Hello ,

Welcome to our final ConneXtions Community News for 2025.

In this edition we bring you some positive results from our annual general meeting, pay tribute to a long-serving staff member and detail our exciting new Summer Break Group Activities program. We also celebrate International Day of People with Disability (December 3).

We thank you for your support throughout 2025 and look forward to another exciting year working with our local disability community in 2026!

Kind regards,

The ConneXtions Team

Year of growth & connection

ConneXtions marked another successful year at its annual general meeting in November, highlighting significant growth in services, staffing and community impact.

In the 2024-25 financial year, ConneXtions delivered almost 62,000 hours of support to NDIS and TAC clients in Wodonga, Shepparton, Yarrawonga and surrounding regions. It provided plan management for 440 clients and support coordination for 169 clients, helping individuals navigate the NDIS with confidence.

ConneXtions also became a preferred TAC provider in Albury-Wodonga, welcomed a surge in new clients, and expanded its aged care services.

At its purpose-built Moorefield Park Drive facility, the team delivered over 11,000 hours of behaviour support to 47 children with disability and their families, reinforcing its commitment to early intervention and family support.

Throughout the year, ConneXtions’ workforce grew to 129 employees, including 102 support workers—an increase of 20 staff, supported by a strong retention rate.

A major milestone was the relocation of the Shepparton office, improving visibility, accessibility and cost efficiency. ConneXtions also launched a new respite house in Shepparton, introduced support coordination, and expanded its service areas to the Goulburn Valley, Seymour and Kyabram.

Community engagement grew through a partnership with Albury Wodonga Foodshare, allowing food vouchers to be distributed from the Wodonga office.

ConneXtions closes the year with momentum and a continued focus on accessible, high-quality support for clients and their families.

Families in Wodonga and surrounds are in for a summer of fun and adventure with new group activities planned at ConneXtions.

Designed especially for school-aged children, our Summer Break Group Activities offer an exciting mix of outings and hands-on experiences that aim to keep participants active, social and engaged throughout the school holidays.

The program commences on Sunday, December 14 with the Wodonga Carols by Candlelight. This will be followed by Christmas light display tours on four evenings leading up to December 25.

In January, activities will be held from 9am to 3pm weekdays and include trips to Beechworth Berries, Melbourne Zoo, Bounce, Oddie's Creek Park, WAVES and Al's Skate Co.

There will also be cooking, movies, Lego, Bunnings DIY projects and craft/tie dye days.

Spots are limited! To register your interest, CLICK HERE

To celebrate 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 on December 3, we caught up with long-term client, Josh Meredith, of Albury.

The theme for this year’s event is 𝑭𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔.

Josh, who has down syndrome and autism, is just one example of someone contributing meaningfully to our community and living out the spirit of inclusion.

Practitioner bids a fond farewell

After eight remarkable years with ConneXtions, Specialist Behaviour Practitioner Kristen Ody is embarking on a new chapter in the Northern Territory.

Kristen had been with ConneXtions since its launch in 2017, and was a driving force behind its children’s services in Wodonga. Alongside Toni Reeves and Terri Briese, she helped establish a purpose-built facility at Moorefield Park, supporting more than 500 children with a disability and their families.

Over the years, Kristen has completed 165 functional capacity assessments, delivered countless training and school presentations, and made a lasting impact on our community.

She said it has been a “real privilege” to be part of families' journeys and to watch children grow and thrive.

“A lot of kids have moved on, which is fantastic. That’s what we aim to do – to do ourselves out of a job. When a family calls and says, ‘I’m really sorry, I can’t fit you in,’ we know we’ve done our work. Because kids are off playing basketball, doing live-action role play or they’ve got a job,” she said.

A former Principal of Aspect Riverina School, Kristen said she was indebted to the ConneXtions board for allowing her to create something unique for children with a disability.

Starting as a Support Coordinator, Kristen saw a gap in behaviour support services for younger clients. With the board's backing, she launched the small group program, Secret Agent Society, in 2019.

"We officially opened the doors to Moorefield Park in December 2020, and it's so different to what anybody else is doing. Rather than sitting in the office and writing reports, we get to do the doing and see the most amazing progress. As hard as it is, that's the joy of the job," she said.

Kristen finished with ConneXtions on October 31 and will begin her new role as Senior Advisor at Batchelor Area School, near Darwin, in January.

ConneXtions has expanded its support coordination services across the Southern Riverina, including Finley, Tocumwal and Barooga.

With our main offices in Wodonga and Shepparton, we’ve welcomed Kiarah Hibberson as a Support Coordinator based in Finley. Kiarah is available to visit people in their homes, offering personalised support coordination throughout the region.

Kiarah joined ConneXtions in June 2023 as a Service Coordinator in Shepparton. After welcoming her daughter in February, she has embraced a different challenge in her new hometown of Finley.

“I’m a big fan of growing through meeting new people and learning new things,” Kiarah said.

“Support coordination is a great opportunity to build relationships and help people achieve their goals. It’s about listening to what people want to do with their lives and supporting them to make it happen.”

As a Support Coordinator, Kiarah assists people with a disability to find individualised, quality support that empower them to reach their goals and participate more fully in the community.

Originally from Numurkah, Kiarah moved to Finley with partner Tom Buckle and daughter Bailey, where they live and work on a crop farm.

Get in touch with Kiarah today!
📞 0488 933 351
📧 kiarah.hibberson@connextions.org.au

We're launching a new Dungeons & Dragons group in Shepparton, and would love to hear from anyone interested in joining the adventure!

Each week, participants will explore magical realms, solve puzzles, and work together to overcome challenges — all within a fun, inclusive, and supportive space.

Sessions are designed to promote social engagement, problem-solving, creativity and communication skills, while providing opportunities for meaningful community participation.

🎲 Session details

• Location: 284 Wyndham Street, Shepparton
• Duration: Three hours per session, plus one hour non-face-to-face time (planning, setup and pack-up)
• Group size: 3–6 participants per session
• Supports: Facilitated by ConneXtions support staff (maximum 1:3 ratio).
  If any participant requires 1:1 support, an additional staff member will be allocated to ensure safe and meaningful engagement.

Register your interest
📞 0488 933 350
📧 info@connextions.org.au

Email: info@connextions.org.au

Website: www.connextions.org.au