BIGDOG NEWS News • Updates • Stories • Community
SPOOKY SEASON IS HERE!! October 2026
NDIS UPDATES
You may have heard about the changes coming to NDIS funding for Social, Economic and Community Participation. From 1 October 2026, the NDIS is beginning to progressively reduce budgets in this category, as well as in Improved Daily Living Skills. For some of our participants, this could mean having less funding available for community access and participation, which may result in changes to how often they are able to access their usual supports. For others, there may be little or no immediate impact depending on their individual circumstances and the supports included in their plan. The NDIS is going through a significant period of change, and we will continue to keep everyone updated as more information becomes available. Our focus remains on making sure our participants receive the supports they are entitled to and that we continue to provide high-quality, person-centred support. CHRISTMAS LEAVE It may seem a little early to be talking about Christmas, but December will be here before we know it! We are now asking everyone to put in their Christmas and New Year availability as soon as possible. This is particularly important because we need to plan rosters across the Christmas and New Year period well in advance. We want to make sure our participants continue to receive the support they need while also making sure everyone gets the opportunity to spend time with their own families and enjoy the holiday period. Please make sure your availability is accurate and let us know as early as possible about any days you are unavailable to work. The more notice we have, the easier it is for the rostering team to put together a fair and workable roster. Please remember that submitting availability does not automatically mean leave has been approved. Leave requests still need to go through CareMaster and be approved in advance
HUMAN RESOURCES
Planning some time off? Please remember to submit your leave request as early as possible. Providing plenty of notice helps us plan ahead, arrange appropriate coverage and minimise disruptions to clients and other team members. While we understand that unexpected circumstances can arise, late leave requests can make it difficult to arrange suitable coverage, particularly during busy periods and school holidays. So, if you already know you'll need time off, please don't wait until the last minute. Submit your leave request as soon as you can! Thank you for helping us keep things running smoothly.
OPERATIONS
DIRECTOR NOTES
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ROCKY
Shout Outs
A huge shout out to Liam for the incredible work he has been doing with his reporting for our SIL participants! Liam consistently demonstrates the importance of thorough reporting, consistent approaches and meaningful engagement. The effort he puts into documenting information and maintaining consistency across supports has an immense flow-on effect for our participants, the team and the overall quality of care we provide. Liam has also received a personal shout-out and praise for his support to Roger, which is a fantastic reflection of the care, commitment and dedication he brings to his role. The impact of good reporting and consistent support extends far beyond the paperwork, helping to ensure continuity of care, informed decision-making and better outcomes for our participants. Thank you, Liam, for your attention to detail, genuine care and the effort you put into supporting both your participants and the wider team. Your work is greatly appreciated and certainly does not go unnoticed!
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TOOWOOMBA A huge shout out to Gus, who recently received some incredible feedback from a family member about his outgoing, friendly nature! Gus is always such a positive presence, and his willingness to get involved and lend a hand makes him a huge asset to our Day Service Program. His friendly personality and enthusiasm help create a welcoming environment for everyone around him. It’s wonderful to see Gus’s efforts and the positive impact he has on others being recognised. Keep up the amazing work, Gus!
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TOOWOOMBA A huge shout out to Karla for consistently going above and beyond to support our team! Karla is always accommodating when it comes to short-notice roster changes and regularly demonstrates what it means to be a true team player. Her willingness to step in and help wherever needed does not go unnoticed. Her excellent communication with the office, combined with her genuine care and dedication to her participants, makes her an all-round asset to our team. Thank you, Karla, for your flexibility, teamwork and the compassion you bring to your role. We appreciate everything you do!
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October 2026
PETA
Issue 10
ROCKHAMPTON 2026 Pet Expo Saturday, 5 September | 9:00am–2:00pm
I’d like to introduce Coffee & Conversation a chance to hear directly from our Support Workers and share some of the experiences, ideas and tips that come from the people doing the work every day. Starting next month, I’ll be reaching out to different Support Workers to invite you to contribute. It will be a simple and informal opportunity to answer a few questions and share your thoughts with the rest of the team! Some of the questions might include: What’s your favourite activity to do with participants? What’s one thing you wish you’d known when you started support work? What’s your best tip for a new Support Worker? What’s one way you help promote independence? What do you enjoy most about being a Support Worker? What’s a memorable moment you’ve had while supporting a participant? There’s no right or wrong answer as this is simply about sharing our experiences, learning from each other and getting to know the people behind the role. If you’d prefer to remain anonymous, that’s completely okay! You can still take part without having your name included in the newsletter. The choice is yours, and there is absolutely no pressure to participate. I’ll be reaching out to some of you next month, so keep an eye out! you might be our first Coffee & Conversation!
Capacity across Services We currently have capacity in Rockhampton for: ILO & SIL Supports Community Access Supports (CAS) 1:3 Group Activities If you’re looking for flexible, person-centred supports in Rockhampton, we’d love to have a chat and see how we can support you or your participant. Get in touch with the BigDog team today!
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CAS and Group Activities
ILO and SIL
Upcoming Events - Gracemere Community Family Fair – Friday, 9 October | 3:00–6:00 PM. Free family activities and entertainment for participants to enjoy and connect with the community. - Caulfield Cup – Saturday, 17 October. Participants can watch from home or attend community activities. Please call early to arrange and approve shifts. - King’s Birthday Public Holiday – Monday, 5 October. Please consider the public holiday when planning participant supports and shifts.
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October 2026
Issue 10
BILLY & APRIL
TOOWOOMBA September in Review – Spring Has Sprung! As the weather starts to warm up and the days get longer, it has been fantastic to see our participants making the most of spring and getting out and about across the Toowoomba community. September brought plenty of opportunities to get involved, with the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers once again bringing the city to life. From enjoying the beautiful gardens and flowers to getting out into the community, it has been a great reminder of how important meaningful community participation is for the people we support.
Keep an eye out for these events this October! 8 October Regional Disability Expo and Seniors Expo, at The Works 17 October Gemfest begins 18 October Queens Park Market 23 October Foodie Fiesta 24 October Dolly: I Will Always Love You
Behind the scenes, September has also been a month of continued change across the NDIS sector. With ongoing updates to pricing, funding and service arrangements, our focus remains on making sure our participants receive consistent, person-centred support and that our teams continue to communicate, document and work together effectively.
🎃 Looking Ahead to Think October And now... it's time to get SPOOKY! October is shaping up to be another exciting month, with Halloween just around the corner. We're looking forward to bringing some fun, creativity and a little bit of spooky spirit into our programs!
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One of the highlights for us this month has been seeing the effort our team continues to put into creating positive experiences for our participants. Whether it's supporting someone to try something new, getting involved in community activities, maintaining consistency across our SIL services or simply being there when someone needs a little extra support — these everyday moments are what make a real difference.
costumes, Halloween crafts, themed activities, spooky treats and plenty of opportunities to get involved. Whether participants are Halloween fanatics or prefer to keep things a little less scary, we're looking forward to making
October a month full of fun and connection. As we move into the final months of the year, we're excited to continue creating opportunities for our participants to connect, participate, build confidence and enjoy everything our community has to offer.
If you need any help feel free to contact us. t_services@bigdog.au
4632 9559
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Jess
October 2026
Issue 10
DAY SERVICE
TOOWOOMBA SEPTEMBER WRAP-UP & OCTOBER EXCITEMENT September has been a busy month at BigDog, with plenty of opportunities to get out into the community, enjoy the warmer weather and make the most of spring. We have enjoyed getting out and about, spending time with friends, enjoying lunch outings and taking part in some great community events. ALL ABILITIES SIDESHOW ALLEY One of the highlights was attending the All Abilities Sideshow Alley at the Carnival of Flowers.
It was a fantastic opportunity to get out into the community and enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the event. We also had the chance to catch up with some old friends and make some new ones along the way. It was wonderful to see everyone enjoying themselves and being part of such a great community event.
FLOWERS, PARKS & GARDENS Spring has certainly arrived around Toowoomba! Throughout September, we have been enjoying the beautiful weather and making the most of opportunities to get outside. We have enjoyed visits to parks and gardens, spring-themed activities and taking time to stop and enjoy the flowers around us. There have been plenty of beautiful spots to explore, and it has been great seeing everyone enjoying the warmer weather.
🎡 Ride, Explore & Try Something New! 01
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LOOKING AHEAD – HALLOWEEN FUN! October is bringing a little bit of spooky fun to BigDog! We will be celebrating with a Halloween Shirt Day, so everyone can get into the Halloween spirit by wearing their favourite Halloween shirt or something spooky. We will also have Halloweenthemed activities, music and a fun lunch planned for the day. Dressing up is completely optional — the main thing is coming along and having some fun!
AREA 51 DAY We are also getting ready for our Area 51 Day! This will be a fun day with an out-of-this-world theme, activities and plenty of opportunities to get involved. We are looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with for this one!
Our lunch outings have also been a big part of September. Getting out for lunch gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy different places, spend time together and be part of the local community.
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October 2026
MACKA
Issue 10
DAY SERVICE
ROCKHAMPTON BigDog Support Service Celebrates R U OK? Day
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This R U OK? Day, the BigDog Support Service crew came together for a beautiful morning down at the beach, enjoying breakfast, good company and plenty of laughs along the way. To show our support for R U OK? Day, we all dressed in yellow — a bright reminder that checking in with our mates, having a conversation and making sure the people around us are doing okay is something we can all be part of.
Our morning at the beach was a great opportunity to slow down, enjoy the fresh air and spend some quality time together. Sometimes it’s the simple things — sharing a meal, having a chat or simply being there for someone — that can make a big difference. At BigDog Support Service, we believe that connection, friendship and community are important parts of looking after one another. R U OK? Day gives us a great reminder to keep checking in with our mates, not just today, but all year round.
Continuing to Explore CQ Our adventures haven’t stopped there! We have also continued getting out and about and exploring Central Queensland, discovering new places, enjoying different experiences and making plenty of memories along the way. From beaches and beautiful outdoor locations to hidden gems around the region, there is always somewhere new to explore. Getting out into the community gives everyone the opportunity to try something different, build confidence, connect with others and enjoy everything CQ has to offer. And we’re not finished yet! BigDog Support Service will continue exploring, discovering new spots and finding more places for our crew to enjoy together. We’re looking forward to seeing where our next adventure takes us! A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our R U OK? Day breakfast and helped make it such a positive and memorable morning. Remember — a conversation can make a difference. Ask the question, listen and let your mates know you’re there for them.
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October 2026
Issue 10
BETH
ROSTERING
Hanover and Tyke Liceria Daycare
Newsletter 2026
Volume 02 @reallygreatsite
A little rostering reminder from me! I look after the rosters for both our Rockhampton and Toowoomba teams. I’m only one person, so while I do my best to get back to everyone as quickly as possible, please keep in mind that there can sometimes be a bit of a wait. You are always welcome to send me an email with any roster requests or questions, and I’ll get to them as soon as I can. If something is urgent or needs an immediate response, please give the office a call rather than relying on email. A big shout-out to Toowoomba weather! The flowers around our city have been looking absolutely beautiful lately! It’s been great seeing all the colour around the place and hopefully everyone has had a chance to enjoy them. Just a reminder that Monday 6 October is a public holiday. SIL supports will be continuing as normal, however the majority of CAS, yard and cleaning shifts will not be going ahead. Please make sure you check your roster and shift notes ahead of time so you know what is happening. And help prepare our participants by reminders, ensuring groceries and medication is all ready.
I will also be taking one week of leave in October. During this time, please direct any rostering questions, changes or requests to the office so the team can assist you while I’m away. Lastly, Christmas leave is first in, best dressed, so please get your leave requests in as early as possible. The earlier we know about your availability over the Christmas period, the easier it is for us to plan and make sure shifts are covered. Thank you to everyone for all your hard work, flexibility and support. I really appreciate everything you do for our participants and for each other! Beth
You can reach us anytime at 0447 452 995 or t_rostering@bigdog.au
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HAPPY BIRTH D EVERY ONE! W AY ISHING YOU E NDLES S JOY AND S UCCES S TOD AY AND A LWAY S! 09
October 2026
Issue 10
Marvin
SCOTTVALE A Busy Month of Connection, Community & Healthy Ageing It’s been a busy and rewarding month for our team, with plenty happening both in the community and behind the scenes. While Sophie, Taylah and Macka enjoyed a day out at the beach, I had the opportunity to attend the Healthy Ageing Forum on September 17 in Yeppoon, where I was honoured to be part of the local panel.
At Scottvale Health Club, we offer a range of clinician-led services designed to help you move better, feel stronger, and achieve your health goals.
Healthy Brain, Healthy Body, Healthy Life The theme of the Forum was “Healthy Brain, Healthy Body, Healthy Life”, highlighting the important connection between physical activity, brain health and overall wellbeing as we age. One of the key messages throughout the Forum was that exercise isn't only about maintaining a strong and healthy body. It can also play an important role in supporting a healthy brain and promoting a healthier life. During the local panel, I spoke about how we can incorporate everyday activities into our exercise routine. Exercise doesn't always have to mean going to the gym or setting aside a large block of time. Small changes to our daily habits can add up.
The next time you head to the shops, try parking a little further away to get some extra steps in, or take the stairs instead of the lift. These small opportunities throughout the day can contribute toward the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. It is also important to include at least two sessions of strength training each week. Strength exercises can be adapted to suit your abilities and environment. Whether that means bed exercises, chair exercises or more functional movements. Where possible, I would highly recommend choosing functional activities that relate to the things you do in everyday life. After all, the goal of exercise is not simply to exercise but to help us remain active and independent in the activities that matter to us. It is not to be exceptionally fit, but to keep the capacity to do the activities we love and live the life we want. Feel free to book a session with us. We’d be more than happy to help you find exercises that are meaningful, practical and, most importantly, enjoyable!
Corridor to Care — Aged Care Trade Show We’re also excited to announce that Corridor to Care will be at the Aged Care Trade Show on 22 October 2026 at Rockhampton Sports Club! We can't wait to meet you there and connect with others who share our passion for supporting older people and the wider community. Keep an eye on our social media platforms as we release more details about the event in the coming weeks. We hope to see you there!
Follow Us www.scottvalehealthclub.com
If you have any questions about battery testing, your CDMP, or the upcoming event, our friendly team is here to help.
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October 2026
Issue 10
SCOTTVALE
RECEPTION
A Safe and Inspiring Environment Check out what’s available at https://scottvalehealthclub.com/ PH: 4573 4611 or Email hello@scottvalehealthclub.com
Monthly update It’s been a busy and exciting few weeks at Scottvale Health Club! Last week, I had the opportunity to represent Scottvale Health Club at Beach Day Out. It was my first time attending the event, and it was fantastic to connect with members of the Central Queensland community, as well as catch up with some familiar faces from our Scottvale community. Throughout the day, we offered participants the chance to try two of the interactive technologies we use to make exercise both engaging and enjoyable The first was our BlazePods; an interactive, lightbased training system designed to develop reaction speed, coordination and cognitive responses. They were a huge hit! It was great to see everyone getting involved, testing their reaction times and, of course, becoming a little competitive as they tried to beat their previous scores. We also introduced participants to our BoBo balance board, which connects to an iPad and uses interactive games to make balance training fun.
One of the popular activities was a snowboarding game, where participants had to maintain their balance on the board to control their character. It was a great way to demonstrate how exercise can be both purposeful and enjoyable It has also been fantastic to see the motivation and enthusiasm within our community as we head into spring. Our groupbased classes in the gym and magnesiumheated pool have been going from strength to strength, with everyone working hard towards their individual health and wellbeing goals. Our one-on-one Exercise Physiology sessions have been equally rewarding. Clients have been working hard each session and making progress towards improving their strength, balance, mobility, functional movement and overall wellbeing. We currently have immediate capacity for new one-on-one Exercise Physiology clients. If you’re interested in getting started, come in and have a chat with us about how Exercise Physiology could support your health and fitness goals. I look forward to seeing you all in the clinic!
The Difference Exercise Physiology Can Make We are continually reminded of the positive impact that Exercise Physiology can have on people's health, wellbeing and quality of life. We are especially grateful to our very own exercise physiologist, Sophie, for the difference she makes in our clients' lives. Through personalised exercise programs and ongoing support, Exercise Physiology can help people work towards their individual health and functional goals. Do you know someone who might benefit from Exercise Physiology? Why not refer them to our team today? They may benefit from having a tailored exercise program designed around their individual needs, abilities and goals.
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That’s a wrap!
EAP PROGRAM Please be aware that we have engaged with a new EAP Program!
ASSIST
THANKS FOR ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL MONTH, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK! Dont forget to share your successes or updates that you might like shared in the BigDog Newsletter. Please send details to Billy at t_services@bigdog.au.