Pinarc Disability Support 1800-746-272

Interested in making a difference through volunteering?
Contact Rachael at [email protected] or visit our website www.pinarc.org.au to explore the rewarding volunteer opportunities available at Pinarc.

During Speech Pathology Week it is timely to share one of the learning activities our Speech Pathologists have recently participates in.

Some of our Melton-based Speech Pathologists - Larissa, Sarah, Kelly & Baljit - recently attended an Aboriginal Cultural Information Session hosted by Moorabool Shire Council with guest speakers from BADAC , Babaneek Booboop and Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc.

Participants gathered in a yarning circle and learned together what is and what is not appropriate when making an early years organisation culturally safe and welcoming. The speakers patiently answered questions on many topics, saying that they welcomed all questions as every question is an opportunity to learn a different lesson.

Our team came back with a deeper understanding about how to best embed Aboriginal Culture into our everyday practice, and some wonderful resources and an art work for display at our Melton clinic.

NDIS Reform Update

The Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill passed the Senate (19 Aug) and will now introduce significant changes to the NDIS, impacting Social and Community Participation budgets. At this stage, there are no immediate changes to the services provided by Pinarc. The final Bill was amended to include additional protections for complex support needs and measures that may help safeguard critical support arrangements. However, the full details of how these changes will be implemented are not yet available.

At Pinarc, we remain active, reviewing the reforms, closely monitoring developments, and will keep our customers, families and carers informed as more information becomes available.

We understand this news may raise questions. If you have concerns or would like to discuss what these changes may mean for you, please reach out to us. We're here to listen, support and help navigate any changes ahead.

For now, it's business as usual, and we'll continue to navigate these changes together.

Further information is available on the NDIS website: https://www.ndis.gov.au/ndis-laws/securing-ndis-future-generations?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20260820_NDIS_Newsletter&utm_content=textlink_onourwebsite



Image description: A graphic tile featuring a statement from Peter Newsome on the Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill

At our Lucas Clinic we have updated one of our therapy rooms to include the option of sensory lights. Having these options means that we can support our clients in different environments that meet their needs. Our therapy assistant Cita enjoyed checking them out!



Image descriptions: Three photos of one of our therapy consulting rooms which features optional sensory lights.

Shout out to all our favourite left-handers - enjoy this day dedicated to you!

Our My Voice crew have been sharing the love, volunteering with We Are Lasagna Love to make fresh, delicious lasagnas to share with community members who may need a helping hand.

Lasagna Love's mission is to feed families, spread kindness, and strengthen communities. Through their community-based movement, they connect volunteer lasagna chefs who want to help with individuals and families in need, providing home-cooked lasagnas made with care.

My Voice really enjoyed stepping up and lending a hand, they all contributed to organising, preparing, cooking and delivering these tasty meals. Amazing effort all round! 👏👏👏



Image description: A photo of two members of Pinarc's My Voice group posing with two of the lasagnas they prepared.

We’re seeking a passionate physiotherapist to join our Ballarat team to support a paediatric caseload within the NDIS funding model. While all applicants will be considered, paediatric experience, or a strong interest in paediatrics, would be highly valued.

You’ll be part of a supportive and collaborative physiotherapy team, with mentoring available from our senior clinician physiotherapist who brings more than 20 years’ experience in paediatrics.

Our work takes place both in the community and in our new modern clinic spaces, which offer opportunities to provide Pilates-based intervention using our paediatric and adult reformers, access to our spacious gym, hydrotherapy pool and a range of innovative support programs such as LusioMATE. As a regional partner of Freedom Wheels, we also provide specialised bike trials for clients in the Ballarat region.

This is a unique opportunity to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team of speech pathologists, occupational therapists and educational advisors to help achieve meaningful outcomes for children and families.
In addition to our warm and supportive work culture we offer:
• competitive salary
• sign-on bonus
• salary packaging
• bonus opportunities
• professional development
• wellbeing initiatives

If this sounds like the right move for you or you are interested in learning more, please visit our website https://www.pinarc.org.au/current-vacancies/
Or for a confidential discussion, please reach out to Elin McPadden, our Therapy, Education & Support Manager, on 0427 923 496.



Image description: A graphic tile with the heading Are you our new Physiotherapist, featuring a photo of a Pinarc physiotherapist working with a paediatric client on a Pilates reformer.

This week, 3 - 9 August, is Loneliness Awareness Week.

Connection doesn't happen by accident, it happens in the spaces we create for each other. This Loneliness Awareness Week, Ending Loneliness Together is calling on everyone to make room for connection at home, work, school and in the community.

At Pinarc, our Parent Support Program provides opportunities to connect with other parent/guardian carers of people with disability. Our coordinator, Rebecca, can help you find your way to connect with others, through support groups, respite activities and by helping you navigate your caring journey. If you would like to find our how we can help you make connections please email [email protected] or call us on 1800 746 272.

For more information on how we can all help end loneliness visit lonelinessawarenesweek.com.au



Image description: A graphic tile featuring a photo of a group of parent/guardian carers at the Pinarc Carers Retreat camp.

Last week one of our customers enjoyed heading out to The Sporting Globe Ballarat with her support worker to claim her free Parma - a prize won by her skill in footy tipping, having tipped a perfect round in their AFL tipping competition! Well done J, your love of the game and skilful analysis paid off!