A VERY SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

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The passing of Eliza has been difficult for many at IOE, she has been a part of the community for over 16 years.

When everyone joined together to celebrate her life it was obvious the whole family had made some precious and longstanding connections with staff at IOE.

I introduced Tara Cantwell to Eliza when she was 18 months old, it is wonderful to see what started as a In Home shift developed into a friendship which was dear to both of them.

Tara has reflected and is happy to share a little snippet of their time together.  Belinda James

‘Like many Interchange Outer East connections, my relationship with Eliza has been filled with a lot of love and a healthy dose of nonsense. I was introduced to Eliza as her support worker, purely to play with the spunky 2 year old with a restrictive medical condition. Despite the comprehensive training to manage her medical needs, it immediately felt secondary to her personality. She was surprisingly wise, filled with cheek and displayed an unusually sharp sense of humor for a toddler. She also set the standards and boundaries of care and could be trusted to call the shots.

For the most part, the shifts were fun. We would drape our heads in kilometers of toilet paper, earnestly complementing each other on the luscious locks, we bought animals into the house to play, and spent hours immersed in our imaginations.

But some days and months were harder than others. Seeing her in pain, uncertainty about her health and seeing the family race to the hospital for yet more treatment. Those were the days you appreciated just how strong the Baird family unit were, as individuals and as a team.

Over the years, day shifts lead to a few overnight shifts, and some overnights lead to hosting. Eliza started spending time at my house and became a regular part of our family, and our friendship continued. During the next decade and as we matured (?!), our relationship changed and evolved with our interests. We started scrapbooking, we shared our time with my kids, sometimes did homework and all the while adapted to the many changes to Eliza’s health.

So it was with great sadness we learnt that Eliza had passed away, surrounded by her family on the 12th of December. Despite the ongoing complexities of Eliza’s health, her death has been a shock. We miss her laugh, her sass and kind heart.

Upon reflection about the role Interchange Outer East played in facilitating our friendship, I appreciate how Interchange provided a platform via education and encouragement, for support workers to listen to Eliza, respect her family and have the skills to meet her personal needs. As a result, I know there are many of Eliza’s support team who have created genuine bonds with Eliza, her family and others in her team.

Friendships are born in all sorts of circumstances and like many others, I consider myself privileged to have had the opportunity to call Eliza a dear friend.’

by Tara Cantwell

#VOLUNTEERFORDISABILITY

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Interchange’s peak body,  Interchange Incorporated, launched its national call to action for more volunteers and greater awareness of volunteering in the disability sector,  on International Volunteer Day, December 5. You may have seen or heard the story over the media or seen the #VolunteerForDisability hashtag on your Facebook news feed.

This campaign is one element of Interchange Incorporated’s national project, funded by the NDIA’s Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) grant program. The ILC initiative is the other, lesser known, half of the NDIS and allows organisations to carry out community inclusion and awareness activities that improve outcomes for people with a disability.

Interchange Outer East is playing a significant role in the implementation of this national volunteer project, working closely with Interchange Incorporated to raise awareness of volunteering in the disability sector, as well as working to highlight the contribution that people with disability can make as volunteers. The project’s governance committee is working closely with a public relations company as well as a professional video production company to create high quality content to share with the media and across social media channels in order to best demonstrate the many benefits to volunteering for everyone.

We encourage the IOE Family to get behind the #VolunteerForDisability campaign by sharing posts and videos on Facebook and telling their friends about the huge benefits of volunteering – not only for the volunteer but for children and young people with disability and their families!

If you missed the media coverage so far, here are some links to check out:
ABC 7pm News – https://youtu.be/PYCsUQtpmbk
ABC Radio – https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/children-young-people-with-disability-face-volunteer-shortfall/9240658
ABC Online – https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-08/disability-volunteer-shortfall-ndis/9235676
The Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/08/disability-sector-risks-losing-volunteers-over-ndis-uncertainty-groups-warn
WIN News Bendigo – https://bit.ly/2z4FvuW
ProBono Australia – https://probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2017/12/australians-urged-volunteer-disability-sector/
Meet Chiara and the Horans; a FANTASTIC host volunteer story – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhGV6tYEK2Q

Interested in volunteering? Visit  https://www.interchange.org.au

IOE SUPPORT COSTS UPDATED

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IOE has released its latest price guide governing the cost of purchasing support for families who have not yet transitioned to NDIS.

The updated guide reflects an increase in wages to all employees and comes into effect on 1st January 2018.

During the transition period, until the full introduction of the NDIS, IOE will continue to operate on a two price system for its support and services.

For those families who have already transitioned service prices are set by NDIS – these are currently under review by the Productivity Commission and will continue to be amended as the scheme is fine-tuned.

For further explanation of the increase please

Click here

View the updated support price list

Click here

WILSONS PROM TRIP

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IOE’s Adults Services have been finishing off 2017 with participants heading off to a number of locations for a well deserved holiday. Rob took a group to Wilson’s Prom – here’s his take on the break.

‘With 2017 coming to a close it was time for some time away to relax and unwind. Nine guys and one lady were lucky to head to Wilsons Prom for a week long camping trip. With an early getaway the group made it down to the Prom and had set up by 3pm, as we settled in and met the neighbours it was time to figure out all the things we had forgotten. We had tents and pegs but nothing to whack the pegs in with (luckily we had nice neighbours!!).

Day two and an early start to climb Mount Oberon, we were told it was a nice easy to medium climb that should take around 2 hours return. As we started the climb some quickly realised that maybe it wouldn’t be as easy as they said but we pushed through and eventually made it to the top to see some incredible views. After the strenuous morning we were all pretty tired so some just relaxed at camp while others took a dip in the river.

Night two wombat attack, somebody left marshmallows in their tent and as we all know wombats love marshmallows!

Day three: Hump day, Great day! We headed out to Squeaky Beach to hear what all the fuss was about and it was amazing. The beach actually squeaked! There was plenty to do there we climbed boulders, dipped our feet in the surf, basked in the sun and chatted to the local backpackers. After lunch we headed to Inverloch to hire a boat which provided an afternoon of fun, until we ran out of fuel! But hey, that’s all part of the experience. Lucky for us we were on our way back so didn’t require the Coast Guard to come out. Next stop was the Fish Creek pub or as the locals call it ‘The Fisho’ not sure if it’s actually called that but they cooked a good parma and the locals were nice, so everyone was satisfied.

Thursday started off leisurely, we beach hopped searching for some mega rocks to climb, taking in the incredible sights before heading back for lunch. After lunch everyone was pretty exhausted so we headed down the river to play some cricket!

Friday was time to load the trailer and hit the road home with a final lunch stop in Leongatha.’

by Rob Cameron

BOX HILL FAMILY DAY FUN

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Despite the wet start to the day, the Rotary Club of Balwyn and Interchange Outer East Family Fun Day was a great success.

As always, the Box Hill Miniature Railway was the perfect spot for children and their families to relax and enjoy themselves. There were smiling faces everywhere and plenty to keep everyone occupied with miniature train rides, a petting zoo, a fire engine to explore and a rock wall to climb. The kids made the most of the face painting on offer, sat enthralled in the magic show, posed for the caricature artist and bounced around on the jumping castle, while their carers relaxed with the free massages. Hunger and thirst were kept at bay with both children and adults enjoying free sausages, drinks, fruit and icy poles. Visits from the SES, local police, St Johns Ambulance and the CFA also added to the activities.

The highlight of the day would have to have been a visit from Santa, who rode in on the train and handed out treats to all of the kids while jazz musicians played our favourite carols.

The day would not have been possible without the help of many company sponsors and supporters who kindly donated their time, money and products. They supplied everything including showbags for the kids and endless raffle prizes , plus lots of freebies through the day. The day ran smoothly all thanks to Rotary Club of Balwyn, Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway Society and Interchange Outer East volunteers.

THE EGGTROADINARY TREE WINS

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The creative art team at IOE’s Ferntree Gully Adult ‘Community’ site took out the ‘Best In Show’ award for their Christmas tree design at last weekend’s Village Fair. The competition and exhibition, which attracted more than 20 entries was run by the local Uniting Church, and involved individuals and community groups coming up with an innovative Christmas tree design. Each innovative design also had to have the word TREE in its title.

The Community group’s tree was called the ‘IOE Eggtraordinary Tree’. The tree and its decorations were all made from egg cartons and recycled materials. The egg cartons were kindly donated by the local café’s, bakeries, butcher and cake shop. The group made all the arrangements and did all the collecting (and we did borrow a few cartons from Mark Gardner’s stockpile … thanks Kerri ).

Other recyclable materials were donated by Spotlight Bayswater.

I am so proud of the team; Ally, Anthony, James, Siobhan, Kimberley and Gordon for working so hard in such a short amount of time to have the tree design and decorations complete for the exhibition.

The tree will be set up for the month of December in the shop front window at the Community site in Station Street for the local community to enjoy. If you get a chance, drop past and have a look at our winning effort.

Once again, this is just another of our many opportunities to connect into our local community.

by Shelley Stevens

LICOLA MUSINGS

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Being a regular attendee of family camps now, I can readily see and appreciate all the little things that go into making family camp what it is. This was the first time I had been to Licola Wilderness Camp and it certainly did what it said on the tin – a ‘wilderness camp’ for sure. You couldn’t have asked for a more perfect location to get away from it all. The surrounding mountains and classic Australian high country vista plus a meandering river through the heart of the camp, made this an amazing location. Perfect for the extreme activities that were about to happen over the weekend. No one can hear you scream in the high country when riding the mighty giant swing!

All the classics were there … flying fox, giant swing, canoeing, archery and much, much more . Fully accessible with a wide range of ‘stuff to do’ this made this place very attractive, whichever way you look at it.

At Licola I was drawn to the new families who had not previously been on a camp. Looking a little unsure from the onset about ‘what do you do?’ and ‘how will it go?’ they were soon in the midst of it all ; scurrying from one activity to the next and joining in with the ridiculous nature of what is known as IOE Family Camp. How they interact can certainly be attributed to how people are made to feel whilst on camp. Families embrace each other open heartedly … we are all on an equal playing field. We are all there to point each other in the right direction, to lend a helping hand or to give some support when needed.

I tip my hat to the ‘vollies’ who show so much love, expertise and nurturing in what they do; we certainly couldn’t do it without them. They take so much in their stride. I can’t help think that these early shared experiences unquestionably add to the character development of these young people. Experiencing these life teachings early on sets them up with skills and characteristics which are beneficial for all of us in life.

This year I was looking forward to Fred’s night walk, as you can never even guess where the night will take you. We enjoyed a beautiful walk up onto a ridge overlooking the town and camp. It was great to see so many families enjoying each other’s company and wanting to do a walk on a beautiful evening. A perfect end to a perfect day with a reasonably starry night. Fred, yet again, is the fabric of family camp and his energy is conveyed and transferred from one person to another.

You realise you have been captured and have experienced the true nature of family camp when you are running, jumping, rolling about on the floor like a fool … all around you can see the smiles on faces. No one can escape how infectious this is.

We all create our own path on family camp and each of us has our own individual experiences shared and articulated later in the day when we sit and reminisce on what the day has brought. When you hear the stories from camp you can’t help but be optimistic about it … it’s about family, community and support.

Well done do the family camp team for a great 2017 camp at Licola, you did a great job. Extra special thanks to the Lions Clubs of Park Orchards, Forest Hill, Vermont South, Vermont and Box Hill for their support which made this amazing camp possible.

TRAVEL DREAMS COME TRUE

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Last Month, Maddy, her mum Robyn and Brittany, an IOE support worker traveled together on a whirlwind trip to Japan to celebrate Maddy’s 21st birthday.

This trip was a dream for Maddy and with Brittany’s support Robyn was able to ensure that Maddie got to experience her dream in a supported manner while exploring her love of pop culture and Anime.

It was a non stop trip over 12 days, with the group experiencing Japan’s quirkier side, spending time in Akihabara, Harajuku, having a meal in the famous Robot Restaurant and of course, spending time at Disneyland.

Robyn has said that this trip was an amazing experience for Maddy and something that the family probably would not have considered doing without the extra support.

Under the NDIS,  funding can be used to cover the support cost component of a holiday, allowing you you to have a similar successful, family experiences. So dream big!