Staff Updates

Staff Updates Ann

Individual Support, Aging and Disability

BigDog has been included in the Industry Reference Committee coordinated by SkillsIQ, a not-for-profit organisation appointed by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Skills and Employment to develop national skills standards in this industry. The purpose of the committee is to also ensure that skills are relevant for jobs in this industry and to meet critical skills gaps and shortages. The Aged Care Workforce Strategy 2018 found that Certificate III in Individual Support was not meeting the skills needs of workers. The introduction of the NDIS has led to an increased demand for personalisation of care and a diversity of skills to meet the needs of clients. This has led to the review of current qualifications at Certificate III and Certificate IV levels to ensure skills meet client and workforce needs.

Certificate III in Individual Support packaging rules have changed with 13 units in total with 9 core units and 4 electives.

Additional Questions

• NDIS Support Coordinator role • Assistive Technology • Restrictive Practices • Responses to Abuse • Autism Spectrum Disorder • Transporting passengers with disabilities • Leadership skills at Certificate IV • Medications

Current Certificate III Trainees

Congratulations to the 14 support staff who have commenced training through Aurora Training Institute and are now on Permanent Part-Time employment with all of their training and student costs covered by BigDog. Thank you for your commitment.

Staff Birthdays

March 2021

9th Deanna N 10th Dylan 18th Polly 21st Brodie C 26th Juliette S Susan 27th Alesha 29th Michael N 31st James S

Have a great day!

What’s happening in March

Dr. Seuss Books Are Pulled, and a ‘Cancel Culture’ Controversy Erupts

The beloved author’s most famous books, like “Green Eggs and Ham,” were untouched, but his estate’s decision nevertheless prompted a backlash and raised questions about what should be preserved as part of the cultural record.

“If I Ran the Zoo,” “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” “On Beyond Zebra!” and “McElligot’s Pool” were among the six Dr. Seuss books that his estate said “portray people in ways that are hurtful and wrong.”

Christopher Dolan/The Times-Tribune, via Associated Press

St Patrick’s Day

Wednesday 17th March 2021 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.

Justice of the Peace

This service is available at the Paul Myatt Community Centre 11-15 Alexander Street Toowoomba (please call first to 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)

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.