The Weekly Advertiser - Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Page 1

Vol. 20 18 No. No. 15 27 Vol.

FREE FREE PUBLICATION PUBLICATION

Wednesday, October January 13, Wednesday, 11, 2016 2017

Venture to open doors O

BY DEAN LAWSON

ne of the most profound developments in Wimmera disabilityservice history is set to take shape as part of a ground-breaking partnership.

Warracknabeal service provider Woodbine will join Horsham College and Horsham Special School in a venture to enhance and develop new learning, activity and employment opportunities. The value-adding partnership, which starts in this year’s final school term, involves Woodbine establishing a Horsham base at the college where it can expand its services through the use of modern education facilities and infrastructure. The venture has the potential to open new doors of opportunity for people with disabilities from across the region and beyond while stimulating student education and career ambitions. Woodbine chief executive Bernie O’Connor said the partnership was a significant and positive step forward. “If ever there was a genuine reason to describe something as a ‘win win’ then this is the time,” he said. He stressed that the inter-town development in no way eroded any services at Warracknabeal and instead added considerably to service provision. “It’s basically about increasing and enhancing opportunities and choice. This partnership will perfectly complement our current arrangements with Horsham Special School and reduce the travelling burden for many participants.”

IN THIS ISSUE

Under the arrangements and when the Horsham College rebuilding project is complete, Woodbine will have access to much of Horsham College’s two-storey wing. Significantly, modern facilities at the new schools will be available to Woodbine as part of a simple booking process. Mr O’Connor agreed that the partnership had gone well beyond consolidating services that had already been established in previous agreements. “It now offers an enormous range of choice for everyone,” he said. Horsham College principal Rob Pyers said the partnership would also result in significant benefits to college students. “The partnership will provide our students with opportunities for inclusive practice, work experience, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships and the potential for school leavers to enter the disability-sector workforce,” he said. “It is anticipated that the National Disability Insurance Scheme will create a significant increased demand for support workers in the sector.” Horsham Special School principal Matt Copping said a Woodbine catering program had been established at the school’s kitchen for the past three months. “Additional Woodbine programs will provide further employment and program activities that will flow directly from the skills we are teaching,” he said. “We hope the partnership will ensure there are natural pathways to employment and other activities for graduating students, should they choose to do so.”

WITH NO SKIS! Veteran water-ski star Brett Sands, a former triple world champion and dual record-holder, flies over a jump on the Wimmera River at Dimboola. Sands was among highcalibre performers at a Peter Taylor memorial barefoot water-ski tournament and night jump on Saturday. Organisers were delighted with a strong turn-out of spectators for the event, dedicated to influential water-skier Peter Taylor who died in April, and featuring Victoria’s first barefoot jump demonstration under lights in Victoria. Dimboola Boat and Water Ski Club hosted the event in partnership with South Australian Barefoot Club and Barefoot Waterski Australia. Dimboola club secretary Russell Hunter said organisers were happy with the event. “We were rapt. The atmosphere was electric and the thought bubbles are already at work on how to make it bigger and better in the future,” he said. “Peter Taylor’s philosophy was ‘never waste a crowd’ and the spectacle we had on the river was quite fitting.” Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

• Stadium issue highlighted • Leon’s challenge for children’s cancer • Basketball tips off

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