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BigDog July 2026 Newsletter

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There’sanexcitingchangecomingto superannuation from 1 July 2026 with theintroductionofPaydaySuper.

Under the new requirements, BigDog willpaysuperannuationcontributions at the same time as employees are paid their wages, rather than making superpaymentsonaquarterlybasis. This means your super will be reaching your nominated fund more regularlythroughouttheyear.

Currently, BigDog processes and pays superannuation contributions onamonthlybasis.Whilethismeans the change will not significantly impact our existing practices, we are reviewing our payroll processes to ensure we are fully prepared for the transitiontoPaydaySuper

The change is designed to help employees keep better track of their super, grow their retirement savings sooner, and provide greater transparency around superannuationpayments

DirectorNotes

StaffPerformanceAppraisalsareDONE! ��

Abigthankyoutoeveryonefortakingthetimetoattendyour performanceappraisalwithBilly,Monique,ormyself. Weencourageyoutoreflectonthefeedbackyoureceivedand use it as an opportunity to continue developing your skills, improving your performance, and achieving your professional goals. Performance appraisals are designed to support your growth, recognise your achievements, and identify areas for ongoingdevelopment.

Thank you also for the valuable feedback you shared with us. YourinputhelpsuscontinueimprovingandmakingBigDogan evenbetterplacetowork.

NDISPriceGuideUpdate

The NDIS has released a new Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits guide, which includes a number of changes compared to previous years As a result, some participants may experiencechangestothesupportstheyreceive Wewillkeep everyone informed as we work through these updates and communicateanychangesthatmayaffectyourclients

Newfinancialyear,freshstart! ��

Whether you ' re setting professional goals, planning a holiday, or getting your tax return organised, we wish everyone a successfulyearahead Thankyouforeverythingyoudoforour participants and for making BigDog such a great team to be partof

ShoutOuttoIlamiBuli

ROCKY ROCKY

ShoutOuttoAnthonyWaters

A big shout out to Ilami for his reliability and commitmenttotheteam!Ilamiisalwayswillingtopick up extra shifts and adjust his roster when needed, makinghimsomeonewecancounton Heconsistently providespersoncenteredsupport,completesthorough shift notes and incident reports, and always puts our participants first. Thank you, Ilami, for your hard work, flexibility, and the positive contribution you make to bothourparticipantsandtheteam

Shout out to Anthony He is an incredibly dedicated and passionate team member who is always willing togoaboveandbeyondforbothhisparticipantsand the team His documentation and shift notes are alwaysdetailedandcompletedtoahighstandard Hehasagreatunderstandingofpersoncentredcare and is very capable of identifying triggers and adapting his support to best meet each participant's needs Anthony consistently provides high quality supportandisarealassettotheteam

TOOWOOMBA

ShoutouttoMichaelBackman

A big shout out to Michael for always being caring, compassionate, and willing to help He recently gave up his Saturday off while on call to assist with a delicatesituation,showinghiscommitmenttobothour participants and the team. Thank you, Michael, for always stepping up when needed Your support and dedicationaretrulyappreciated!

ShoutouttoMakennahDimmick

AbigshoutouttoMakennahforbeingsuchamature, confident, and extremely reliable member of the team. She approaches every task with a positive attitude and consistently does an excellent job in everythingshetakeson Thankyouforyourhardwork and dedication Your reliability and willingness to alwaysgiveyourbestaregreatlyappreciated!

Rockhampton

OurResponsibilitytoParticipants andEachOther

AstheNDIScontinuestoevolve,sodothe expectationsplacedonprovidersandsupport workers.Withincreasedregulatoryoversight, upcomingauditingprocesses,andastrongerfocus onqualityandsafeguarding,everyinteractionwe havewithparticipantsmatters.

Assupportworkers,ourresponsibilityextendsbeyond simplyattendingshifts.Weareexpectedto:

Deliversafe,respectful,andperson-centred supports

Activelysupportparticipantstoworktowardstheir NDISgoalsandbuildindependence

Completeaccurateandtimelyshiftnotes, incidentreports,anddocumentation

Promoteparticipantchoice,dignity,andinformed decision-making

Identifyandreportrisks,incidents,andchangesin participantwellbeingpromptly

Maintainprofessionalstandardsandcontribute positivelytotheteam

Overthecomingmonths,BigDogwillcontinue reviewingourservices,documentation,and environmentstoensureallsitesremainaudit-ready andalignedwiththeNDISPracticeStandards.Every supportworkerplaysavitalroleindemonstratingthe qualityofsupportsweprovide.

UpcomingCommunityEvents

CQMudsportzTwinTrackMudRacing -Saturday,04July2026|2:30PM–9:30PM

StateofOriginGame3–TheGrandFinale -Wednesday,08July2026|7:30PM–10:00PM Don’t forget to wear your team colours to work fortheGrandFinale!

Rockhampton Outdoor Adventure & Home & LifestyleExpo - Friday, 10 July 2026 | 8:30 AM –4:00PM

Adopt-A-BeastAnnualGarageSale Saturday,25July2026|7:00AM–4:00PM 121DeeStreet,KoongalQLD

Qualityisn'tjustaboutcompliance,it'sabout ensuringeveryparticipantreceivesthesafe, consistent,andhigh-qualitysupporttheydeserve By workingtogether,maintaininghighstandards,and focusingonparticipantoutcomes,wecontinueto strengthenBigDog'sreputationasaproviderthat deliversexceptionalsupports

This month, I had the opportunity to complete performance appraisals with our teams across Toowoomba and Rockhampton. Throughout these meetings, we received valuable feedback, genuine appreciation, and constructive discussions that will helpuscontinuetogrowasanorganisation.Itwasa pleasure to meet with each of you and provide honest feedback on your performance over the past sixmonths

To those who received outstanding appraisals, thank you You are leading by example, consistently demonstrating BigDog's values while following our policies, procedures, and the expectations of the NDIS Continue to mentor those around you and help createworkplacesthatwecanallbeproudof

Forthosewhoreceivedconstructivefeedback,viewit as an opportunity for growth Every appraisal is a chance to reflect, strengthen your practice, and ensureyouaremeetingtheprofessional,mandatory, and legislative responsibilities expected of support workers Ilookforwardtoseeingtheprogresseachof youmakesbeforeournextappraisalcycle

As we move into July, I hope those celebrating Christmas in July enjoy the festivities, and for everyone else, stay warm and look after your health during the colder months. Winter often brings increased illness and unexpected staff shortages. Pleasekeepthisinmindifyoureceiveacallfromthe officeorouron-callteamrequestingassistancewith additional shifts. BigDog succeeds because we work together, and at times we all need to step up to ensure our participants continue receiving the highqualitysupportstheydeserve.

Thank you all for your continued dedication and commitmenttothepeoplewesupport

QueenslandOutdoorAdventureExpo 24–26July|ToowoombaShowgrounds

OneofToowoomba'sbiggesteventsthismonth returnstotheShowgrounds Explorecaravans, campinggear,4WDdisplays,fishingequipment, outdoordemonstrations,foodvendors,andmore It'sagreatdayoutforanyonewholovesthe outdoors

Trying something new doesn't have to be a big adventure A visit to a local market, a walk through the gardens, or attending a community event can be a great way to stay connected, build confidence, and enjoyeverythingourregionhastooffer

Ifyou'dlikesupporttoattendaneventoractivity,speak with your BigDog support teamStay warm and enjoy July!

LiveMusic&LocalEntertainment

Avarietyoflivemusicperformances,tribute shows,theatreproductions,andcommunity entertainmenteventswillbetakingplaceacross ToowoombathroughoutJuly.Keepaneyeon localvenuesforupcomingperformancesand specialevents

SupportLocalatToowoombaMarkets Fromfreshproducetohandmadecraftsandlocal treats,Toowoomba'smarketscontinuetobea favouriteweekendactivity.Marketsareagreat opportunitytosupportlocalbusinesseswhile enjoyingarelaxedmorningout.

GetMovingwithParkrun

DidyouknowToowoombahostsafreeParkrun everySaturdaymorningatQueensPark? Whetheryouwalk,jog,volunteer,orsimplycheer fromthesidelines,Parkrunisafantasticwayto stayactiveandconnectwiththecommunity. EnjoyToowoomba'sParksandGardens Winteristheperfecttimetoexploresomeof Toowoomba'smostlovedoutdoorspaces, including:

We’d

Toowoomba Day Service

ThisJuly,we'reexcitedtointroduceourbrand-new GymnasticsAfternoon.

Come along with your craziest hairstyle and join us for a fantastic morning tea filled with delicious food, laughter, and plenty of fun Whether it's colourful hairspray, crazy spikes, ribbons, wigs, or something completely unique, we can't wait to see everyone ' s creativehairstyles.

ymnastics isn't just about learning tricks it's bout developing the everyday movement skills at help people become more confident and dependent Through fun and adapted activities, articipants will have the opportunity to improve eirbalance,flexibility,coordination,strength,and dyawareness

eseskillsplayanimportantroleineverydaylife, lping with activities such as walking safely, mbingsteps,reachingforobjects,gettinginand t of chairs, and improving overall confidence

Participants are developing fine motor skills, concentration, reaction time, coordination, and problem-solving abilities, all while working together, supporting one another, and having fun Learning through play is one of the best ways to buildconfidenceanddeveloplifelongskills

Rockhampton Day Service MACKA

Wow,Junehasflownby!Ithasbeenanoth month packed with exciting adventures, friendships, and opportunities for our participants to build confidence while en community

This month we ' ve welcomed several new our Day Service program, and it's been w seeeveryoneembracingtheopportunityt friendswithintheBigDogcommunity.Wel participants always brings fresh energy t with everyone enjoying regular activiti such as bowling, mini golf, nature walk lunches

While we love our exciting outings, staying active remains an important part of our program. Macka continues to encourage participants to challenge themselves through community walking tracks, outdoor adventures, and relaxing morning strolls. These activities not only promote physical wellbeingbutalsohelpbuildconfidence,resilience, andanappreciationfortheoutdoors.

As we say goodbye to June, we ' re excited to welcome an even bigger and brighter July! We haveplentyofexcitingactivitiesplanned,including a State of Origin celebration where we encourage everyone to wear their team colours and proudly supporttheirside ❤��

Another memorable outing was our visit to the Rockhampton Agricultural Show The group enjoyed thrillingrides,tryingtheirluckinSideshowAlley,tasting all the delicious show treats, and picking out their favourite show bags It was a day full of laughter, courage,andconnection,withparticipantssupporting one another to step outside their comfort zones and createlastingmemoriestogether

July also brings NAIDOC Week, celebrating 50 Years of Deadly We look forward to recognising and celebrating the rich cultures, histories, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through activities led by some of our Indigenous staff It promises to be a fantastic weekoflearning,connection,andcelebration

Importantreminders

Please remember to submit leave reques as possible. Late leave requests make extremely difficult and can impact p colleagues, and service delivery While em do happen, leave should be reque reasonable notice whenever possi cooperation in planning ahead i appreciated.

I have noticed an increase in support sta sickviatextmessage.Pleasebereminded not our procedure, as text messages can anddonotguaranteethatyournotificatio received

If you are unable to attend a shift due to must call the office during business hours or contact the on-call phone outside of office hours This ensures that we receive the information promptly and can arrange appropriate coverage for participants.

Thankyou

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication The work you do each day makes a real difference in the lives of the people we support, and your efforts do not go unnoticed. We appreciate your flexibility, commitment, and willingness to go above and beyond, often in challenging circumstances. Thank you for everything you do and for being such an important part of the team.

WearecurrentlyseekingteammembersforregularnightshiftsacrossourSILhouses.Ifthisinterestsyouor someoneyouknow,pleasereachouttoyourappropriaterosterersowecanexploreoptions. Thiswillnotbeatemporaryfill.We'relookingforteammemberswhocancommittoaconsistentrosterthat includes these sleepovers. Taking on these shifts may offer more predictable hours, a different work-life balanceandcontinuityforthepeoplewesupport.

Supportworkisarewarding,handsonjob,andrightnow,thereareopportunities.Ifyou'vegotafriend,family memberorevenaformercolleaguewhosoundsrightforthejob,encouragethemtoapplyonlineviaSEEK.

Christmas in July

As the winter chill settles in and the days become a little shorter, July brings us the perfect excuse to celebrate one of the most festive and joyful occasionsoftheyear,ChristmasinJuly!

While Christmas in Australia is usually celebrated in themiddleofsummer,ChristmasinJulyallowsusto experience some of the cosy traditions often seen in Christmasmoviesfromaroundtheworld Thinkwarm blankets,hotchocolate,heartymeals,twinklinglights, andspendingqualitytimewithfamilyandfriends

The idea of Christmas in July has become increasingly popular across Australia, with many people embracing the opportunity to add a little extrafunandcheertothewintermonths.Whetherit's enjoyingafestivelunch,decoratingyourhomewitha few Christmas ornaments, or simply listening to your favourite Christmas songs, there are plenty of ways tojoininthecelebrations

Christmas Fun Facts

The tradition of Christmas in July is believed to havestartedintheSouthernHemisphere,where people wanted to experience a winter themed Christmas

Australians often celebrate with roast dinners, soups, and warm desserts during Christmas in July

Fun Winter Activities

LookingforwaystoenjoyChristmasinJuly?Hereare somesimpleideas:

�� WatchafavouriteChristmasmovie

☕ Enjoyahotchocolatetoppedwithmarshmallows

�� BakeChristmasthemedbiscuits

�� PutupasmallChristmasdecorationortree

�� Spend time completing a puzzle or playing a boardgame

�� Readagoodbookwhilestayingwarmindoors

�� Performarandomactofkindnessforsomeonein yourcommunity

Christmas lights can brighten even the coldest winter evening and are known to boost feelings ofhappinessandcelebration

Christmas Trivia Challenge

Seehowmanyofthesequestionsyoucananswer!

1. WhatcolourisRudolph'snose?

2. WhatbeverageisoftenleftoutforSanta?

3. WhatplantistraditionallyhungatChristmasfor peopletostandunder?

4. WhatisthenameofSanta'svehicle?

5. WhichholidaycomesbeforeChristmasDay?

HAPPYBIRTHDAY EVERYONE!WISHING AYOUENDLESSJOY NDSUCCESSTODAY ANDALWAYS!

Checkoutwhat’savailableathttps://scottvalehealthclubcom/ PH:45734611orEmailhello@scottvalehealthclub.com

Core&RestoreWorkshopRecap

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Core & Restore Workshop in partnership with Strong Band. It was a wonderful opportunity to slow downandreconnectwithourbodies.

Throughout the session, participants focused on building core awareness and stability while also enjoying restorative movement, stretching, and relaxation techniques designed to release tension and support overall wellbeing. The energy in the room was incredible, and it was inspiring to see everyone embracing the experience with such opennessandenthusiasm.

We're grateful to everyone who attended and helped make the workshop a success We look forward to bringing more specialty workshops and wellnessexperiencestoourcommunityinthefuture. Staytunedforwhat'scomingnext!

Our pool, hydrotherapy, and wellness spaces continue to beutilisedwellthroughoutthe cooler months, with participants enjoying the benefits of low-impact exercise, movement, and recovery supports. As winter settles in, don’t forget to take advantage of the sauna as part of your wellness and recoveryroutines

SCOTTVALEHEALTH

Rockhampton

JunehasbeenanincrediblemonthhereatScottvale Health Club! We have welcomed many new faces into our Scottvale community and are excited to continue working alongside each and every one of you to help achieve your fitness goals, improve your health,andsupportyouroverallwellbeing.

Asourcommunitycontinuestogrow,wearepleased to announce that we now have additional appointment times available for Physiotherapy, Exercise Physiology, and Hydrotherapy services If you have been thinking about booking an appointment or would like to learn more about how our allied health team can support you, now is a greattimetogetintouch

ThankYou

As we wrap up another successful month, we would like to sincerely thank all of our members and participants for trusting us with your health and fitness journeys Your dedication, hard work, and supportarewhatmakeScottvaleHealthClubsucha welcomingandpositivecommunity.

We look forward to continuing to support you throughoutthesecondhalfof2026andcan'twaitto seewhatthecomingmonthsbring!

TheScottvaleHealthClubTeam

FollowUs

wwwscottvalehealthclubcom

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutbattery testing,yourCDMP,ortheupcoming event,ourfriendlyteamisheretohelp.

Upcoming Event –FuelersFIT

FuelersFITLaunchingJuly3rd! We are also thrilled to announce the launch of our new FuelersFIT Program, commencing on Friday, 3 July 2026.

FuelersFIT is a fully funded allied health programspecificallydesigned for veterans The program aims to help participantsmanageexistinginjuries, improvetheirfitnessandoverallhealth,and buildmeaningfulconnectionswith othersinasupportiveenvironment.

The program runs for 10 weeks, alternating between Hydrotherapy and Gym-based sessions, and takes place every Friday at 12:15pm.

This is a fantastic opportunity for veterans to access professional allied health support while enjoying the benefits of exercising alongside like-minded individuals Places arefillingquickly,withonlyafewspots remaining, so we encourage anyone who maybeinterestedtocontactusassoonas possible.

If you, a family member, or someone you know may benefit from FuelersFIT, please don't hesitate to get in touch for more information.

occupational therapy

As the cooler weather settles in, July is a great reminderthatmeaningfulprogressdoesn'tstop during winter. While many of us enjoy celebrating Christmas in July with family, friends, and our communities, these everyday experiencescanalsobecomevaluabletherapy opportunities Preparing a meal together, decorating the home, attending a local event, practisingshoppingskills,orsimplymaintaining a daily routine all help build independence, confidence,andsocialparticipation.

Winter can also bring additional challenges. Reduced physical activity, illness, and spending moretimeindoorscanaffectbothphysicaland mentalwellbeing.Weencourageparticipantsto remain active where possible, continue practisingthestrategiesrecommendedbytheir therapy team, and make the most of community-based activities to maintain strength, mobility, routine, and social connection

HowScottvaleHealthClubCanHelp

Our Occupational Therapy team continues to support participants across Queensland through both in-person and innovative remote service delivery. With minimal wait times, we currently have capacityfor:

FunctionalCapacityAssessments (FCAs)

SupportedIndependentLiving(SIL) Assessments

SupportedDisabilityAccommodation (SDA)Assessments

HomeandLivingAssessments

AssistiveTechnologyAssessments MinorHomeModifications

FunctionalTherapyandCapacity Building

FallsPreventionandManualHandling Assessments

If you have questions about the new pricing arrangements, require an assessment, or would like to discuss how Occupational Therapy can support your NDISgoals,ourteamisheretohelp. From all of us at Scottvale Health Club, we hope you enjoy a safe and happy Christmas in July. Stay warm, keep moving, and remember that every small step towards independence is a step worthcelebrating

That’s a wrap!

ASSIST

EAPPROGRAM

Pleasebeawarethatwe haveengagedwithanew EAPProgram! THANKSFORANOTHER

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BigDog July 2026 Newsletter by Steven Paull - Issuu