when theres a twinkle in the eye you know its good

Q: Where can I find more info on
the NDIS
Your feedback is valued by us as it
helps us improve what we do and
the way we do it, and ensures we
deliver the service people expect
and need. If you want to give us
feedback whether it is a
compliment, complaint or
suggestion please fill in our
“Compliments, Complaints and
Suggestions” brochure. You can
also tell us through email or letter,
filling in an evaluation form or
contacting us directly by phone or
in person. We want to hear from
you. www.mpower.org.au/
feedback&complaints
A:
You told us:
Useful Links
NDIS website :
http://www.ndis.gov.au/
The Planning Process :
http://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/planning-process
Getting Plan Ready
http://www.ndis.gov.au/sites/default/files/Getting-PlanReady_0.pdf
Developing your participant statement – adult
http://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/planning-process/
developing-participant-statement-adult
Developing your child's participant statement
http://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/planning-process/
developing-childs-plan
Your feedback from last years
Forum told us ‘you find out
what you need to know from
Mpower’ and ‘Mpower might
not have the answers, but will
tell you where to go or find out
for you.’
Our response:
Mpower has once again held a
Forum in order to provide
good quality and timely
information on the National
Disability Insurance Scheme.
This is in response to your
feedback that this would be
helpful to you and your family
SURFACE
POSTAGE
MAIL
PAID
AUSTRALIA
From the CEO
As the year draws to a close we
celebrate the achievements of the
year and look forward to the exciting
work that will underpin many changes
in 2016 .
Our building project is coming to
fruition with commencement date
being December 2nd and completion
scheduled for late April 2016. Our
community fundraising has been a
highlight with support from local trusts
along with community groups and
businesses. Over the past month we
have been fortunate to receive $2,000
from the Inner Wheel Club of
Warrnambool as the proceeds from a
movie night and a further $5,000 from
a Golf Fundraiser organised by
Warrnambool Toyota.
An amazing achievement is the
celebration of 40 years of service
provision by Mpower. We are very
proudly continuing the strong
traditions of quality service provision
that was established in 1975. Our
vision of ‘a community inspired and
empowered by people of all ages,
abilities and differences’ is a strong
connection to the aims of the original
group.
A very successful NDIS information
forum was held on November 19th
with the David Moody, NDS State
Manager as the guest speaker.
Thank you to the 80 people who
attended and shared feedback on
services while gaining wonderful
insight into how NDIS will affect their
lives in a very positive way. Mpower
staff highlighted the services we will
offer through NDIS in 2017.
As the newsletter goes to print the
Family Fun day will be in full swing
celebrating the 40th anniversary with
the unveiling of a ‘40 year Celebration
Mural’ along with presentations to the
18 children who made the mural.
Issue 78
December 2015
With these happy reflections I wish
everyone a safe and enjoyable
Christmas and New Year from all at
Mpower. We look forward to
supporting you and your family in
2016.
Kerry Nelson
WHEN THERES A TWINKLE IN THE EYE YOU
KNOW ITS GOOD
Above: Tom Bertrand
The first night Tom Bertrand supervised a group of
young rowers with disabilities at Dennington he
found himself wondering why he’d taken on the
challenge. One climbed a tree, another kept
rolling down the hill and Tom admitted he had no
idea how to talk to a group of kids with disabilities.
And then he saw a twinkle in the eye of the young
rowers and he was hooked.
“They were like little kids and don’t know how to
lie,” Tom said. “If they don’t like it they tell you,
but when there’s a smile and a twinkle in the eye
you know that it’s good.”
Tom started the Rowing for the Disabled program
for Mpower, at the time it was the first of its kind
in Victoria, and he is still involved today. He had
seen a similar program in Queensland when
attending national rowing titles with his children
Kirsty and Tommy. “We saw these funny boats
with people who obviously weren’t athletes and
you thought they shouldn’t be out rowing,” he
said. He looked into it with his sister Val and when
they saw an adapted double catamaran that was
balanced so people couldn’t tip out they were
inspired to bring the concept to Warrnambool. “I
had a talk to Val and a few others and thought we
could do this, we could make this work in
Warrnambool,” Tom said. “I bought that boat
home and it went from there.”
The first session attracted about 12 participants
and despite a few hiccups it was a hit, “We’d send
out a disabled rower with two of the regular club
kids sitting on the pontoons helping them through
the strokes. We started with the Nestles Rowing
Club where I’m president and then the South West
Sports Assembly and Active Oceans came on
board. “It’s just a program that works.” Tom said
the young people were quick to learn. “We’ve had
six Australian championships from two rowers,
Chris Murray and Aaron Skinner.”
Tom was also quick to learn that he needed to
adjust his teaching style. “I had to put things in a
way for a person with disabilities to learn and
understand. What I’d say to a person with autism
wasn’t what I’d say to someone with Down
Syndrome. You had to talk to everyone in a
different way.” It didn’t take long for his young
charges to learn the ropes and start having fun.
“When they go up the river it’s freedom to them.
You can see how much it means.”
Now known as Dis Row, the program runs over
summer and is part of the South West Games.
Members also attend other events around the
state. The program has won state sport and
recreation awards and rowers have won individual
sports star awards.
Above: Australian champ - Aaron Skinner
Together we can
make a difference
MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT
To celebrate the 40th
anniversary, a booklet written
by Rick Bayne covering the
history of Mpower and telling
the stories of clients,
volunteers and staff has been
produced. The booklet will be
formally launched at the
Mpower AGM on November
30 and will be viewable online
when our new website is
launched next year. The
booklet is also available in
hard copy from reception.
Do have a read of the booklet,
it contains a small sample of
the many individuals, families,
carers , volunteers and staff
who have been part of
Mpower’s 40 year journey. I
would like to thank each and
every one of them for the part
they played in the rich
tapestry that has become
Mpower today.
Today’s Committee of
Management proudly carries
the values and aspirations of
the small group of community
minded people with the
initiative and foresight to
establish the original support
group. Forty years later
Mpower’s vision of a
‘Community inspired and
empowered by people of all
ages, abilities and differences’
embraces the hopes and
dreams of the group.
Initially known as the South
West Region Support Group
for the Handicapped and later
the South West ACCESS
Network (SWAN), Mpower
has grown from a one-person
operation to an agency
employing 64 staff providing a
wide range of services to
more than 800 clients and
families across the region.
A mural will be unveiled at a
family fun day on December 1
to mark the 40th anniversary
of Mpower. The artistic
representation compiled by
artist and Mpower
Occupational Therapist Rachel
Peters captures the creativity
of 18 School Holiday Program
participants.
As the year draws to an end I
wish Mpower readers a safe
and happy Christmas, and
send a big thank you to all our
volunteers, members and staff
for a job well done this year.
David Beggs
QUALITY COMES FIRST
CHRISTMAS CLOSURE
Please help if you can in the
redevelopment of
THE WARRNAMBOOL DISABILITY
SUPPORT ORGANISATION PROJECT.
Christmas Celebrations
Respite and Therapy Centre
It’s the time of the year to sit back, relax
and celebrate 2015.
To find out when and where your program
will be having a Christmas breakup please
see Calendar of Events Flyer
For more information visit:
www.mpower.org.au/
donations
PROGRAM SUCCESS—CONTINUED PG 1
CARER SUPPORT WRAP UP
The success and happiness of participants makes it
worthwhile for Tom and other members of the club.
“When Chris Murray won his first national title at
Nagambie he had a cheer squad,” Tom said. “He
spent half an hour shaking hands with people. There
wasn’t a dry eye around.”
Christmas is upon us once again and for most
people this is not just a time for celebration with
family and friends but a period for reflection and
acknowledgment - of not only our achievements
and our success, but our disappointments and
those we have lost throughout the year.
That year Chris won the Camperdown-Terang area
sportsman of the year title. “He became an athlete
first and disabled second,” Tom adds. The Dis Row
program has taught other members of the club that
everyone should be on an equal playing field.
Tom is still involved in helping the program but not
to the extent of earlier years after a battle with
melanoma skin cancer. The participants might
continue to benefit from taking part, but so does
Tom.
“It’s magic,” he says.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR
January School Holiday Program
Expressions close 4th Dec, 2015
and
Active Oceans – Season 2
Expressions close 10th Jan, 2016
Expressions of interest are now open through
Care Monkey.
If you need assistance to access Care Monkey
please call the Disability Services Team who will be
pleased to help.
Flyers are available for viewing on Mpower website
at http://www.mpower.org.au/events-news
It has been a productive and industrious year
within the Carer Support program at Mpower and
during the last twelve months we have had the
pleasure to assist many carers in their role in a
variety of ways. These services have ranged from
providing aides and equipment; to providing social
support and respite; and to the coordination and
facilitation of our monthly support group
meetings.
At the Carer Support Program we appreciate the
significant role unpaid carers play within our
community and we would like to take this
opportunity to acknowledge their valuable and
essential contribution to society. It has been very
rewarding and satisfying to support our carers
throughout the past year and it has been very
pleasing to see so many fresh faces attending,
connecting and forming new relationships within
the group.
We look forward to providing our carers a diverse
and interesting range of activities in the coming
year and continuing to assist them in their caring
journey. Please note there will be a day trip in
January 2016 for the Warrnambool Group instead
of our regular meeting - see the calendar of events
for more information.
The Carer Support
team wishes you all a
very happy Christmas
and a safe and
prosperous New Year…
Next Committee of Management Meeting 27th January 2016
Carers Victoria is one of 18 organisations
Australia wide who have received funding to
support Local Support Groups to help people
learn about and navigate the National Disability
Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Carers Victoria will be working with South West
Carer Respite Services Network to support
carers of people who may need assistance in
making decisions. The project will provide up
to 12 months support, including education and
training workshops and the facilitation of a
number of group sessions on a range of topics
including planning for the future, goal setting
and choice and control.
An information session will be held at Southern
Way Direct Care Services, 181 Fairy Street,
Warrnambool on Thursday 3rd December 2015
at 11.00am - 1.00pm
Please RSVP to Mpower on 5561 811.
If you would like further information please
contact Browyn Stanley DSO Project Officer @
Carers Victoria on 0455 990 060 or email
disability@carersvictoria.org.au
Mpower office will close at 3.00pm
Thursday 24th December,
reopening at 9am Monday 4th
January.
If you require support services over
the Christmas break please contact
your key worker or Disability
Services staff who will be able to
assist you.
HEARING LOSS FORUM
What can help you hear more effectively?
Hear from experts and share experiences
Wednesday 27thJanuary 2016, 7.00pm -9.30pm
Mpower 71 Koroit Street Warrnambool
For more information and to RSVP contact Erica
Smith, Mpower deaf Access coordinator
esmith@mpower.org.au or 55618114
For
means a
strong focus on the
every person's goals,
aspirations and support
Encouraging
ability and
so
people can achieve a
valued role
Helping
people
and
participate in the
Reinforcing
No cost. Limited numbers.
eMpowerful moments
As a registered Disability
Services Organisation, we
use the Quality Framework
Disability
to
guide everything we
rights and
as members of the
SUPPORTING
BUSINESSES
clients
we support
Allowing
the way
Our staff agree that being
professional
is
achieving
strives
operate at the highest
staff
we need
display a high level of
professionalism and work
together as a team at all
CEO Kerry Nelson was a guest on Ace Radio’s “the drop kicks” at the
Warrnambool Toyota Golf Day held to raise funds for Mpower. Kerry
was able to elaborate on the benefits the community will gain on
completion of the Respite & Therapy Hub
Mpower acknowledges
the generosity of
businesses who support
our work to assist
children and families
and strengthen the
community
To support quality in the
workplace,
have
systems and processes in
place
help things run
smoothly. This is the result
of many years of
change,
listening to, and acting on
feedback which means
practicing '
quality
in order
achieve the best possible
Together we can
make a difference
MESSAGE FROM THE
PRESIDENT
To celebrate the 40th
anniversary, a booklet written
by Rick Bayne covering the
history of Mpower and telling
the stories of clients,
volunteers and staff has been
produced. The booklet will be
formally launched at the
Mpower AGM on November
30 and will be viewable online
when our new website is
launched next year. The
booklet is also available in
hard copy from reception.
Do have a read of the booklet,
it contains a small sample of
the many individuals, families,
carers , volunteers and staff
who have been part of
Mpower’s 40 year journey. I
would like to thank each and
every one of them for the part
they played in the rich
tapestry that has become
Mpower today.
Today’s Committee of
Management proudly carries
the values and aspirations of
the small group of community
minded people with the
initiative and foresight to
establish the original support
group. Forty years later
Mpower’s vision of a
‘Community inspired and
empowered by people of all
ages, abilities and differences’
embraces the hopes and
dreams of the group.
Initially known as the South
West Region Support Group
for the Handicapped and later
the South West ACCESS
Network (SWAN), Mpower
has grown from a one-person
operation to an agency
employing 64 staff providing a
wide range of services to
more than 800 clients and
families across the region.
A mural will be unveiled at a
family fun day on December 1
to mark the 40th anniversary
of Mpower. The artistic
representation compiled by
artist and Mpower
Occupational Therapist Rachel
Peters captures the creativity
of 18 School Holiday Program
participants.
As the year draws to an end I
wish Mpower readers a safe
and happy Christmas, and
send a big thank you to all our
volunteers, members and staff
for a job well done this year.
David Beggs
QUALITY COMES FIRST
CHRISTMAS CLOSURE
Please help if you can in the
redevelopment of
THE WARRNAMBOOL DISABILITY
SUPPORT ORGANISATION PROJECT.
Christmas Celebrations
Respite and Therapy Centre
It’s the time of the year to sit back, relax
and celebrate 2015.
To find out when and where your program
will be having a Christmas breakup please
see Calendar of Events Flyer
For more information visit:
www.mpower.org.au/
donations
PROGRAM SUCCESS—CONTINUED PG 1
CARER SUPPORT WRAP UP
The success and happiness of participants makes it
worthwhile for Tom and other members of the club.
“When Chris Murray won his first national title at
Nagambie he had a cheer squad,” Tom said. “He
spent half an hour shaking hands with people. There
wasn’t a dry eye around.”
Christmas is upon us once again and for most
people this is not just a time for celebration with
family and friends but a period for reflection and
acknowledgment - of not only our achievements
and our success, but our disappointments and
those we have lost throughout the year.
That year Chris won the Camperdown-Terang area
sportsman of the year title. “He became an athlete
first and disabled second,” Tom adds. The Dis Row
program has taught other members of the club that
everyone should be on an equal playing field.
Tom is still involved in helping the program but not
to the extent of earlier years after a battle with
melanoma skin cancer. The participants might
continue to benefit from taking part, but so does
Tom.
“It’s magic,” he says.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR
January School Holiday Program
Expressions close 4th Dec, 2015
and
Active Oceans – Season 2
Expressions close 10th Jan, 2016
Expressions of interest are now open through
Care Monkey.
If you need assistance to access Care Monkey
please call the Disability Services Team who will be
pleased to help.
Flyers are available for viewing on Mpower website
at http://www.mpower.org.au/events-news
It has been a productive and industrious year
within the Carer Support program at Mpower and
during the last twelve months we have had the
pleasure to assist many carers in their role in a
variety of ways. These services have ranged from
providing aides and equipment; to providing social
support and respite; and to the coordination and
facilitation of our monthly support group
meetings.
At the Carer Support Program we appreciate the
significant role unpaid carers play within our
community and we would like to take this
opportunity to acknowledge their valuable and
essential contribution to society. It has been very
rewarding and satisfying to support our carers
throughout the past year and it has been very
pleasing to see so many fresh faces attending,
connecting and forming new relationships within
the group.
We look forward to providing our carers a diverse
and interesting range of activities in the coming
year and continuing to assist them in their caring
journey. Please note there will be a day trip in
January 2016 for the Warrnambool Group instead
of our regular meeting - see the calendar of events
for more information.
The Carer Support
team wishes you all a
very happy Christmas
and a safe and
prosperous New Year…
Next Committee of Management Meeting 27th January 2016
Carers Victoria is one of 18 organisations
Australia wide who have received funding to
support Local Support Groups to help people
learn about and navigate the National Disability
Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Carers Victoria will be working with South West
Carer Respite Services Network to support
carers of people who may need assistance in
making decisions. The project will provide up
to 12 months support, including education and
training workshops and the facilitation of a
number of group sessions on a range of topics
including planning for the future, goal setting
and choice and control.
An information session will be held at Southern
Way Direct Care Services, 181 Fairy Street,
Warrnambool on Thursday 3rd December 2015
at 11.00am - 1.00pm
Please RSVP to Mpower on 5561 811.
If you would like further information please
contact Browyn Stanley DSO Project Officer @
Carers Victoria on 0455 990 060 or email
disability@carersvictoria.org.au
Mpower office will close at 3.00pm
Thursday 24th December,
reopening at 9am Monday 4th
January.
If you require support services over
the Christmas break please contact
your key worker or Disability
Services staff who will be able to
assist you.
HEARING LOSS FORUM
What can help you hear more effectively?
Hear from experts and share experiences
Wednesday 27thJanuary 2016, 7.00pm -9.30pm
Mpower 71 Koroit Street Warrnambool
For more information and to RSVP contact Erica
Smith, Mpower deaf Access coordinator
esmith@mpower.org.au or 55618114
For
means a
strong focus on the
every person's goals,
aspirations and support
Encouraging
ability and
so
people can achieve a
valued role
Helping
people
and
participate in the
Reinforcing
No cost. Limited numbers.
eMpowerful moments
As a registered Disability
Services Organisation, we
use the Quality Framework
Disability
to
guide everything we
rights and
as members of the
SUPPORTING
BUSINESSES
clients
we support
Allowing
the way
Our staff agree that being
professional
is
achieving
strives
operate at the highest
staff
we need
display a high level of
professionalism and work
together as a team at all
CEO Kerry Nelson was a guest on Ace Radio’s “the drop kicks” at the
Warrnambool Toyota Golf Day held to raise funds for Mpower. Kerry
was able to elaborate on the benefits the community will gain on
completion of the Respite & Therapy Hub
Mpower acknowledges
the generosity of
businesses who support
our work to assist
children and families
and strengthen the
community
To support quality in the
workplace,
have
systems and processes in
place
help things run
smoothly. This is the result
of many years of
change,
listening to, and acting on
feedback which means
practicing '
quality
in order
achieve the best possible
Q: Where can I find more info on
the NDIS
Your feedback is valued by us as it
helps us improve what we do and
the way we do it, and ensures we
deliver the service people expect
and need. If you want to give us
feedback whether it is a
compliment, complaint or
suggestion please fill in our
“Compliments, Complaints and
Suggestions” brochure. You can
also tell us through email or letter,
filling in an evaluation form or
contacting us directly by phone or
in person. We want to hear from
you. www.mpower.org.au/
feedback&complaints
A:
You told us:
Useful Links
NDIS website :
http://www.ndis.gov.au/
The Planning Process :
http://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/planning-process
Getting Plan Ready
http://www.ndis.gov.au/sites/default/files/Getting-PlanReady_0.pdf
Developing your participant statement – adult
http://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/planning-process/
developing-participant-statement-adult
Developing your child's participant statement
http://www.ndis.gov.au/participants/planning-process/
developing-childs-plan
Your feedback from last years
Forum told us ‘you find out
what you need to know from
Mpower’ and ‘Mpower might
not have the answers, but will
tell you where to go or find out
for you.’
Our response:
Mpower has once again held a
Forum in order to provide
good quality and timely
information on the National
Disability Insurance Scheme.
This is in response to your
feedback that this would be
helpful to you and your family
SURFACE
POSTAGE
MAIL
PAID
AUSTRALIA
From the CEO
As the year draws to a close we
celebrate the achievements of the
year and look forward to the exciting
work that will underpin many changes
in 2016 .
Our building project is coming to
fruition with commencement date
being December 2nd and completion
scheduled for late April 2016. Our
community fundraising has been a
highlight with support from local trusts
along with community groups and
businesses. Over the past month we
have been fortunate to receive $2,000
from the Inner Wheel Club of
Warrnambool as the proceeds from a
movie night and a further $5,000 from
a Golf Fundraiser organised by
Warrnambool Toyota.
An amazing achievement is the
celebration of 40 years of service
provision by Mpower. We are very
proudly continuing the strong
traditions of quality service provision
that was established in 1975. Our
vision of ‘a community inspired and
empowered by people of all ages,
abilities and differences’ is a strong
connection to the aims of the original
group.
A very successful NDIS information
forum was held on November 19th
with the David Moody, NDS State
Manager as the guest speaker.
Thank you to the 80 people who
attended and shared feedback on
services while gaining wonderful
insight into how NDIS will affect their
lives in a very positive way. Mpower
staff highlighted the services we will
offer through NDIS in 2017.
As the newsletter goes to print the
Family Fun day will be in full swing
celebrating the 40th anniversary with
the unveiling of a ‘40 year Celebration
Mural’ along with presentations to the
18 children who made the mural.
Issue 78
December 2015
With these happy reflections I wish
everyone a safe and enjoyable
Christmas and New Year from all at
Mpower. We look forward to
supporting you and your family in
2016.
Kerry Nelson
WHEN THERES A TWINKLE IN THE EYE YOU
KNOW ITS GOOD
Above: Tom Bertrand
The first night Tom Bertrand supervised a group of
young rowers with disabilities at Dennington he
found himself wondering why he’d taken on the
challenge. One climbed a tree, another kept
rolling down the hill and Tom admitted he had no
idea how to talk to a group of kids with disabilities.
And then he saw a twinkle in the eye of the young
rowers and he was hooked.
“They were like little kids and don’t know how to
lie,” Tom said. “If they don’t like it they tell you,
but when there’s a smile and a twinkle in the eye
you know that it’s good.”
Tom started the Rowing for the Disabled program
for Mpower, at the time it was the first of its kind
in Victoria, and he is still involved today. He had
seen a similar program in Queensland when
attending national rowing titles with his children
Kirsty and Tommy. “We saw these funny boats
with people who obviously weren’t athletes and
you thought they shouldn’t be out rowing,” he
said. He looked into it with his sister Val and when
they saw an adapted double catamaran that was
balanced so people couldn’t tip out they were
inspired to bring the concept to Warrnambool. “I
had a talk to Val and a few others and thought we
could do this, we could make this work in
Warrnambool,” Tom said. “I bought that boat
home and it went from there.”
The first session attracted about 12 participants
and despite a few hiccups it was a hit, “We’d send
out a disabled rower with two of the regular club
kids sitting on the pontoons helping them through
the strokes. We started with the Nestles Rowing
Club where I’m president and then the South West
Sports Assembly and Active Oceans came on
board. “It’s just a program that works.” Tom said
the young people were quick to learn. “We’ve had
six Australian championships from two rowers,
Chris Murray and Aaron Skinner.”
Tom was also quick to learn that he needed to
adjust his teaching style. “I had to put things in a
way for a person with disabilities to learn and
understand. What I’d say to a person with autism
wasn’t what I’d say to someone with Down
Syndrome. You had to talk to everyone in a
different way.” It didn’t take long for his young
charges to learn the ropes and start having fun.
“When they go up the river it’s freedom to them.
You can see how much it means.”
Now known as Dis Row, the program runs over
summer and is part of the South West Games.
Members also attend other events around the
state. The program has won state sport and
recreation awards and rowers have won individual
sports star awards.
Above: Australian champ - Aaron Skinner