Staff matters November 10, 2017 - Issue 128 Week 18
Cherrywood Fete Sprinkled with Joy
In This Issue 1 Cherrywood Fete
Sprinkled with Joy
2 Staff Profile Moving Along at Head Office Dane and Marija’s Gold Coast Dream
3 Sky’s the Limit at the Mini Olympics
4 Caring For Our Carers Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh The wet weather did not dampen the spirits of the mass of visitors who attended this year’s Annual Afford Cherrywood Fete. The event was an overwhelming success with hundreds of Afford Supporters, patrons and clients visiting to bag a bargain, fill up on delicious food and have fun on the amusement rides. Smiles were spread across many of clients’ faces as they browsed through the array of show bags available. Oran Park Lifestyle Centre had their own stall this year selling lovely painted pot decorations that were created with the help of clients from the Centre. It was a wonderful opportunity for many clients to showcase their talents and have a ‘trial run’ for the upcoming Afford’s Got Talent. There were many singing performances with fantastic ballads popular over the day.
Let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au
Reminder Don’t forget to send your/clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to CELEBRATE@afford.com.au
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November 10, 2017 - Issue 128
Staff Profile
Kristelle Lagoutaris Receptionist Prestons ADE
Favourite Song: One Call Away – Charlie Puth Favourite Movie: Twilight Favourite Hobbies: Going out with friends. Favourite Foods: McDonalds If you could be an animal what would you be: A lion What is your dream holiday destination: Disneyland If you had the power what would you change about the world: Cure for cancer. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you: My uncle has always been there for me. If you had to teach something what would you teach: Teach my Nan how to use the iPad. Something no one knows about me: I don’t like bugs.
Moving Along at Head Office
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Our new Head Office is having a make-over and the building works are moving along steadily. The entire top level is now partitioned, gyprocked and painted and the carpet tiles have been laid. The next stage that is being prepared is the installation of the lift.
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Work on the bottom level is also underway with gyprock and painting in progress. All the air conditioning work has also been completed throughout the site, so it is all coming along very well. A new lunchroom/kitchen for the warehouse area is also part of these renovations and the racking and pallets are being moved so that work can start on this part of the development. We will also have electric gates for the new site, with the first electric gate installation almost complete. It won’t be long before employees at our Head Office and Minchinbury ADE are enjoying new office and work spaces - it will be a great, fresh start to 2018!
Dane and Marija’s Gold Coast Dream
Afford Getaways are a chance for clients to take some time off and enjoy a holiday with the support of their choice of qualified and professional Afford staff. Every Afford Getaway is designed with the interests of clients in mind to make the holiday filled with memories that will last a lifetime. Dane and Marija dreamed of going on holidays to Queensland to see all that it has to offer and thanks to Afford Getaways, their dreams will now be a reality. Dane and Marija’s were over the moon to be heading to the Gold Coast with Afford Getaways for an adventure filled holiday. In the lead up to their holiday, their excitement simply couldn’t be contained. They were constantly talking about their holiday plans each day before leaving, with big smiles on their faces. The joy and excitement in their voices was clear. They were always busy planning what they were likely to see and do on their holiday. When the date was finally set, both screamed with excitement, bags where packed and they were set to take off on their dream holiday. We look forward to hearing about Part II of this holiday story, when Dane and Marija return from their holiday and we find out about all that they saw and experienced.
let your abilities soar
www.afford.com.au
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November 10, 2017 - Issue 128
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Sky’s the Limit at the Mini Olympics Athletes from Afford Ashfield and Chipping Norton participated in Mini Olympics at Beaton Park, Wollongong on Friday, 26 October 2017. Known as the biggest athletic event held for people with a disability in the Illawarra, the 10th Annual “Sky’s the Limit” Mini Olympics Carnival celebrates diversity and the ability to take part in track, field and other fun sporting events. To open the games, Andrew di Carlo, from Afford’s Ashfield Team, proudly held up the Team Banner for the March Past. Afford’s enthusiastic athletes were buzzing with excitement as the event began. The Ashfield Athletes had fun talking to buddies from visiting students of Figtree High School. Assisted by their buddies, Afford athletes Andrew, Jack Lee, Adam Green and Christopher McLean, took part in the 100 metre and 50 metre track races. They were so exhilarated by running, they then participated in the long jump. Alessandro Vigorito competed in the Shot Put and Vortex Throw and was also keen to showcase his Ribbon Gymnast abilities. George Papadopoulos took his wheelchair out for a heat in the 50 metre wheelchair track race. Five lucky clients from Chipping Norton Lifestyle Centre attended and competed in the 100 metre run/walk race and received 1, 2, 3 medals for participation. All clients had so much fun on the day and also enjoyed watching some of the other events. Buddies interacted with clients and each Afford client enjoyed their time with their buddies. As well as encouragement to compete, the buddies assisted Afford athletes around the venue. After the formal events, everyone could then relax and enjoy a well-earned sausage sizzle or have their face painted for some fun. Everyone had a great day and returned back to their Lifestyle Centres parading the medals they had won and all the goodies that they received. This has become an annual event for Afford clients and they are looking forward to going back next year.
Congratulations to everyone who participated – Go Team Afford!
let your abilities soar
www.afford.com.au
Staff matters
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November 10, 2017 - Issue 128
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Caring For Our Carers
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Afford’s Carers Support Program plays an important role in the overall service we provide our clients. We want parents and Carers to know that they can rely on Afford to provide them with support through challenging times, celebrate with them through the triumphs, provide advice and support through the NDIS planning process, and offer forums to network with others. Jamisontown Lifestyle Centre recently invited parents and carers to an evening of interaction, rest and relaxation. It was a great opportunity for staff and parents/carers to get to know each other in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Afford arranged for attendees to receive massages from Andreas and Alex from Beautiful Health and Wellness and cheese and biscuits, hot finger food and lots of desserts were also part of the lovely gathering. Staff at Jamisontown Lifestyle Centre received positive feedback about the night written in from parents and carers: “A big thank you to you and the staff for putting on the Carers’ evening. I really did appreciate your efforts and the opportunity to meet the staff in an informal setting. My back is still singing from the massage – just what I needed!” Afford makes every effort to support our clients and their parents and carers in ways that encourages community wellbeing and whole-of-life supports.
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Have a laugh
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In the Selfie Above: Lifestyle Assistant, Dembo and Candace, happy days out!
let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au
Please send in your selfies or laughs