Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA)
National Disability Advocacy Conference
‘Advocating for Inclusion’
30 April-1 May 2012
Canberra Rex Hotel, 150 Northbourne Ave, Braddon

The Conference will focus on 6 key life domains and ask some critical questions:

• What is the current policy and political context?
• What are people with disabilities experiencing?
• What would people with disabilities experience in a fully inclusive society?
• What can we do as advocates and organisations; as individuals and collectively to get from where we are now to where we want to be?

Six Key Life Domains:

• Decision-making
• Family and Relationships
• Community Living
• Employment
• Life-long Learning
• Society, Culture and Recreation

Click here for more information and registration details.

Nyngan Community Service Action Group
1st May 2012, 12.30pm
Nyngan Council Chambers
Contact: Chad Bliss, ph 68321004 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bathurst At Risk Meeting
2nd May 2012, 10.30am
2/369 Stewart St, Bathurst
Contact: Margaret Riley, ph 6338 2303

IDPwD (International Day of People with Disability) Planning Committee Meeting
2 May 2012, 1.30pm
Front Rooms, Bathurst Information and Neighbourhood Centre Inc (BINC)

Those interested to be involved in the planning of the special event is welcomed to attend.  The committee meets every first Wednesday of the month from May. 

Source: DIAS

Council of Social Service of New South Wales (NCOSS) Sector Development Conference
'The Buck Stops with the Board'
3 May 2012, 8.30am-4.30pm
Teachers Federation Auditorium, 37 Reservoir St, Surry Hills

Cost: $225 NCOSS members; $330 non-members; $120 concession. NCOSS offers a limited number of complimentary registrations and travel subsidies to enable small rural and regional NGOs to participate in the conference.

This year’s conference will focus on the major role of Boards as the employer, from a range of perspectives, and in the context of the Equal Pay Decision.

Registrations: by 26 April.

Click here to download flyer.

Click here to download registration form.

For more information about registration: contact NCOSS Reception, ph 9211 2599 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information about the conference: contact Catherine Mahony, Deputy Director, Sector Development/Corporate Services, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Source: NCOSS

National Disability Services (NDS)
NDS Preparing for the New World Conference 2012
3-4 May 2012
Hilton, Adelaide

The NDS Preparing for the New World Conference will integrate policy, research and practice to help enable service providers to respond effectively and efficiently to the challenges of a person-centred, competitive and expanded system. It will offer presentations appealing to staff from accommodation and respite services, social participation services and employment services - but will also be of great interest to people from governments and academic institutions.

Click here for more information.

Source: NDS

National Association for Loss & Grief (NSW) Inc
Supporting Adults Through Loss and Grief
3 May 2012, 9.30am-4.30pm
Bathurst RSL, 114 Rankin St, Bathurst

Cost: $230 Early bird Special (register and pay online by 2 April). After 2 April - $250 Non NALAG Member; $220 NALAG Member. Includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, comprehensive manual and certificate of attendance.

Many people in our community experience loss and grief through illness, disability, re-location or the death of a significant other. This one day workshop will cover the many aspects of loss (physical, social, psychological and community). It will also look at support of bereaved people and their needs in the early days of their grief. Participants will be able to identify those who are at risk and learn about appropriate referral sources. Participants will also be encouraged to look at their own issues around loss and the need for self-nurturing and supervision when working with the bereaved. 

The workshop will provide participants with a general understanding of the issues involved in supporting people through loss, grief and bereavement and the basic skills required for providing such support. 

Click here to download flyer.

Click here to register.

Source: NALAG

National Disability Services (NDS)
NDS Preparing for the New World Conference 2012
3-4 May 2012
Hilton, Adelaide

The NDS Preparing for the New World Conference will integrate policy, research and practice to help enable service providers to respond effectively and efficiently to the challenges of a person-centred, competitive and expanded system. It will offer presentations appealing to staff from accommodation and respite services, social participation services and employment services - but will also be of great interest to people from governments and academic institutions.

Click here for more information.

Source: NDS

Making your Service Accessible to Culturally Diverse Communities
7 May 2012
8.30am-2.30pm: for service providers
1.00pm-5.30pm: for trainee interpreters
Orange Ex Services Club, Anson St, Orange

Cost: Free. Lunch provided.

The workshop has been organised cooperatively by the Migrant Support Service, Community Health of Orange Health Service and members of the Orange Multicultural Network.

Presenters:

• Mick Vujanov - Coordinator Rural Multi-cultural Services Multicultural Health Unit, Hunter New England Area Health Services
• Michele Sapucci, Transcultural Mental Health Centre
• Joseph Makuei, SYDWEST

Registrations: by 2 May.

Click here to download flyer and registration form.

The Government is leading a series of extensive consultations on the best way to implement person centred supports and individualised funding arrangements.

These consultations commenced in July 2011 with the Living Life My Way summit hosted by the Minister for Disability Services, Andrew Constance MP. Between August and December 2011, nearly 200 consultation sessions were held across NSW for people. More than 3,000 people participated in these sessions –people with a disability, their families and carers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal communities, people with intellectual disability, service providers and other stakeholders.

As promised, the Government is consulting again in 2012 about the implementation of a person centred system in NSW, based on feedback received in 2011. Consultations will be held throughout the State during May and June 2012.

Central & Far West Locations & Dates:

• Dubbo – 8 May, 10.00am-12.00noon & 2.00pm-4.00pm (for people with a disability, family and carers)
• Bathurst – 30 May, 10.00am-12.00noon & 2.00pm-4.00pm (for people with a disability, family and carers)
• Orange – 31 May, 10.00am-12.00noon (for people with a disability, family and carers); 2.00pm-5.00pm (for service providers and advocates)

Click here for more information and to register for consultations.

Central West/Orana Far West Multicultural Interagency
8 May 2012, 10.30am-1.30pm
Orange

Western Lachlan Interagency
8th May 2012, 10.30am
Lake Cargelligo Youth Centre
Contact: Linda Hague, ph 6898 1151

Domestic Violence & Family Law Workshop
9 May 2012, 9.00am-3.30pm
Orange City Bowling Club, 61-65 Warrendine St, Orange

Cost: Free.

This workshop would suit Community Workers, Allied Health Professionals, Nurses, Mental Health Care Professionals, Community Workers, and anyone dealing with families or individuals with domestic violence issues in gaining an understanding of the law that underpins Apprehended Domestic Violence Applications and the Family Law issues surrounding it.

The program has been developed and presented by Legal Aid NSW, Andrew Bide, Solicitor Community Legal Education (Crime) and Mary Gleeson, Solicitor Family Law Early Intervention Unit.

Bookings: contact Laura, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or ph 6331 8944.

Click here to download flyer.

NDS NSW
Regional Meeting
9 May 2012
Regional Meeting: 10.00am-1.00pm
Implementation of the Quality Framework for Disability Services in NSW: 1.30pm-3.00pm
WHS Regional Meeting: 1.30pm-3.30pm
Dubbo

NDS members, non-members and all interested parties are welcome to attend.

Click here for more information.

Orana Community Services Forum
9th May 2012, 10.30am
Baptist Church Hall
251 Cobra St, Dubbo
Contact: Peter English, ph 6882 4083 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to download membership form.

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 5 million Australians who volunteer.

Australian volunteers are essential to society, and many charities would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers. Australian volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to so many areas of society, including community health care, heritage and arts, environment conservation, emergency services, education, social justice and sports. NVW provides a platform to pay tribute to these volunteers who donate their time and energy to help others.

The NVW website will provide you with all the information you need to celebrate NVW whether you are a volunteer, volunteer organisation, or a corporate organisation seeking ways to help recognise and thank employees who are also volunteers.

Click here for more information.

Source: Volunteering Australia

NSW Sport and Recreation
Sports Ability Training Workshop
14 May 2012, 10.00am-1.00pm
Bathurst PCYC

Cost: Free.

Sports Ability is an inclusive activities program with two main aims:

• to provide those working in a physical activity and sport setting with more ways of including people with disabilities
• to provide a medium, for the integration of people with and without disabilities to interact in a sporting environment.

Sports Ability activities are based around five games:

1. Boccia
2. Goalball
3. Sitting volleyball
4. Polybat
5. Table cricket

Participants will develop techniques, strategies and the confidence to adapt and modify any activity while playing the Sports Ability activities.

Click here to download flyer.

Click here to download enrolment form.

For more information and to register: contact Di Kennedy, Sport and Recreation, ph 6362 6623 or Nathan Brennen, Bathurst PCYC, ph 6331 2191.

Note: Please dress appropriately for being active – track pants / shorts, T-shirts and training shoes.

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 5 million Australians who volunteer.

Australian volunteers are essential to society, and many charities would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers. Australian volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to so many areas of society, including community health care, heritage and arts, environment conservation, emergency services, education, social justice and sports. NVW provides a platform to pay tribute to these volunteers who donate their time and energy to help others.

The NVW website will provide you with all the information you need to celebrate NVW whether you are a volunteer, volunteer organisation, or a corporate organisation seeking ways to help recognise and thank employees who are also volunteers.

Click here for more information.

Source: Volunteering Australia

Mental Health First Aid Training Course
15 & 22 May 2012, 9.30am-4.30pm
Orange Community Information & Services Centre, 79-81 Kite St, Orange

Cost: Free.

The course covers helping people in mental health crisis situations and/or in the early stages of mental health problems.

Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.

Registrations: by 10 May.

Click here to download flyer and registration form.

NSW Trustee & Guardian
Wills and Power of Attorney Seminar
15 May 2012, 11.30am
Bathurst Library

Cost: Free.

• What is a Will and why do you need one
• Consideration when appointing an executor
• Why is it important to have a Power of Attorney
• How do you go about making a Will and/or Power of Attorney

Click here to download flyer.

Parkes Shire Council Community Priorities Meeting
15 May 2012, 5.30pm-7.30pm
Coventry Room, Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre

Parkes Shire Council is asking the community to have their say and answer the question: ‘What will make the biggest difference to our Shire in the next four years?’

The community priorities will help develop the Delivery Program for the new Parkes Shire Council which will be elected in September. The Delivery Program allocates money and resources to achieve the priorities.

Click here for more information and RSVP details.

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 5 million Australians who volunteer.

Australian volunteers are essential to society, and many charities would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers. Australian volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to so many areas of society, including community health care, heritage and arts, environment conservation, emergency services, education, social justice and sports. NVW provides a platform to pay tribute to these volunteers who donate their time and energy to help others.

The NVW website will provide you with all the information you need to celebrate NVW whether you are a volunteer, volunteer organisation, or a corporate organisation seeking ways to help recognise and thank employees who are also volunteers.

Click here for more information.

Source: Volunteering Australia

Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak
Mental Health First Aid Workshop
17-18 May 2012, 9.00am-4.00pm
Bathurst

Cost: $30, including manual. Light lunch provided.

The course covers helping adults in mental health crisis situations and/or in the early stage of mental health problems.

Click here to download flyer.

For more information and bookings: contact Doug Kinlyside, ph 0418 482 594.

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 5 million Australians who volunteer.

Australian volunteers are essential to society, and many charities would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers. Australian volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to so many areas of society, including community health care, heritage and arts, environment conservation, emergency services, education, social justice and sports. NVW provides a platform to pay tribute to these volunteers who donate their time and energy to help others.

The NVW website will provide you with all the information you need to celebrate NVW whether you are a volunteer, volunteer organisation, or a corporate organisation seeking ways to help recognise and thank employees who are also volunteers.

Click here for more information.

Source: Volunteering Australia

HACC Centre Open Day
17 May 2012, 10.00am-12.00noon
286 Lords Pl, Orange

Services include:

• Orange City Council Ageing and Disability Services 
• Orange City Council Disability (Residential) Services
• Orange City Council Regional Development Officers
• Guide Dogs NSW/ACT
• Catholic Community Services 
• Australian Home Care
• MS Society

Click here to download flyer.

Source: Orange City Council

Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak
Mental Health First Aid Workshop
17-18 May 2012, 9.00am-4.00pm
Bathurst

Cost: $30, including manual. Light lunch provided.

The course covers helping adults in mental health crisis situations and/or in the early stage of mental health problems.

Click here to download flyer.

For more information and bookings: contact Doug Kinlyside, ph 0418 482 594.

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 5 million Australians who volunteer.

Australian volunteers are essential to society, and many charities would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers. Australian volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to so many areas of society, including community health care, heritage and arts, environment conservation, emergency services, education, social justice and sports. NVW provides a platform to pay tribute to these volunteers who donate their time and energy to help others.

The NVW website will provide you with all the information you need to celebrate NVW whether you are a volunteer, volunteer organisation, or a corporate organisation seeking ways to help recognise and thank employees who are also volunteers.

Click here for more information.

Source: Volunteering Australia

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 5 million Australians who volunteer.

Australian volunteers are essential to society, and many charities would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers. Australian volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to so many areas of society, including community health care, heritage and arts, environment conservation, emergency services, education, social justice and sports. NVW provides a platform to pay tribute to these volunteers who donate their time and energy to help others.

The NVW website will provide you with all the information you need to celebrate NVW whether you are a volunteer, volunteer organisation, or a corporate organisation seeking ways to help recognise and thank employees who are also volunteers.

Click here for more information.

Source: Volunteering Australia

Bathurst Child and Family Network
Family Fun Day
19 May 2012, 11.00am-2.00pm
Bicentennial Peace Park, Bathurst

Celebrating National Families Week.

Free food, entertainment, organised games and activities, face painting, jumping castle, prizes and more.

Click here to download flyer.

National Volunteer Week (NVW) is the largest celebration of volunteers and volunteerism in Australia, and provides an opportunity to highlight the role of volunteers in our communities and to say thank you to the more than 5 million Australians who volunteer.

Australian volunteers are essential to society, and many charities would struggle to survive without the support of their volunteers. Australian volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of community service to so many areas of society, including community health care, heritage and arts, environment conservation, emergency services, education, social justice and sports. NVW provides a platform to pay tribute to these volunteers who donate their time and energy to help others.

The NVW website will provide you with all the information you need to celebrate NVW whether you are a volunteer, volunteer organisation, or a corporate organisation seeking ways to help recognise and thank employees who are also volunteers.

Click here for more information.

Source: Volunteering Australia

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) 4th National Community Care Conference & Trade Exhibition
‘Firm Foundations: Flexible Futures’
21-22 May 2012
Adelaide Convention Centre

Community Care is a valued and essential component of many people’s lives. It was established to provide practical support to help people stay in their own homes and to live the life they choose.

Aged care as a whole is changing in response to our ageing population and the emergence of consumer directed care. Against this background we see our Governments at all levels considering broader reform. As we go through this change we can capitalise on the energy, enthusiasm and principles from our community care foundations to ensure future systems, models and approaches with far greater flexibility to support older people and their carers. Aged care providers need to build on the firm foundations of community care principles as we move with a positive focus towards an unknown future in genuine partnership with the consumers of community care services.

Click here for more information.

Source: ACSA

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) 4th National Community Care Conference & Trade Exhibition
‘Firm Foundations: Flexible Futures’
21-22 May 2012
Adelaide Convention Centre

Community Care is a valued and essential component of many people’s lives. It was established to provide practical support to help people stay in their own homes and to live the life they choose.

Aged care as a whole is changing in response to our ageing population and the emergence of consumer directed care. Against this background we see our Governments at all levels considering broader reform. As we go through this change we can capitalise on the energy, enthusiasm and principles from our community care foundations to ensure future systems, models and approaches with far greater flexibility to support older people and their carers. Aged care providers need to build on the firm foundations of community care principles as we move with a positive focus towards an unknown future in genuine partnership with the consumers of community care services.

Click here for more information.

Source: ACSA

Mental Health First Aid Training Course
15 & 22 May 2012, 9.30am-4.30pm
Orange Community Information & Services Centre, 79-81 Kite St, Orange

Cost: Free.

The course covers helping people in mental health crisis situations and/or in the early stages of mental health problems.

Participants will learn the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems, where and how to get help and what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective.

Registrations: by 10 May.

Click here to download flyer and registration form.

Bathurst Transport Forum
23 May 2012, 9.30am-11.30am
Bathurst RSL Club

A forum  to discuss and identify transport options, issues and needs in the Bathurst community. Speakers from Countrylink, Jones Bros, Local Taxi, and facilitated by the Regional Transport Coordinator. This forum is for services and agencies to discuss issues and ideas which could improve transport access, timetables etc.

RSVP: Regional Transport Coordinator, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to download Agenda.

Info Expo for People with a Disability and their Carers
24 May 2012, 9.30am-2.00pm
Christian Life Centre, Gilmour St, Kelso

This is an open invitation for all community members to attend.

The Expo will have tables and stalls for people to view information and speak to representatives from services and agencies about individual needs and enquiries of themselves or community members. 

The Expo’s goal is to inform our community on what is available in Bathurst and its surrounding district to support people who have a disability and the carers of those people.

As the Expo is held on 24 May being the ‘Biggest Morning Tea’, a morning tea will be provided; donations can be given on the day which supports the NSW Cancer Council.

If you require transport to attend the Expo, Bathurst Community Transport are running a wheelchair minibus to assist people with their transport needs in the Bathurst City Area. 

To book transport for the day: ph 6331 3322; there is no cost involved to attend the Info Expo.

RSVP: To organise resources and refreshments for the Expo it would be appreciated if interested people could RSVP to Evans Community Options, ph 6338 2300.

For enquiries to hold a stall or do a presentation: contact Margaret Riley, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or ph 6338 2303

Click here to download flyer.

Services and Agencies contributing to the Information Expo are: Bathurst Information and Neighbourhood Centre, Bathurst Early Learning Support Project, Central West Community College, Orange and Regional Nursing, Central West Inclusion Service, Bathurst Community Transport, Evans Community Options, People for People Project, Bathurst Meals on Wheels, Baptist Community Care, Bathurst Seymour Centre, NSW Division of GP’s, Benevolent Society, Central West Care, Glenray Industries, Vision Australia, Interchange, Homecare, HACC Development Office, Carewest, Can Assist, Aftercare, ADHC, DIAS, BILs and Catholic Care Services.

Source: ECOP

Work, Health and Safety and Risk Management
28 May 2012, 10.00am-4.00pm
HACC Centre, Bathurst

Cost: Free.

Presented by NCOSS Management Support Unit, PILCH New South Wales and the Workcover Authority of NSW.

This seminar is aimed at board members and managers of services funded by the Ministry of Health and/or Aging, Disability and Home Care.

Topics include:

• The New Work & Safety Act - Presented by Angus Mackenzie of the Workcover Authority of NSW
• The Legal Aspects of Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) - Presented by Katrina Ironside of the Public Interest Law Clearing House NSW (PILCH) and
• Basic Risk Management - Presented by Amanda Smithers of the NCOSS Management Support Unit

Registrations: by 18 May.

Click here to download flyer and registration form.

Numbers are strictly limited and registration is essential.

For more information: contact Amanda Smithers, ph 9211 2599.

Neighbourhood Centre and Volunteers Week
Parkes Neighbourhood Centre Open Day
29 May 2012, 9.00am-5.00pm
80-82 Currajon St, Parkes

Help celebrate the fantastic work that Parkes Neighbourhood Centre and its Volunteers do for the community of Parkes and surrounding districts.  See what services or opportunities the Neighbourhood Centre can offer you.

Activities will include face painting, jumping castle, drinks, promo bags, ice blocks, sausage sizzle and afternoon tea.

Click here to download flyer.

Source: PNC Facebook Page

NSW Meals on Wheels State Conference
30 May-1 Jun 2012
Cypress Lakes Resort, Hunter Valley

The Program has a trade show, workshops, wonderful speakers and the conference dinner.

Click here for more information and registration details.

Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC)
Industry Briefing for Home Modification Service Providers
30 May 2012, 10.00am-4.00pm
Dubbo RSL, Cnr Brisbane & Wingewarra Sts, Dubbo

This industry briefing will inform home modification service providers about the changes and future directions for home modification services which will become effective on 1 July 2012.

At this briefing information will be provided about:

• the new application pathway through the Community Care Access Point
• E-referrals through HS Net
• new fees policy
• new prioritisation tool
• future directions and timeframes for ongoing reform

Registrations: email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with details of which briefing you will be attending, the number of people attending and your contact details.

Source: ADHC Portal

Industry Briefing for Home Modification Services
30 May 2012, 10.00am-4.00pm
Dubbo RSL, Cnr Brisbane & Wingewarra Sts, Dubbo

A briefing to inform home modification service providers about the changes and future directions for home modification services which will become effective on 1 July 2012.

Information will be provided about:

• the new application pathway through the Community Care Access Point
• E-referrals through HS Net
• new fees policy
• new prioritisation tool
• future directions and timeframes for ongoing reform

Registrations: email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , including the details of which briefing you will be attending, the number of people attending and your contact details.

Source: HMIC