BigDog November Newsletter 2024 by BigDog Support

BIGDOG NEWS

MO-VEMBER WITH A TWIST

“Hey

bestest Pal ever, its been a Year ! I wish we could tell you all about it”.

BUSINESSUPDATES

WeareinthefinalmonthofSpringandwiththatwecanfinally startsayinggoodbyetothosepeskyhayfeversymptoms! WelcomebacktoDavidwhohascomebackfrom6weeksof PaternityleaveandBillywhowillshortlycomebackfromawell deserved2weeksholiday.Withtheirreturnwearefinallyatfull strengthinouradminteam.Withplentyofnewstaffoverthe lastfewmonths,wearekeentofinishtheyearstrong!Theywill continue tolearntheropesandfindsomesynergiestocatchup onanybacklogandstartlookingahead.Thankyouforthe continuedpatienceasournewRosterer(Toowoomba), Receptionist(Rockhampton)andServiceCoordinators(Both Sites)learnparticipantsidiosyncrasies.

SHOUT OUTS!

Each month the office staff from Toowoomba and Rockhampton pick two standout employees from each location for their incredible contributions to the team and stand-out behaviours and dedication

Toowoomba

RICK, YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR A STAFF SHOUT OUT FROM YOUR ADMIN TEAM FOR BEING SO ADAPTABLE AND POSITIVE WITH LAST-MINUTE CHANGES! WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO WORK OVER CHRISTMAS. YOU’RE AWESOME!

MARGARET, YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR A STAFF SHOUT OUT FROM YOUR ADMIN TEAM FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SUPPORT OF WADE AND YOUR SOLO WORK LAST FRIDAY WE APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HARD WORK!

Rockhampton

JARHLYM, YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR A STAFF SHOUT OUT FROM YOUR ADMIN TEAM FOR YOUR CONSISTENT, OUTSTANDING WORK FOR CLIENTS YOUR EFFORTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

STEVEN, YOU HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR A STAFF SHOUT OUT FROM YOUR ADMIN TEAM FOR YOUR AMAZING WORK ETHIC AND ENTHUSIASM YOUR SUPPORT DURING THE MOVE WAS FANTASTIC, AND YOU ALWAYS STEP UP FOR NEW CHALLENGES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK!

ROCKHAMPTON COMMUNITY

October has seen yet another month of the year fly by. It has provided an opportunity to hone in on our team's strengths and focus on helping all staff find their passion. With additional training, collaborative meetings between stakeholders and support workers, and discussions with admin about pathways moving forward, many of our team members have been able to expand their knowledge and offer insights where they hadn't previously been able to. With the end of the year fast approaching, I encourage everyone to reflect on where their passion lies and to be proactive about their own development as we move into the new year, with the BigDog team supporting you every step of the way. October also brought many opportunities for me to engage with the community, advertising and advocating for everything BigDog and Scottvale have to offer. This has been a wonderful opportunity to meet new faces, engage with stakeholders in person, and share all the exciting developments happening here at BigDog. It’s been fantastic to see the positive engagement and feedback about all the great work our team is doing.

October has been a big month of learning and realising growth.

Here in Rockhampton, we have had many exciting opportunities and goals to be able to strive towards.

Ranging from exciting new intakes, to receiving feedback around how participants are loving BigDog and would like to receive continued and/or additional support, we feel so encouraged that we are moving with purpose.

In the month of October, I have had the pleasure of sitting in a few stakeholders’ meetings and learning about specific participants and how we will help drive them in meeting goals. I've been able to commit to maintaining a culture of support and communication with our skilled BigDog workers alongside witnessing them participate in training with practitioners.

Since combining forces with Scottvale, there have been so many new exciting and fulfilling activities available incentre that are guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone's face.

There is a lot of fun, joy and fulfilment here at BigDog, and I'm very excited to see what next month brings us.

COMMUNITY

As we embrace Movember and raise awareness for men's health, it’s important to remember that everyday safety practices play a vital role in overall wellbeing. Ensuring medication processes are followed helps participants stay on track with their health, while regularly checking CareMaster chats prevents important details from being overlooked. Let’s also keep our vehicles fueled and ready, supporting smooth and safe travel for all.

By staying diligent in these areas, we contribute to a safer environment and show our commitment to health— especially during Movember, as we encourage open conversations and proactive steps towards men’s wellbeing.

Lastly, a very happy birthday to everyone celebrating in November! Whether you’re a passionate Scorpio or an adventurous Sagittarius, your energy and determination are truly special traits. May this month bring you joy, new opportunities, and wonderful memories.

please contact us at t_services@bigdog.au or visit our website www.bigdogsupport.com.au

DAYSERVICE

ROCKHAMPTON

EDITION11

NOVEMBER24

October has been nothing short of amazing for our Rockhampton Day Service! We’ve fully embraced the incredible facilities at our new venue, Scottvale/BigDog, creating memorable experiences for all our clients.

This month, our jam room has been a great space for all types of activities, with everyone enjoying the multi-board, inflatables, and VR headsets. These engaging tools have made for countless fun-filled moments! Alongside these exciting new additions, we’ve kept up with our beloved regular activities. Weekly library visits, grocery shopping, cooking days, and 10pin bowling have remained staples, as well as our favourite pub lunches that foster social interaction and independent living skills.

A standout event this month was our Grand Opening on October 18th. We had a fantastic day showcasing our venue to the community, featuring face painting, VR games, darts, inflatables, balloon making, table tennis, and interactive fun on our Obie and Multi Board. A big thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us!

We’re looking forward to more fun and engaging activities in November. Stay tuned for more updates!

TOOWOOMBA

EDITION11

NOVEMBER24

October has been a month full of fun, laughter, and unforgettable moments, with friendship and teamwork at the heart of it all!

We kicked things off with a fantastic lunch outing to the tavern, where the food was delicious, and we couldn’t stop laughing as we enjoyed each other’s company. The best part? The way we all came together, sharing stories, making memories, and supporting each other as we watched the world go by.

Our Sensory Science Day was an absolute blast! Who knew making a big, glorious mess could bring us even closer? It was a fun-filled day of teamwork as we experimented, laughed, and learned together. And when it was time to clean up, we all pitched in and made it an even more enjoyable experience—because when you work as a team, even washing up can be fun!

Then came our Big Morning Tea, where we not only enjoyed exciting new foods but also bonded over shared tastes and discoveries. It was wonderful to see everyone trying new things, and the camaraderie was as warm as the tea we shared. November is shaping up to be just as exciting and full of friendship and teamwork!

We’re looking forward to celebrating World Kindness Day with a beautiful picnic in the park, where we’ll come together for a day of kindness, laughter, and connection. Afterward, we’ll dive into some creative teamwork with an afternoon of rock painting, with everyone contributing their own flair and style. We can’t wait to see what we create together!

Then it’s time for Movember, and we’re all about the moustache! On the 20th, we’ll have another Big Morning Tea, this time with a fun Movember twist. It’s the perfect opportunity to gather once again, share some laughs, and show off our team spirit with some friendly moustache-themed fun!

To wrap up the month, we’re heading on a team adventure to Ipswich Nature Park for a day trip! There, we’ll explore and learn all about the incredible plants and animals native to Australia. It’s the perfect chance to bond, enjoy nature, and celebrate the teamwork that makes every one of our outings so special.

With October behind us and November just around the corner, we’re ready for more excitement, friendship, and teamwork. Let’s make it another month to remember!

ROCKHAMPTON

EDITION11 ROSTERING

Hey Team,

Just a quick heads-up:

Our rostering wraps up at 3pm every day. If you need time off for the next day, it would be awesome if you could give us a heads-up before 2:00pm.

Your cooperation really helps us keep things running smoothly! And for weekend plans, please make sure you are not putting in leave requests at the last minute as these are difficult to fill and often mean that people miss out on much needed supports.

Also now is the time to get in for Christmas and New Year's Leave, please be mindful that we need to support our participants so if you can work part of the day put it in a partial leave. If you are not sure how to do this call the office and I can assist you with this.

Thanks a bunch for your help with this. It makes a big difference!

A Heartfelt Thank You and Important Reminders

As we enter the busy holiday season, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your warmth and responsiveness. Your flexibility with last-minute shift changes has made a huge difference.

Please remember to submit your leave requests as early as possible. Late requests can create scheduling challenges, especially close to the roster deadline. I appreciate your communication as we work together.

Also, collaborating with more team members can lead to more hours and opportunities, so let’s keep that in mind when scheduling shifts.

Lastly, due to the nature of our work, shifts may vary week to week. I’m here to collaborate with you whenever we can be flexible. Thank you again for all you do!

As a reminder, the public holidays are fast approaching: December 24th, 25th, and 26th, along with January 1st. Let’s keep the lines of communication open to ensure everyone has a joyful and restful holiday season.

Thank you once again for your support and dedication I’m looking forward to working together harmoniously during this festive time!

SCOTTVALE ROCKHAMPTON

Scottvale & BigDog: A Month of Collaboration for Inclusive Fitness!

With BigDog’s knowledgeable support workers and Scottvale highly experienced and qualified team, we can offer personalised fitness plans that consider individual abilities and goals. This means everyone can engage in safe and effective workouts tailored to their needs.

Our combined teams will work closely to ensure that participants receive ongoing support during their fitness journeys. Whether it’s through one-on-one sessions or group activities, we’re committed to providing the guidance necessary for success.

This partnership emphasizes community and connection. By fostering an inclusive environment. Over the past month we have encouraged individuals of all abilities to come together, support one another, and share in the joy of fitness.

Thank you for being a part of the Scottvale/ BigDog family. Together with we look forward to creating an environment where everyone can thrive—one workout at a time!