Staff Matters February 26, 2021 Issue 298 Week 35
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF
COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT ALERT This week will see the commencement of Phase 1a of vaccinations for COVID-19. All staff were recently sent a PDF alert from our CEO, Steven Herald, which we urge you to read and help you understand the process and how it may impact you.
In This Issue 1
For the Disability Sector, people eligible for Phase 1a are:
COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Alert Trivia Afford Reward Of The Week
• Residential settings with two or more people with disability
2
• Paid worker providing support to people living in residential accommodation with two more people with disability
3
The vaccinations are free and voluntary.
Adelaide & Perth Set To Soar Staff Profile Supported Employee Awarded Australia Day Honours Reminder
The Dept. of Health has started initiating the process this week, contacting service providers and advising when each group home will be visited. Executive Manager of Accommodation, Kym Mafi, provided the NDIA with information two weeks ago with client details and staff number estimates.
Handyman Timetable
4
1st Place Shared Services Annual Customer Service Award – Angela Murray Selfies Of The Week Upcoming Events
Meetings have been held with clients over the last two weeks and with families where applicable and clients have decided whether they wish to receive the vaccine or not.
Trivia Answer
Supported accommodation frontline employees, please take the time to read the information that was emailed on Sunday 21st February. Once you have read the information, please decide whether you would like to be vaccinated when the Dept. of Health staff visit your supported accommodation site. As a company, we strongly recommend all clients and staff get the vaccination and advise that clients have the right to choose not to receive support from staff who are not vaccinated. If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Kym Mafi on kym.mafi@afford.com.au or Steven Herald on steven.herald@afford.com.au.
PLUS ENJOY EVERY DAY SAVINGS ON THESE BRANDS!
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Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Murray Eales POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Caboolture Day Program, QLD FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG Lead Me Home – Shadows Fall FAVOURITE MOVIE? The Butterfly Effect FAVOURITE HOBBIES? Photography FAVOURITE FOODS? Fruits IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A jaguar WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? The Matterhorn IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? I would remove the barriers that exist to prevent communication between humans
February 26, 2021 Issue 298
ADELAIDE & PERTH SET TO SOAR Afford’s award-winning disability services officially launched into South Australia and Western Australia in June 2020. Since then, our teams have been busy making Afford a household name in both Adelaide and Perth! As we continue to expand our national footprint, it is inspiring to see how quickly our brand can grow as we support new clients under the NDIS. Since our expansion, we have opened our first day program in Holden Hill, South Australia. This site will be our main base for Adelaide and it is situated close to Tea Tree Plaza in Modbury. The site recently was Affordified with bright blue paint and our signature signage. We are already receiving fantastic feedback about the interest received due to our bright blue signage at Holden Hill. There are exciting new sites soon to open in both states. Morphett Vale is the location of our next day program in Adelaide, anticipated to be open by March 2021. Perth’s clients will soon experience Afford’s phenomenal day programs with Joondalup and Mandurah day programs set to open shortly. Our clients in the Western state will also experience the Afford Lifestyle with four supported accommodation homes located in Canning Vale, Cooloongup, Dudley Park and Coonanup, due to open by the end of April. Our property team have also been working extremely hard to secure three supported accommodation homes located in Mawson Lakes, Evanston Gardens and Northgate, all set to open by the end of April 2021. Short term accommodation is also in the pipeline for Adelaide, “We are looking for properties in South Adelaide and Central Adelaide,” said Property Officer, Emma Travers.
IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? The importance of clear and effective communication SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? If I told you, everyone would know
Other exciting news includes a potential new head office hub in Bentley, Perth. “We are currently negotiating a lease for a property on Albany Hwy in Bentley. This will be our WA Head Office and day program for the Cannington area, located 10 minutes from Westfield Carousel,” added Emma. Teams in both states have done a fantastic job spreading our Afford wings far and wide attending Nova Radio activation events, holding their own support coordination networking gatherings, organising shopping centre pop-ups and connecting with local organisations. Well done!
www.afford.com.au
February 26, 2021 Issue 298
Staff Matters SUPPORTED EMPLOYEE AWARDED AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS Recently Grahame Commerford who works as a supported employee at our Minto ADE was recognised as a 2021 Australia Day Honours Finalist. This is a massive accomplishment which recognises his contribution to bush care in his local area. Grahame is passionate about wildlife, plants and the bush. He is particularly interested in reptiles and can talk about lizards and snakes all day long. It all started approximately four years ago, when Grahame received a pamphlet in his letterbox regarding a bush care contribution program with Campbelltown Council. Being a keen bushman, Grahame brought the pamphlet into work and spoke to a Vocational Support Worker who supported him with contacting the Council and joining the program. Since then, Grahame has volunteered all of his spare time to assisting with bush care. He meets up on weekends with the other local volunteers before they set off for the day. If Grahame and his volunteer mates come across any injured wildlife, they will contact WIRES and other volunteer services who come in to take care of the animals. Although, if a lizard needs moving Grahame often relocates the lizard himself.
“Grahame loves to volunteer as he meets a variety of people who have the same interests. On occasions we have had lizards enter our office and we have called Grahame to remove it with care,” said Office Coordinator, Liz Saunders. All of his efforts have been made worthwhile by receiving an Australia Day Honours Finalist award Congratulations Grahame!
MAKE An exciting MOVE interstate WITH AFFORD!
ADELAIDE
Have you ever thought about a new adventure interstate? Did you know Afford has a Secondment’s Program? Secondments are for staff members interested in relocating and bringing the Afford culture to our new locations in Adelaide or Perth. At Afford, we believe in brightness of future for all staff and everyone has the opportunity to take advantage of a secondment. Staff members who may be interested in relocating to either Adelaide or Perth should speak with their immediate and district managers and express interest to HR. Attractive secondment benefits will be available for all those willing to head over and get the Afford Way happening. This is your opportunity for a career progression and Afford will support you with any training, accommodation and relocation for you and your family.
Handyman Timetable Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - Monday 1st March: Rouse Hill, Kings Park & Blacktown - Tuesday 2nd March: Canley Vale, Eschol Park & Eaglevale - Wednesday 3rd March: Marrickville, Ashfield & Lurnea - Thursday 4th March:
Woodbine, Ingleburn & Prestons ADE
- Friday 5th March:
Lakemba & Guildford
PERTH
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
www.afford.com.au
February 26, 2021 Issue 298
Staff Matters
1ST PLACE SHARED SERVICES ANNUAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD – ANGELA MURRAY We are so proud of the Affordians that received awards at the recent Staff Awards night. Please join us in congratulating our 1st place winner for the Annual Customer Service Award, Angela Murray! Angela is Afford’s Accounts Payable Officer. She joined Afford in 2016, she comes from a finance background, working in the sector for the last 20 years. Last year Angela took home a 1st place award for the Annual Customer Service Award at the Staff Awards Gala night held in October at Curzon Hall. CEO, Steven Herald announced the Annual Customer Service Awards. “We have an amazing Customer Service Award culture, where every month, people who go above and beyond are rewarded for their amazing performance. These awards then go into an annual award pool to ensure we recognise the superstars in our company,” he said. “I want to start with Shared Services, which is close to my heart. For first place, this is a very special one for me, Angela Murray!” Steve called out to the room. “I’m sure most of you would know Angela is Accounts Payable, she is the one who fixes up all of our expenses and makes sure all of the suppliers are paid on time and she does the most incredible job. We are all very proud of her,” said Steve. Angela was ecstatic when her name was called and accepted her award with a beaming smile. When asked how she felt after winning the award, Angela said, “I was so shocked! I was so happy that I won such an award,” she said, “I love my job and my team.” Congratulations Angie!
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
1 March
International Wheelchair Day
1-31 March
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
1-31 March
Australian Womens History Month
10-12 March Managers Conference eensland Selfie Above: Qu nager, Esther Ma re Ca r me Custo commodation Ac l na tio Leak & Na y at a Nest ale Advisor, Kirstin He t. en ev k networ
Pawsome Se lfie Above: Marketing, Events, Gra National nts Manager, C ristina Alvar & Fundraising ez hungry hi feeding at the zoo. ppo
A: Smoke
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