Staff Matters December 4, 2020 Issue 286 Week 23
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF A WILD CLIENT CHRISTMAS PARTY!
In This Issue
Afford NSW recently hosted a wild Christmas party for clients at the new major Western Sydney attraction at Bungarribee, Sydney Zoo!
A Wild Client Christmas Party!
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Trivia Afford Reward Of The Week
It was a great party, where Afford had exclusive access to the zoo, making us VIPs for the day. Clients from all over Sydney were invited to enjoy the exclusive experience and explore the new zoo with its African safari vibe!
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International Day of People With Disability Staff Profile
The zoo is home to 2,000 animals and attendees were all treated to a spectacular animal display. Making their way through the zoo, they spotted courageous lions, cheetahs, African painted dogs, fearless hyenas, spider monkeys, tigers, zebras, chimpanzees and baboons.
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A Wild Client Christmas Party Continued! Reminder
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Offering an inclusive experience for all of our clients, the venue featured wheelchair friendly raised boardwalks, built for all to check out all the animals and take photos with their new furry friends.
Afford’s Team Leader of The Year – Antoinette Imbruglia Handyman Timetable Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events
We have now partnered with Sydney Zoo Bungarribee for the next 12 months. This partnership will give Afford clients and staff 10% off all admission, ongoing advertising at the zoo entry and a sponsorship plaque at the Tammar Wallaby enclosure.
Trivia Answer
Clients were also treated to a delicious lunch, face painting, festive music and of course, a special visit from Santa himself! After a long day of walking and animal adventures, everyone had a fantastic day and headed home dreaming about their next wild adventure to the Sydney Zoo! Merry Christmas to our NSW clients! We look forward to celebrating with our QLD & VIC clients in the coming weeks.
PLUS ENJOY EVERY DAY SAVINGS ON THESE BRANDS!
www.afford.com.au
Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Tara Graham POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Ipswich QLD FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG Heartbreaker - Led Zepplin FAVOURITE MOVIE? Natural Born Killers FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Gardening, music and shopping FAVOURITE FOODS? Ice-cream IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A bee
December 4, 2020 Issue 286
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY International Day of People with Disability is celebrated every year on December 3rd. It’s a day to celebrate the achievements, contributions and unique abilities of people with disability. Afford is very proud to have a team of sensational supported employees who work in our ADEs across Sydney. For the next ten weeks, Afford’s Minchinbury, Prestons and Ingleburn ADEs will be busy with supported employees relabelling and repackaging thousands of Huggies Baby Wipes for delivery to supermarkets for customer purchase right across the country. Product labelling requires precision and patience, and this arduous task will be in the capable hands of hundreds of workers with disability across Western Sydney. “Many of the products that we buy every week at the supermarket are relabelled and distributed by Australian workers living with disability. The unique abilities and talents of our supported employees enhance our operations and positively contribute to the Australian economy.
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? North Queensland
On-site training gives our supported employees the chance to develop their skills and move into leadership positions. We have employees who have worked with us for years and know the processes and procedures inside and out. After participating in training, they are now Team Leaders and role models for their peers,” said Afford’s National Executive Manager, Commercial Services, Gordon Griff.
IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? Everyone has to be kind
With the Coronavirus affecting the viability and operations of many disability providers in 2020, Afford responded quickly to adjust routines for COVID-19 safe work practices. Afford’s actions ensured continuity of employment for all its supported employees.
IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? Music, film or gardening SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? It's a secret
“While some other disability enterprises stopped operations, Afford updated the ways we work on the factory floor. We increased our health checks and educated our supported employees about COVID safe work practices so that we could continue to provide employment through the pandemic. This meant that our supported employees could continue working, earn money and also have safe social interaction with their friends and workmates. We are immensely proud to say that our supported employees have contributed to the production and delivery of many products that are found in retail stores, and purchased by many Australians, across the country,” said Mr Griff. In a whole-of-life approach to disability supports, Afford organises and hosts social events for supported employees which are held during work hours to foster work/life balance. “Our employees are not just work mates, they are friends. At Afford we aim to provide supportive and encouraging workplaces where our supported employees can feel safe to be themselves and extend their friendships for fullness of life.”
www.afford.com.au
December 4, 2020 Issue 286
Staff Matters A WILD CLIENT CHRISTMAS PARTY CONTINUED!
Reminder! PLEASE BE REMINDED OF OUR NRMA MOBILE CAR SERVICING Staff responsible for car servicing, be reminded that the NRMA mobile mechanics service is recommended for Afford vehicles. The best contact for booking in vehicles for servicing is Huss Ayache directly on 0466 022 942.
www.afford.com.au
December 4, 2020 Issue 286
Staff Matters AFFORD’S TEAM LEADER OF THE YEAR – ANTOINETTE IMBRUGLIA Please join us in congratulating our Afford Team Leader of The Year, Antoinette Imbruglia! Starting her journey with Afford just over four years ago, she began with us as an LSA working between the sites of Oran Park, Lurnea and Green Valley. Facilitating the craft program at all three locations, she then transitioned entirely over to Oran Park working as an LSA before becoming senior. “The creativity that I have seen from this lady has left me gobsmacked over and over again. She has a very special talent where she sets herself apart from anyone else. When you look at the Gregory Hills new site and the Oran Park site before it, she has this special talent, Antoinette Imbruglia,” said Steve as he announced her award. When her name was announced, Antoinette’s team, Gregory Hills Day Program, exploded into a team war cry as she made her way to accept her trophy. Lost for words, her team jumped for the opportunity to boast about their amazing Team Leader. Gemma Bateup stepped up to the microphone and shared some words about Antoinette. “There is no one more deserving for this award because she goes above and beyond for her staff. There is not a moment in any day that we don’t feel appreciated, whether it’s an email, a box of lollies, a nice word, or a gift card. She really is the MVP and we love you so much!” Antoinette was interviewed following her award and shared these beautiful words about why she loves Afford, “The best thing about my job is the clients. I love coming to work to see them. They brighten my day and make me smile every day. They make coming to work a want, not a need. I can’t imagine doing anything else—also, my team.”
Handyman Timetable
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 7th December: Rouse Hill, Kings Park & Blacktown - Tuesday 8th December: Woodbine, Ingleburn & Prestons ADE - Wednesday 9th December: Lakemba & Guildford - Thursday 10th December:
Belmore, Bexley & Green Valley
- Friday 11th December:
Baulkham Hills & Requests
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
gs Park Lifestyle Selfie Above: Kin t Pawsome Se Roberts on the lef Assistants, Juliet ht getting Team Lead lfie Above: Eagle Vale rig the on an aw er, and Yalda Dh Miss Madd Paula Saunders's dog y! da ie big with Santa a for dy rea
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
1-31 December
Decembeard
25 December
Christmas Day
26 December
Boxing Day
1 January
New Years Day
A: Still 10! They are all in the same tank.
www.afford.com.au