Oranability Autumn 2022

bility

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES

MEET

BILL CHAPMAN client of the Year recipient and employee at Orana’s para Hills West business services.

SA HEALTH PARTNERSHIP

STAYING CONNECTED

YOUR PERFECT HOME

PROTECTING THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY

CONNECTING WITH FAMILY DURING A PANDEMIC

FIND YOUR PERFECT FIT WITH OUR HOUSING VACANCIES

ORANAONLINE.COM.AU AUTUMN 2022

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In this issue.

employability

cover story 4

Meet Bill Chapman

12

feature

what’s on

Interested in volunteering?

16

Semaphore weekend getaway

wellbeing

18

Out & about

6

Spotlight on: Jessica Divola

13

Staying connected

8

Orana appoints new CEO

14

Baked feta pasta

9

Club Strike on a roll

9

SA Health partnership

10

Winners are grinners

home 19

Your perfect home

Cover Story

Meet

4

Bill Chapman

Cover Story Client of the Year recipient and employee at Orana’s para Hills West business services.

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Bill Chapman prefers to stay out of the spotlight, but in December 2021, he was named Client of the Year at Orana’s annual awards ceremony.

need a ride to and from work.

Not only was he nominated by his peers, but also by his Client Coach and team at our Para Hills West location, where he works. Bill was recognised for his dedication, hard work, and ongoing ability to assist those around him. His enthusiasm and caring nature distinguish him as a leader and a great friend in his community.

Bill recently advanced in his favourite martial art, Aikido, outside of work. Bill began the peaceful sport three years ago and is now on his second belt, orange. Bill discovered the sport through his Client Coach at the time, Alicia, and has since been attending classes twice a week, adding calligraphy to his repertoire of skills. Calligraphy has become a regular part of his training, and he attends classes every Saturday.

The motto from the Para Hills West site “If we believe, we achieve” - a motto that Bill goes above and beyond to achieve not only for himself but also for his teammates.

ANGELINA MAYGER, PARA HILLS WEST SUPERVISOR, DESCRIBED BILL AS “A REALLY PASSIONATE AND CARING EMPLOYEE – HE JUST WANTS TO SEE EVERYONE DO THEIR BEST.” Bill, who was recently promoted to Team Leader, wears many hats, including forklift driver. As one of the few employees with a forklift licence, Bill can transport completed orders around the facility and load and unload products into trucks with ease.

Bill’s driver and forklift licences were not easy to obtain because he is partially colour blind, which required him to take additional tests and figure out ways to distinguish the correct colours and their meanings. He is also involved in the construction and assembly of office furniture, where the team is currently working on lockers and cabinets.

Bill says his favourite part of working at Orana is the people he sees each day, and he even offers lifts to his friends who

When asked about his future, Bill says, “I hope to still be working here at Orana with my friends in five years.”

“My goals are to keep improving in calligraphy and to work towards my next Aikido belt,” Bill says.

Aside from training, Bill enjoys going out on weekends and cooking with the assistance of his Client Coach. His favourite recipe is stir fry, but he can’t live without pizza.

It’s clear that those around Bill notice his kind nature and ability to inspire and assist others in achieving their goals.

“Bill deserved his award wholeheartedly.” “He lives by Orana’s values and philosophy and would do anything to help people succeed,” Angelina Mayger says. “He encourages others to achieve their full potential and is always willing to lend a helping hand.”

Bill has won three awards with Orana in the last six years, including the Health and Wellness award, the Employability award, and, most recently, the Client of the Year award.

feature

spotlight on

jessica divola

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feature

Being a part of a community is about more than just having a place to live; it is about the genuine connections and interactions we have with those around us. And it’s a privilege for Jessica Divola to work in a community that supports people from all walks of life.

Jess works as a Client Coach at Orana’s Clarence Park Supported Independent Living facility, Amaroo. Each morning, Amaroo is alive with activity as the day’s routines begin, and with 20 clients spread across four homes, it can become a hub of energy.

“I usually work mornings in house one, supporting eight

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clients, all wonderful and unique in their own way,” Jess says. “We have many different personalities and various support needs.”

Each of these awards demonstrates Jess’s dedication, passion, and enthusiasm for her role at Orana.

After initially studying to work with children with disability, Jess quickly discovered her passion in working with adults in the sector, where she felt her assistance was more needed. She now works with adults with disability, supporting them with everything from personal care to cooking.

“The Amaroo team is fantastic at supporting all clients and providing very holistic care,” Jess says.

When asked how she feels about receiving this recognition, she says she is elated and humbled.

Most days at Amaroo are filled with laughter, shared experiences, music, and a lot of love and appreciation.

“I love seeing the gems within each day… all milestones are important, and I love being a part of that journey.”

Olivia Downey, Data Integrity Officer, stated that observing Jess in the workplace demonstrates that her passion, positivity, and helpfulness brighten the lives of Amaroo clients. Jess is wellrespected by her colleagues, having recently been named Client Champion and Staff Member of the Year for 2021.

“IT WAS AN OVERWHELMING EXPERIENCE AND I FELT VERY PRIVILEGED TO RECEIVE THE AWARDS. IT IS DEFINITELY AN ACCOMPLISHMENT I AM MOST PROUD OF.” Jess believes there is still more she can do in the disability sector after making an incredible contribution to helping many people live their best lives. Jess is a strong supporter of not only clients, but also other staff members, and she hopes to see more staff training across the industry in particular in the development of positive behaviour management strategies.

In terms of the future, Jess hopes to continue to have an impact on her clients’ happiness and development.

feature

8

Orana appoints

new CEO

Following a comprehensive search, the Orana Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Jim Liu as the new Chief Executive Officer of Orana Australia Limited (Orana). Jim, a highly experienced senior leader, takes over from Nick Mihalaras, who recently retired after more than 14 years of service. Jim stepped into his new role on Monday 31st January 2022.

“We are delighted to appoint Jim as the Chief Executive Officer of Orana and look forward to him leading the Orana team to continue their great work to fulfil their mission to improve the lives of our clients. Jim is no stranger to Orana, having served as Executive Manager – Business Services for the previous seven months. He clearly understands that providing the highest quality services is the only way to provide our clients with a better life in the future” said Orana Chair, Mr David Johns.

Jim brings more than 25 years of experience in senior leadership roles across finance, operational, business development and general management to Orana.

He also holds significant experience in cultural, financial, and organisational transformation, particularly during periods of significant internal and external change.

In his previous roles, Jim was instrumental in building a purpose driven and customer focused culture, developing and

leading high performing teams, and transforming businesses across a broad range of Industries.

“I am extremely honoured and humbled to be named the next CEO of Orana. I am excited to begin this new chapter with Orana and look forward to leading the organisation, building on the great work and foundation that Nick has established.

I look forward to ensuring Orana continues to create opportunities for people with disability, providing the highest level of support to our clients and further expanding our industry partnerships,” said Jim Liu. “Jim’s leadership and experience will be invaluable in paving the way forward for Orana.

This is an exciting new chapter for Orana, and the Board and staff are eager to work with Jim to ensure that we continue to provide quality services to people with disability. I’ll leave knowing that Orana is thriving, with fantastic, dedicated staff supporting people with disability to be active members of their communities and live their best lives,” said retiring CEO, Nick Mihalaras.

Orana Australia has spent the last 70 years striving to be one of the best disability service providers in metropolitan and regional South Australia. We provide opportunities for people with disability to live and work in their community in the way they choose, through a variety of work opportunities, housing, short-term accommodation, skills development programs, and daily support.

feature

9

Club Strike

on a roll

Club Strike shone brightly and scored big when they appeared on Channel 7’s South Aussie with Cosi on Sunday, February 20.

The popular travel and lifestyle show, which is now in its 11th season, is watched by thousands of people on a regular basis.

Last November, Cosi, his crew, and 59 Club Strike members filled the lanes at Zone Bowling for an afternoon of fun and games.

Several bowlers were eager to be featured in the first episode of the ever-popular show in 2022.

Club Strike showcases their bowling talents once a month at Zone Bowling in Westbourne Park, a fantastic opportunity to have fun with your friends while improving your bowling skills. Everyone is welcome, and no prior bowling experience is required!

Thinking about coming along to Club Strike?

Contact our team on 8375 20000.

sa health

PARTNERSHIP

Orana has recently partnered up with SA Health to pack COVID-19 at-home testing kits for the South Australian community, a move that will see employees at the Netley Business Services facility working on a major project as part of the government’s response to the pandemic.

Our hardworking and dedicated employees are at the forefront of this project, providing users with a thermometer and a rapid antigen test, providing a quick and essential COVID-19 positive or negative result.

The collaboration between Orana and SA Health to help the South Australian community combat COVID-19 is welcomed.

“This partnership puts our employees at the forefront of an incredibly important and significant project for the South Australian community,” said Jim Liu, CEO.

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WINNERS ARE

grinners

2021 staff & client awards, highlighting and showcasing achievements.

Each year, we take the opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our amazing clients and staff.

With a total of four awards for both clients and staff, candidates are nominated throughout the year by their colleagues and peers.

As a result of COVID-19, 2021 presented several challenges; however, Orana staff went above and beyond in the face of adversity to continually support

and enhance the lives of our clients. We are grateful and proud to be able to recognise and celebrate the efforts of our staff.

Highlighting our clients’ achievements is an important focus of Oranability, and while this is done on a regular basis, the Orana Staff and Client Awards provide a larger platform to highlight accomplishments.

feature

STAFF AWARDS Client Champion Award: Jessica Divola - Client Coach

Awarded for exceeding role expectations and going above and beyond to improve the quality of life for her clients through memorable experiences, innovative ideas, and her ability to overcome barriers. Jess is well respected by her co-workers and is constantly thinking of new ways to engage with and support her clients.

Impact Award: Prabin Shrestha - Client Coach

Prabin is well-known for his calm and professional demeanour, and he ensures that his clients’ needs are met and that they are living their best lives with the best care and support. He is extremely enthusiastic about his role at Orana and is always willing to lend a helping hand.

Behind the Scenes Award: Ron Kalaquian - IT Manager

Ron goes above and beyond his responsibilities as the IT Development and Systems Engineer to ensure that the needs of the entire Orana staff are met. When needed, Ron is only a click away and can demonstrate high-level IT functionalities in an easy-tounderstand manner.

Staff Member of the Year 2021: Jessica Divola - Client Coach

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Employment Award: William ‘Bill’ Chapman

Jessica is deserving of this award after an outstanding year that included several nominations from her colleagues. Working at Amaroo, she goes above and beyond her responsibilities to provide all clients with experiences that go beyond the norm. She assists her clients in overcoming obstacles in ways that engage them.

Working in our Para Hills West business service, Bill has demonstrated an ability to constantly learn new skills in a variety of areas. Over the past year, he has demonstrated excellent leadership abilities and a high level of regard for his co-workers and managers, even offering transportation assistance to pick up his co-workers for the day.

CLIENT AWARDS

Skills Development Award: Stephen Benni

Health and Wellness Award: Matthew Kassulke

Matthew has a strong commitment to his health and a long list of demonstrated accomplishments in this area.

Matthew serves as a consistent role model for his peers by demonstrating a healthy lifestyle and achieving health goals.

Matthew also met his 20kg weight-loss goal in eight months.

Stephen has been expressing himself with ease and confidence, and he now finds it easy to initiate communication with staff, friends, and the local community. His eagerness to learn and expand his skill set has led him to win the Skills Development Award.

Client of the Year 2021: William ‘Bill’ Chapman

Bill’s outstanding year of great accomplishments earned him the title of Client of the Year for 2021.

employability 12

INTERESTED IN

volunteering?

Make a difference in the lives of people with disability by putting your skills and knowledge to use. We have several exciting projects coming up that we need assistance with.

This is a great opportunity to work within one of South Australia’s leading disability service providers, to increase your knowledge and skills within your area of interest.

Volunteers must uphold our core values : Collaboration Innovation Integrity Respect

Contact Gary in our HR team today to find out more.

8375 2000 or find out more at oranaonline.com.au

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES. SUPPORTING YOU WITH YOUR NDIS PLAN. find out more

wellbeing

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STAYING

connected

staying Connected whilst socially distancing during covid-19.

Don’t let the COVID-19 pandemic stand in the way of human connection because we can’t be physically close to our family, friends, and loved ones.

It takes time, effort, and patience to adjust to social distancing, isolating, or quarantining. Even when our usual routines have been turned upside down, there are numerous ways to stay connected and maintain our sense of balance.

Here are some great ideas for staying connected while socially distancing: Connect digitally: Social media is a great tool for virtually connecting with friends and family. Facebook and Instagram can help you stay connected and up to date on what people in your community are up to; you can also share how you’re feeling and what you’re up to at home!

We can have video chats with our loved ones using online apps like Zoom, FaceTime, and Facebook Chat – making time to have a virtual face-to-face chat with our community can improve our mental wellbeing.

Play your favourite games: Whether on your phone, computer, or tablet, there are a lot of great apps and online games available that connect users all over the world. Apps like Words with Friends, Chess, and Monopoly are great for playing with family and friends on your phone or tablet. Computer games such as Minecraft, Fall Guys, and Rocket League are excellent for connecting with people in your local community or around the world. Most computer games also include chat features, allowing you to converse while playing.

Let your creativity shine: With so many online apps that encourage creativity, why not sign up for one and get your groove on? TikTok allows users to post short videos of themselves dancing, singing, or demonstrating their skills in any way. It’s a fun way to stay connected and will quickly get you into a groove.

Join an online book club, discussion group or community: A great way to meet people not only in your local community, but also people from all over the world who have similar interests.

Whatever your hobby is, there is bound to be an online discussion group where you will thrive.

Wellbeing

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wellbeing

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BAKED FETA

pasta

50 Minutes

serves 4

easy

Ingredients.

Cherry tomatoes 2 punnets

Thyme 3 sprigs

Shallot 1 quartered

Lemon zest of 1

Garlic cloves 3 smashed

Fresh basil

Extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup

Salt

Feta 1 block

Chilli flakes crushed

Penne pasta 1 bag

1

3

2

4

Step one.

Preheat oven to 180°. In a large ovenproof skillet or medium baking dish, combine tomatoes, shallot, garlic, and most of the olive oil. Season with salt and red pepper flakes and toss to combine.

Step two.

Place feta into centre of tomato mixture and drizzle top with remaining olive oil. Scatter thyme over tomatoes. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until tomatoes are bursting and feta is golden on top.

Step three.

Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.

Step four.

To skillet with tomatoes and feta, add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and lemon zest (if using) to skillet and stir until completely combined. Garnish with basil before serving.

Find out more tasty recipes online at oranaonline.com.au Recipe and image sourced from delish.com

what’s on

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SEMAPHORE WEEKEND

getaway

February was host to a few events, but none were as exciting as our weekend getaways. 24 campers had the opportunity to have fun in the sun at Adelaide Beachfront Discovery Parks at Semaphore Beach over two weekends.

Orana weekend getaways are held a few times a year and are a fantastic opportunity for people with disability to encounter new experiences, reconnect with old friends, and participate in shared activities aimed at developing life skills.

“Weekend getaways are always fun and have everyone laughing; it allows clients to step outside of their comfort zone to try or

learn something new,” says Amy Sherpa, Holiday Coordinator.

Semaphore’s white sandy beach and colourful foreshore make for an unforgettable weekend experience. On Saturday, campers took part in mini-golf, scavenger hunts, swimming, outdoor sports, and, most memorably, a high-flying aerial Adelaide Fringe show.

Campers visited Adelaide Zoo on Sunday thanks to a generous donation from Adelaide’s Incognito Café. Campers were filled with excitement as they toured the zoo, that was full of colour, and over 2,500 unique animals.

First time participant, Darren, said “I felt a bit nervous at first but was happy at the end.”

“It was a great holiday, I like the mini-golf, the Fringe show and the zoo was good too.”

Many campers have been attending Orana weekend getaways for years, so it’s often a great opportunity to catch up with friends and spend a weekend together.

Would you like to join us on our next getaway?

To find out how, call our team on 8275 2000.

what’s on

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what’s on

Out about

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&

MARCH Adelaide biennial of Australian art What: Australia’s longest standing contemporary art exhibition, held from March to June. This exhibition showcases photography, painting, sculptures, installations and moving images.

Where: Art Gallery of South Australia More info: agsa.sa.gov.au

APRIL Symphony in the Park 2 April What: Sit back and enjoy the calming soundtracks of a symphony whilst taking in the stunning surrounding parklands at sunset in this free openair event.

Where: Richards Park, Norwood More info: npsp.sa.gov.au

MAY SA History Festival 1 to 31 May What: An entire month dedicated to the history of South Australia. Learn about the state’s places and spaces, stories, collections and ideas that make us who we are.

Where: Various locations across South Australia More info: festival.history.sa.gov.au

ALL YEAR ROUND Adelaide Zoo What: Home to over 2,500 animals, Adelaide Zoo is an adventure like no other! Hand-feed a number of animals and listen to the mighty roar of an African lion.

Where: Frome Road, Adelaide More info: adelaidezoo.com.au

All information is correct at the time of publication. COVID-19 restrictions may impact events. Please check event website for up-to-date information prior to attendance.

home

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YOUR

perfect HOME

Orana has a number of vacancies located across Metropolitan & regional south Australia.

PORT PIRIE balmoral road vacancy for: One male tenant.

Features: Six bedrooms, large lounge and dining area with large outdoor space. Currently all male house with two bathrooms and central kitchen.

MARLESTON galway avenue vacancy for: One male tenant.

Features: Low maintenance landscaped gardens with shared BBQ space, adding to the perfect community home.

MANSFIELD PARK heinrich street vacancy for: One male tenant.

Features: Modern, purpose built two bedroom home, open plan living, dining and kitchen area. Currently, one male tenant.

Perfect fit for you?

Contact our team on 8375 2000 to find out how you can move in.

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everyone has a story.

what’s yours?

Do you have a story you would like to share in Oranability?

Contact Taylah Watson at communications@orana.asn.au to find out how.

© Orana Australia Limited 2022 Executive Editor, Designer & Writer: Taylah Watson