Embracing Change, Celebrating Progress, and Uniting as a Team
Autumn Newsletter
March 2024
Disability Support
Community Services Aged Care Services
Advocacy Support
Welcome to the Autumn 2024 edition of our newsletter, where we bring you exciting
updates and insightful stories from ADEC.
Join us as we highlight our recent participation in the Care & Ageing Well Expo 2024,
celebrate the achievements of Mary Nwankwo from our Aged Care Team, share our
Aged Care client Alf’s inspiring journey and share updates from our Care
Coordination, Social Support Groups, Advocacy, NDIS Plan Management, Appeals
and Reviews activities.
Thank you for being part of our community and driving positive change with us.
Stay tuned for more inspiring updates!
A Warm Welcome to our New General Managers
Welcome Message
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Lando Antonelli
General Manager Advocacy,
Disability & Support Services
Kimberly Engber-Taylor
General Manager People & Culture
Lando, with degrees in Multicultural Studies
and Social Work, brings over 20 years of
management experience in the Aged Care,
Disability Services, and Fee-for-service
sectors to ADEC. He is excited to align with
ADEC's values and work towards
community inclusion and equality.
Kimberly, with over 25 years of HR
management experience, brings extensive
expertise from roles at organizations like
Nillumbik Shire Council and Calvary Health
Care. Her strategic vision aligns perfectly
with our values, and we're excited for her
leadership at ADEC.
Welcome Kimberly and Lando as we move towards organizational excellence together!
At ADEC, we prioritize workplace wellbeing, including psychosocial health, to
ensure a positive and supportive environment for our team. We recognize the
importance of mental and emotional wellness, and we provide resources, support,
and initiatives that promote a healthy work-life balance, stress management, and
open communication.
Together, we can create a thriving and supportive work environment
where everyone can thrive!
For additional support and resources on workplace mental health, we encourage
you to visit Beyond Blue's website.
Feel Good
Messages
Workplace Well-being
"In the end, just three things matter: How well we have lived.
How well we have loved. How well we have learned to let go." -
Jack Kornfield
"The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it
is the door to all moments." - Thich Nhat Hanh
"Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your
own actions." - Dalai Lama
Visit Beyond Blue Website for more
Workplace Mental Health Resources
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Meet Mary Nwankwo, an excellent example of
the dedication and passion our carers have for
the wellbeing of our clients.
Imagine Aged Care that listens to you. That’s precisely what
ADEC’s Home Care Packages offer.
We are here to help guide you through the process of
accessing the support you want. We can provide you with
personalised advice about what is available and how to access
the services to keep you healthy, safe, and connected to your
community. Interpreters are available for FREE.
For more information:
Call: (03) 9480 7000
Email: hcp@adec.org.au
Staff Spotlight
Do you need help with Aged Care services?
The service is free, confidential, and no referral is required.
We welcomed Mary to the Aged Care team in May 2023, and she
quickly became an incredibly valued member of the ADEC family.
Mary is a bubbly ‘people person’ who loves to socialise, and her
passion for her clients is infectious.
“I love my job because I get to work with the elderly,” she says. “It is
so rewarding being able to change people’s lives. Coming to work
at ADEC is like being with family, everyone has been so welcoming.
The team is great and it is a nice environment to work in.”
Praise for Mary:
A Client Testimonial
"A big thank you to Mary
located at South Morang. Mary,
our Case Manager, is reliable,
honest, and caring. She always
takes the time to answer any
questions and follow up on
anything needed, nothing is a
problem. We highly recommend
ADEC because of her, we use
them for NDIS and Aged Care."
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Alf’s story: the rocky road to success
For 76-year-old Egyptian-born Alf, success hasn’t come easy. He overcame
several setbacks to build his own successful transport company. Now retired, Alf
and his wife Anne Marie are facing some health challenges. But they’ve found
the critical support they need with ADEC.
Know more about our Home Care Package Services
Click here to read more Alf’s story
“Samantha is our Aged Care Case Manager, and her empathy, support, and assistance is beyond
what we ever expected,” Alf says. “If we need assistance, we know it’s there. I would recommend
ADEC without a doubt.”
Upcoming
Expo
ACCPA Care & Ageing Well
Expo 2024
Tuesday,
18th June 2024,
10am - 3pm
Join Us at the Whittlesea Ageing Well Expo 2024!
Whether you are planning for your own future or caring for a
loved one, the Ageing Well Expo is the ultimate resource
hub. This Free expo is tailor-made to keep you informed,
safe, and supported as you continue to live your best life.
Location: Melbourne Convention &
Exhibition Centre
Date: 10 & 11 February 2024
ADEC joined the ACCPA Care & Ageing
Well Expo last February. Our team had
the fantastic opportunity to join other 80
aged care exhibitors, to bring to life
comprehensive living solutions tailored
specifically for older Australians. The
Expo was a one-stop destination where
attendees could explore, learn, and
connect with the resources and solutions.
Picture a vibrant event buzzing with
energy, where attendees soaked up
invaluable knowledge and advice from
seasoned speakers eager to share insights
on living life to the fullest in later years. Our
presence at the event allowed us to
connect directly with individuals seeking
guidance, support on their ageing journey
as well as raise awareness about our new
branding. Our stall was a hub of activity,
with engaging activities such as
consultations, lucky draws, a dart board
game, and a photo booth. The highlight
was the lucky draw, which attracted a
significant number of participants and
played a vital role in interaction with
customers.
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Unleash Your Creativity with FREE ArtAbility® Workshops!
Are you ready to express yourself through art and make new
friends?
Join us for the upcoming FREE ArtAbility® workshops.
Through these FREE art workshops, you'll have a safe space to
express yourself, make new friends, and unlock your artistic
potential
Date & Venue:
10.00 am – 12.30 pm, Tuesday’s, 16th April - 7th May 2024,
Merrilands Community Centre
Well-being For All Abilities Workshops
ArtAbility Workshops
To register, contact us on:
Email: artability@adec.org.au Mobile: 0490 395 168
Booking:
Join our FREE workshops for an enriching experience filled with
fun informative sessions, engaging activities, with a supportive
community.
This project is especially designed for people from Ethnic
communities living with a disability and their carers, and
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, but we are extending
enrolments to everyone.
What you can expect at our workshops:
Nutritionist - Art therapy - Wellness and fitness - Financial
supports - Mental health - Sustainable planting
Date & Venue:
10 am - 12:15 pm, Thursday’s, 2nd May - 20th June 2024,
Merrilands Community Centre
Booking:
To register, contact us on:
Email: kerry@adec.org.au Mobile: 0490 059 026
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Right now, only 1 in 2 people with disability have access to independent disability
advocacy support, leaving a critical gap in safeguarding the rights and well-being of
our community members with disability. The Australian government must
significantly increase funding for independent disability advocacy organisations to
support people with disability.
Join ADEC in the Speak Up! campaign and call for $91 million in investment!
Investing in advocacy is needed to strengthen the rights of people with disability.
Everyone deserves access to support.
Speak Up for Independent Advocacy
ADEC offers FREE Disability Advocacy
Support Services
ADEC’s Advocacy program assists people living with a
disability, their carers, and family members, to understand
their rights, access information, and services, and to speak
up for what is needed to improve their situation.
Our advocates will help you work out what the issue is, and
what you want to happen and prepare an advocacy plan.
The plan may involve us attending meetings with you and helping
you present your view.
Know more about our Advocacy Support Services
Speak Up! For Independent Advocacy and click here to send
email to the Government
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Click here to learn more about our
Disability Support Services
We are actively seeking and recruiting
support staff from several cultural
backgrounds to tailor to the needs of our
Disability and My Aged Care participants.
ADEC offers a supportive environment,
competitive salary, and a culture that
celebrates diversity and empowers all
individuals.
Diversity, equal rights, and access for all is
at the heart of what ADEC does. We do
this by building the capacity of people
through programs, projects, and planned
activities that promote inclusion,
independence, and empowerment.
If you or someone you know is looking for
a fulfilling career and wants to make a real
difference to someone’s life.
Care
Coordination
Looking for a career in the sector
and are currently studying either a
certificate III or IV in:
Aged Care
Disability
Individual Support
If you are needing a placement
organisation, we have places
available to complete your hours!
How can an ADEC Support
Worker assist you?
The services provided are:
Personal hygiene
Household duties
Mealtime assistance
Attending appointments
Attending groups or social
outings
Connecting you with like
minded people
Holiday support, providing care
and companionship
ADEC’s Disability Support Program
currently has availability to take on
more clients! Our support workers
can assist with your daily life tasks
and to work towards achieving your
personal goals and get help with
ADEC offers placement
opportunities for
students
For more information please
contact: ndis.admin@adec.org.au
“Our first impressions of ADEC were exceptional. Their
support workers are very holistic and empathetic. They are
the company for me. I feel good, they talk nicely to me and
make me happy. My life would be harder withougt them”
Zena - ADEC’s Disability Support Client
Please reach out to us on:
0490 535 760
onboarding@adec.org.au
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Client Testimonial
In the last 6 months, the number of clients in the
Groups program has by 133% (one third), which
is a substantial figure. The facilitators have done
an outstanding job networking within their
communities.
Special mention to Trinh Phan, who
enrolled a large number of new clients into
the program.
Thank you facilitators for all your hard work and
dedication. The management team extend their
well wishes.
The Groups program is currently planning for
camps, which will be taking place in the
upcoming months. The camps will most likely be
taking place in Tylden, Mount Macedon &
Woodend. This year, the camps will involve a
larger number of participants from diverse
language groups and ethnicities. These camp
groups will most likely consist of Chinese,
Vietnamese, and Afghani clients.
Social Support Groups Program Highlights
133%
increase
in client
attendance
Click here to learn more about our
Social Support Groups
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Navigate NDIS Appeals
Seamlessly with ADEC's Dedicated
Support Team
Our Appeals Team is dedicated to
understanding and addressing the unique
challenges faced by individuals from
culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds. We prioritize respecting and
upholding your human rights at every step.
“I like to say a big thank you to Chuye for her
amazing work, that she has done supporting us
through the tribunal for my two sons George &
Peter. She was always there when I needed her
to explain an email to me what the tribunal had
said to us, or just to guide us through it all. We
got a great outcome. Thanks to her support and
hard work. We will definitely be reaching out
again if we need help in the future. Thank you
again!”
Marija - Our Appeals Client
NDIS Appeals &
Reviews
For more details about the above mentioned services, please reach out to
ADEC at (03) 9480 7000 and ask to speak with the NDIS Intake Officer. You
can also send an email to ndis.appeals@adec.org.au
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“Just wanted to thank Megan for all she does.
She is a great Plan Manager. You have been
very professional. You have been very
professional and provided amazing
communication. Thanks for all you do for me.
You’re always happy to assist me when you
can”.
Our NDIS Plan Management Client
Plan Management
Live Well with ADEC’s Plan
Management
Our Plan Management Support Service
helps you or your loved one plan and
manage their NDIS journey with
confidence and ease, reducing the
administrative burden.
Keep these
numbers handy
NDIS Commission 1800 035 544
Aged Care Quality and
Safety Commission 1800 951 822
My Aged Care 1800 200 422
National Dementia Helpline
1800 100 500
National Seniors Australia
1300 765 050
Older Persons Advocacy Network
1800 700 600
Lifeline 13 11 14
The ELDER Help 1800 353 374
Connect and Engage
Join Us on Social Media!
We strive to provide the best services
possible, and your input helps us
continuously improve. Please take a
moment to share your experience with us
by leaving a review.
Thank you for helping us better serve you
and our community.
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Head Office: Level 1, U22/855 Plenty Road, South Morang, VIC. 3752
Dandenong Office: Suite 1, 50 Thomas St, Dandenong, VIC. 3175
Werribee Office: 4A Watton St, Werribee, VIC. 3030
info@adec.org.au
www.adec.org.au
Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities (ADEC) Inc. | Registration number: A0005385S
Postal Address: PO Box 40, South Morang VIC 3752
(03) 9480 7000
On our social pages, we provide valuable
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and community services, fostering a
deeper understanding and connection
with our audience. It's where we share
inspiring stories, insightful information,
and updates from both global and local
communities.
Your feedback and
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valuable to us!
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