Waaia Caf茅 operates out of the leafy grounds of the 澳门六合彩图库, a not-for-profit organisation committed to enriching the lives of people with disabilities. Open every Friday from 10am to 12noon, the caf茅 is run by some of 澳门六合彩图库鈥檚 Social and Community program participants and their dedicated support workers.

Tania, one of the caf茅 team gets a head start on Thursday mornings to craft each batch of scones with meticulous care, ensuring every bite is a delight. Her scones clinched the top spot in the 2023 Hawkesbury Show. Tania uses her daily living skills at the Waaia Caf茅 and finds joy and purpose in her role.

Another integral member of the team is Sam. On Fridays, Sam extends a warm welcome to caf茅 patrons, his infectious smile brightening the atmosphere as he fosters a sense of belonging for all who walk through the door.

Alida Pruys, Executive Manager Community Services said that the vision behind the caf茅 was to create a space where the local community can come together to connect with and support the 澳门六合彩图库 community. On our beautiful bushland campus, the Waaia guests can enjoy the surroundings while donating to a worthy cause.

The caf茅 offers more than just delicious treats, it鈥檚 also a training ground for people with disabilities to gain hands-on experiences in, baking, customer service, money handling, cleaning, and food safety. Every purchase contributes directly to 澳门六合彩图库鈥檚 programs and services, making a tangible impact on the lives of the people we support.

Tania, Sam, and the entire team extend to you a warm welcome. Join them at the Waaia Caf茅, every Friday and be a part of something truly special.

For more information visit /waaia-cafe/

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Each year, only a select few organisations meet the rigorous criteria set by Xref, with only 5-10% of clients achieving this distinction. In 2023, 澳门六合彩图库’s dedication to excellence earned it a well-deserved place among the winners. With 641 organisations in the benchmark, 澳门六合彩图库’s standout performance is truly commendable.

澳门六合彩图库’s success is underscored by its commitment to employee satisfaction. In the most recent employee survey, 澳门六合彩图库 exceeded the criteria with an impressive staff satisfaction rate of 80.09%. This figure surpassed the Disability Services industry average by 6.03%, solidifying 澳门六合彩图库’s reputation as an exceptional place to work.

Delia Gray, CEO said 鈥淎t 澳门六合彩图库, we genuinely care about the people we support and the staff who support them. We create a place where everyone is known, heard, and growing in a beautiful campus where our residents, participants, students, and their teams can thrive. We believe that meaningful work and a healthy work-life balance are essential. We are dedicated to fostering a team of creative, energetic, and passionate individuals who embody the 澳门六合彩图库 spirit.鈥�

鈥淭his award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of every member of the 澳门六合彩图库 team. It reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence and our relentless pursuit of creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.鈥�

鈥淲e extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the other winners of the Xref Best Workplace Award 2023. Together, we are setting the standard for workplace excellence and inspiring others to prioritise employee satisfaction and engagement.鈥�

For more information about the Xref Best Workplace Award and to see the full list of winners, please visit Xref Engage Awards .

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The Senior鈥檚 Festival is important at 澳门六合彩图库, as it provides an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the seniors within our community, many of whom have been integral members of the 澳门六合彩图库 family for many years.

Among our esteemed residents stands Richard, a beacon of resilience and vitality at 77 years old. Richard fondly recalls his days assisting on 澳门六合彩图库鈥檚 Biodynamic Farm when he was only 19 years old.

Richard exemplifies healthy living. Each day, he walks to his various activities with enthusiasm. From frequenting the Dural Men’s Shed to refine his woodworking skills to attending weekly drama classes at the Riverside Theatre’s Beyond the Square program. Richard is a cornerstone of our community, enriching it with his respectful demeanour and infectious positivity.

Recently, Richard discovered a newfound passion for the Scottish bagpipes, immersing himself in the rehearsals and performances by the Castle Hill Pipe band, indulging his love for music.

In celebrating Richard and all our esteemed seniors, we come to appreciate their invaluable insights into the art of living a fulfilling life. Their resilience, zest for learning, and unwavering spirit inspire us all to reach beyond our perceived limitations and embrace each day with renewed vigour and appreciation.

Activities held for the Seniors鈥� Festival?

The festivities commenced with a special launch event at the Waaia Caf茅 and activities ranged from an art workshop, a comedy festival, to a games day, and chair yoga.

We enjoyed celebrating our remarkable seniors during the NSW Seniors鈥� Festival!

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Micro-Enterprises is a distinctive venture within 澳门六合彩图库 that offers every participant the opportunity to engage in an existing small business or create one tailored to their interests. The income generated from these endeavours supports personalised spending goals, further boosting our participants鈥� self-determination.

We offer a diverse range of opportunities at Micro-Enterprises, ensuring inclusivity for individuals of all abilities. The growing variety of enterprises includes precision box packing, hands-on work on our biodynamic and organic farm, honing communication and organisational skills through deliveries, mastering outdoor maintenance with lawn care, excelling in maintenance and customer service through pool cleaning, crafting with creativity in leatherworking, expressing artistry through essential oil-scented candle making, gaining insight into the workings of a real bakery at our commercial artisan bakery, creating soothing atmospheres with diffuser making, and providing invaluable support for office and school operations through administrative tasks.

Micro-Enterprises exemplifies our commitment to nurturing abilities and dreams, emphasising our belief in the boundless potential of every individual. By providing diverse, purpose-driven opportunities, we empower participants to cultivate their entrepreneurial spirit, enhance their skill sets, and embark on a journey toward realising their aspirations. In doing so, we contribute to a more vibrant and inclusive community where everyone can shine.

Meet Rohan
Rohan is a warm and welcoming 62-year-old man. He thrives on meeting new people and enthusiastically greets old friends and new acquaintances. He has been a respected member of the 澳门六合彩图库 community for over two decades, where he calls Waratah, one of 澳门六合彩图库鈥檚 Supported Independent Living houses his home.

For the past 20 years, Rohan has been an active participant in 澳门六合彩图库鈥檚 Social and Community Programs. Four days a week you can find him engaged in a diverse array of activities, including various art programs, literacy sessions at the library, swimming in the 澳门六合彩图库 pool, workouts using the local outdoor gym equipment, and regular hydrotherapy sessions.

Earlier this year, Rohan embarked on a new adventure by joining the Dural Men鈥檚 Shed, where he crafts items like wooden tables and book stands. He relishes the hands-on work. After a productive afternoon at the shed, Rohan heads to the caf茅 with his fellow Men鈥檚 Shed friends. A cup of tea, his favourite, is always on the menu. Independently making this purchase each week is one of Rohan鈥檚 spending goals through 澳门六合彩图库鈥檚 Micro-Enterprise program where he participates in a share economy as one of the Artisan crew.

The Micro-Enterprise program aims to create work opportunities and foster independence among participants. This is achieved by providing graded assistance and encouraging participants to make as many choices as possible. Rohan actively participates in every aspect of his venture, from selecting scents and label designs to handcrafting candles, including the pouring and placement of wicks, and crafting bath salts. He handles orders, packaging, and deliveries, and together with his support worker even helps to manage the financial side of the candle-making business.

Rohan鈥檚 sister, Louise, is a great source of pride and inspiration for Rohan. When deciding on products, Rohan will often consider if it is something his sister would like. If the answer is yes, then he feels confident he has a great product. Rohan loves his sister, and they talk regularly on the phone. Rohan鈥檚 accomplishments fill us with great pride, and we are honoured to have him as part of our 澳门六合彩图库 community.

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With a steadfast commitment to the mental health and well-being of our staff, Gumboot Day encourages those who typically work within office confines to step out of their daily routines and immerse themselves in the farm environment. This program offers staff members a unique opportunity to participate in a variety of farm activities, fostering teamwork and establishing a deeper connection with the roots of our responsibly farmed food products.

The dedication and hard work of our farm team have yielded remarkable results, making Gumboot Day a highly anticipated monthly event. Such resounding popularity prompted us to extend the invitation to our corporate partners, who enthusiastically embraced the initiative. This expansion not only magnified the event鈥檚 success but also forged stronger connections with our invaluable business partners. Gumboot Day has become a unifying force, allowing office-based staff to step out of the office and into their boots, fostering an enriched perspective and renewed vitality.

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Delia Gray commented, 鈥淎mong the recommendations, three stand out and we adamantly oppose them: the proposal to phase out special education schools (Recommendation 7.14) and group homes (Recommendation 7.43 & 7.44). These recommendations are troubling as they contradict the principles of choice and control for individuals with disabilities and their families.鈥�

On January 11, Delia Gray, alongside some 澳门六合彩图库 families, engaged in a productive meeting with Laurie Leigh, CEO of The National Disability Service (NDS), and Debbie Jaggers, NSW State Manager, NDS. The aim was to articulate concerns and underscore the invaluable aspects of special education and group homes, particularly within the community setting at 澳门六合彩图库.

Laurie Leigh, in her regular interactions with Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme of Australia (NDIS), is anticipated to provide first-hand insights gained from her visit to 澳门六合彩图库, reinforcing the need for improvements on the contentious recommendations.

Rest assured, 澳门六合彩图库 is committed to seizing every opportunity to champion choice and control for people with disabilities and their families. We invite you to join us in expressing your views.

The NSW Government is seeking submissions from the public regarding children and young people with disability in NSW educational settings, with submissions closing on 29 February 2024. You can share your insights through various means, including a questionnaire, an online portal, a letter, or even a voice recording. Refer to the following link for detailed information:

About the Royal Commission

A royal commission, being the highest form of public inquiry, operates independently of the government and thoroughly examines widely reported problems or issues. The Disability Royal Commission, established on 4 April 2019, concluded its proceedings on 28 September 2023, delivering its Final Report to the Governor-General.

For further information, please refer to:

• The Royal Commission Final Report
• Inclusive Education, Employment and Housing Summary and Recommendations
• NSW Parliament Legislative Council Media Release
• NSW Parliament Committee
• Submission Fact Sheet

Submission links:

• Online questionnaire
• Online portal
• Write or type a letter, send some photos, send a drawing and email to portfoliocommittee3@parliament.nsw.gov.au or mail to The Secretariat, Portfolio Committee 3, Legislative Council, NSW Parliament House, 6 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000

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Over the past year, our participants have embarked on many uplifting and enriching adventures. They鈥檝e ventured to local hotspots, explored new horizons through the transport network, and revelled in the enriching tapestry of on-campus activities – all within the tranquil embrace of our sprawling 12-hectare bushland campus. From invigorating bush walks that awaken the senses to the boundless creativity of arts and crafts, from spirited games that ignite laughter to harmonious music sessions that soothe the soul, our program is a dynamic mosaic of opportunities designed to foster social interaction and personal growth.

Meet Hayden
Hayden, a cheerful and playful 17-year-old, has a love for the outdoors and a fondness for indulging in French fries during rides in his big brother鈥檚 car. He loves engaging in water play, playing ball games, swinging to his heart鈥檚 content, and lounging on the trampoline.

As Hayden is nearing the end of his school years, his mother, Sarah, embarked on a quest to find a place that could seamlessly accommodate his spirited, nature loving personality throughout his adulthood. A swift Google search led her to the Saturday Connect program at 澳门六合彩图库, where they eagerly enrolled.

Typically, Hayden isn鈥檛 one for surprises. Careful planning and consideration for his comfort have been key in fostering his ability to socialise and participate in activities. To ensure his smooth transition into the Saturday Connect program, some of his most cherished items awaited him on his very first day 鈥� his favourite music (Mumford & Sons and One Direction), balls, pillows, and sensory items. Hayden鈥檚 immediate affection for his new Saturday program warmed the hearts of his parents, who deeply appreciated the attention to detail and thoughtful preparation. To them, 澳门六合彩图库 has proven to be everything they had ever envisioned, and more.

The sight of Hayden鈥檚 contentment from day one, his smile, and his eager anticipation of Saturdays at 澳门六合彩图库 provided great relief to his family. Sarah shared her thoughts, stating, 鈥淢any places claim to offer a person-centred approach, but 澳门六合彩图库 truly embodies it 100%. Hayden鈥檚 parents have always valued him as a person with unique interests and preferences, and they鈥檝e gone to great lengths to ensure his success鈥�.

Sarah has thoughtfully created a visual weekly schedule for Hayden, prominently displayed in their family room. When Hayden points to the 澳门六合彩图库 segment with a big smile, Sarah gently reminds him 鈥淣ot today. It will be Saturday soon鈥�.

We are so pleased to welcome Hayden into our Saturday Connect program and we will ensure that it will continue to be a place of fun experiences, joy, and comfort.

For more information on the Saturday Connect program or to register your interest please visit /saturday-connect-program/ or contact us.

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Our membership provides access to contemporary best practice approaches and resources for creating an even more inclusive and equitable workplace, and all staff can take part in online training, webinars, workshops, and events. We were excited to deliver our first Diversity and Inclusion 101 workshop to over 80 staff during our face-to-face training day in April 2023, and we look forward to introducing more initiatives in the future.

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To enrich our farming experiences, we collaborated with 澳门六合彩图库鈥檚 skilled farmers, who conducted an engaging farming program throughout the year. Students were actively involved in this program, participating in two sessions every Tuesday to ensure they had ample time to see farming projects through from start to finish. They received hands-on education in various aspects, including the proper care and use of farming tools, planting techniques, composting, and harvesting.

We formally reintroduced cooking classes after the COVID-19 pandemic. These classes not only taught students how to cook but also familiarised them with locating equipment, understanding its functionality, measuring ingredients, and following recipes. The program concluded with a bake sale, allowing students to showcase their culinary skills and giving others an opportunity to practice their shopping skills by making purchases from the sale.

In a bid to foster a more holistic learning experience, we introduced Integrated Units into our curriculum, predominantly focused on science. These units integrate subjects such as numeracy, literacy, creative arts, and practical arts, providing students with a deeper understanding and a more meaningful connection to the subject matter.

Emphasising life skills, which are integral to our curriculum across all classes, this year saw the formalisation of the Life Skills program for senior students. The selected students in their final years of schooling had the unique opportunity to hone their bed-making, cooking, cleaning, and general household maintenance skills under the guidance of our qualified teaching assistants. Additionally, we continued to offer the Endeavour Foundation work experience program, which provides valuable onsite job training, to our senior students. Our students remained actively involved in contributing to the 澳门六合彩图库 Bakery and Farm Shop, where they assisted in tasks like packing organic produce boxes and supporting the shop and bakery operations.

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