Headstart NewsLink March 2024

The Headstart Acquired Brain Injury Services commenced in 1987 and is recognised as a premier provider of specialist services for people with an ABI in the Hunter and Central Coast region. Headstart provides individually tailored services across community access, in home support, life skills, social, leisure and recreational services, case co-ordination, and community information and education.

95 Turnbull Street, Hamilton NSW 2303

P 02 4965 4420

F 02 4965 4424

E info@headstart-abi.com.au

W www.headstart-abi.com.au

ABN 75057986026 I CFN 13046

Headstart ABI Services is a registered provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

Our Vision

For people living with brain injury to have opportunities that strengthen and enrich their lives.

Our Purpose

To make a difference in the lives of people touched by brain injury by providing opportunities and inspiring hope.

Leadership

Executive Director: Sue McHattie

Manager Service and Supports: Kesley Skippen

Finance Manager: Tejal Shah

HR Lead: Katherine Fitzgerald

Quality Lead: Mitch Rixon

Office Administration: Kathy Provost

Marketing Lead: Andy Meier

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Do you have some great stories or photos? We’d love to hear from you! Email Andy at our office: comms@headstart-abi.com.au

Nominate a staff member for outstanding achievement

From the ED’s Desk

In this edition we uncover the varied and amazing pastimes of some of our consumers - from airbrush art to biking, tree top adventures to pickleball, LARPing to Morning Melodies. If you don’t know what some of these are - I certainly didn’t - then read on... hopefully there’s something to spark your interest. It just goes to show what a diverse and dynamic group of people we support through Headstart.

All of us want to try new things, and many are braver than I am! As a trip down memory lane the photo below is Kate on her 21st a few years back when she celebrated by jumping out of the plane with her dad. If you’ve got a big idea to do something different then take the leap and do it! Get in touch with your Coworker and we’ll do our best to help make it happen.

Take a leaf out of Col’s adventures on page 10 where he took to the trees, and a huge challenge, and what a “high”. Keep in mind challenges and successes come in all sizes, so tackle that opportunity and give it a go!!

So many interesting people and diverse interests is the reason we started capturing 101 of our consumers stories 3 years ago. This current edition takes us up to 80 unique stories. We hope that you have enjoyed reading them and watching our video clips. Thanks to so many of you for being part of this initiative and when we reach the 101, get ready for the celebration!

I want to personally thank those who have nominated staff members for our monthly recognition awards. Keep the nominations coming in, and we love to read your appreciation stories of how you feel staff are outstanding in their support of you. This recognition means a lot to all our staff. (see the advert below left).

We are always wanting to improve what we do and how we do it, so if you have any feedback, any concern, we want to know. This can be done on line and anonymously as well – here is the link: https://forms.office.com/r/Kqd2L1MBhJ (QR code link on back page). We look forward to your contact and suggestions.

And yes drum roll – we are now also on Instagram, so hope to see you there!

Cheers - Sue

We continue to recognise the work of our staff who have gone above and beyond in any capacity to support our consumers in their daily lives. Please help us thank and encourage our workers!

To make a nomination please contact us or email: info@headstart-abi.com.au

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For all the latest news, stories and rec activities search for headstart ABI Services

A classic photo of Kate who celebrated her 21st with a skydive!

Meet ‘n greet

Our newest team member

Talent Acquisition Co-Ordinator (Tuesday to Thursdays)

Lyndsey

I am from Galway, Ireland however I took the leap and moved to Australia in 2019. I’m so glad I was able to stick out the tough times throughout Covid and recently gained permanent residency, woohoo!

In June 2023, I had our first daughter, Lilah and we also have a rescue dog called Harry.

I have always been a people person and a huge chatterbox, so I decided to study a degree in HR. I love my role in recruitment, you never know how impactful a job can be for someone.

Get to know Lyndsey

Favourite food:

I’m vegetarian, Indian is my fav cuisine.

Favourite TV shows:

The Blacklist series on Netflix and MasterChef Australia.

Favourite band/music:

Picture This / Ed Sheeran.

Favourite sport/team: Irish Rugby.

Favourite cartoon character:

As a child I loved Blues Clues and Bananas in Pyjamas.

Favourite hobby: Exploring new things with Lilah.

Favourite place on earth:

Galway will always hold a special place in my heart.

If you could be any animal?

I’m not a Swiftie but Taylor’s cat is worth approx. $97 million.

If you could meet someone famous who would it be?

David Attenborough.

Craziest thing you’ve done?

Andrew and I surprised both our Mums and arranged a friend to marry us over a cuppa. Lilah was just 3 weeks old and it was just us 5. We made sure it was dog friendly venue so Harry could be best man!

Three words to describe you: Short, hardworking and thoughtful.

Style up with some of our Headstart merch... contact us or pop into the office to buy these items.

Describe your first week at Headstart: Great, everyone I’ve met have been very welcoming! I look forward to getting to know all the amazing people that make up Headstart.

Remembering Arthur

Headstart began supporting Arthur in early 2022 after he had been in Rankin Park recovering from his pedestrian accident.

“I remember walking into Arthur’s room at Opal Aged Care in Mount Hutton where I was greeted with Arthur’s big smile, his blue eyes shining. Arthur was welcoming and I was happy to be arranging to have three support workers come to help him each week – to access the community.

Support workers

Frank, Michelle and Mark were Arthur’s ‘A-Team’. Arthur appreciated them so much and each shift involved going out for his favourite ‘chocolate milkshake and scones’ at different cafes and garden centres.

Arthur was a wealth of knowledge and often his workers would use this to their benefit –querying him on holiday destinations

to visit, and then reporting their travels back to Arthur.

Arthur was indeed a pleasure to work with.

Sadly, Arthur passed away on Christmas Day 2023 after battling illness and becoming increasingly frail. In the last weeks and days knowing that Arthur had his team with him for company brought comfort to Arthur’s family.

Arthur’s daughter Tanya expressed her families’ gratitude toward Arthur’s carers and Headstart for being such a wonderful support to him during his time with us.

Need help?

The holiday season can be a difficult time so please call a crisis line if you need support.

1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)

A 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for anyone who has experienced, or is at risk of these.

Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511

The Mental Health Line is staffed by mental health professionals who can provide advice and referrals to local mental health services.

Lifeline: 131 114

Giving people experiencing emotional distress access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. If life is in danger call 000.

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

An mental health and wellbeing support organisation providing support programs to address issues related to depression, suicide, anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses.

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

A counselling for anyone who is suicidal, caring for someone suicidal, or bereaved of suicide. For suicide prevention & mental health via telephone, online & video for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts, 24/7.

Mensline Australia: 1300 789 978

A free telephone and online counselling service offering support for Australian men anywhere.

Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800

Australia’s only free (even from a mobile), confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people (ages 5 to 25).

Elder Abuse Help Line: 1300 651 192

Free information and support services for people who experience or witness the abuse of an older person. Operating hours vary.

Financial Counselling Australia: 1800 007 007

I would like to extend my condolences to Arthur’s family. I will surely miss supporting Arthur in my work as his Coworker”. We will miss you Arthur.

Beth Hardwick CoWorker

Access free resources and advice from a private financial counsellor. Call 1800 007 007 to speak to someone in your state.

National Association for Loss and Grief(NALAG): 6882 9222

A free, confidential, grief and loss support services across NSW with telephone support and, in some areas face-to-face counselling.

13 Yarn: 13 92 76

The first national crisis support line for Indigenous Australians who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping. They offer a confidential one-on-one yarning opportunity with a Lifeline-trained Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.

An accidental artist

“Before I spoke a word after my accident I drew a picture,” says William or ‘Bil’ as he is better known. With a compulsion to keep on creating, this Central Coast based artist is both prolific and passionate about his craft.

“I was sixteen years old and riding my bike to the pool after football training. I was hit from behind and can’t remember much about it. When I woke from the coma I wasn’t talking but I had this compulsion to draw. I don’t know why, but I did drawing after drawing of an Aboriginal Yowie quinkin character. The Yowie is like Australia’s version of Bigfoot or Yeti, but I call them ‘Yowies’.

I only started seeing the Yowie after my brain injury and now I do depictions of that character in different forms or scenarios. Our family do actually have Aboriginal history. There’s a bloodline we found on ancestry but it’s hard to prove.

I never used to see anything like this before my head injury and I only used to draw a little bit, mainly copying things. After my accident I couldn’t stop drawing.

I had most of a year off to recover and do rehab, then went back to do year 11 and 12. Art was a way to process things after my accident, because I had to comprehend things and express things. I had trouble with communication, so

drawing became more of an outlet for me and helped me develop lines of communication.

When I woke up in hospital there was a lot of Japanese anime or Manga (comics or graphic novels originating from Japan) on the TV. I heard about the ‘SuperflatArtMovement’, which was the only art movement I could see my Yowie characters fitting into. I chose this as form of inspiration and Japanese contemporary artist Takashi Murakami keeps on inspiring me. My ‘Quantum SuprerflatArtMovement’ comes out this but it’s a ‘quantum’, so you interpret it from a Westerners point of view. So it’s outside of Japanese art and a virtual conceptual art movement with an Australian context

They reckon when you get hit on the head and get frontal lobe damage the other side of the brain compensates. It’s called ‘Acquired Savant Syndrome’ and has helped my ability with art and with geometry in the form of my mechanical drafting.

As a result of acquiring savant syndrome I’ve become better at geometry and used that for boilermaking – boilers for ships, conveyers and also for defence. I did a night course at TAFE to study 3D software and then learnt a lot on the job. Drafting required hundreds of drawings at a time and I’ve finished up with it now because it became a bit too overwhelming for my brain. I chose to rather concentrate on my art.

The equations I paint come from quantum mechanics and physics. I interpret the mathematics of the quantum equations into a form of abstract painting using spiral shading. A density matrix explains the density of the wave functions to help explain how the things are rendered in my art. It’s very interesting. It may sound complicated but it makes sense to me.

I started doing diptychs (set of two paintings) and triptychs (set of three paintings) and I used a stencils as a way to progress so that I could do the extra artworks relatively easier.

I paint a lot on MDF because when I was doing the mechanical drafting for boilermaking they used to throw the

Watch a video of Bil talking about his brain injury and how “acquired savant syndrome” has changed his life. Scan QR code with your smartphone or go to www.vimeo.com/913528486

Itallbeganwithadrawingofa‘Yowie’.

wood templates out. So I started picking them up which was free media for me. I still use wood and recently began painting on canvas. I lie the stencil down on the ground, put 20 cent coins on it for weights, airbrush around it and add acrylic over the top. Sometimes I just pour paint on top like Jackson Pollock.

I saw Brett Whiteley’s ‘The American Dream’ at the Art Gallery of NSW, where all these doors were fastened together with hinges and it went round the corner. So I thought I could build a multi-panel painting and wanted to do a 10 metre one. I’ve now done one about 5 metres which is about as big as I can do at home. Francis Bacon inspires me with his abstract work. People think stencil work is really easy, but it’s laborious. I wanted to create a picture that you couldn’t look away from and make people think ‘how did he do it?’ My art often surprises me too. That’s what I like about it.

Art for me is subconscious.

I do it without thinking about it. I actually amaze myself that I’ve even done this stuff!

I’m using the bathroom, bedroom or anywhere I can. It wasn’t a case of where I was going to do it, I just did it compulsively. I’ll do my art most days and nights. It’s a good release for me, an escape.

My goal is to have a big auction and sell enough to fund a precast concrete studio where I can go and paint. I‘d really like to do more especially with stencils and I need space to lie them down.

I’ve exhibited at the Japan Foundation at Sydney’s Chifley Square and I also went over to the Japan Foundation Headquarters in Tokyo for an interview. I’ve had exhibitions and done some talks at Barangaroo, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Gosford Regional Art Gallery. I’m always on the lookout for more opportunities to exhibit.

Aspergers came up years after my brain injury. I didn’t know I had it for a long time. When they told me it explained some of my misconceptions so it was like a reprieve. Asperger’s affects me with communication, eye contact and other subtle things. It’s a mild form of autism and it’s part of my brain injury alongside my accidental savant syndrome.

With art you can create a world of your own, where you create scenarios because you don’t understand the real world ones.

Definitions

What is a Yowie?

The yowie is usually described as a bipedal, hairy, and ape-like mythical creature standing upright at between 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) and 3.6 m (12 ft).

Yowie is one of several names for an Australian folklore entity that is reputed to live in the Outback. The creature has its roots in Aboriginal oral history. Yowietype creatures are common in Aboriginal Australian legends, particularly in the eastern Australian states.

What is savant syndrome?

Savant syndrome is a phenomenon where someone demonstrates exceptional aptitude in one domain, such as art or mathematics, despite significant social or intellectual impairment.

Those with the condition generally have a neurodevelopmental disorder such as autism spectrum disorder or have experienced a brain injury. Savant syndrome is estimated to affect around one in a million people. In some cases, savant syndrome can be induced (acquired savant) following severe head trauma to the left anterior temporal lobe. Savant skills are usually found in one or more of five major areas: art, memory, arithmetic, musical abilities, and spatial skills.

Watch a short video of Bil explaining the meaning of one of his amazing multi-panel paintings. Scan QR code with your smartphone or go to www.vimeo. com/912819245

Bil’s5metrewide4panelartworktitled:‘QuantumWhitely‘ThroughtheLookingGlass’HunkyDoryHikkomori’.

This 30 foot high bronze, stainless steel, and marble spider sculpture is called “Maman”, created by the French-American artist Louise Bourgeois. “ThebigspidersculpturewasoutthefrontofArtGalleryofNSW,butI firstsawitatRoppongiHillsMoriTowerinTokyowhenIwenttotheJapan Foundation Head quarters in 2009,” says Bil.

Recently Bil was invited to Sydney as a VIP guest to a private viewing of Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night InvadedtheDay? It’s still on until 28 April 2024 if you fancy a trip to Sydney.

I’ve been with Headstart for over a year now. Support workers help me with proposals and liaising with galleries. I’ve got to put in a few more proposals to hopefully get some new exhibitions happening this year.

Headstart also help me get paints, materials and other day to day stuff. Support workers take me to the beach which is rejuvenating for me as it’s good for me to take a break from my computer and my art. Then when I get back home I enjoy getting back into painting.

The CSW’s are all good and we listen to each other’s stuff with a sympathetic ear. It’s like a social situation which I enjoy.

I have trouble keeping relationships as I don’t understand people’s social cues and that’s from my brain injury and Aspergers. Interpreting whether people are happy or sad can be a bit tricky for me. My friendships were definitely affected, because I was like a different person

afterwards. I was real jaded and couldn’t really comprehend stuff. It took me years to recover. I had to learn to walk and see properly as my eyes were affected. I’ve still got some balance and some coordination issues that sometimes sneak up on me so I’ve got to be careful. I used to do surfing and skateboarding but I can’t really do these anymore.

When people know you’ve had a brain injury they don’t always want to associate with you. It’s not intentional but I think they don’t want you to get hurt so they move away from you. It leaves me more time for painting and I’ve still got close family and some friends who are there for me. I occasionally go down the beach for a beer with mates.

Living here with Mum and Dad is good because it’s safe and secure. I have a younger brother Michael who lives nearby in Bateau Bay - he’s a builder, not an artist.

I have an overall concept in my head which I sketch into cardboard and I cut the stencil from there. It often evolves

into something else as you do it, and often surprises me how it ends up. Whereas if it was pre-planned it wouldn’t be as interesting or exciting.

I’m proud of my works and having talks at places like the Art Gallery of NSW and getting recognition for what I do by expressing my thoughts and ideas. I now have an individual voice and I get to express myself through art.

My art inspires me. I didn’t consider what I was doing at the start but things have really progressed for me.

- William ‘Bil’ Anderson Jr. has up to 80 paintingsforviewandsaleonSaatchi Artwebsite(global onlineartgallery ande-commerceplatform).Checkitout online at www.saatchiart.com/360bil

I’ve started a outsider art movement called The Quantum Superflat Art Movement.

- Bil

Colin’s Treetops adventure

“Colin phoned me a couple of months ago, letting me know that he wanted to go to Treetops.

Colin was adamant and optimistic that he could complete the course, and this was a goal he was passionate about.

The first step was Colin organise a medical clearance from his GP saying he was safe for him to do. Colin organised the appointment with assistance from his SIL staff and was very proactive in getting this organise and the approval sent through to me. Next, we had to organise his funding through Trustee and Guardian, which Colin also organised. Colin then came into the Headstart office with his support worker so I could assist him in booking treetops.

We called to make sure they were confident working with people with physical limitations and the guys at treetops were very helpful and informative, they recommended booking in after school holidays, and on a weekday so Colin would most likely be the only one in the park. Colin was calling me nearly every day to remind me about treetops, he was so excited!

We organised extended supports with the support worker of his choice and booked it in on Monday the fourth of March. Colin then organised with his SIL staff to sign the electronic waiver, and everything was set to go.

With Colin now having now completed the activity I can say that the staff at Treetops Adventure Newcastle were so amazing and inclusive, both Charlie and

Callum (staff) changed into harnesses, got up on the course to help Colin navigate his way through. The were just as determined as Colin was to see him make it through.

Colin had his very own cheer squad with his Headstart Coworkers and CSW Kelsey!

It was such an amazing experience and to see how happy and accomplished Colin felt after is a real reminder of why we do what we do here at Headstart.”

Heather Acting CoWorker

Safety first

Don’t look down Col!

Col’s cheer squad Good times

Colin has made some remarkable progress in his therapies.

Colin does physiotherapy and plenty of walking and swimming with his support workers. Colin also does regular speech therapy to improve his communication. The thing that really impresses about Colin is that regardless of how many obstacles his faces in life, he is always trying to improve.

He is so patient and empathetic and his always kind to his support workers.

Colin’s life has changed so dramatically, and he shares his story through regular presentations with Headstart’s Community Education Team to raise awareness on how brain injury can really change a person’s whole life.

Regardless of how his own life has changed, Colin is determined to live life to the fullest and this shows in everything he does. If

“It was fun. I’ve wanted to do it for years. A natural high!” - Col

Charlie and Heather

The smile says it all!

With three young children, Tamara has a lot going on. “Life’s very busy,” says Tam. “That’s why it’s fantastic that I’ve got Headstart coming in for my family to help keep us on track and get things sorted.”

All hands on deck

“Iam Wallsend born and bred and now I live in Tenambit. I worked as a school teacher and was driving home from Kearsley Public School near Cessnock in 2003. I went off the road and hit a tree at 100 kilometres and hour,” says Tam. “I wasn’t speeding though. That was the limit”.

“I was on life support and am lucky to be alive. I was in a wheelchair for 18 months and my rehab continues today with physio and OT because brain injuries are not like a broken arm that heals in few week.

I’ve got a brain injury for life and other parts of the brain have to learn to do the job that the injured part was doing.

I was 24 at the time of my accident and I felt stuck in a wheelchair. I’m a positive person and I thought ‘no way am I staying in this wheelchair for the rest of my life.’ Nothing was going to hold me down and determination has kept me going. Thankfully I’ve improved a lot over time.

I met my now husband after my brain injury. I didn’t really feel comfortable going out to meet people on my own. I felt quite vulnerable. So I met John online and we just started talking and then we met in person. He is from Adelaide initially and when he flew over we hit if off.

One of the biggest challenges for me was mentally. I was very depressed before I met John, thinking that no-one was going to want me and that I was going to be left alone all my life. I wasn’t actually in a wheelchair when I met John but I was still a bit hampered with my walking and in fact I still am. I’m very lucky now as I’ve got a great family and good friends.

I’ve still got to be careful with my balance and be aware not to fall. If I turn around quickly I might fall over, so I’ve just got to take my time on uneven ground. Balance is an ongoing challenge as a result of my brain injury and so I do physio every fortnight. I have a walking stick that I occasionally use when I’m out.

My long term memory is pretty good, it’s my short term memory that’s a bit of a challenge, though it is improving. There are still little things I forget, so thank goodness for mobile phones for writing things down.

Marriage and three kids later here we are! Our eldest is autistic and has ADHD but he’s a good boy. We also have two girls. They’re great. All of them have their good and bad moments but doesn’t everyone?!

I’m thankful to have support from lots of my family. My husband has been my rock. My mum, dad, brother, sister, cousins and even aunties and uncles have definitely been with me every step.

I have a dog too, her name is Brandy and she’s 8 months old. She’s a beautiful dog and the kids love her. She’s still a pup and so she gets excited and jumps all over me. We’re having her trained at the moment.

My goal is to get a bigger house because our three kids are growing too quickly. Hopefully I can get a job soon but I don’t think I’ll be getting back into teaching.

My memory was tested to see if I could possibly teach but at this stage I’m unable to because of a poor short-term memory.

I worked as a receptionist for Job Centre Australia for 15 years. I gave that up after having kids because it was based in Hamilton and a bit too far to drive from Tenambit. Family life is so busy and I want to be there for my family so I’m glad I’ve taken a break from the workforce.

While I have a great support network, Headstart have now supported me five days a week for the past two years because I can’t do it all on my own.

My support workers are lovely and they help me with the daily morning and night time routines, from breakfast and dropping kids at school, to bathing, reading stories and getting them to bed at night. They help me with organisation and cooking dinners and things like that. It’s just amazing to have this help to get all this organised and more.

One of my goals was to eat less takeout and have more healthy food. It’s going great because my occupational therapist helped put together meal plans and a budget. Now I can make cheaper meals that are also healthier, as well as different meals from week to week. My autistic son is very picky with so it’s good finding things that he will eat.

My advice to people is to always think positively. If you think negatively and get yourself down it won’t get you anywhere. If you’re positive and strive to do what you really want, you’ll do it.

In the future I would like to do some travelling and sightseeing. I went to Europe before my accident and I’d love to go overseas again - maybe to America where I’ve never been before. Both a break and a family holiday would be lovely - if our finances could afford it! Until then we’ll just travel around our local area.”

Headstart don’t do a lot for me personally but the main thing is that they are there is to help Tam and the kids in every way that they can. They’re just amazing!

- John (Tam’s husband)

It was lovely to have Tamara join us at the Christmas BBQ.

The morning we interviewed Ronald he’d already been to Nobbys lighthouse and back. “I was there at six o’ clock this morning,” says Ron. “Riding is what I do,every day of my life. I don’t muck around. It’s what I do!”

“I’m an Aboriginal man from the Wurundjeri Yorta Yorta tribe in Gippsland Victoria.

I’m an actual Koorie from Victoria and the Bunjil eagle is my totem. The eagle is top of the chain and flies above to make sure everything is all good. Other tribes have different animals for their totem, such as the goanna, snake, kangaroo, possum, emu and so on.

I was brought up in New Lambton after my Dad came over here from Victoria. I was riding my bike home from the beach one day and had a head on with a car at age 24. I was with my son’s uncle Carlo when it happened. I remember nothing from that time other than a ‘bang!’

Everything changed after my accident. I was a builder beforehand, and also did bricklaying and concreting. I was pretty fit and there wasn’t much I couldn’t do. Now I’ve got balance problems and memory issues. One thing that hasn’t changed is my fitness because I exercise every day. I still like to get to the gym as often as I can and keep moving.

I was at the brain injury unit (HBIS) on Darby street for about eight or nine months and I don’t know where I’d be without them. I then began with Headstart and they help me with everything – shopping, organising, medical appointments, gym and social activities. Physio helps me with physical exercises for my disability. I go to the gym every Tuesday and do balance and core and leg work.

The best thing I did after my accident is get back on a bike. I ride a bike every day of my life and I’ve got no balance problems at all when I’m on my bike. My current bike was given to me which was a nice surprise.

Lately I enjoy my rides with Hamish or Solomon… if they can keep up with me!

I average about 40k’s an hour and go two or three hours but sometimes longer. It’s my daily fix. I like to ride along Honeysuckle, Nobbys or along the Fernleigh Track to visit friends at Belmont.

What motivates me? Katrina Rowntree. OK seriously, having my own unit and residence. I like living by myself. I thrive on my independence and find it hard to live with people. I enjoy time looking after my garden out the front. I like to feed the magpies in my yard and they come round every morning to take bread from my hand.

Headstart are golden angels, seriously. All beautiful people and I’d be lost without them. The calendar on my wall is my life and Headstart come and update it for me.

I often attend weekly karate but haven’t been there for a while because I’ve been helping a friend with Huntingtons and I’ve been checking up on her regularly and helping her out. I did karate before my accident but I just haven’t got back into it lately with Headstart’s karate class.

Ron enjoying his delicious lunch at Soul Hub (formerly Soul Cafe).

I enjoy Rec activities and went to the BBQ at the train sheds on the Foreshore the other day. Good food so I had four sausage sangers. Good company too!

My new year’s resolution was to say no. I want to say no to a lot of things that aren’t good for me and change my ways because I don’t want to lose my unit. Certain people are always coming to me asking for favours and I’m intending not to get harassed in future.

My goals are to focus on my family and I’m going on holidays soon to see some of them.

Some of my family live in Victoria but it’s too cold to go down there. I’m heading

to Queensland in January and I’m flying up on my own. I’ve travelled without a support worker before so I know I can do it again. I’ll meet my nieces and my brother and sister in-law on Bribie Island.

Occasionally I do some art and last year I attended a TAFE art course at Glendale to explore my artistic side. Wanda was a great tutor and we just connected. I’m happy with my turtle painting. Not bad for a first time effort! I’m starting a new artwork soon which will be about my life. It will also be a water theme. I’m a Pisces, a fish, and I have always been around water as Dad was a fisherman and I was brought up with that way of life.”

Ron with CSW Solomon

Ron takes good care of his garden.

Daniel has a world of interests and shares some of his high’s and lows with us (and that’s just a season with the Knights!).

“Iwas born in Bega and I grew up in Raymond Terrace until age 17. I then moved to Beresfield with Mum. I now live on my own in a unit block in Rutherford. While my family is close, I enjoy the independence and mum is still only 20 minutes away and my sister 15.

My injury was caused by an assault in January 2021, when I was 30. I got hit on the back of the head when I had left a friend’s house in Waratah and was heading back towards the train station.

Someone asked me for a cigarette and I said I didn’t have one. I can’t remember anything else. I don’t know who did it but I’m a strong believer in karma so if you do something bad to someone normally something will happen to that person, like a yin yang kind of thing.

I was at Rankin Park until March of 2021 and then I moved to the Hunter Brain Injury Service until June as I was waiting for NDIS to start up and I had to be on 24/7 care for the first 6 months.

In the first three months I never showed much recovery until after the surgery, when I had a metal plate put in my head. HBIS on Darby Street was really good, more like living in a home than a hospital plus I went home on the weekends. As soon as I left there in June 2021 I started with Headstart.

Some of the problems I had at first were balance related and memory issues. I also had to re-learn how to swim again and actually did physio at Merewether baths because of how close the beach was to HBIS.

I did a lot of leg based rehab, like jumping and other exercise. My left leg is still a bit lazy now, but I’ve improved a lot more than people expected. The hardest thing was balance - that took until mid last year to notice an improvement. I still find it hard to hear out of my right ear and I’m short sighted after my injury.

My friendships have definitely changed. I don’t really have many people that I associate with besides support workers and rehab based people. I think it’s just because they used to be my drinking buddies. I’ve quit drinking now and have been sober for four years.

I find that a lot of people with brain injuries lose a lot of friends. I’m making some new friends through Rec group and at pickleball.

Jacob (CSW) and I had a really good Christmas get together with the pickleball crew. My physio is more about getting into the community now, and my physio is the one who suggested I go to pickleball, even though I’m the youngest on there.

One of my goals is definitely to get my licence this year. The first step is to get my P’s which I’ve never had. I always used to just catch the bus to work.

At the time of my injury I was working at the Heritage Gardens Nursery as a kitchen hand doing meal prep and helping out. I’ve done a chefing apprenticeship and even though I never qualified I know my way around the kitchen as I’ve been doing it since I was 17.

Ok, Daniel’s more than just all action, he also loves his feline friends!

Dan in Tassie last year.

Now I’m cooking the Girl and the Goat café in Greta. If they’re busy they’ll call me in. They’re a good family run business and I love it there. I’m happy to be part time now as full time was a little too full-on. It’s a country café with good simple food and I make things like bacon and egg rolls and burgers and chips.

In future I’d like to do more travel. I’m going to Melbourne the last week of June for State of Origin game 2. I’m a big Knights supporter and have Platinum Membership, so I’ll be at all of the local games this year. Hopefully they get off to a good start this season compared to last year! I actually played soccer when I was younger as I couldn’t play rugby league due to vertigo.

I’ve never been to Melbourne so after June all that’s left is the Far North and I’ll have done the whole of the east side of Australia. My last trip in mid 2023 was to Tasmania which was really good. I did lot of hiking with the Wineglass Bay hike being at least 3 hours. We went to Mt Wellington and saw snow for the first time which was amazing. I’d rather be outdoors than at home.

The things that I am most proud of over the last couple of years has been moving better with swimming and running.

Headstart’s Rec is great and I enjoy the socialising. Ten pin bowling is my favourite and it’s on the last Monday of every month. Before my injury I only used to bowl once in a blue moon, now it’s a highlight of the month for me. I enjoy the Rec walks and the Morning Melodies group at Cardiff RSL which is on just before I go to Rec lawn bowls also on every Thursday.

On a Friday, Saturday or Sunday I usually go to the gym or else for a swim at Newcastle Baths. I like the outdoor pools because chlorine hurts my nose. I often with Tiffany (CSW) and have been there a lot since it’s been open. It’s a great spot, even if it’s packed it doesn’t look packed.

I get to the gym three days a week as it’s just a ten minute walk from home: mixing arms, back and abs on different days. I wasn’t very active before my injury as I was more of a drinker. Now I just want to keep on getting fitter and have noticed a change in all areas.

I actually had to gain weight after life support because I was 50 kilos back then, now I’m around 82 kilos.

I attend a speech group at Neuro Alliance with memory classes in ten week blocks. One activity is having to remember and add to everyone’s sentences. We also do card and other memory based games.

When I am home I have a veggie garden that the CSW’s help me look after. It’s great to be able to grow my own food. Another goal this year is to spend less on take away food rather than spend too much on the Rec lunches when we’re out. I’ve got pesto pasta leftovers for lunch today. I just have it cold, like a salad.

I’ve got two cats which Iove. My older cat Jack is four years old and I got him just before my head injury. Cosmo is Jack’s son. I will only have indoor cats otherwise they’re a danger to wildlife like the natives and lorikeets in my area.

When I am home I enjoy puzzles and I’m often doing one. When they’re finished I like to hang them on the wall - especially Star Wars puzzles! I absolutely love Star Wars and I’ve been to most of the midnight launches since Episode 3 when I was 14. I’ve got all the movies. My favourite of the originals is The Empire Strikes Back and of the Prequels it’s Episode 3. I’m not a big fan of the Disney ones.

It’s been a year since I started playing pickleball with my support workers. It’s like a cross between tennis and badminton and we play doubles. Singles is a little too hard. I play with Jacob or one of my other CSW’s against the regular guys there. I last played tennis when I was 14, only because we had a tennis court in our backyard. I could never serve but with pickleball you only have to serve underarm.

I wouldn’t recommend a brain injury! It’s a long recovery. My advice to anyone is to think before you hit someone. It’s been a big life change but even so I’m feeling positive about the future.

Dan and CSW Jacob at pickleball

Picturing Dan

Pickleball is good cardio exercise and not too much strain to the body. I can definitely recommend pickleball everyone should try it!

- Dan

What exactly is pickleball?

In case you’re wondering, pickleball is a sport that’s swept across the United States and is now experiencing remarkable growth here in Australia.

The sport has great health and fitness benefits including improved mental health outcomes.

For those new to the sport, it combines elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton, played on a court similar in size to a badminton court, using a paddle and a small perforated plastic ball. The sport’s easy-to-grasp rules and accessibility have made it a hit among newcomers. It’s a game for all ages and skill levels. Pickleball’s origins are traced back to a summer’s day in 1965 in the US when three friends, seeking to alleviate boredom, created the game.

Legend has it that the sport’s name was inspired by a resourceful family dog named Pickles, known for retrieving stray balls.

“Ididn’t actually acquire a brain injury, I was born with it. I was born extremely premature by a few months. My cerebral palsy and autism, weren’t diagnosed until much later on.

I am 24 years old and was born in December 15. My mum was born on December 14, and there’s really only a couple of hours between our birthday’s, which is interesting. Mom and I have a great relationship as I’ve grown up.

I am an only child which was a bit lonely at times. I did have some close friends growing up, but I’ve also dealt with some pretty horrific bullying in my life. It is what it is, I don’t dwell on it too much.

I was also born deaf in both ears. I wear hearing aids all the time and I also lip read. I never learned sign language even though I tried a couple of times.

I just couldn’t quite get it right. I think it’s because of my autism I just can’t quite read signals as my brain processes information differently. It’s an everyday struggle, but I’m coping better now than I used to.

At school I did well in English and was good with writing and storytelling, which has been a hobby of mine. I was grade 7 or 8 when I remember writing a story

about a Yeti which the whole class loved and the teachers said was well written with a plot twist at the end. I always had a love of Sci-Fi and monsters – things which are beyond the natural world. So it probably comes as no surprise that I’m looking froward to the new Godzilla x Kong movie ‘TheNewEmpire’coming out later this year.

I became really fascinated by creatures like Bigfoot or the Yeti, things that are ‘cryptid’ which means undiscovered or mythical.

I actually have a story of my own. I was with my mum and dad exploring an incredible Redwood forest in the USA. At one point I was walking just beyond my parents and I heard rustling but I thought I was imagining it because I am deaf. As I came around a corner I saw what I thought was a big black bear but then I realised it’s ears weren’t on the top of it’s head. It was standing upright and was about 11 foot tall. I realised that the way it moved it’s arms was more humanlike than a bear. I realised it wasn’t a bear but didn’t know what it was. It was a black mass of muscle and hair and it kept looking at me. I was both scared and curious and it was just 5 metres away.

As we locked eyes I realised there was intelligence behind them. Then it just simply turned around and walked away. I enjoy reading and watch documentaries or movies. I’m not quite as much into history as I was growing up, though I’m still quite a big history buff. When my mum watches a Netflix show I say things like ‘You know that person didn’t exist untilahundredyearsafter’ or ‘That sword isn’t accurate because it didn’t have that hilt.’ I know enough about history to know what is or isn’t accurate so it’s both a blessing and a curse, especially when watching TV shows!

The thing that fascinates me about historical figures is their humanity, and that’s the lens I view history through. They were actually humans like you or me, they had a personality and they and thoughts and feelings.

Growing up I really liked the Roman Empire because of how well documented it was. in my teenage years I had a stronger fixation with the Norse culture: the Vikings as well as their God’s and the dragon culture. Historians are making new discoveries which is really interesting. I also enjoy Greek mythology. I don’t have a particular philosophy I stick to. My philosophy has changed over time as my mindset has changed. So while I do have an interest in philosophy I’ve never been religious and wasn’t raised in a religious household. I just decided I’d prefer to be an atheist out of my own choice, even though I am exploring more spiritual things at the moment. I still tend towards a scientific explanation of things.

Growing up I had a nihilistic philosophy. That was because my mental health wasn’t great at the time. But I’ve grown out of that philosophy and I’ve definitely matured and come a long way.

I generally have a philosophy of just wanting peace. Just to be left alone and let others live in peace.

I’ve been hurt a lot throughout my life through bullying and emotional blackmail, but I don’t really have a grudge against them anymore. I’ve learned to just let it go because there’s no point holding on to that energy. It just eats away at you, so you’re just better letting things go.”

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So I have battled some mental health issues through a lot of my life, and I continue to see a psychologist. Right now I’m feeling the best I ever have and I am feeling hopeful about the future.

“Mum and I are going to be moving soon from Rankin Park to a pretty quiet country town called Singleton. We look forward to a quieter and more affordable area where it’s got everything we need or want, including a video game store! I love video games. But more than video games I love my mum with my whole heart and I’d be completely lost without her. She’s been a very big help with everything for so many years. I’d do anything for her and she’d anything for me. We’ve been through some hardships together but things are starting to look up for us.

Lately I've expanded my horizons a bit and I'm thinking of taking bow making or bushcrafting courses. My interests have moved a lot more to the survivalist or outdoorsman lifestyle. Later this year I want to go target shooting with a rifle. I went to the range with Ben, my exercise physiologist, to see what I thought and I really liked it. It’s quite accessible for

people with a disability and is surprisingly inclusive. I have also applied for an SSAA (sports shooters) gun license. I’m not sure how many disabled people on the NDIS system will have this.

Speaking of camping, my mum and I camped at Lake St Clair a couple of months ago. It was a terrible experience with gale force winds and rain all night. We were the only tent campers there, the others were all in caravans. We stayed two nights but were so scared the tent was going to blow away the whole time.

I took up archery about nine months go and I've really been enjoying it. My score fluctuates but it doesn't really matter to me. It’s a lot of fun and I enjoy it. While I currently hire a bow I'm planning to buy one of my own. Spike is my support worker at archery and she is lovely. Spike is surprisingly good at archery and the first time she ever shot with an arrow she got a bullseye!

My support workers accompany me to the gym about twice a week, sometimes three times. My health and fitness goals are general strength, stamina and health maintenance. We might go shopping, for lunch, and have discussions. I’m thinking about bringing Will along to do a

two day bushcrafting and camping trip. It’s a two day course so you camp out in middle of the middle of nowhere, run by an Australian version of Bear Grylls. They teach you to forge implements, carve and hunt - it sounds like a lot of fun.

I started LARPing around 2018. LARP is an acronym, and it stands for Live Action Role Play. You get dressed in a medieval costume with a foam weapon. People have described it as football for nerds! This can be a sword, a mace, a mallet, a staff or a knife. Any medieval weapon really - some fantasy, some based on real life. You might dress up as a Knight or a Paladin (which is like both a Knight and a healer with magic powers). Then you basically battle each other with these things - safely of course.

You definitely run around and there are positive health benefits. There are definitely ‘real’ elements to it: I have a set of metal armour that weighs about 20 kilos. There are a few stores around Australia but with very limited stock, so I sometimes buy armour online at places in the Ukraine, France or Canada.

James is happy to have Stan Lee’s autograph.

Mum sews some of the outfits and also joins in the LARP which was often in the Morisett area. Everyone pays ten dollars for a park hire fee and we play with real and imaginative components. There are cones to represent things like forests and rivers, while bows have limited draw strength and shoot arrows with a soft foam ball covered in leather padded ends. The most you could get is a bruise and nobody is seriously hurt.

Teams play against one another and there could be up to half a dozen teams at once, each with 6-12 players but the average is about 7. Depending on the LARP there’s between 30 and 150 players. There is a death system, using ‘health points’ so you acquire damage over a battle and when you get to zero you die. It’s surprisingly competitive and a lot of fun! Anyone is welcome to join and try it out, but most people go regularly. LARPing is a weekly thing whereas Cosplay is dressing up as a character and going to an event like Comicon or Video game con. I’ve been to Comic Con and Cosplay in Sydney a couple of times and enjoyed it. I met Stan Lee and had a Marvel Encyclopedia signed by him!

When it comes to superheroes I like Batman and the Batman movies are really good. I love Henry Cavill’s Supermanhe’s great.

I play video games a lot. If it's got guns or swords in it, I'm probably going to play it! I prefer higher quality games, but that's subjective. The two games in particular that I play at the moment is Fallout 76 and another game called Hunt Showdown They’re two very different games with pretty cool aesthetics and I enjoy them.

Something I’m really proud of myself for getting a few years ago now my full drivers licence. So I can drive myself wherever I need to go. My current goal at the moment is brain training, because I've got a pretty bad memory.

Headstart are one of the services helping me to train my brain to remember by setting reminders or writing things down which I've been doing pretty well with. I need to make sure to remember appointments, and while that's always going to be a struggle we can at least try and manage it. Support workers and my mum help me with that. It’s going well at the moment.

I’ve improved leaps and bounds with my autism and reading people for example. My exercising could improve more bit we’re moving at a solid pace.

My general health was pretty bad about year or even six months ago. But I've basically made a really good recovery since then so that's been really good. I'm also adopted a gluten free diet. While I only have gluten intolerance and not celiac disease, thankfully. This has had it’s benefits and there are plenty of gluten free options around these days. A few months ago I was actually diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s disease. This can cause extreme inflammation, weight gain, poor memory, brain fog, exhaustion, extreme fatigue and joint pain. Just in the last month the medication has really made a huge difference and things are under control. While I still get some fatigue it’s a lot better than it was.

It seems that just about every week some kind of challenge happens and I just want a break, but I just I have to approach it all with a positive attitude.”

James with his Mum LARPing... like mother like son!

Cill’s Creations

Meet Priscilla aka ‘Cill’ of Cill’s Creations, who is a Headstart support worker and so much more!

A proud Kamilaroi - Dunghutti woman living in Port Stephens. Cill is a mum of three beautiful children with her family origin from Walcha and Nyngan NSW. Cill is a community member of the AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group) and NAIDOC Committee of her local primary school. Cill was nominated for A.C.T Aboriginal Community Worker of the year and more recently was an AECG Deadly award finalist for significant contribution to improving Aboriginal student Outcomes in Port Stephens. Cill has felt a connection with art since her childhood and creates a wide range of art pieces, some of which she has been commissioned for.

“My stories come from a place inside, some rise from memories, some from stories told by Elders, some come from nature. I love to share the beauty of the Aboriginal culture through art and to enable people to have an original piece of handmade artwork in their home. There is nothing more beautiful than an original hand painted artwork that speaks to the individual.”

“Ivisit Marlene once a week for 3 hours. During this time I follow Marlene’s lead with what she would like to achieve during our time.

We talk a lot while doing any activities and Marlene has shared a lot about who she was prior to her accident. Marlene was a strong, confident, social, fiercely independent woman.

Marlene had a serious motorbike accident nearly five years ago. Her mobility and sight were impacted at this time.

Marlene has worked extremely hard over this period to try to get back some

of what was lost. Marlene stated that in the beginning she never wanted to have support staff in her life, however, now she is so grateful for all the support that she has and continues to receive.

Marlene’s mobility has improved significantly. She carries a walking stick however does not rely on it at all times. Marlene is very determined to continue to improve and has shown enormous strength and mental fortitude in thinking outside the box to get strategies in place to allow her to achieve things that work with her limitations or restrictions.

Marlene has the greatest sense of humor and is an inspiration to listen to.

Although she says she doesn't do some things because it is to hard, her actions say otherwise. In my time working with Marlene I have seen how after she is open to trying anything and finding alternative ways of doing something. She has a never say never attitude. Some days I wonder who is helping who!

Marlene wants to increase her independence. While she can no longer drive or ride a motorbike, she is working towards being able to ride a push bike to allow her independence outside the home and to once again have a sense of freedom.

Marlene is also working towards returning to sewing as Marlene loves patchwork. It was Marlene who contacted Beth to suggest my art be highlighted by Headstart, so I feel that it is only fair that Marlene is in the article with me. Marlene agrees with this - haha!”

All artworks by Cill

“When time permits I like to be active within the local indigenous community and school. I was a lot more involved last year but less so this year due to work commitments and other things.

In 2023 I completed my Cert III in Gomeroi, which is my mob’s language. This involved quite a lot of travelling out to country and doing a lot of on-country culture and lingo learning. My partner was also employed by Headstart first and he raved about the company and the way that they support their staff and they support their consumers. Already having a bit of disability background and working with people with co-morbidities it seemed like the perfect place to be.

I always had an interest in arts but it was during COVID that I started painting my Council garbage bins and it’s grown from there.

I haven’t done any formal training other than visual arts at high school. Now I’m even selling paintings through my Facebook page, although it’s really just been more of a hobby so far.

With my artwork I’m willing to give anything a go once. Last year I was a part of a local riding group and I forged a friendship with a lady who had a track bike. She loved my artwork and I painted up the panels to represent her personality

and things she was into. A year on now and the paintwork has held up well! I’ve painted things like shoes and I carve emu eggs. I had an exhibition down at the local art gallery here in Lemon Tree last year in October where I was the featured. Now I have some at the nearby Tanilba Bay post office and have already sold one from there. They don’t tend to last long wherever I put them! I sometimes get asked to do commissions.

In terms of my artwork I’m inspired by my culture. It’s very much all about trying to hand that down to my children and give them a sense of pride of who they are and where they’ve come from.”

Check out Cill on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/CillsCreations

What’s new at Rec

Come join us for our newest Rec weekly activity!

You’ve all heard that music is good for the soul, so I guess that means it must be good for your health as well. Music certainly has positive effects on your mood, it lifts you up when you’re feeling down, as long as you’re listening to the right stuff.

Good music really can improve someone’s quality of life.

Singer Peter knows how to pick up your mood with the right stuff.

It’s my kind of music and it’s a lot of fun.

- Darren S, consumer

I think it’s so great, gets me out of the house and my toes tapping. I’m a chair dancer only!

- Garry D, consumer Yeeharr!

- Leah H, consumer

He plays uplifting, toe tapping, sing along tunes to all the “good old stuff”, bit of this bit of that, easy listening, and rock from the, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, with some of the recent more well-known songs thrown in as well.

FUN FACT - Did you know that music has been known to help with things like pain, anxiety, and depression as well as selfesteem and social functioning?

It can also improve cognitive function and have a positive effect on conditions such as dementia.

A really good vibe - I love it!

- Dan R, consumer

Too much fun for 10.30am in the morning!

- Liat B, CSW

So interactive and engaging. Love how social it is.

- Deb C, CSW

The Cardiff RSL Club has been running Morning Melodies for years now, each Thursday from 10.30am to 12.30pm and it’s free to attend. While your there perhaps grab a meal at either the Eastern Tiger for $13 or a burger from Bluey’s Bistro & Smokehouse.

Come along for a fun morning of music by contacting your co-worker or myself.

Yours in Health and Happiness, Nikki Rec Coordinator

Great to be able to make as much noise without any worry. They can get a bit loose and be wild.

- Guy H, CSW

It’s uplifting. I like how everyone gets into it and leaves in such a great mood.

- Ben W, CSW

Rec recipe

We must have picked the coolest day of the month of February for an Ice Cream Cooking Class. Lucky it’s never too cold to eat ice cream!

Ice Cream that is made from scratch with no artificial flavours or preservatives is much better for you and tastes delicious too. All you need are a few basic ingredients and you can to can make it at home. CSW and Chef Dee took our class and with this recipe you can also make it at home.

Ice Cream Recipes Easy make at home

Strawberry or Raspberry Ice Cream

• 200g Fresh Ricotta

• 100g Natural Yoghurt

• 1 Punnet Strawberries or other Berries

• ½ teaspoon Vanilla Essence

Wizz together until smooth and then freeze.

Chocolate Ice Cream

• 300g Ricotta

• 100g sugar

• 40g cocoa powder½ teaspoon vanilla essence.

• * NO yogurt for this recipe. Wizz together until smooth and then freeze.

Banana Ice Cream

• 200g fresh ricotta

• 100g natural yoghurt

• 80g sugar

• 1 ripe banana

• ½ teaspoon vanilla essence.

Wizz together until smooth and then freeze.

Mango Ice Cream

• 200g fresh ricotta100g natural yoghurt

• 100g sugar

• 1 ripe mango peeled and chopped.

• ½ teaspoon vanilla essence

Wizz together until smooth and then freeze.

Coconut Ice Cream

• 200g fresh ricotta

• 100g natural yoghurt80g sugar

• 150g coconut milk powder

Wizz together until smooth and then freeze.

Rec group adventures

Green Point Reserve

Charlestown Golf Driving range

First BBQ of the year!

Eastern

A

Wayne wishes the Tigers well!

Welcome to Rec Dean!

Headstart’s Annual Competition Fish ng

Our new online Feedback & Complaints form is available here: (scan QR code with your phone camera or https://forms.office.com/r/Kqd2L1MBhJ)

If you would like to continue receiving NewsLink, become a member by contacting us on 4965 4420 for a membership application

Our membership year starts from 1 July. Your contributions to the newsletter are welcomed, and we will keep you up to date on all the issues, activities and the developments in services.

Persistence is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.

- Walter Elliot

Fish anytime in the month of April. Send a photo of you and your catch along with the size in cm next to a ruler or measure tape, with the type of fish, location, time, and date. Email: nicolaa@headstart-abi.com.au

The lucky winner receives a $20 Voucher for Freddy’s Fishing & Camping Store!

Making a Complaint

You have the right to complain under the Community Services (Complaints, review and monitoring) Act 1993. If you have a complaint there are steps to take. At each step, every effort will be made to resolve your complaint before going to the next step.

Step 1. Talk with the person concerned

Step 2: Talk with Co-worker/staff member

Step 3: Talk with Director

Step 4: Talk with Chairperson

Step 5: Talk with Committee

Step 6: Talk with an outside service

Traditional Owners

At each step you have the right to have someone else present if you wish. This person is called an advocate and may be your friend, family member, staff member, paid advocate or someone else.

If you wish Headstart can help you locate an independent advocate.

We recognise, respect and embrace the Aboriginal elders and people of this region as the traditional custodians and cultural knowledge holders if this land. We further acknowledge the cultural contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with disability and reaffirm our vision of a world where every person is welcomed.

NewsLink is produced by many people at Headstart ABI Services. We welcome contributions from everyone: an article, letter, photograph, poetry, etc. We also welcome suggestions as to articles that we could write about for future issues - so please get on touch!

We appreciate feedback on things like the kind of stories, size of our typeface, layout and general appearance of our newsletter.

HAVE YOUR SAY on these, or any other issues by writing to us at:

Headstart ABI Services 95 Turnbull Street HAMILTON NSW 2303 or email: comms@headstart-abi.com.au