Staff Matters 270

Staff Matters August 14 2020 Issue 270 Week 7

CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF

THE FUTURE OF CONFERENCES

Queensland led the way of the future for conferences, as they held the biannual management conference at the Novotel in Brisbane last week.

Our Executive Manager Client Services Queensland, Allan Sio, took charge and did a fantastic job as MC over the two action packed days.

Our staff in NSW & VIC, due to the current circumstances with COVID-19, could only attend the conference by Affordflix (aka Zoom). Staff were invited to dial in and watch our Queensland teams’ power on and enjoy one of our Afford famous conferences.

Kicking off the conference with an inspiring welcome speech from Allan, attendees dived into the Afford Way and then excitedly discussed the WA & SA expansion with presentations from Allan Sio and Gordon Griff.

In This Issue 1

The Future of Conferences Trivia Swag Selfie

2

ADEs New Fleet of Hino Trucks Hit the Road Staff Profile

3

4

Ekta Celebrates Becoming a True Blue Aussie!

Reminder Belmore’s Claw Machine Handyman Timetable Selfies of the Week Upcoming Events Trivia Answer

The team-building activity for this conference was something a little bit quirky and fitted well with the 2020 vibe of COVID-19, where teams had a selection of garments such as socks and undies and had a set time to create a makeshift face mask. There were lots of hilarious creations and it was great to hear a cheerful and fun vibe going on in the room after months of isolation.

The second day was just as informative as day one, presentations covered a range of topics from Afford Academy, Allied Health, Afford Lifestyle, Afford Employment and interstate updates. Attendees were also treated to some special interstate presentations from Jessica Scicluna regarding Club Afford and from Toni Preston on how to get a grant for your site.

This was our first Zoom conference and an overall successful event. We are so proud of our Queensland team for taking charge and leading our second management conference for the year Go, team!!

www.afford.com.au

Staff Matters

STAFF PROFILE NAME: Frank Cucek POSITION: Fundraising LOCATION: Penrith Raffles FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? Summer Days - PEZ FAVOURITE MOVIE? Bridesmaids FAVOURITE HOBBIES? BJJ, gyming, chess, rock climbing, snorkeling & definitely travelling FAVOURITE FOODS? Garlic prawns with pink or red sauce IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A honey badger WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? The Bahamas IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? I’d make everyone scientifically literate IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Philosophy or biology SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? If I told you then someone would know

August 14, 2020 Issue 270

ADES NEW FLEET OF HINO TRUCKS HIT THE ROAD

The new fleet of vehicles for our ADE factories in NSW have arrived and our supported employees and factory staff could not be more excited! There were smiles all round as the four new trucks rolled into the Minchinbury factory for the big reveal. Everyone was so eager to see the new vehicles and immediately jumped in the driver’s seat and started checking them out. Made up of four Hino Trucks the new fleet is a showstopper on the road and makes a great addition to our evergrowing family of vehicles.

These new trucks will replace the current utes that are being used on site.

The new fleet is a show stopper on the road and makes a great addition to our ever-growing family of vehicles. The trucks are the largest truck that staff can drive on a standard license, making it accessible for any factory staff member who holds a license.

Featuring the iconic Afford Employment logo on the doors, with ‘We Care!’ above the door handles and on the tray. The vehicles signage also has the official I HEART NDIS round sticker, which is the most recognisable in the community to show we are a registered NDIS provider.

On the tray, we’ve opted for a slogan in our signature Trashhand font that gives you a quick snapshot of what our ADEs do. “All Your Contract Packing Needs” was the winning slogan and was applied to the tray. The vehicles also have our phone number and website for people to reach out and contact us for contract packing needs!

“With our increasing workloads this new fleet will also assist in transferring work between sites to ensure our customer needs are met,” – said Gordon Griff, Executive Manager Commercial Services.

The fleet was just another positive change for our ADEs as we continue to improve our processes, the equipment we use and our culture! There are many more positive changes to come for our factories, so watch this space.

www.afford.com.au

August 14, 2020 Issue 270

Staff Matters EKTA CELEBRATES BECOMING A TRUE BLUE AUSSIE We want to say a huge congratulations to Ekta Pradhan, our Accounts Receivable Officer who recently become an Australian Citizen!

We want to say a huge congratulations to Ekta Pradhan, our Accounts Receivable Officer who recently become an Australian Citizen!

Ekta has been working for Afford for almost two years starting in January 2019, joining our finance team based at the NSW Head Office in Minchinbury. She began as casual with us in an account receivable role and has recently moved into an accounts officer role as we continue to grow. She is an extremely important member of the finance team and is always happy to help out her fellow Affordians with any accounts receivable enquiries.

Ekta is originally from Nepal and moved to Australia in 2014 with her family. She dived into studying The Master of Commerce - Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) for two years, this provided an understanding of Australian professional practice in accounting, enhanced technical knowledge and exposure to and practice in the strategic and management environment of the accounting industry. After she completed this achievement, she was then able to apply for Australian Citizenship. The citizenship process in Australia can be a lengthy one – sometimes taking over two years for an application to be processed! Ekta applied and waited patiently for news of the status of her application.

After receiving the life-changing news, Ekta celebrated at Minchinbury Head Office with her colleagues in the finance team. They decked out the finance meeting room with fun and colourful decorations of Australian flags and lanterns.

She was also gifted with a novelty party hat with blue, red and white streamers. The finance team celebrated the occasion with a morning tea including a Woolworth’s mud cake to enjoy, nothing more Aussie than a Woolies mud cake!

Congratulations again to Ekta, this is a huge milestone!

Reminder!

Staff please be reminded about the importance of the following: • Please note that all New South Wales and Victorian staff need to wear masks while working – inside and outside.

This is in line with this morning’s announcements for NSW – it nominated Western Suburbs but for certainty we request all staff in NSW to comply. Victoria had already moved to this point.

If you have any doubts or issues with stock please discuss with your Team Leader or Manager.

www.afford.com.au

August 14, 2020 Issue 270

Staff Matters BELMORE’S CLAW MACHINE

Belmore was recently awarded a grant from a generous bequest left in a will. Thanks to the hard work from our Grants and Fundraising Coordinator, Toni Preston, the grant was used to purchase a claw machine for the site to add to their games room. This has added to the engaging experience of the games room which has been an exciting addition for our clients to enjoy while at Day Program.

The games room is a sensory space filled with excitement, adrenaline, lights and sound and the claw machine which is filled with exclusive Afford merchandise and goodies, adds to the fun!

The claw machine could not be more tailor-made for the site, boasting ‘BELMORE’ in our signature font. “Couldn’t be more stoked with it!” – said Marc Menke, Team Leader.

Many of our sites now feature an abundance of awesome arcade games and others like pool or air hockey which can be utilised by other sites who may be close by.

“This is a great opportunity for all the other team leaders to think outside the square on things for the sites which will make more and more people want to come to Afford. Great work Marc, your vision of something great has been achieved,” – said Toni.

Handyman Timetable Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 17th Aug:

Mount Druitt and St Marys

- Tuesday 18th Aug:

Campbelltown and Leumeah

Meet Our Handyman Tahier

- Wednesday 19th Aug: Narellan Vale, Narellan and Glen Alpine - Thursday 20th Aug:

Jamisontown and Butterflies

- Friday 21st Aug:

Weekly catch up & urgent requests

SELFIES OF THE WEEK

ernational Selfie Above: Int Jessica y Da Friendship Roache Scicluna & Emma Centre. ll Ca ith nr Pe e at th

Pawsome Se lfie Above: Aurora and Si Kobe, Miche sters new rescue lle Flynn’s kittens.

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:

EVENT:

15th Aug

National Relaxation Day

17-23rd Aug

Book Week

25-31st Aug

Speech Pathology Week

28th Aug

Tracky Dack Day

A: 35

www.afford.com.au