Staff Matters November 13, 2020 Issue 283 Week 20
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF MELBOURNES BUZZ IS BACK!
In This Issue
Affordian’s are delighted for our fellow Melbournians to finally have their lockdown restrictions eased, allowing them to get together for a buzz night and reconnect after so long in isolation.
Melbournes BUZZ is Back!
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Staff members in Melbourne have been in lockdown since the 8 July, restrictions were then reimposed following a second outbreak, with a state of disaster and an 8pm-5am curfew ordered on 2 August.
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Melbourne’s lockdown was one of the longest and strictest in the world, proving just how strong our Victorian superstars are! Melbourne staff celebrated by getting together for a delicious buzz night dinner filled with lots of laughs. Everyone was smiling from ear to ear, enjoying being out with their Afford family.
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Trivia Afford Reward Of The Week
Poppin’ Up in WA Staff Profile
Employee of the Year 2020 Sarah Vandemeer Reminder
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Photoshoot for Adelaide Buses Handyman Timetable Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events
Over the last seven months our Melbourne staff have gone through tremendous challenges, facing the pandemic head-on, with two of our supported accommodation residents testing positive for COVID-19. Our selfless and dedicated LSAs, Geneva Kara and Fraol Woldemikael ensured our two clients were cared for until they were returned home safely and cleared of the virus.
Trivia Answer
Lifting of the restrictions also brought the good news of Noble Park Day Program’s re-opening! The challenges from the pandemic have been difficult for our team in Victoria and banding together in these challenging times is essential. The dedication of our Victorian staff to continue providing supports in the face of this awful global pandemic, is a testament to their amazing commitment to Afford and our client's ongoing care needs.
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Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Mahawa Thomas POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Ipswich Day Program, QLD FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG Crazy In Love by Beyonce FAVOURITE MOVIE? Black Panther FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Going to the movies, shopping and dancing FAVOURITE FOODS? Spaghetti Bolognese IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? Lion - King of the jungle WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? Japan IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Eradicate all bad people IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Fitness SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? That I have a soft heart
November 13, 2020 Issue 283
POPPIN’ UP IN WA Our team in WA have recently been busy hitting the road and running pop-up stalls in shopping centres across Perth. Afford expanded our services to Perth in June and our staff have been busy networking with local organisations, support coordinators, community members and attending expos to establish a strong presence in the WA disability sector. To help spread the word of our award-winning services and connect with the local community, our WA team has booked in a number of pop-ups across the state. We were able to secure spots at: - Rockingham Shopping Centre - Livingston Market Place - Warwick Grove Shopping Centre
- Maddington Central - Cockburn Gateway Shopping Centre Teams have taken it in turns to attend the pop-ups, the dream team consists of National Accommodation Advisor, Cara Dempsey, Customer Care Manager, Lucy Pearson, NDIS Support Coordinator, Tracey Reid, Speech Pathologist, Isabella D’Annunzio and Team Leader, Amy Pritchard. The ladies have been powering through enquiries and gathering essential contacts in the local area. We also have a networking event booked at the Joondalup Country Club called ‘Ready-Set-Connect’ which should provide some meaningful connections. Our Perth team are spreading the message that Afford provide the best services and supports in the sector. It will be a busy end of the year for WA that’s for sure!
www.afford.com.au
November 13, 2020 Issue 283
Staff Matters EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 2020 - SARAH VANDEMEER Our Annual Staff Gala Awards night is about celebrating the amazing talent we have at Afford and recognising those Affordians that go above and beyond in their role. The final award presented each year is reserved for the best of the best! This year the Afford Employee of The Year, went to Sarah Vandemeer our talented and hardworking Payroll Manager! The room erupted into a roar of cheer as Sarah was announced the top winner and made her way up to the golden stage to accept her award. When asked how she felt when she won the award, Sarah joked, “I’ve got two teams, HR and Finance, everyone calls me the double luncher. I’m very grateful for everything so thank you, everyone!” Sarah recently celebrated her 15 years with Afford. Starting with us as Accounts Payable, she has excelled in the finance team moving into Payroll Manager just two years ago. “I had no experience, just a finance background and I just learnt!” she said. She embodies our culture and values and is a true Affordian through and through. Our CEO, Steven Herald spoke about Sarah saying, “Sarah is way too humble. She is amazing and we are really lucky to have her, she is our number one employee. At the end of the day, one of the most important things we do as a company is to pay our staff promptly and reimbursements are made on time. She has always made sure this happens.” We are proud of the amazing staff that received awards at the recent Staff Awards night and always celebrate our achievements and successes. It is paramount to Afford and we will always shine a spotlight on those who work hard to achieve those successes. Congratulations Sarah!
Reminder! EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) A FREE confidential counselling service for all Afford staff. We encourage you to reach out and use this service if you need support, help or just someone to speak too face-to-face or online.
1800 818 728 or 02 824 79191 or info@acesseap.com.au
www.afford.com.au
November 13, 2020 Issue 283
Staff Matters PHOTOSHOOT FOR ADELAIDE BUSES Afford’s Marketing and Events team recently organised a photoshoot for new culture images, inviting superstars, Executive Manager NSW/Victoria Day Programs, Amira Salama, Executive Manager Accommodation and Respite NSW/Victoria, Kym Mafi and Team Leader, Matthew Brennan-Jesson to have their time in the spotlight. The trio spent a few hours in the sunshine at the picturesque park in Thornton Estate wandering through the greenery and taking some bright and fun images which portrayed our fun culture and team and tribe vibe. The photoshoot was a huge success! The images will be used for recruitment advertising on new buses we have booked in Adelaide. With five new mega side buses being secured, driving interstate recruitment and brand-building in our new state. Our new buses in Adelaide will roll out onto the road from November 27th and will run for 12 weeks.
Handyman Timetable
Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be - Monday 16th November: - Tuesday 17th November: - Wednesday 18th November:
at the following sites this week: Glen Alpine Respite All Day Canley Vale, Eschol Park & Eaglevale Marrickville, Ashfield & Lurnea
- Thursday 19th November:
Ingleburn SLES Office Move
- Friday 20th November:
Mount Annan & St Andrews
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
g r ADE team lettin Selfie Above: Ou y at da zz bu m tea th a off some steam wi ! ing ow Maniax axe thr
Pawsome Se lfi marketing ca e Above: Misty the t, posing fo r the camer a!
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
14 November
World Diabetes Day
8-15 November
NAIDOC Week
21-29 November
Social Inclusion Week
1-30 November
Movember
A: Short
www.afford.com.au