Staff Matters October 25, 2019 Issue 228 Week 17
CARING ABOUT OUR STAFF A MAGICAL NIGHT UNDER THE SEA
More than 750 Afford clients, their families, carers, staff and sponsors, held their breath as they dived into an underwater fantasy at this year’s Under the Sea Gala Ball held at Le Montage. Afford Under the Sea transported attendees into a world of whimsy and magic with guests greeted by an underwater mermaid, Sebastian the singing crab, a pirate ship, ocean themed motion screen, pirates and more. The highlight of the night was a marriage proposal by the sea, with resident Toby proposing to fellow resident Jodie! The Gala Ball has been a highly anticipated and well attended event for the past four years and still remains the only event of its kind in the sector. The annual Gala Ball is staged purely as an opportunity for people with disability to celebrate in style, with family, carers and friends. Thanks to Afford’s Project Princess initiative, many attendees were dressed in stunning formal wear and gowns generously donated by the community and the general public. All attendees sparkled as they walked down the red carpet. Some guests from our ADEs made a huge entrance on a party bus, which was filled with laughter and excitement for the night ahead.
In This Issue 1
A Magical Night Under The Sea Joke Afford Trivia
2
Afford’s Team Premiers of 1st AFL Blind Competition Reminder
3
A Magical Night Under The Sea Cont.
4
Grants Presentation For Nowra and Worrigee Handyman Timetable Upcoming Events Afford Trivia Answer Selfies of the Week
We loved that some attendees threw themselves right into the theme by dressing as mermaids, pirates and more! There were some fantastic performances on the night, Brent Street dancers, Sebastian the crab singer, Will Skarpona and Mermaids from Mermaid Tempest and Friends. Clients danced the night away and loved taking photos with our selfie wall and photo booth. There are so many dedicated staff that coordinated this magical event, as well as the many Afford supporters, including major sponsors NAB and Livingstone, who make this Gala Ball possible. Thank you to all attendees, including our Afford Board member, Mike Allen, staff and, of course, our wonderful clients. The icing on the under the sea cake was a sensational finale to a memorable evening under the sea! Continued pg. 3
AFFORD TRIVIA
What year was our sensory space opened at Canley Vale Day Program?
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Staff Matters
STAFF PROFILE NAME: Leica Rainbird POSITION: Lifestyle Assistant LOCATION: Redlands, QLD
October 25, 2019 Issue 228
AFFORD’S TEAM PREMIERS OF 1ST AFL BLIND COMPETITION Afford is proud to be supporting the Hawks for both their wheelchair and their blind teams. This fantastic initiative highlights that every person, of every ability, has the chance to live their dreams and achieve their goals with innovation and the right supports and opportunities.
FAVOURITE MOVIE? Interview With A Vampire
The Victorian Blind Football League exists to provide opportunities for Victorians with blindness and low vision to compete in Australian Rules football. The League provides an environment that promotes fitness, fun, friendship and a sense of belonging.
FAVOURITE HOBBIES? My dogs
Hawthorn’s Blind AFL team has a squad of 10 players who were the winning team in the inaugural grand final, becoming the first ever Premiers of the AFL Blind Competition.
FAVOURITE MUSIC/SONG? Whiskey Glasses - Morgan Wallace
FAVOURITE FOODS? Seafood IF YOU COULD BE AN ANIMAL, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? An otter WHAT IS YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION? New Orleans IF YOU HAD THE POWER, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD? End animal cruelty IF YOU HAD TO TEACH SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD YOU TEACH? History SOMETHING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ME? I love reading books
The Hawks defeated the Bulldogs by seven points in an exciting and historical game for all those involved. Teammates have been working hard for this win and it is an incredible achievement, as the first game they had against the Bulldogs they were defeated by a whopping 150 points. The game was a celebration of the first season of AFL Blind, and Afford are proud to be the partner that makes the Hawks’ team possible. We are so proud of the team and look forward to another great year next year. The happiness from the win was overwhelming, with some players shedding tears of happiness for their historic win. John Boland was awarded Best on Ground honours after his eight-goal performance, and young Hawk Soban Sivachanthiran spoke of how incredible it felt to win and play footy in general. “It feels amazing, for us to play footy as it is,” Sivachanthiran said. “I’ve been waiting since I was maybe sixteen (to play), in school, I was told I would probably never play footy again.” – You can read more of this interview at www.hawthornfc.com.au. We're really excited to be working with the team at Hawthorn FC and look forward to great things! This game was ‘one to remember, always.’
Reminder! A general reminder for ALL Staff: • Reminder to check car parks for heights before entering. • When completing an incident report, you need to record full names.
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Staff Matters
October 25, 2019 Issue 228
A MAGICAL NIGHT UNDER THE SEA CONT.
www.afford.com.au
October 25, 2019 Issue 228
Staff Matters GRANTS PRESENTATION FOR NOWRA AND WORRIGEE It was a very special day for Worrigee and Nowra Group Home residents, Michael Welsby and Lisa Moreira, who recently attended a ClubGRANTS presentation. The presentation was held at the Shoalhaven Ex-serviceman’s Club and is all about giving back to the community – something the Club is very passionate about. Each year through ClubGRANTS, clubs across NSW provide support to tens of thousands of local community organisations, sporting groups, and charities that make a difference in their local area. This year we were lucky to be one of the recipients! We are so excited to receive this grant, which will be used to create a sensory room at Worrigee Group Home and also to purchase outdoor equipment for the Nowra Group Home. Keep an eye out for these upgrades! Michael and Lisa both represented Afford wonderfully and really enjoyed telling other recipients about the Afford Lifestyle they enjoy in their Group Homes. People were exceptionally impressed by Lisa and her story about how dramatically different her life is now from 12 months ago, when she lived as a young person in a nursing home prior to Afford’s support and advocacy.
Young people living in nursing homes seldom go out to visit their friends and nearly half never go on trips to the shops, movies or sporting events. Lisa now gets to enjoy all this and more with the Afford Lifestyle. Both residents thanked the Shoalhaven Ex-serviceman’s Club for their generous donation and said they will be applying for a spa for both Group Homes in next year’s grants.
Handyman Timetable
Meet Our Handyman Tahier
Our Handy Man, Tahier, will be at the following sites this week: - 28th October: Marrickville & Ashfield - 29th October: Belmore & Bexley - 30th October: St. Andrews – bathroom ceiling painting project - 31st October: Narellan Vale, Narellan & Leumeah
SELFIES OF THE WEEK
oy Mateys, Selfie Above: Ah Kym, protecting Tracy, Allison & the Afford Gala at ty un their bo Ball.
Pawsome Se lfie Above: Lisa and Su NSW Resid zi ents therapy do e during a visit with furry g, Ladybel le.
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE:
EVENT:
25 October
QLD Inclusive Flash Mob Occupational Therapy Week
31 October
Halloween
1-31 October
Girls' Night In
1&2 November
VIC Christmas Parties
Afford Trivia Answer: 2001
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