tower which is now bringing so much joy to so many children.
Outside has now become a great place for the children to explore with the new playground, which was kindly provided by the funds raised by the Office Products Charity Fund.