BIGDOG OPERATIONS
TRAINING SESSIONS
Training sessions are scheduled for September to ensure all team members are up to date on Medication Management, Restrictive Practices, Participant Goals, Shift Notes, and Incidents.
TRANSITIONING OF SERVICE FLEET
By November, BigDog will phase out company vehicles, with team members using their own cars for community visits instead. This change reflects standard practice across the disability sector and will enable BigDog to stay flexible and focused on supporting participants. We understand this is a major change and will keep you informed and updated during this transition.
As we wrap up August and move into September, the days are beginning to warm up and spring is upon us – a great time to enjoy the outdoors and make the most of the season.
The Toowoomba office had the opportunity this month to visit the Scottvale Health Club facility and meet with our SIL participants across Rockhampton. It was a valuable experience that gave the team a greater appreciation of the scale of BigDog’s operations, capabilities and the great work being done across our services
Our Latest Stand-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 standout behaviours and dedication.
Rockhampton Toowoomba
�� Staff Shout Out – Dylan Glossop��
A huge thank you to Dylan for all the hard work you do behind the scenes You consistently go above and beyond, never causing problems, and always working well with your clients Your willingness to help and give your best does not go unnoticed
�� Staff Shout Out – Aleisha Sealey��
A big shout out to Aleshia Sealey, who has been nominated by Clio for her positivity and for making Clio feel so welcome Your kindness and encouragement truly make a difference thank you for creating such a supportive environment!
COMMUNITY TOOWOOMBA
CelebratingFathersthis September
September brings us Father’s Day, a chance to celebrate the incredible men in our lives who guide us, support us, and fill our days with love, laughter, and wisdom Whether it’s dads, grandfathers, uncles, or father figures, we thank them for the special role they play in families and communities
A special shout-out to some of the wonderful fathers in our Bigdog family: My husband William, proud dad to Harry Courtney’s husband Will, loving father to Brady and Riley
Our Operations Manager, Peter, dedicated dad to Denny and Harriet
Thank you for the care, kindness, and strength you bring every day.
As many of you know, Lauren has now left our Rockhampton team
With her departure, caseloads have been carefully redistributed to ensure our clients continue receiving the best possible support Billy has taken on our high-needs and high-behavioural clients, previously managed by Lauren, so you’ll be seeing his involvement more closely with these clients
Hayley and April have shared the remainder of Lauren’s caseload between them, ensuring smooth continuity of care With the growing demands across both the Rockhampton and Toowoomba sites, we’re also very excited to welcome Caitlin to the coordination team! Caitlin will be our go-to for Cleaning and Yards, freeing up our Service Coordinators to focus solely on CAS, In Home, and SIL clients This means more time and energy can be dedicated to supporting our staff and ensuring our clients receive the attention they deserve
Thank you to everyone for your ongoing dedication, flexibility, and teamwork as we move through these changes together
We want to take a moment to thank all of our staff for your incredible efforts in recording incidents and behaviours. Over the past month, we’ve seen a 150% increase in incident reporting compared to previous months!
Your detailed and consistent reporting is already making a real impact, with the information shared to external providers having much stronger outcomes This not only helps shape better support strategies but also works towards improving both your work environment and our participants’ quality of life in the short and long term
Events this month to keep an eye out for!!
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (incl. FEASTival, Paw Parade) from 12 Sep to 6 Oct Mostly Free Pop’d Impressions Art Exhibition from 13 to 27 Sep (10 am–3 pm)Free Korean Film Festival (KOFFIA) 14 Sep - Low Cost Endless Edit Preloved Market Monthly until Nov - Free Entry Toowoomba Farmers Market Saturdays in September- Free Entry Scenic Parks/ Lookouts Anytime in September- Free
COMMUNITY ROCKHAMPTON HAYLEY
We are excited to share that last week we welcomed back a returning participant into one of our ILO homes! It’s always wonderful to see familiar faces return and continue their journey with BigDog.
As support workers, we often find ourselves in situations where participants may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or upset Using deescalation strategies is one of the most important skills we can bring to the role Here are some useful de-escalation strategies that we can use to help solve these situations:
-Stay calm and regulated
-Give space and respect boundaries
-Use active listening
-Offer choices and sense of control
-Remove triggers
-Distract or redirect
✅Confidentiality – to protect sensitive information and ensure privacy for participants and staff
✅Safety & Security – so we know who is in the building at all times
✅Professional Courtesy – to avoid interrupting meetings or private discussions
Get ready to soak up the atmosphere at the beautiful Rockhampton Riverside Precinct! Picture yourself strolling along the Fitzroy River, tasting mouth-watering gourmet bites from pop-up eateries, sipping on your beverage of choice, and dancing to live music as the sun sets It’s casual, it’s vibrant, and it’s the perfect way to spend a weekend
The Pet Expo is a fun, family-friendly day out for all pet lovers! Held each year by Rockhampton Regional Council at the Robert Schwarten Pavilion, it’s the perfect spot to bring your furry friends
TOOWOOMBA
RECAP
We wrapped up the month with an awesome road safety update alongside the Toowoomba police, highway patrol, ambos, and firies They gave us so many handy tips on how to stay safe every day – from crossing roads and being careful around train tracks , to what to do if there’s a fire or an accident
The highway police talked to us about how they help keep everyone safe on the roads and why it’s important to follow the rules The ambos showed us the different kinds of emergencies they respond to and how they help people in need, whether it’s a crash, an injury, or something more serious And of course, the firies reminded us about fire safety and what steps to take if something goes wrong
The highlight of the day was definitely when Scotty and William got to hop onto some police bikes– they absolutely loved it and had the biggest smiles!
Most importantly, we learnt exactly what to do in an emergency and who to call – 000! We’ve been practicing these tips daily, and it’s been a fun way to remember that safety is everyone’s job.
As we roll into spring, we’re super excited for the warm weather and being able to get out and about more We’ve got the Sideshow Alley coming up, and the best part is – this event is free for us! You’ll only need money for food and show bags
We’ll also be heading out to enjoy many of the amazing events happening during the Spring Carnival – one of the highlights of the year in Toowoomba From the colourful floral displays to the fun community activities, it’s the perfect time to get outside and take in the vibrant atmosphere It’s always such a great season to be out and about, making memories together and soaking up everything the Carnival has to offer!
Don’t forget your sun safety – make sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, and a water bottle to stay cool, comfy, and protected while enjoying all the activities. It’s easy to get caught up in the fun, so staying hydrated and shaded is key.
Be sure to check out our September calendar for all the events, activities, and important dates so you don’t miss a thing. Planning ahead means you can make the most of every experience this month!
m ear to ear, you brought light into every p
g y it’s just a ‘ see you later’, Mr Fisher.
RECAP
August was another fantastic month for us, filled with laughter, learning, and lots of adventure. We continued to enjoy our regular weekly activities that always bring smiles and connection, from our much loved library visits and hands on cooking classes to the fun and friendly competition of 10 pin bowling and of course, our delicious pub lunches that everyone looks forward to. This month also brought some exciting outings that added an extra splash of excitement to our calendar September, warm weather, spring and fresh air! What will the month bring? Feel free to send your ideas for the month’s activities to my email
Embark on a
CRIKEY!
We had an amazing day out at the Koorana Crocodile Farm in Rockhampton, where our participants got to experience the thrill of seeing some of Australia’s most fascinating reptiles up close (but not too close!) The tour gave everyone the chance to learn more about crocodiles – from their habitats and behaviours to how they’re safely cared for on the farm We were even lucky enough to see the crocs being fed, which was both exciting and a little bit scary!
TIMEFORFUN FOUURR!
We also had a blast at Timezone, where the mix of games, laughter, and friendly rivalry kept everyone entertained. From racing games and basketball hoops to claw machines and arcade classics, there was something for everyone to enjoy The competition was lighthearted, the energy was high, and it truly brought out the inner child in all of us We walked away with big smiles and plenty of stories to share
This month, some of our participants enjoyed a fantastic outing to the Bondoola Golf Driving Range in Rockhampton It was a great chance to get out in the fresh air, practice some swings, and share a few laughs along the way
The outing wasn’t just about golf – it was about building confidence, trying something new, and enjoying time together in the community Everyone gave it their best shot, and the smiles said it all!
Wow, September already, can you believe it’s only three months until Christmas?
With the holiday season fast approaching, a quick reminder that Christmas leave is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’d like time off over the festive season, now is the time to get your requests in before the calendar fills up!
I also wanted to address some friendly tips to ensure everyone’s wellness. Our support staff are regularly unwell, so we thought some tips around hygiene and personal care may come in handy to eliminate cross-contamination and germs. Keep this in mind for the Month, as Toowoomba will be swarmed with 10s of thousands of people coming to celebrate the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers.
Respect, privacy, and dignity are at the heart of good support
Always put clients’ choices and comfort first, and take time to build trust so they feel safe in their own homes
HygieneMatters
Wear clean clothes, wash hands, use gloves, and clean as you go to keep everyone safe If you’re unwell, avoid visits, and never reuse equipment without sterilisation
Please enjoy the month, enjoy the warmth, stay safe and take part in the many activities Toowoomba has to offer this month.
Support clients to do what they can themselves, explain your actions, and keep your skills up to date These simple steps help clients feel valued and respected every day
SCOTTVALE HEALTH ROCKHAMPTON MACKA
EXCITING NEWS:
REFORMER PILATES ARE COMING TO SCOTTVALE!
At Scottvale Health Club, we’re always striving to offer more ways to support your health, recovery, and wellness goals. That’s why we’re excited to announce the launch of our brand-new Reformer Pilates class, coming soon to our allied health facility! Led by our trained allied health professionals, each class will be safe, purposeful, and tailored to your individual needs whether you’re looking to build strength, support rehabilitation, or simply move better in daily life.
These sessions will be offered as part of our Casual Fitness Program at just $25 per class It's a great opportunity to experience the benefits of Pilates in a supportive, professional environment
A QUICK RECAP: ROCKHAMPTON SQUASH OPEN
Last month, we had the pleasure of hosting the Rockhampton Squash Open and it was a huge success! With over 80 attendees through our doors, the energy and community spirit were incredible A big thank you to everyone who participated, spectated, or supported the event We’re proud to be a hub for local sport and wellness!
WHAT’S NEXT?
In addition to Reformer Pilates, we’re currently reviewing a variety of new class types to bring even more value to our members and clients Whether it’s functional strength, mobility, or rehabilitationbased programs, our goal is to provide classes that are inclusive, evidence-based, and results-driven. Keep an eye out for more exciting announcements soon and as always, we welcome your suggestions!
IMPROVES POSTURE AND FLEXIBILITY BUILDS CORE AND OVERALL STRENGTH ENHANCES BODY AWARENESS AND ALIGNMENT SUPPORTS REHABILITATION AND INJURY PREVENTION LOW-IMPACT, JOINTFRIENDLY WORKOUTS
Happ rthday everyone! Wishing you endless joy and success today and always!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
SOPHIE P, PAUL T, CRUZ B, HAYLEY J, CHERYL A, ZHALEENAH M, BETH E, TIONA P, KAYLAH F, KALEB C, HENRY G
BIGDOG RECEPTION
A little check-in can mean the world. Ask with kindness, listen with care, and remind someone they’re not alone. Sometimes, the smallest conversation can make the biggest difference.
Our reception team is here to greet you with a smile, answer your questions, and make your visit a great one!
