ISSUE 10 SEPTEMBER 2019
IN THIS ISSUE
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Vale Lady Doris Brand
Early intervention changes lives
Art Studio update
IN THIS ISSUE
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From our CEO
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Early Intervention changes lives
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Art Studio update
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Thanks to our wonderful supporters
What’s in a name? Brand News is named in recognition of the former Premier of Western Australia (1959-1971), Sir David Brand. Our Coolbinia office, The Sir David Brand Centre, officially opened on 29 February 1980 and is also named in his honour. Sir David was Patron of the Spastic Welfare Association of Western Australia (SWAWA) showing great empathy and care for children with disabilities. Sir David died in April 1979, and his qualities of strength, endurance, fortitude and patience are remembered by all those who came in contact with him. His wife, Lady Doris went on to become the Association’s Patron for many years.
Brand News is produced by the Marketing and Communications Team To contact us, please email communications@abilitycentre.com.au
Team members from RAC WA volunteering their time in the Minderoo Rise gardens
Brand News ISSUE 10 SEPTEMBER 2019
From our
CEO
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Welcome to our Spring edition of Brand News. 2019 has proven to be a very positive year with strengthening relationships and commitment from our donors and supporters. Throughout the first half of the year we’ve been very fortunate to have people in the community such as the South West Riders and the RAC Volunteers support our customers. This year, more than ever your generosity will ensure that we can continue to support many people in our community living with disability. As an organisation we are in the process of understanding the impact that the change from State government funding to the NDIS will have on our customers and the services we provide. Your donations will allow us to offer the additional support and deliver leading edge services that make our customers feel connected to their community and to their peers. I am incredibly appreciative of the generosity shown during this year’s Tax Appeal. We received a 36% increase in donations from individuals, community groups and organisations. These donations will go towards our Early Intervention programs. Early intervention can substantially improve a child’s long term development and ensure they reach their full potential.
Jacquie Thomson Chief Executive Officer
I’d also like to thank all of our Golf Day sponsors. The event this year will be held at Wembley Golf Course. We still have places available for individuals or teams, so I encourage you to join us for this fantastic day. Thank you again for everything you do for Ability Centre. Warm regards, Jacquie
It is with sadness we acknowledge the death of our patron Lady Doris Brand in April. Lady Brand became our patron in 1979 and continued the work of her late husband, former Premier Sir David Brand, championing the needs of people with disability and being a strong advocate for their inclusion in society.
Brand News ISSUE 10 SEPTEMBER 2019
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Early intervention changes lives Early intervention for babies and toddlers before they have received a diagnosis has a huge benefit not only for the child but also their parents. Over the past 12 months, Ability Centre’s In-Home Baby Intervention Service has supported 91 children. Our dedicated therapists, who travel to the family’s home, provide a range of therapies to help ensure the child is achieving their developmental milestones. The funds that were raised during our 2019 Tax Appeal will go towards supporting more children and families across Western Australia when they need it most. Executive General Manager Therapy Services Melissa Boekhoorn said, “We are so
grateful for the generosity shown this year and are really looking forward to helping more families. To achieve great outcomes for children accessing our Early intervention programs we also need to support their parents. We often see new parents who are facing unexpected challenges when their child is born with a disability or developmental delay, it can be quite overwhelming for them. “These donations will allow us to provide a range of supports that target a parent’s emotional wellbeing, empowering them with the skills to help their child’s development plus provide information about peer support programs and other community resources. We’re really excited about the next 12 months.” Through the Tax Appeal we learnt about Zoya who has Down syndrome and her mum Danielle. Since April, Zoya has turned one and is making her way towards reaching some big milestones.
Danielle said, “Jess, our physiotherapist, is still coming to visit us once a month and it’s been brilliant. She’s showing my Mum what to do so she can help Zoya now I’m back at work. “I’m so happy Zoya can go from lying to sitting up and then pulling to stand just by holding my fingers. She’s also started on solid foods, she’s loving all different types of foods but especially fruit. It’s great to have Jess’s support.” Through our Appeal as donors you had the chance to provide some words of encouragement to Danielle. Some of the wonderful messages were: −− Your child is blessed to have a caring and loving parent like you. You are awesome. −− Your dedication and devotion is inspiring. Strength and love to you and your family and to Zoya – may all her dreams come true. −− You’re doing such a great job because you’re doing it with love. Zoya, her mum Danielle and Physiotherapist Jess
Art Studio update The creation of art in all forms is a popular activity for many of Ability Centre’s customers. To accommodate this interest, an Art Studio was incorporated into the design of the Bradford Views complex in Coolbinia. The Studio has been purpose built for people living with disability and can be used for painting, mix-media art, clay making and ceramics. In midMarch we opened our doors to our first art class participants who have created a range of artworks. Through a partnership with not for profit arts organisation DADAA, specialist art workshops are being run twice a week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Ability Centre’s customers and people living with disability from the wider community. Ability Centre’s Opportunities program also holds a painting class in Bassendean every week for 12 customers. Since they started this class earlier in the year, people have been working to produce a range of pieces to be included in the Creative Connections Art and Poetry exhibition that was held at the Moores Building in August.
Ability Centre’s Community Inclusion Coordinator Gareth Goodway said, “Art is a fantastic way to bring people together. The partnership with DADAA has been really beneficial to our customers and other people living with disability that have also been able to attend. “The art program has been fortunate to receive a donation from Daniel Pavlovich to buy equipment and supplies.” Daniel donates 10 per cent of his annual profits to Ability Centre from his business daniel(ink). Daniel said, “To be able to give back to Ability Centre, who has helped me so much throughout my life, is really special to me. I have been fortunate enough to be able to pursue my passion for art and design as a business and to help make that possible for others with a disability is the best feeling.” Daniel will be hosting the ArtAbility Gala on 16 May 2020 at Government House. The event will combine art, disability and culture. All of the profits from the evening will be donated to Ability Centre’s Arts Program.
Support us
Art Ability Gala 2020 The ArtAbility Gala will be a unique evening embracing art, disability and culture. Money raised from this event, will help Ability Centre create opportunities for young West Australians living with disability to participate in arts and culture. For more information, email events@abilitycentre.com.au
Date Saturday 16 May 2020 Time 7pm Venue Government House, Perth
Support us
Thanks to all our wonderful supporters! 32nd Annual Golf Classic For over 30 years, the Golf Classic has been the major fundraising event for Ability Centre. Whether you’re a team or an individual, the Golf Classic is an event not to be missed. For more information, go to: abilitycentre.com.au/golfclassic
Gardening — for the better A passionate team from RAC WA volunteered their time to help residents at our Minderoo Rise villas revamp their garden spaces. RAC believes in giving back to their local communities, allowing staff to volunteer one day per year as part of their Corporate Volunteer Program. The hard work the team put into the spaces at Minderoo Rise has allowed residents to establish the Coolbinia Community Garden. The community garden is run by residents, their support team and volunteers from the local community developing a safe and inclusive space for everyone. In a little over four months, the community garden has
become an important hub for all Minderoo residents and people from the community. Minderoo Team Leader Jackie Mangan said, “The support for our garden has been wonderful. We've had many people donate things from for our garden. Foodbank WA also donated a huge amount of seedlings to help us start our vegetable garden. We also have four people from the local community involved with others interested, as new projects start to happen. “It’s a fabulous space and our customers love spending time in the garden, we often have afternoon tea over there when it's sunny.”
Date Thur. 19 Sept. 2019 Time 11am to evening Venue Wembley Golf Course Game 4 Ball Ambrose Post-game Function Cocktail reception
The RAC WA team of volunteers
If you’re interested in learning more about the Coolbinia Community Garden, or other projects you can get involved in, email fundraising@abilitycentre.com.au.
32nd Annual Golf Day
Tracey Bicker and Justin Scanlan
Charity ride A huge thank you to the South West Riders Social Club who hosted a ‘dice-run’ charity ride on Sunday 29 March.
Supporters’ event In late March, more than 70 stakeholders and partners attended Ability Centre’s first supporter event. The evening gave guests an opportunity to hear first-hand from Ability Centre customers and their families and to understand the importance philanthropy plays in the disability sector. Tracey Bicker attended the evening and spoke about her experience as a mum with a child with Down syndrome. “We found out Elliot has Down syndrome when he was born, it was quite overwhelming. For our family to have a place like Ability Centre to reach out to, was so helpful. Elliot is now 2 and during that time we’ve really got to know the therapists from Ability Centre. Each one has been so supportive of him reaching his milestones. Their ongoing support as we reach every new stage means so much to me and my family.” Philanthropy and Partnership Manager Georgina Harvey said, “The feedback from the evening has been very positive. Many people who attended the evening were touched by Tracey’s words and the other customers stories we shared and spoke to me about how they were unaware of what the NDIS meant to people living with disability and their families. I’m hoping over the course of the next year that we will be able to establish some great partners across the corporate sector so we can continue to help our customers thrive.” Thank you to PwC and our Chairman Justin Scanlan for hosting the event.
The 69 riders raised $1,742 for Ability Centre which was used to purchase equipment and activities for our children’s camps. These camps provide an opportunity for children and teenagers to have fun and grow their independence in a supported setting. Thanks to the organisers Aaron and Stubby, participants and sponsors of this event. Renay Eade, Community Services Manager with Aaron and Stubby
People with disability, like Anita, need extra support to live a full and meaningful life. Will you help with a donation today? Please accept my tax-deductible gift of: $25 can provide resources for social programs $60 can provide therapy services for customers $120 amazing! This can help expand our services to make sure more families have access to disability services they need My preferred gift of $ I would like to make an automatic donation of $
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