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Get your Covid-19 vaccination booster and stay safe this winter
A Covid-19 vaccination is a proven way to protect yourself from Covid infection that can lead to severe illness. Vaccination is recommended for people at higher risk of severe illness, including people aged 18 years or older with disability or complex health needs.
If it has been 6 months or more since your last COVID-19 vaccination or infection, you can get a booster shot for free. For more information on where you can get a shot, go here.
If you are an aged care or specialist residential provider, you can access an Information Kit here that will help you to develop a Covid Vaccination Plan for Winter 2023.
Whittlesea Disability Network
For over 15 years, the Whittlesea Disability Network (WDN) has been the key consultation platform for people with disability in the City of Whittlesea. The Network provides opportunities for people to share information, network and advocate on issues of importance to the local disability sector.
After putting activities on hold during the pandemic, WDN is re-establishing with a new schedule of community forums for 2023 - 2024 and a new Whittlesea Disability Network Hub | Engage City of Whittlesea) where you can share news and post information about local issuing impacting people with disability.
Over May and June, the City of Whittlesea's Disability Planner, Rosie Beaumont, will be visiting community groups and organisations across the disability sector, to talk about WDN's schedule of activities and resources and how you can get involved.
If you are a community group for people with disability, carers or other supporters, and would like to learn more about the WDN, please contact us to organise a time for Rosie to come and visit you.
Brotherhood of St. Laurence News
BSL Thomastown office
The Brotherhood of St Laurence Thomastown office is closing on Friday 2 June 2023. BSL will still have a presence in the area re-locating to South Morang. The new office will be located at 16/797 Plenty Road South Morang.
You can give the friendly team a call on 1300 275 634 or drop in to the South Morang office or Preston office at 293 High Street Preston
Early Childhood Approach
The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) is a local Partner in the Community, delivering Local Area Coordination (LAC) and early childhood services for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in the North-East Melbourne area.
Local Area Coordinators (LACs) support people with disability and community-based organisations to understand and navigate NDIS process and connect with community and mainstream services.
The early childhood approach supports children younger than 7 years of age with developmental delay or disability.
The early childhood approach aims to help your child join in daily activities and participate in your community.
BSL’s specialist early childhood team will also let you know about other services in your community that may be able to support you.
Connect with BSL Disability Services:
- Call 1300 275 634
- Email BSL@ndis.gov.au
- Follow BSL Disability Services on Facebook (@BrotherhoodofStLaurenceNDIS)
Visit the website ndis.bsl.org.au
Whittlesea Emergency Relief Network Pop Up Market
BSL Partner in the Community for NDIS will be hosting a stall at the Whittlesea Emergency Relief Network pop-up markets on the following dates and venues:
Encompass Care Bundoora
61 Mcleans Road Bundoora (Outdoor market if weather permits otherwise indoor)
Tuesday 2 May from 10:30am – 12:30pm
Whittlesea Food Collective Epping
Melbourne Polytechnic Epping Building D (Indoor and outdoor market)
Wednesday 10 May from 9:30am – 12:30pm
The pop-up markets are a Victorian Government initiative facilitated by Whittlesea Community Connections. Delivering 12 markets across the City of Whittlesea, providing free fresh culturally appropriate foods along with access to services and supports for people experiencing hardship. Also providing food literacy through cooking demonstrations and/or food growing activities.
Sport Access Foundation provides annual grants for children and young people aged 7-17 years old with a disability. These grants can be used for any project that helps to build participation in sport and to ensure that no-one gets left on the sidelines.
Be sure to subscribe to the Sport Access Foundation eNewsletter for all updates and information about the 2023 Grants Program. Grants will be provided across all categories including Pathway to Paralympics, Kick Start, No Barriers and Sporting Club Grants.
Autistic Art Group
Come and explore a range of art materials in a relaxing and fun environment.
Different Journeys and Headspace Greensborough have come together to facilitate classes in a safe and supported space for young people aged 12 to 18.
No art experience is necessary, all materials are provided, and the cost is FREE!
For further enquiries please contact Mel via email or phone 0412 698 807.
If you would like to see this program run more locally, email us and let us know. If there is a demand it can be arranged to be bought to the City of Whittlesea.
New Disability Entrepreneurship Program
It has long been recognised that people with disability face unique barriers to gaining employment. Currently, Australians with disability are twice as likely to be unemployed as able-bodied Australians, and nearly twice as likely to be under-employed.
A major research project looking at Disability Entrepreneurship in Australia found that while people with disability are 40 per cent more likely to be self-employed than able-bodied Australians, self-starter professional development opportunities that are tailored and accessible to people with disability are still thin on the ground.
The Inclusive Microenterprise Project (TIMP) is a Victorian initiative, funded by the State Government and designed and delivered by people with disability. The program supports existing and would-be entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas and skills, through a free 16 week program that can be attended in person or online.
Jo and Michael are two former TIMP participants, who have gone on to establish successful businesses. Jo set up an interior design business, Brinnie T Design, based in Phillip Island and Michael co-founded Adaptive Climbing Victoria, that provides opportunities for people with disability to participate in climbing. Both Jo and Michael credit TIMP with creating an accessible learning environment where they could pick up the knowledge and skills they needed.
"The program provided me with the opportunity to learn about business development and entrepreneurship in an inclusive and welcoming environment with like-minded peers.” - Jo, Brinnie T Design
The City of Whittlesea is hosting an introductory TIMP workshop for people interested in joining the program. Asked about who should consider attending, co-founder and facilitator, Tricia Malowney (pictured), threw the door open wide.
“Who are we looking for? Any person with a disability, of any kind, who has an idea for a business or is already running a business, either on their own or with others, and is willing to be challenged, learn and work together.” - Tricia Malowney, TIMP
Where: Fountain View Function Room, City of Whittlesea 25 Ferres Blvd, South Morang VIC 3752 or ONLINE via zoom - provided after registration
When: Tuesday 25 July
Time: 9:00am – 12.30pm
Cost: FREE
The Good Incubator is proudly supported by the Victorian Government. This means that TIMP is free for those wanting to be part of it in 2022/23.
If you want to find out more, get in touch with us at tmalowney@gmail.com or Ashleigh.malone@icloud.com
An email will be sent following registration so that you can advise whether you will be attending in person or online.
The Good Incubator is proudly supported by the Victorian Government. This means that TIMP is free for those wanting to be part of it in 2022/23.
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.
