Staff matter 139

Staff matters February 9, 2018 - Issue 139 Week 29

A Cool Change With Community Building Partnership Grant

In This Issue 1 A Cool Change With

Community Building Partnership Grant

2 Staff Profile Former Afford Chairman, Neville Barnier, Receives OAM! Make a Buzz!

3 Oran Park Clients Meet Their Heroes

Thanks to the 2016 Community Building Partnership (CBP) Program, Chipping Norton Lifestyle Centre has purchased a new and much needed air conditioner for the Centre for the benefit of over 73 clients and community groups that attend to enjoy activities every day.

The grant of more than $14,000 was provided by Melanie Gibbons MP and the 2016 Community Building Partnership program and was welcomed by the Chipping Norton team, as it will now provide all year-round comfort for clients. Clients will be able to actively participate in their daily activities comfortably, regardless of the extreme temperatures outside.

Clients at Chipping Norton enjoy activities with movement such as dancing, singing and exercise. The air conditioner will allow them to enjoy these activities in comfort, when they like, and with greater vitality.

With Sydney’s summer temperatures reaching some 40 degrees, the new air conditioner is a valuable addition to the Centre.

“It was wonderful for our guys to be able to carry on with fun activities this year especially when the temperatures were out of control outside, our guys were still able to sing and paint regardless and it’s a wonderful upgrade from the old unit which provided little relief in warmer weather,” said Judy Blanch, Chipping Norton’s Team Leader.

Let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

4 Stepping Up At Afford Selfie Of the Week Have a Laugh

Reminder Don’t forget to send your/clients’ achievements, good news stories and photos to CELEBRATE@afford.com.au

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February 9, 2018 - Issue 139

Staff Profile

Former Afford Chairman, Neville Barnier, Receives OAM! Afford would like to congratulate former Afford Board member and Chairman, Neville Barnier, who was recently honoured with an Order of Australia Medal on Australia Day.

Vickie Edmunds Lifestyle Assistant Cherrywood Day Program Favourite Song: Anything by Ed Sherran Favourite Movie: Dirty Dancing & Ghost Favourite Hobbies: Relaxing and going out with friends.

Foods: Chinese & Thai If you could be an animal what would you be: A bird What is your dream holiday destination: Fiji If you had the power what would you change about the world: People’s attitudes What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you:? My family If you had to teach something what would you teach: How to care for someone with a disability.

Something no one knows about me: I have been married for twenty one years.

Neville served on the Afford Board for more than 30 years and made a valuable contribution to the Afford community as a high level advocate for people living with disability.

Photo courtesy of Western Weekender Photographer, Melinda Sanders

His desire to contribute to the community stemmed from his father, who would often take Neville along to Progress Association meetings and encourage him to sign up to help others.

As an ex-serviceman, driving force for the Penrith community (Penrith RSL in particular) and a stoic supporter of people with disability in his over 30 years at Afford, Neville has made a valuable contribution to our local community and the wider residents of Western Sydney.

Congratulations Neville on receiving an Order of Australia Medal. Afford thanks you for all your contribution to our clients, the organisation and our community.

Make a Buzz!

At Afford, we want you to love your job and know that you are part of a team that respects your opinion and celebrates your success.

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CHOICE

Most of you are aware of our Step Up Program, as well as the various opportunities that Afford provides to develop your skills not only for your role at Afford, but for life.

This year, we look forward to hosting even more Buzz Nights which we encourage everyone to attend. Buzz Nights offer a wonderful opportunity for you welcome new faces, to get to know some of your peers in a more personal and relaxed environment and talk about some of your goals and ambitions for Afford or your role in our organisation.

Buzz Nights are a key part of our Afford culture and they are a fun evening out where we can share our triumphs and achievements.

let your abilities soar

Look out for the next Buzz Night - we look forward www.afford.com.au to seeing you there!

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February 9, 2018 - Issue 139

Oran Park Clients Meet Their Heroes

Clients at Oran Park Lifestyle Centre were delighted to recently meet some of the sporting stars of the Wests Tigers NRL team.

Clients met some of their long time heroes with big smiles and took loads of photos - selfies included - with players happily signing lots of memorabilia.

The event was organised by the Wests Tigers and Afford to give clients the chance to meet the players prior to the commencement of the NRL season. Afford clients were able to mingle with the Wests Tigers players, take photos and have their shirts signed.

The Wests Tigers club and players have made an exceptional effort to ensure that everyone felt included in the event.

Marco Quintao represented Afford and the NSW Physical Disability Rugby League Team by wearing his beloved team jersey.

The NSW Physical Disability League and the Wests Tigers are looking forward to offering many more inclusive opportunities in the future for Afford clients.

We also wish the best of luck to the seven members of NSW Physical Disability Rugby League team who will be competing in the upcoming Commonwealth Championships at Redcliffe Dolphins in Queensland between February 21 and 25.

George Tonna, Geoff Clarke and Mitch Gleeson will represent Australia in the tournament, Marco Quintao Snr, Marco Quintao and Allan Ross will represent the Commonwealth All Stars with Garry Kingi playing for New Zealand.

let your abilities soar

www.afford.com.au

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February 9, 2018 - Issue 139

Stepping Up At Afford

P EM

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Our much anticipated and very successful Step-Up Program is back for 2018 and launching this month.

Our Step Up Program which launched in 2016, has been an amazing success.

This Afford Development Program has provided opportunities for staff across the organisation to step up in various roles with support of HR and other departments across the business.

This intake we have opened it for Team Leader positions, as well as District Manager positions within Client Services. If you are interested in these roles, please complete the Expression of Interest forms that have been emailed to all staff and have the forms signed off by your direct manager.

As you have no doubt seen over the past few weeks, there are more and more acting opportunities becoming available as we grow with momentum than ever! There is a very real possibility that the successful candidates will be securing acting opportunities in a short space of time.

There will be generous training available for all successful Step Up candidates in order to make sure they have the skills needed for their new opportunities.

The Step-Up Program is available to all staff so be confident and show that you are ready to Step Up!

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Have a laugh

Sethe of

In the Selfie Above: Beep Beep, Lurnea Lifestyle Assistant, Heidi driving the fun!

let your abilities soar www.afford.com.au

Please send in your selfies or laughs