This year has been amazing so far, look at how it flew by! We have a few new people who joined us at the start of this year, and we have seen nothing but support from our participants and their families as we navigate much busier days. Thank you to parents and the community at large for your support and understanding throughout the term. A big thank you also to our support staff who have made this term amazing! We wouldn’t be who we are without you.
Intentions and Aspirations …
We are constantly looking to improve our program to challenge our participants. We love seeing them grow within themselves and their capabilities. Everyday we encourage everyone to be the best version of them-selves, and we love finding activities and experiences which encourage our participants to step out of their comfort zones and experience new things. We are exploring more work experience options that could potentially lead to part-time work for our participants, and we want to support them in every single step forward.
Certificate II in Animal Care …
We’ve completed our third cluster in our Certificate II in Animal Care course, and the end is now in sight! How exciting. We have greatly furthered our knowledge in general animal care this term, learning a variety of things. This includes communication in the workplace, how to classify animals into species and breeds, how to fill out animal care documentation, how to be safe in the workplace, and how to keep animals safe.
As we also spend a good portion of our week volunteering at different animal care facilities, this doesn’t only get our placement hours up, it also encourages participants to put their learnt skills to the test – practically applying what they’ve learnt.
Our Voice …
Kaitlin: I like learning about different animal things.
Bianca: I have enjoyed learning new facts about animals.
Riley: I enjoy learning things I didn’t know about animals.
Everyday Words and Numbers …
This term, we completed another ‘Everyday Words and Numbers’ course, wherein we learn important life skills—such as how to research recipes, fill out everyday forms and how to write our resumes. It’s been very interesting, and everyone has learnt so much about themselves through brainstorming for their resumes. Everyone brought their creativity to the table when it came to the recipes they chose for their recipe books and many didn’t realise how many skills they had attained once they started completing their resumes. A great outcome for our participants as their interest in learning new things remains stimulated.
Our Voice …
Paul: The course is life! I love it.
Samual: I enjoy drawing up my resume and being independent on the computer.
Nik: I like learning how to use the computer to complete my resume.
Equine Therapy/Counseling …
Our participants have continued on their transformative journey with Equine Therapy at Jabulani Sanctuary. This unique program involves engaging with horses to explore valuable life lessons, fostering a deep connection between the concepts learned and their application in everyday life. In this term’s sessions, our focus has been on key aspects such as performing thorough health checks, honing effective communication
techniques, learning how to let go of emotional baggage, forgiveness and nurturing active listening skills. These skills are not only beneficial within the context of equine interaction but also have far-reaching positive impacts on various facets of personal growth.
Our Voice …
Shania: I like to learn new stuff.
Chloe: It’s calming and relaxing and provides stress relief.
Kaitlin: I’m in my own world and in my element.
Amber: I love making friends with the horses.
Gembrook Wildlife Shelter …
At Gembrook Wildlife Shelter, we cherish the privilege of caring for some of Australia’s most enchanting wildlife, including wombats, kangaroos, joeys, and koalas. Each week, we step into their world to provide essential care and support.
Volunteering at this shelter nurtures compassion and deepens our understanding of the natural world. By
offering a helping hand to animals facing challenging circumstances, we play a crucial role in improving their
lives. With tenderness and care, we handle small and vulnerable babies, ensuring their well-being and growth. We also meticulously maintain clean and nurturing environments for sick and injured wildlife, fostering their recovery.
Our Voice …
Riley: I love hanging out with Evie.
Amber: We get to see the new wombats and baby kangaroos.
Nesian: I love hanging out with the Evie and the other animals.
Kaitlin: I love spending time with the animals, they are so cute.
Chloe: I like feeding the kangaroos!
Alice and Bluey Bunny Refuge …
Our commitment to the welfare of the adorable residents at Bluey & Alice Bunny Refuge continues to thrive. Our primary duties involve ensuring the bunnies always have an abundant supply of hay and water, guaranteeing their comfort and well-being.
As we rotate shifts at the refuge, we not only fulfill these essential tasks but also savour the opportunity to shower affection and care upon these charming bunnies. Each bunny is on a journey of rehabilitation, preparing for their eventual forever homes. Our teamwork skills are flourishing as we become adept bunny caretakers. With larger groups, we delegate responsibilities to different team members, functioning like a well-coordinated machine to efficiently complete our tasks.
Our Voice …
Riley: I like filling the hay and water for the bunnies.
Patrick: It’s awesome to help them out.
Amber: I like seeing who’s new at the refuge.
Shania: We get to do health checks on the bunnies.
Bianca: I love interacting with the baby animals.
Wellness Mondays …
On Wellness Mondays, we prioritize the holistic development of our participants. This essential day begins with a dedicated focus on nurturing emotional intelligence, providing valuable insights and tools for personal growth. Afterwards, we head down to the gym to enhance our physical fitness, ensuring a well-rounded approach to well-being. Our fitness regimen this term has been diverse, incorporating cardio workouts, weight training, and spirited games of basketball. It’s been so much fun!
Our Voice …
Samual: I like working with weights.
Brayden: I love building my strength & muscles.
Nik: I enjoy shooting hoops and getting strong.
Amber: I like being competitive with Dylan.
Nesian: I love weight lifting to be stronger than the boys.
Patrick: I like working out.
Cooking at Lakeside …
As we’ve continued this year, we’ve had a lot of fun cooking heaps of different dishes from so many cuisines!
We start our day by researching a recipe we decided on the week before, finding out the ingredient prices on the Coles website so we know what to expect. After going shopping we evaluate if we went over or under budget, and get stuck into cooking! A few dishes we’ve made include: spaghetti bolognaise, chilli con-carne, san choy bow – to name but a few.
As everyone comes back from their morning of volunteering, they get a yummy warm lunch made by our
chefs.
Our Voice …
Paul: It’s the best! Good! Great!
Samual: I like trying new foods.
Patrick: I like trying new recipes.
Woodwork …
Our Thursdays at the Dandenong Community & Learning Centre have become a hub of creativity and crafts-manship with woodworking classes, and other participants have expanded their horizons through exciting toy-making woodwork classes at Brand New Day.
Woodworking has captured our hearts, offering a unique platform to unleash our artistic flair while working within defined project parameters. We’ve learned the intricate art of designing and following step-by-step instructions, all while infusing each piece with our own personal touches.
Lucas, Riley, and Dylan, in particular, have embarked on a special adventure at Brand New Day, where the highlight has undoubtedly been creating a toy crane entirely from scratch.
Our Voice …
Amber: I like making new projects to take home.
Nik: I’ve loved learning how to saw and sand like a professional.
Megan: I like making things out of wood.
Patrick: I like making different things.
Riley: I loved toy making at Brand New Day.
Paul: It’s great! I like using the hammer.
Arts and Crafts at Lakeside …
As we’ve said “hello” to a lot of new friendly faces in the past few months, we’ve started incorporating activities to suit their interests. In particular, a lot of us really enjoy arts and crafts! We’ve been researching activities that look interesting, resourcing materials they require and getting stuck into new projects. So far, we’ve enjoyed a range of activities, such as making wind chimes, painting, paint pouring, sketching, diamond painting, flower pressing and much more.
These have been really fun and creative, giving those who participate a chance to unleash their inner creative side. We have loved seeing these masterpieces come to life each and every week! We look forward to continuing our arts and crafts program into Term 4 and really honing our creative talents.
Our Voice …
Bianca: I like being creative and doing art projects.
Nesian: I love doing different art projects.
Shania: I like learning paint blending.
Kaitlin: I enjoy trying new projects.
Meagan: I love being creative!
Out and About Fridays …
Each Friday we get out and about in our community, going to movies, exhibits or participating in other experiences and excursions. We have spent time discussing where we want to go throughout the year, and have already begun planning some of our activities. Over this term we’ve had some super fun excursions, including going to the: movies, bowling, The Vietnam War Museum, the National Gallery of Victoria, RUSH HQ, and LUME.
Ultimately, the most important thing about out and about Fridays is that our participants choose and plan what we do. Having our Friday’s dedicated to getting out and about means that we have the opportunity to research, price and discuss all the options out there, improving our communication and critical thinking skills. There is such a place in our lives for recreation, exploring and learning new things, and being able to get out into the community is crucial for us to live fulfilling lives. In planning what we want to do ahead of
time, we have the opportunity to research activities we would enjoy, while also keeping in mind everyone else’s interests.
Our Voice …
Nik: I like seeing new places and getting fresh air.
Samual: I enjoy being out with friends!
Bianca: I like going to new places.
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