The 3rd of December marked the

International Day of People who have a

Disability and this is something that is

important for the NOVA team to mark.

So what did we do?

This Ezine will carry some of the stories

from around the NOVA outlets but for

myself I attended the inaugural Lindsay

Address which was given by the Deputy

Our Websites

novaemployment.com.au

transition.com.au

deafjobs.com.au

novatraining.com.au

youtube.com

candoability.com.au

focusonability.com.au

2009 IDPWD

NOVA Locations

St Marys

Penrith

Richmond

Katoomba

Blacktown

Hurstville

Caringbah

Campbelltown

Taree

Forster

Port Macqaurie

Logan

Broken Hill

Walgett

NOVA Employment - Level 1, 50 Chapel St, St Marys, NSW 2760 PO Box 795 St Marys NSW 1790

C.E.O Comment - Martin Wren

Ms Gillard is Minister for many things

but of most importance for NOVA she

is the Workplace Relations Minister

and the Minister for Social Inclusion.

David Bradbury, MP for Penrith and a

supporter of NOVA, set the tone for

the morning by reminding everyone of

the importance of the IDPWD and

pointing out the Government‟s

support.

It was my privilege to be able to thank the Minister for the

upcoming removal of the cap on places at Disability Employment

Services and to ask whether there was more in store. Essentially the

answer was that the present government recognises the importance

of giving everyone the opportunity to participate to the greatest

extent possible and the mooted National Insurance Scheme was

another perhaps „over the horizon‟ addition to the help on offer.

We grabbed some time for some of the more than 530 workers

that have started

their jobs this year to

speak to the Minister

and we also enjoyed

a pretty good

breakfast at the

newly renovated and

enlarged Panthers.

A good start to a

great day!

Prime Minister, the Honourable Julia Gillard M.P.

Page 2 2009 International Day of People With Disability We Are The Champions!! Taree 2009

Robyn– lea Taaffe

Tuesday 1st December Forster Tuncurry Ten Pin Bowling was

exploding with excitement!

Yes it was the annual IDPWD Annual Competition. There were so many

teams (22 in all) that the competition (fun & excitement) had to be split

into two sessions. There just weren‟t enough lanes for everyone. Rumour

had it that if the day grew any larger that maybe management would have

to put a second story on the building to accommodate more lanes!

Although competition was fierce, the camaraderie and fun

were just as intense and a fantastic day was had by all.

NOVA once again won the trophy for first place – two years

running. Keep up the spirit everyone – we‟re going for a hat

trick next year.

The real winners – everyone who had a wonderful day –

showcasing their disabilities!

An invitation was extended to NOVA Staff from Ross Henderson, the Aged & Disability

Development Officer of Hastings Council to attend morning tea in the library to mark

International Day of People with a Disability.

Both Craig & myself attended and viewed a short film entitled “Be my Brother”. This film was

the winner of this year‟s short film festival “Tropfest”.

Also on display in the library was an exhibition of art & photography by people with a disability.

Prizes had been awarded for the art & photography, however we were given the opportunity to

vote for the art & photography which we most admired and a further prize was to be awarded

based on the results of the votes.

DADHC chose to hold their Open Day on Thursday, 3rd December, the IDPWD.

Craig and I dropped in to meet the DADHC Team. This gave us the opportunity to learn about

what they do, services offered, put faces to a few names that we‟d heard and have a few questions

answered.

Attendance at both venues gave us the opportunity to meet with people with disability and those

associated with them, promote our service, explain what we do and where we are located.

At the library we met with the teachers from the Special Support Unit at Westport High who were

interested in learning about NOVA‟s new Transition to Work Program and who advised that

they will have a few students who are currently completing Year 11 (2009) and will be requiring

to enter this program in 2011.

IDPWD In Port Macquarie Martyn Wilkie

Thursday the 3rd December was the International Day of People

With a Disability. I was asked to be a special guest speaker for

Wollondilly Council at the Picton Bowling Club.

The council puts on a breakfast every year with a different theme;

this year's theme was transport for the disabled.

As an independent person with a disability, I spoke about how my

car has been adapted specifically for me to be able to drive it, and

the freedom it has given me over the years and, without it, I don't

think I would be where I am today.

I put together a slideshow of photos of my car and all its different

modifications, such as the hand control, wheelchair hoist and

booster seat.

Page 3 Wollondilly Council Celebrates IDPWD Jodie De Ruvo

I told a story that advised anyone

travelling during windy days, or along a

motorway, where the speed will be over

90km/hour, to secure their wheelchair

to their hoist with an ocky strap. I

found this out the hard way one day,

when I didn't tie my chair down, I was

driving along when I heard a loud thud,

when I stopped and tried to get my

chair off my roof, nothing happened....

My chair had completely flipped over

from the force of the wind. I had to get

a passer-by to help flip it back so I

could get it down.

There were over a hundred people at

the breakfast and they were nearly all

able bodied. Wollondilly Council holds

these kinds of breakfasts to raise

awareness of what people with

disabilities go through. One year was about the sight impaired, so everyone had to eat breakfast

with a blindfold on. It's a great way to give people an idea of what's involved everyday for

someone living with a disability.

Page 4 Report on Walgett Shire Council recognising

Cafe 64’s success in Business Awards Don Lillyman

The 3rd December was the International Day for People with a Disability. Last year the folk

at Centrelink treated our staff to an afternoon of being waited on. This year, under the

guidance of the Local Shire Council, it was decided at a meeting of local affiliated

organisations to combine this special day with acknowledgement of Café 64‟s success at this

year‟s Small Business Awards.

A group of about 40 people gathered at the „Yuragai Gundi‟ – a local meeting place. People

from the Aboriginal Medical Service, Centrelink, the Shire Council and the Catholic and

Anglican Churches‟ were represented. Below is the Agenda of the afternoon:

Acknowledgement of traditional owners of this land

Welcome to officials and all

Scripture and Blessings by Rev. Gary Stewart and Father Paul

(God can write straight on crooked lines)

Speech and presentation by Carol Metcalf – Director Corporate @ Community Services

Some of the agencies brought promotional gifts which were handed out among Café 64‟s

staff. The group then broke up to socialize and enjoy the tasty „finger food‟ provided by

Woodhams‟ and funded by the Shire Council.

The Certificates of Appreciation were received by each staff member knowing they each had

something to take home and display proudly to family and friends. The success with these

awards, which was greatly past our expectations, has done wonders for the self esteem and

confidence of all the staff.

From a label of ‘under achievers’ to a label of ‘super achievers’ is inspirational to all of us.