March 2020 Newsletter
Council Elections NDIS Transport Something about Bella Coronavirus
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Newsletter Steven’s Editor Notes Hi everyone, What an amazing country that we call home. In our last newsletter I wrote about how Australia seemed to be on fire, how record low rainfall contributed to a continent-scale emergency that was watched by the world and sorrow was felt for those who lost their lives, families, homes, pets or livestock. And then it rained, and it rained some more. The rain put out the fires and filled the dams and rivers. Russell Crowe posted the following 2 pictures of his property to show the incredible differences.
In This Issue 3 Council Elections 4 NDIS Updates 5 NDIS Transport 6 Community NEWS 7 Community Partnerships 8 Something about Bella 10 Queensland Government 11 Employee Appraisals 12 Toowoomba Community Centre 13 Rockhampton Group Centre 14 Coronaviris 15 Admin Updates 16 March Events 18 BigDog Services
BigDog Newsletter Privacy Notice: Please note that as a subscriber to our BigDog Newsletter which supplies news and events relevant to this organisation, your email address or any other personal information collected will only be used for the purpose for which you gave it to us and will not be disclosed to any other person, body or agency except where you have provided your consent or it is required or authorised by law. 2
Council Elections Saturday 28th March 2020 Local government elections for Toowoomba Region are held every four years. The role of a Councillor is a demanding one. It requires knowledge of local government systems, an interest in people and a willingness to invest time and energy in serving the needs and interests of the local community. So who to vote for, that’s the vexing question. There are so many great people who have contributed their valuable time in improving our community. Here are a few of my picks: Current Councillors Paul Antonio—current Mayor and a great leader, he should retain his role as Mayor. Geoff McDonald—Environment and Community. A tireless worker who is not afraid to dress up to promote an event or cause.
Retiring Councillors
Bill Cahill—Water and Waste. Bill has always been ready to discuss matters of the heart and offer good advice when asked.
As the bell tolls on 28th March a total of 90 years of local government experience will retire from the board room.
James O’Shea—Infrastructure. Although newly elected in 2016 and riding his media name at the time, James is open in his dealings.
Cr Anne Glasheen—29 years Clifton/TRC
Some of the contenders
Joe Ramia—24 years Toowoomba City/TRC
Petria Grabham—I worked with Petria for several years during the introduction of the NDIS and then during her time as a LAC.
Cr Chris Tait—17 years Jondaryan/TRC
Kerry Shine—is a man that I have high regard for. He worked tirelessly as the member for Toowoomba North and as the State Attorney General. He supported every sporting and community club with his presence and advice. Joy Mingay—successful recruitment business owner and past president of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce with lots of experience in what Toowoomba businesses need.
Cr Mike Williams—20 years Cambooya/TRC
Truly great people and you will all be dearly missed in the council chambers and in our region, doing the great work you do serving our amazing communities, that with your collective experience, you have had a hand in shaping! I would like to thank Joe Ramia for his strong support of Parent 2 Parent, BigDog Support Services and WhatsUp in Disability that has allowed us to operate out of the Paul Myatt Community Centre since 2011. 3
Updates NDIS the final 20% Honourable Stuart Robert MP, Minister of the NDIS and Minister for Government Services, released his plan to deliver the final 20% of the NDIS. He announced the plan in a speech at the National Press Club in Canberra. The Minister recognised that while the NDIS is changing lives, the roll out of the scheme has been difficult. He stated that delivering the final 20% of the plan will also be challenging. The plan intends to, in Robert's words, put the NDIS 'onto a business as usual even keel for the long term.’ The NDIS plan has six core ‘swim lanes.’ Each swim lane covers a different issue and seeks a specific outcome. Here is a summary of the six swim lanes and some of the promised actions for each one: 1. Quicker access and quality decision making This swim lane focuses on improving the quality of service, especially around wait times. Planned actions include: •
Resolving backlogs and delays through the new NDIS Participant Service Guarantee. This will set new service timeframes for NDIA service delivery.
•
Providing a single point of contact for participants, and encouraging longer duration plans. Longer plans benefit providers as well as participants because it will be easier to budget.
Commencing the national roll out of joint planning meetings and the provision of draft plan
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summaries. The co-design of plans will ultimately lead to better plans and outcomes for participants.
2. Increased engagement and collaboration The second swim lane is about addressing inequality in the NDIS. There is an emphasis on providing more support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The main measure is the expansion of the community connectors program for these groups. 3. Market innovation and improved technology This swim lane is about delivering a seamless ICT experience for participants and providers. Planned initiatives include: •
Developing Application Programming Interfaces to enable integration with the NDIA Business System.
•
Enabling a Digital Market Service which will support the development of a vibrant digital market.
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Growing the current NDIS Workforce and finalising a national NDIS Workforce Strategy. There was no mention of the number of staff needed to roll out the plan.
4. A financially sustainable scheme This swim lane is about making the scheme sustainable by integrating it with other mainstream service systems. The Minister has promised: The COAG Disability Reform Council will meet
Changes every 90 days to ensure the NDIS operates effectively with other mainstream service systems. An NDIS Reserve Fund will be established from the accumulated cash currently in the NDIS.
5. Equitable and consistent decisions The fifth lane focuses on addressing current inconsistencies regarding decision making. The planned changes could be extremely beneficial for participants and include: •
The implementation of independent functional assessments from 1 July 2020. These will be paid for by the NDIA.
•
The removal of the distinction between core and capacity building. This will enable plan funding to be used flexibly so participants can spend more of their budget.
•
Extending plan duration even further so reviews are only initiated in line with significant life milestones.
people in residential aged care. The NDIS plan will guide the scheme over the next 12 to 24 months and beyond. The Minister stated that there will be a flexible approach to its implementation. There will be guidance along the way from people with disability, their families, carers and other stakeholders. The plan is welcome news and shows there are exciting times ahead for the disability sector. It is promising that the Government has listened to feedback about the NDIS and are striving to improve the scheme. While there is a strong vision behind the plan, its success will depend on effective implementation. It will be interesting to see how the NDIS changes over the next 2 years with the plan.
6. Improve long term outcomes The final swim lane is about improving outcomes in areas such as employment and housing. Planned measures include: •
•
•
Implementing the NDIS Participant Employment Strategy. While this strategy is great and will ensure employment is a priority for the NDIS, change also needs to come from employers. Implementing further recommendations around SDA such as allowing eligible SDA participants to live with families or friends who are not SDA eligible.
Changes to the NDIS Price Guide and Support Catalogue 2019–20 effective 1st March 2020, included participant transport information including the reasonable levels of costs that providers can claim for non-labour transport costs Benchmark rates of $3.40 per km for specialised transport and .85c per km for vehicle transport were announced by the Minister. Other items included parking and road tolls. BigDog is maintaining our current charges.
Seeking to reduce the number of younger 5
NEWS Become a Radio Presenter by becoming a volunteer and presenter at 102.7FM! You don't need to have any prior experience. Training is provided, and 102.7FM will support you to become a community broadcaster. There are lots of ways to get involved at 102.7FM. Not only you can go on air with your very own radio show, but you can also help 102.7FM in other areas behind the scenes so if there's a skill you'd like to contribute to 102.7FM - let us know!
RSPCA Opening John McVeigh MP officially opened the RSPCA Toowoomba Animal Care Centre on 28th February, which received $4.8 million under the Federal Government's Building Better Regions Fund. What a fantastic collaborative effort from all involved in bringing this much awaited facility to fruition.
To volunteer at the station and get more information, please get in touch with 102.7FM via Facebook and Instagram or call us after 6th March on 4638 4171 between 9am and 12pm Monday to Friday. The Queens Park Market started as a fundraiser for St Vincent’s Hospital. It was first hosted beneath the Laurel trees in the upper part of the park, but after its popularity grew, it moved down to Frogs Hollow to enjoy the flatter ground and to make more room for the growing number of market stalls that lined up to join the popular Sunday Markets. If you have a hobby or small business— stallholder sites are available for $30 for a 3 x 3 metre site
Toowoomba Community Nursery More than 700 green thumbs have signed a petition to keep the volunteer run Toowoomba Community Nursery open.
To find out more about the Queens Park Markets, visit them on their new website or Facebook sites: Facebook: @queensparkcraftmarket Web: www.queensparkmarket.com.au Email: hello@queensparkmarket.com.au Email: queensparkmarkets@gmail.com
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Partnerships AFL Bushfire Appeal
Jan/Feb Magazine
The league will also donate $2.5 million to bushfire relief efforts including $1m directly to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund and a further $1.5 million will be donated into a Community Relief Fund set up by the AFL that will “support the local communities in fire affected areas to repair and rebuild their local football clubs”.
WhatsUp in Disability Stories in this issue include: • Australia on Fire • Human Rights Queensland • Workability Queensland • NDIS Updates • YB Central Opening • Community Radio 102.7 • Autism Training for Police • 2019 Big Stories
Steven Paull President
To obtain a copy of WhatsUp in Disability magazine or to be an advertiser, please contact WhatsUp via: Office
4/33 Bell Street, Toowoomba
admin@whatsupindisability.org
Phone
4632 6678
Online
www.whatsupindisability.org
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Join Billy Drury and his family and friends as they celebrate the life and legacy of his daughter Bella who sadly passed away from SIDS due to premature birth. Billy has chosen to make his daughter's birthday party a public event to help raise funds for the Toowoomba Hospital’s Special Care Nursery. Funds raised will be used to purchase life-saving/ life-changing medical equipment that will potentially save and improve lives of babies that need a little extra help. BigDog and WhatsUp in Disability will be opening the Paul Myatt Community Centre and grounds to assist in this great community event. We will also have a sausage sizzle and community marques to provide awareness of community services in the Toowoomba Region. We will need lots of help on the day to man these sites and to also assist in directing cars into the designated place. If you would like to be a volunteer on the day please let Steven or Sharon know so that we can assign you a job to do Tell your friends and family about this event and everyone come along and enjoy a great day in the park.
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Programs aaa
People, community groups and organisations all over Queensland are proving age is no barrier. We’re inviting Queenslanders to submit inspiring stories that celebrate the diverse capabilities and contributions of older people and help challenge stereotypes of ageing. For a chance to win $1000, share a story that we could develop into a short film as part of our B.OLD 2020: be B.OLDer series. We are looking for stories about older Queenslanders who are active and engaged in community life as volunteers, athletes, artists, entrepreneurs or employees. 10 stories will be selected by a judging panel. Our production teams will then plan and coordinate filming, which will take place between April and June 2020. The resulting short film series — B.OLD 2020: be B.OLDer — will be screened around the state as part of Seniors Month in August 2020. Submissions close Monday 30th March 2020. 10
Vehicle Registration via direct debit Queenslanders can pay their vehicle registration renewals more easily with a new onemonth term now available via direct debit. Nearly one in five drivers told the Department of Transport and Main Roads (Queensland) that they’d prefer monthly registration installments, so they have made it happen. Choose from one, three, six or 12-month registration options when using direct debit. www.qld.gov.au/directdebitrego
Appraisals Employee Survey The importance of having a regular employee survey cannot be understated and forms an integral part of the total appraisal.
Employee engagement occurs when a workforce demonstrates behaviour that is congruent with organisational goals and objectives (Erickson, 2005). Engaged employees are conscientious about their work, enthusiastic about what they do, and are committed to maintaining a high level of performance (Macey and Schneider, 2008). Engagement transcends both satisfaction and happiness, moving into a level of intense emotional commitment to BigDog. Engaged employees demonstrate discretionary effort, meaning they willingly take on responsibilities that are above and beyond their job description.
I am particularly pleased that the overall result consistently shows a result above 4.5 out of 5. This shows a healthy business environment and job satisfaction. Of particular note are the following 2 highest: scoring statements
Achieving participant satisfaction is an everyday priority
BigDog treats employees with respect.
The statement that scored the lowest, only .3 behind the highest score is BigDog recognises and rewards good performance. This is true, I don’t tell everyone what a great job they do enough times and I need to change that and I will. Commencing this month I will be selecting an employee of the month and rewarding them with a $50 Bunnings voucher as a thank you.
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March is full of things to do! Check out the March Calendar on our website for daily activities: Monday
Art Therapy
Tuesday
Gym Drum Therapy
Wednesday Cook and share Thursday
10 pin bowling BBQ in the park
Friday
Mail Run Swimming Men’s Group Ladies Group
Reminder that there is no additional cost for these activities for anyone attending the Paul Myatt Community Centre on those days.
Special Events 11th
Outing to Spring Bluff
15th
Queens Park Market
17th
St Patrick’s Day—Green Day
18th
World’s Greatest Shave fundraiser
21st
What is Public Art?
27th
Toowoomba Show
28th
Council Election Day
BigDog Day Service Toowoomba
Paul Myatt Community Centre 11-15 Alexander Street North Toowoomba 4350 Coordinator Sharon Price Phone: 4512 6020 dayservice@bigdogsupport.com.au 12
Great Keppel Island Day Trip Halfway up the Queensland coastline you’ll find Great Keppel Island, a protected hideaway smack in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. On this day trip from BigDog Rockhampton to Keppel Bay Marina near Yeppoon, the group took a short ferry ride out to Great Keppel Island and explored the island at their own pace. Everyone enjoyed a tranquil bush walk, BBQ lunch, and had a swim in the crystal-clear water.
Look out for our movie day on Friday 6th and our BBQ lunch at Keppel Sands on Friday 13th Our Respite (Short-term Accommodation) Unit in the Edge on Victoria Parade is proving popular. The unit has great views over the Fitzroy River and boasts a swimming pool, gym and wheelchair accessible facilities, in the CBD BigDog Day Service Rockhampton
206 Murray Street, Allenstown, Rockhampton 4701 Coordinator Betty Cowan Phone: 4573 4611 ssmith@bigdogsupport.com.au sheit@bigdogsupport.com.au 13
Coronavirus (COVID-19) History has shown that on a regular basis Pandemic outbreaks occur in which human lives become very vulnerable.
10. We can't emphasise enough to drink plenty of water! The Symptoms
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If you have a runny nose and sputum, you have a common cold
1.
It will first infect the throat, so you'll have a sore throat lasting 3/4 days
2.
Coronavirus pneumonia is a dry cough with no runny nose.
2.
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This new virus is not heat-resistant and will be killed by a temperature of just 26/27 degrees. It hates the Sun.
The virus then blends into a nasal fluid that enters the trachea and then the lungs, causing pneumonia. This takes about 5/6 days further.
3.
With the pneumonia comes high fever and difficulty in breathing.
4.
The nasal congestion is not like the normal kind. You feel like you're drowning. It's imperative you then seek immediate attention.
4.
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If someone sneezes with it, it takes about 10 feet before it drops to the ground and is no longer airborne.
If it drops on a metal surface it will live for at least 12 hours - so if you come into contact with any metal surface - wash your hands as soon as you can with a bacterial soap.
6.
On fabric it can survive for 6-12 hours. normal laundry detergent will kill it.
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Drinking warm water is effective for all viruses. Try not to drink liquids with ice.
8.
Wash your hands frequently as the virus can only live on your hands for 5-10 minutes, but - a lot can happen during that time - you can rub your eyes, pick your nose unwittingly and so on.
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You should also gargle as a prevention. A simple solution of salt in warm water will suffice.
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Home isolation, quarantine periods and/or the spread of COVID-19 can be stressful and may leave you feeling concerned. BigDog will assist participants and their families to connect with a range of support services available, including talking to a councillor or other mental health professional.
Congratulations
Birthdays
Courtney Carroll Operations Manager It is with great excitement that we announce that Courtney will be taking over this vital role. She has worked with BigDog since she was a student at USQ studying Law. Courtney will be supervising the rosters and is also our company lawyer.
Rebecca Moretti Reception/Administration
Rebecca has had previous administration and reception experience in her previous job. She has shown particular skills in her positive relationships with other staff and participants.
March 9th 14th 18th 20th 22nd 24th 26th
29th 30th
Deanna N Brian S Polly W Christian Gina B Jacob R Sophie R Juliette S Susan H Jennifer Honeti T
Have a great day!
Craig Grenrich Support Worker Employee of the Month winning a $50 Bunnings voucher for his quick actions in reporting a situation that he felt wasn’t quite right. The matter was reported to the participant’s doctor and the local Police. They visited the address as there were concerns for the health of the participant. He was subsequently transported to the hospital and was treated and released soon after. 15
St Patrick’s Day Tuesday 17th March 2020 Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, "the Day of the Festival of Patrick"), is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17th March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. Saint Patrick's Day was made an official Christian feast day in the early 17th century and is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion (especially the Church of Ireland), the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Lutheran Church. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilís, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Christians who belong to liturgical denominations also attend church services and historically the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol were lifted for the day, which has encouraged and propagated the holiday's tradition of alcohol consumption. Saint Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador (for provincial government employees), and the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat. It is also widely celebrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Brazil, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand, especially amongst Irish diaspora. Saint Patrick's Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival. 16
Queens Park Market Sunday 15th March 2020 8:00 am—1:00 pm Queens Park Frog’s Hollow
All proceeds to support WhatsUp in Disability
Black Dog Ride Sunday 15th March 2020 7:30 am—1:00 pm Toowoomba Showgrounds All proceeds to Black Dog mental health
Take a Hike Toowoomba Sunday 22nd March 2020 6:00 am—11:00 am Queens Park All proceeds to support AEIOU Toowoomba
Lego Fan Expo Toowoomba 28th—29th March 2020 Clive Berghofer Recreation Centre USQ Tickets through trybooking
Join our BigDog group attending the Toowoomba Show on Friday 27th March. See page 12 for more details
Justice of the Peace This service is available at the Paul Myatt Community Centre 11-15 Alexander Street Toowoomba (please make an appointment) The JPs in the Community Program is also available through major shopping centres, libraries, court houses and hospitals.
Contact Us BigDog Support Services 232 Ruthven Street Toowoomba QLD 4350 PO Box 234 Harlaxton QLD 4350
(07) 4632 9559 1800 22 44 32 0427 408 698 (On Call) www.bigdogsupport.com.au 17
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