WDN June Meeting

The next Whittlesea Disability Network (WDN) community meeting will be held on Tuesday 11 June 2024. 

Come along to meet with other members, network and share information about local supports, services, issues and opportunities for people with disability and carers.

This is a free event and light refreshments will be provided.

When: Tuesday 11 June 2024, 10.00am to 12.30pm
Where: Fountain View Room, Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang

To register visit www.trybooking.com/eventlist/wdn

Or contact us via:             
Email: access@whittlesea.vic.gov.au                                                                           
Phone: 9217 2170 and ask for the Disability Planner   

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is coming to WDN

WDN will host a special information session with the NDIA to learn about the major changes resulting from the recent review of the NDIS.

When: Thursday 14 November 2024, 10.30am to 12.30pm
Where: Fountain View Room, Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang

There will be a presentation by the NDIA followed by a questions and answers session. You can submit a question for us to ask on the day, by emailing it to access@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.

This is a free event for WDN members. Save the date and details about registration will be provided in our next newsletter.

WDN Community Catch Ups

It was great to see everyone at our first ever series of Whittlesea Disability Network Community Catch Ups, held across the municipality in March and April. These community-based meetings are designed to create a more informal, small-scale space for members to get together, connect with Council and each other and share information.

More than 50 people attended the four catch ups held in Thomastown, South Morang, Doreen and Whittlesea. Nearly half the participants were new to WDN and have become members!

We had great conversations and a summary of the issues we discussed will be provided at our next WDN community meeting in June.

Stand for Council: Make a difference in your community

The VEC runs local council elections across the state. It’s your opportunity to help shape the City of Whittlesea by voting for your Council representative or becoming a Councillor yourself. 

Being a councillor provides an exciting challenge and an opportunity to represent your community and play a vital role in shaping the City of Whittlesea.

If you are an Australian citizen, aged 18 and over, on the electoral roll, completed the mandatory Local Government candidate training and looking for an opportunity to contribute to the future direction and development of your community, you should consider standing for Council.

You can find out more information about becoming a local council candidate on the VEC website.

City of Whittlesea Candidate Information Showcase

To support residents who are considering running for Council, the City of Whittlesea will be hosting an information showcase.

When: Thursday 25 July, 2pm-4pm
Where: Great Hall, City of Whittlesea Council Offices, 25 Ferres Blvd, South Morang

Gardening Program Facilitator Wanted

Greenbrook Community House is currently looking for a facilitator for their Greenthumbs Gardening Program. The popular program allows participants of all abilities to take part in gardening and garden themed art and craft activities.

Skills and Qualities:

• Basic garden knowledge and skills
• Capacity to facilitate a 1.5 hour program - indoors and outdoors
• Garden and nature craft skills an advantage
• Experience working with participants of all abilities
• Flexible nature and willingness to meet diverse needs of participants

You must be committed to the following:

• every Wednesday during school term from 10am-12pm
• available for 2 hours planning time per term with House Coordinator at 40 McFarlane Cresc, Epping.

If you meet the criteria for this role and are interested, please contact the Coordinator of Greenbrook Community House on email or greenbrook@whittlesea.vic.gov.au or phone 9217 2170

NDIS Information Session

People with disability, families and carers are invited to register for information sessions to learn more about the participant journey at the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

In these sessions, you will get an overview of the participant journey, including information on community connections, access and creating and managing your NDIS plan.

You can register for all three sessions or just one.

When: Tuesday 7 May 2024

• 10.00am to 11.00am – Making connections and applying to the NDIS
• 12.00pm to 1.00pm – Creating an NDIS Plan
• 2pm to 3.00pm – Using and changing an NDIS plan

Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Convention Centre Place, South Wharf, Melbourne.

To Register or for more information, please visit Melbourne - Overview of the Participants Journey.

Free Online Workshop for Families and Teenagers

The Association for Children with Disability is running a series of free online workshops, Teens and Beyond, designed to support families with children aged 13 and over with disability.

Presented over three sessions, the workshops are designed to help families and children confidently navigate the teenage years.

Parents and carers will learn about financial support, getting the right NDIS support for their teen, school and post-school options, and wellbeing topics that include friendships, communication, behaviour support and good mental health.

All workshops are led by professional facilitators who are parents of young people with disability and who have personal experience in navigating the teenage years.

Workshop dates: 

• Monday 13, 20 & 27 May 10:00am
• Monday 13, 20 & 27 May 7:00 pm
• Tuesday 14, 21 & 28 May 10:00 am 
• Wednesday 15, 22 & 29 May 7:00 pm

To register or for more information visit Association for Children with a Disability Events

Email: educate@acd.org.au
Phone: 03 9880 7000 or 1800 654 013 (regional callers)

Free Local Walking Group

Walking groups are a social, supportive and simple way to boost your health and make connections in your community.

Take the first step and join your free local walking group that meets every Thursday at 9:15am at the TRAC kiosk.

Where:  Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre, 52-54 Main Street Thomastown.

Lalor Auskick Centre

Make your Saturdays a bit more fun by coming along to the Lalor Auskick Centre.  Registrations for the 2024 are now open.

Where:  Huskisson Reserve, 27 Huskisson Reserve, Lalor
When:  Saturdays, 9:00am - 10:00am
Cost:  $95 (10 sessions)
For more information and to register visit PlayHQ registration page.

FREE Inclusive Tennis

Epping Tennis Club offer a free weekly tennis program for people with disabilities and/or special needs or if you're just struggling to access mainstream sports programs.

When:  Thursday evenings, 5:00pm
Where:  51 Park Street, Epping.  
Contact:  9408 6666 or email secretaryeppingtennis@hotmail.com

Come and Try Walking Football

Walking Football is a safe, fun social program suitable for all ages over 7, regardless of ability, gender or ethnicity.

Ideal for anyone, regardless of skill level, who would like to play sport but feels they are unable due to health, confidence or social activity.

When:  Saturdays 9am - 10am
Where:  The Y Leisure City, 41-53 Miller Street, Epping
More information:  Email Mick Trim on M.Trim@wffa.org.au

Accessible National Park Trails

A motorised all-terrain wheelchair is now available to hire from the Kinglake Parks Victoria office.

Trailriders are wheelchairs with adjustable seating and supports, making them suitable for adults and children with varying abilities.

A number of Trailrider wheelchairs are available, free of charge, at various parks across Victoria.

To book a Trailrider or for more information, visit parks.vic.gov.au or Phone: 13 19 63

African Drumming - WDN Member Discount!

African drumming has come to South Morang and you are invited.

Join one of the scheduled blocks of 5-week classes to learn with experienced teachers who can work at your pace. No prior experience or drum necessary.

WDN members are eligible for a 40% discount. Simply enter the code WDN when you book online.

For more information, visit tickettailor.com

Conference funding supports people with disability

The National Disability Conference Initiatives 2024 - 2025 invites applications for grant funding to assist people with disability to participate in nationally focused, disability-related conferences held in Australia.

Grants will support eligible conference organisers to provide accessibility measures that maximise the inclusion and participation of people with disability at their conference.

The closing date for applications is Monday 20 May, 2024, 9pm.

To apply or for more information, please go to Current Grant Opportunity View - GO6883: GrantConnect (grants.gov.au)

Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners

We recognise the rich Aboriginal heritage of this country and acknowledge the Wurundjeri Willum Clan and Taungurung People as the Traditional Owners of lands within the City of Whittlesea.