Inside: Xtend Xpands, Unconditional Love and your chance to reward our staff!
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The Onemda Voice
March 2025
Message from CEO
Dear participants, families and carers,
March has been a vibrant and exciting month at Onemda, filled with special moments and significant milestones.
One of the highlights was welcoming Onemda’s founder, Thelma Dowell, OAM, to our Doncaster East campus. Thelma enjoyed a guided tour, engaged with participants and staff, and connected with our other campuses over morning tea. It was a very memorable visit, and we’ve included some wonderful photos from the day in this edition.
We also celebrated the official opening of the Embrace Café at the Glenroy Community Hub. We were honoured to welcome Merri-Bek Mayor Helen Davidson, Deputy Mayor Helen Politis, CEO Cathy Henderson, and her team to mark this special occasion. A standout moment was hearing from Amber, a participant in our Pathways to Independence and Employment program, who delivered a great speech about how the Embrace Café is helping her develop valuable skills for future employment.
In exciting news, we are expanding our after-hours Xtend program! Due to strong interest from families, our Thursday afternoon sessions at Doncaster East will now be joined by a new Tuesday evening session. The response has been fantastic, and we encourage you to speak with your Campus Coordinator to learn more and secure a spot.
We hope you enjoy this edition, which celebrates the inspiring achievements of our participants. Thank you for being part of our Onemda community, we look forward to sharing more exciting updates with you soon!
Kind regards,
Simon Lewis
Onemda CEO
The latest from our participants
Honouring a legacy: Thelma Dowell OAM visits Onemda
We were honoured to welcome Onemda’s founder, Thelma Dowell OAM, back to our main campus for a special tour and morning of celebration. Thelma’s vision and dedication laid the foundation for the vibrant, inclusive community we have today. It was a privilege to reflect on her incredible impact and share how Onemda continues to grow and evolve in line with her inspiring legacy.
Grand Opening of Embrace Cafe, Glenroy Community Hub
Participants were joined by local council members and other key stakeholders, alongside Onemda staff to officially open the doors to the Embrace Cafe, Glenroy Community Hub.
Xtend is XPANDING!
Onemda's fantastic after-hours program is doubling the fun! Currently running on Thursday evenings, the program is having such a blast, that it's coming to Tuesday evenings as well.
Scout, Pippin and Haddie shower participants with joy
Who are they, you ask? With special thanks to the Unconditional Love Foundation, three adorable puppies attended The Basin Community Centre for participants to get up close and personal with their newest furry friends.
The Power of Assistive Technology in the Lives of Participants at Onemda
At Onemda, we are committed to supporting participants with the tools they need to thrive. Assistive technology plays a crucial role in creating independence, improving communication, and enhancing the overall quality of life for people with disability. Through our ongoing research and innovation efforts, we have identified significant opportunities to expand our support in this area.
Our Research & Innovation (R&I) team has been actively exploring the latest advancements in assistive technology. From communication aids to mobility solutions, these innovations are transforming the way participants engage with the world around them. However, our research also highlights the need for greater investment to ensure that all individuals have access to the most effective tools and resources tailored to their unique needs.
Recognising this need, our R&I team is excited to announce the development of a dedicated fundraising campaign. This initiative will help us secure funding to introduce much needed assistive technologies, ensuring participants receive the best possible support to live with confidence and independence.
More details on this important campaign will be shared next month, and we look forward to rallying the Onemda community in support of this vital cause. Stay tuned for updates and ways to get involved!
Other Information
Reward and Recognise Onemda Staff Members
Do you know an Onemda staff member or team who goes above and beyond? Now’s your chance to recognise their dedication! Participants, families, and carers can submit a nomination to celebrate staff who embody Onemda’s values. Whether it’s an individual or a group, share how they’ve made a difference by providing examples that showcase their impact. Submit your nomination today and help us acknowledge the incredible work of our team!
📢 Onemda is now on Facebook!
A reminder that Onemda is now on Facebook! Stay connected with us for the latest updates, inspiring stories, upcoming events, and everything happening across our campuses. Like and follow us today to be part of our growing community.
Important Dates
Friday 18 April: All Campuses CLOSED
Monday 21 April: All Campuses CLOSED
Friday 25 April: All Campuses CLOSED
