Connecting kids with their worlds for more than 70 years. - Novita ...

THE OFFICIAL NOVITA NEWSLETTER / VOL 35 / ISSUE 1 / WINTER 2011
Connecting kids with their worlds for more than 70 years.
1

THE OFFICIAL NOVITA NEWSLETTER / VOL 34 / ISSUE 1 / WINTER 2011
Contents
03 A Little Star - Renee Karabetsos
04 Catch up with Client Services
05 Novita Golf Day and Dinner
06 The value of my work
07 Star Fundraiser - Ethan Schultz
08 Star Volunteers
09 West End Mighty River Run
10 Wills and Guardianship
11 Masterchef contestant - Adele Fragnito
12 Diary Dates
Helping children with disabilities for more than 70 years
Front cover image: Aaron Mazurek
Photography: Kimbra Drzal
Novita News is published by Novita Children’s Services
PO Box 2438
Regency Park SA 5942
Editor: Arndrae Luks
T: 08 8243 8234 E: novitanews@novita.org.au
While every care has been taken in the preparation
of Novita News, the information contained within
is of a general nature only and does not constitute
advice. No liability is accepted for any errors it may
contain or any damages or loss that may arise from
the use of the information published.
Articles from Novita News may be reproduced in
other forums, provided the information is produced
in full, with written acknowledgement of its source.
From the Chief Executive
W
elcome to this winter 2011
edition of Novita News.
A highlight this year has been
the opening of our new southern office on
Ayliffes Road, St Marys. Operations
formerly at Parkside and Christies Beach
have been consolidated at St Marys, better
serving our clients in Adelaide’s south
(read more about the move on page 4).
Following Novita’s submission to the State
Government we were delighted to receive
$1.5m over four years in this year’s State
Budget to help deliver vital therapy, respite
and in-home care. It is a great result for the
children and their families we serve and a
much needed boost to support our
charitable cause.
Meanwhile, the Senate Community
Affairs Committee has been taking
public submissions on establishment
of an independent Commonwealth
Commissioner for Children and Young
People. Novita has made a submission
in support of the Bill. We believe it is a
necessary and urgent measure to ensure
the Australian Government upholds its
obligations under the United Nations’
Convention on the Rights of the Child,
as well as its commitment to Australian
children and young people living with
disabilities as per the United Nations’
Convention on the Rights of Persons
with Disabilities.
Novita presents
to the Productivity
Commission’s Disability
Care and Support inquiry
Novita has also prepared a second
submission to the Productivity Commission’s
Disability Care and Support inquiry following
release of its draft report in February. Novita
has submitted that all children and young
people must be eligible for inclusion within a
National Disability Insurance Scheme. We
also want to see the range, breadth,
complexity and importance of services to
children with disabilities recognised in the
Commission’s final deliberations.
Novita’s fundraising has had an
encouraging start with a successful Novita
Golf Day and Dinner in April. More than 25
teams of Novita sponsors and supporters
competed on Kooyonga Golf Club’s
greens, with Wallmans Lawyers winning
the competition.
Novita was honoured to be named
beneficiary of the South Australian Italian
Golf Club’s Pro-Am on 15 April, with
$59,000 raised (full details on page 7).
Novita this year is celebrating 72 years
of caring for South Australian children with
disabilities and special needs. There are
Novita staff members who have served our
organisation for almost half of that time. Of
note is Linda MacGillivray, an Allied Health
Assistant in our Equipment Service, who
celebrated 35 years’ service in January.
Other employees who must be
acknowledged are Jacques Fosse (32
years), Tim Ziersch (30 years), Johan Jose
(28 years), Michelle Eichinger (27 years),
Michele Belcher (27 years) and Terry Lyons
(26 years). I thank each of them for their
valued contribution over so many years.
In May, Novita celebrated the support of
our dedicated volunteers with a luncheon
at our Regency Park head office (see page
8 for photos).
I have recently been appointed to the
Australian Government’s Expert Reference
Group for the Better Start for Children with
Disability initiative. From 1 July 2011,
children aged under six years, and who
have been diagnosed with an eligible
disability, can register to access early
intervention funding of up to $12,000. My
role has allowed me to advocate for the
needs of children with cerebral palsy so
that they may access this initiative
irrespective of the severity of their diagnosis.
May I take this opportunity to thank you
for your ongoing support and thoughtful
dedication to the children and families of
Novita Children’s Services.
Glenn Rappensberg
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Meet a little Novita Star
Renee Karabetsos
S
eeing 16-year-old Renee Karabetsos and her mother Athina together, it’s
clear that they share that special mother-daughter bond. Sitting on a swing
in their sunny backyard in Adelaide’s southern suburbs, they both smile as
their pet dog, Chico, enjoys a pat. But Renee and Athina’s connection is unique
compared to most. Renee lives with Rett Syndrome, a rare disorder affecting the
grey matter of the brain. While Renee can’t talk, or walk or eat unassisted, Athina
says her intuitive understanding of her daughter means they communicate in their
own way, “you just need to get to know her.”
Novita first came to know Renee at age
two, following her diagnosis of Rett
Syndrome. However, Athina had identified
well before then that her daughter might
have a disability.
“When Renee was about 16 months,
she was doing this thing with her eyes,
kind of like opposite to cross-eyes,” recalls
Athina. “I took her to the eye specialist,
where they said there were no problems.
“Then I noticed that she started to play
with her hands. My brother does
something similar with his hands – he’s
autistic – and I kind of knew, uh-oh, this
isn’t good, but you live in denial for a while.
“Later I took her to a daycare centre,
and the director of the centre was great.
This woman sort of knew something was
wrong but she didn’t want to come out and
say it. She referred me to a neurologist that
her daughter had been seeing.
“The neurologist spent an hour with
Renee and diagnosed her then and there.
Rett Syndrome was his pet project, so he
picked it up straight away.”
Athina and her husband Jim had never
heard of this condition before. They were
warned by the neurologist that a
characteristic of Rett Syndrome is
regression – meaning their little daughter
would likely lose the skills she had started
to develop as a toddler. Renee’s
regression occurred just weeks later.
“Within about a month she wasn’t able to
do anything she had been able to do before,”
remembers Athina. “She had been finger
feeding, she used to hold up a tea towel and
do peek-a-boo… and then that all stopped.”
Confirmation of Renee’s Rett Syndrome
had its positive and negative aspects.
“Once she got a label, it was good and
bad,” says Athina. “People knew what it
was, so they were like, ‘this is what she’s
going to need’.
“But it was also bad, because when I
came home and read about Rett
Syndrome, I was like, ‘oh my God’. Rett
Syndrome sounded like a death sentence
at the time.”
Occupational therapists,
physiotherapists and speech pathologists
were on hand at Novita to support Renee
and her family at this traumatic time,
including coming out to the family home
for visits. “The staff were terrific,” says
Athina. “Everyone I’ve met through Novita
has been great.”
Equipment provided by Novita has
been pivotal to Renee and her family
being able to cope. Renee has had
orthotics and hand and arm splints
prescribed, cast and fitted over the
years. “Now she’s got a you-beaut
wheelchair, and an adult-sized
stroller I use to take her out in.”
Novita has funded a carer to
shower Renee, after Athina
injured her back, and provided
a shower chair for the
family’s home. Renee’s
bedroom, adorned with
her favourite flowers
and bright butterflies,
features a
customised bed
and change table
supplied by Novita.
Novita also
provides support for
Renee at Ashford
Special School, which
she has attended for
the past 11 years.
Therapists liaise with
the school to help
make Renee’s care
and learning as
beneficial as
possible.
Renee’s family
has felt supported
by Novita too. For
years, Athina had
been looking for
outside school hours care that properly
catered to children with disabilities. In July
2010, Renee began attending the
TeenZone South vacation care program
that Novita delivers at Hamilton Secondary
College and, Athina says, she loved it.
Like all mothers, Athina has some hopes
for her daughter she holds dear.
“I hope that Renee will be able to leave
home, like all kids do, eventually. In the
next ten years I’d like her to live in some
sort of shared housing, where she lives
with people her own age and can have her
own life, and be part of the community,”
she says.
To readers thinking of making a donation
to Novita, Athina’s message is simple.
“You’re helping kids like Renee, who
experience challenges every single day,”
she says. “Having therapists go out to
homes, go into the schools, providing
equipment – every donation helps Novita
help the kids.”
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Novita - a founding
partner in a new
research centre to
boost young people’s
wellbeing through
technology
N
ovita has been announced
as one of 63 foundation
partners nationwide for the new
Cooperative Research Centre for Young
People, Technology and Wellbeing (CRC
–YPTW). Novita is the only dedicated
disability service provider to be named
as part of this exciting project.
The Centre will bring together
youth-focussed non-government
organisations, researchers and the
business and government sectors to
collectively address challenges to the
mental health of young people.
The Australian Government
announced in December 2010 that it
would invest $27 million over five years
to establish the CRC-YPTW from 1 July
2011. Not-for-profit organisation the
Inspire Foundation will lead the project.
Novita was selected as a partner in the
CRC-YPTW due to its respected and
credible history of supporting young
people with a disability through research
and clinical services. In particular, the
work of Dr Pammi Raghavendra,
Manager of Novita’s Division of Research
and Innovation, in the area of technology
use by young people living with a
disability made Novita an obvious
choice for inclusion.
One of the CRC-YPTW’s key research
themes in which Novita is expected to
make a key contribution is ‘Achieving
maximum impact of technologies for
vulnerable young people’s wellbeing’.
Dr Raghavendra’s research has
focussed on young people with
disability using the internet and online
social networking to enhance their
social connectedness.
Novita is excited to be a part of the
CRC-YPTW, and looks forward to
carrying out important research projects
that will have an impact at a national level.
For more information about the
CRC-YPTW, please contact Research &
Innovation on 8243 8368 or visit the
Inspire Foundation website:
www.inspire.org.au
Novita’s TeenZone South proving a vital
service for southern suburbs families
N
ovita’s second TeenZone program,
TeenZone South, has just celebrated
its first year of vacation care after
launching in the July 2010 holidays.
TeenZone South, based at Hamilton
Secondary College in Mitchell Park,
provides specialised care for teenagers
with a disability, and their siblings, during
school holiday periods.
Outside School Hours Care or OSHC,
is a crucial part of keeping the wheels of
work and family life turning together in
tandem for many families, but for teenagers
living with a disability and their families, a
program like TeenZone can be a real lifeline.
Having convenient and reliable care
options that accommodate the teens’
Doors open for Novita at St Marys
N
ovita Children’s Services has
opened its new southern office
at 15-31 Ayliffes Road, St Marys,
consolidating operations from its former
offices at Parkside and Christies Beach
in March.
The facilities at St Marys will better serve
Novita clients in Adelaide’s southern
suburbs, and have recently been
refurbished to create an ideal environment
for delivering services to children, including
a large therapy area for group work and
training, clinic and splinting rooms, and
designated off-street car parking for families.
About 70 Novita staff will work from St
Marys, delivering the southern divisions of
Novita’s Early Childhood, Child and
special needs is imperative for the whole
family in terms of providing stability of life,
continuity of care, and the ability for
parents to work.
And importantly, the teenagers and the
siblings who attend TeenZone with them,
get to make friends and have fun going to
performances, doing arts and crafts,
playing sport, cooking, watching movies,
relaxing and attending the TeenZone Disco
on the final Friday of each holidays.
Novita’s other TeenZone program
is delivered at Regency Park after
school during term time, and in school
holiday periods.
For more information about TeenZone,
please visit www.novita.org.au/teenzone
Adolescent, and Regional Services,
plus its Inclusion Support and
ConnectABILITY programs.
Basing Novita’s southern operations
from St Marys will achieve an overall
reduction in average travel time for
therapists attending home and school
visits, as well as for many families visiting
the office.
The decision to relocate was based
upon the results of a significant analysis of
current and future demographic data
pertaining to children and disability.
Novita is looking forward to delivering
services from this new location for the
benefit of about 560 children and their
families in the southern Adelaide region.
T
he 2011 Novita Golf Day
and Dinner at Kooyonga
Golf Club in April raised
thousands of dollars for Novita.
More than 20 teams of Novita
sponsors and supporters
competed on Kooyonga’s
magnificent greens, with
Wallmans Lawyers eventually
coming out on top to claim the
Robyn Chaplin Memorial
Trophy. Guests were then
entertained by guest speaker
Peter Rohde (Port Adelaide
Football Club), comedian
Mickey D and MC Ben Hook.
Novita has pleasure in
thanking event sponsors
BusinessTel, Vili’s, Schweppes,
West End, Stratco, Trelawney
Wines, Nando’s, Profile
Partners and Wallmans
Lawyers for making the day
possible, as well as course
marshal Greg Hart and our
valued volunteers for its
smooth execution.
Watch www.novita.org.au/
events for details of the 2012
Novita Golf Day and Dinner.
A
re you looking for a unique and easy way
to support Novita Children’s Services, and
love a good bargain?
Novita has recently partnered with Soul Deal,
South Australia’s new, socially responsible
online group buying choice for businesses
and consumers.
Offering great daily discounted deals on
South Australian services, products and
experiences such as restaurant meals, spa and
salon treatments, events and outdoor activities,
Soul Deal splits its per deal income significantly
with its charity partners, providing charities a
cost-free, no risk method of income generation.
When you sign up to Soul Deal, select Novita
Children’s Services as your charity of choice,
purchase a great deal, and Novita will benefit also.
How does it work?
When you visit www.souldeal.com.au and
register for free, select Novita Children’s
Services as your charity of choice and receive
daily deals straight to your inbox. If you like the
deal, you can choose to buy it by safely and
securely uploading your credit card details.
When you buy a Soul Deal, you not only save
money and get to enjoy the experience, product
or service, a percentage of your spend is given
to Novita. The amount of money that is
contributed to the charity from each Soul Deal is
clearly displayed on the ‘Today’s Deals’ page on
the website and on your voucher.
Sign up today, select Novita Children’s
Services as your charity of choice. The more
you save on Soul Deals, the more you are
supporting Novita.
Save 50% to 90% on
fantasic Soul Deals
and support Novita
4
5

Novita staff talk about…the value of my work
Amanda Denley
I
n a nutshell, my role at Novita is to… provide assessment,
advice, training and therapy around communication and feeding
skills for children aged 0-8.
I have worked at Novita since… 2002 - so almost a third of my life!
A moment I’ll never forget is… seeing one of my clients walk
through the gate of his preschool with his hat and backpack on with
confidence and a big smile on his very first day. I’d worked with him
since he was 10 months old. I was so proud, I started to cry!
The most satisfying part of my job is… helping to change
people’s hopes and expectations for their child for the better. I also
love being an advocate for my clients in their kindies and schools.
The most challenging part of my job is… stretching my time to
provide responsive services to meet the needs and requests of families.
Working with children living with disabilities is… real, honest
work that keeps me grounded and brings a satisfying purpose
to my life.
Every child deserves… the right to communicate, the right
to literacy and the right to an appropriate education.
Compared to other jobs I’ve had, this job… requires me
to sing… a lot!
If there were more funding at Novita we could… provide a
broader range of services more specifically suited to our clients.
Laura DePalma
I
n a nutshell, my role within the Equipment Service at Novita is
to… provide essential assistive equipment solutions to children,
as well as provide advice and training to physiotherapists and
external agencies regarding equipment.
I have worked at Novita since… April 2008.
Since working at Novita I have learned… how resilient people
can be. It amazes me daily how life can hand people some pretty
difficult circumstances, yet they continue to smile and live life to
the fullest.
I’ll never forget… the emails and phone calls of thanks from
parents after prescription of equipment is complete… and being
blown a kiss by a three-year-old after the supply of her walker -
she was so happy!
The achievement I’ve been most proud of is…securing the
Commonwealth Bank Community Grant which enabled the
Equipment Service to purchase a new walker for the trial pool
offered to Novita clients.
Ipsita Tripathy
I
n a nutshell, my role at Novita is to… assist families
in negotiating systems in relation to accessing
supports and completing a smooth transition through
to adult services.
I have worked at Novita since… January 2011. A moment
I’ll never forget is…when I contacted a client’s mother for
the first time with no prior knowledge of the family.
The mother opened up her whole life to me, discussing
various struggles, challenges, strengths, values and beliefs
– it was an invaluable experience to be welcomed so
warmly into someone’s personal life and entrusted with
such rich insights.
I enjoy working with children living with disabilities as
we can share some common experiences centred on
basic emotional needs such as the need to be listened
to with an open heart, in a non-judgmental way with love
and acceptance, and be understood in a manner where
you can be supported without feeling like a burden
on others.
If there were more therapists/staff at Novita we could…
take these beautiful connections to another realm,
assisting clients and their families with their social
and emotional wellbeing.
The most satisfying part of my job is…seeing the smile it brings
to a child’s face to realise they now have independent movement,
the power of choice and the opportunity to explore and participate.
The most challenging part of my job is… accepting that due to
circumstances out of my control I cannot fulfill a family’s every
want and need, and those I can fulfill take time to accomplish.
Working with children living with disabilities is…the most
rewarding experience I have had in my life.
Every child deserves…the right to access their world in the most
independent and functional way possible.
If there were more therapists/staff at Novita we could…
prescribe the approved equipment in a more timely manner and
have less waiting list time.
Photos from Left to Right: Family Service Coordinator Ipsita Tripathy, Senior
Speech Pathologist Amanda Denley with three-year-old Alec Lennon and
Senior Physiotherapist Laura DePalma with Commonwealth Bank’s Linda
Tonellato and Novita’s Claire DellaTorre
IWS PRO AM GOLF DAY
RAISES $59,000
T
eeing off for children in need,
golfers playing in the
Integrated Waste Services
(IWS) Pro-Am golf tournament in
April raised $59,000 for Novita.
Novita was sole beneficiary
of funds raised at the tournament
conducted by the South Australian
Italian Golf Club (SAIGC).
It was the 20th anniversary of
the event and a milestone for IWS
as major sponsor since the event’s
inception. The company’s sizable
donation boosted the final result
considerably which will be used to
purchase much needed client equipment.
More than 70 teams of golfers were
teamed up with professionals from
across Australia and played in either
morning or afternoon rounds at the
beautiful Grange Golf Club.
A carnival atmosphere was created
around the clubhouse where players
mingled before and after their games
and took part in various fundraising
activities on and off course.
At the tournament gala dinner later,
MC Scott McBain introduced as a
special guest, a Novita family, the
Cominis. They spoke of the challenges
they and other families face each day.
Guests were amazed at the level of
services needed by the many families
Novita provides services to.
We are very grateful to the
SAIGC for selecting Novita as the
beneficiary of funds raised at the 20th
Anniversary event. Novita congratulates
both the SAIGC and major sponsor IWS
for 20 years of supporting charities at
their annual event. Given our strong
partnership we look forward to the
opportunity of continuing to work with
the SAIGC and IWS into the future.
Major sponsor IWS, the Borrelli family
Star fundraiser
Ethan Schulze
F
or most uni students, the mid-year
break is a time for taking it easy
and recharging the batteries. But for
University of South Australia engineering
student Ethan Schulze, the June-July
holidays present the opportunity to embark
on a hike of the Heysen Trail, and raise
funds for Novita at the same time.
“I will be honest; I spent most of my
summer holidays sitting around at home,”
says Ethan. “I thought to myself, what am I
able to do to help others? I enjoyed doing a
bit of walking through the summer break, then
I realised it was a way I could help others.”
Ethan chose to support Novita in
acknowledgement of the experiences he
has enjoyed in his life to date. “I want to
help Novita as I have been very able
growing up and had lots of opportunities,
and I would like to try to give others the
chance,” he says.
Ethan started his walk from Parachilna
Gorge in the Flinders Ranges on 30th June,
making his way south via the Adelaide Hills
to Cape Jervis on the Fleurieu Peninsula. He
plans to walk 40km every day, carrying all
equipment, and having food and water
dropped off every few days on the track. The
1200km trek is longer than travelling from
Adelaide to Melbourne and just a bit shorter
than Adelaide to Alice Springs!
You can make a donation towards
Ethan’s efforts through his Everyday Hero
page, which he will also be updating as a
blog from the trail:
www.everydayhero.com.au/1200km
Have you thought about raising funds
for Novita? Contact Novita Fundraising on
8243 8229 to request a Fundraising Pack
to 6 get you started.
6 7

Star volunteer
Kym Goerecke
Age: 62
Day job: Semi-retired, works part-time at
Defence Science and Technology
Organisation, Edinburgh
Volunteer at Novita since: 2005
Volunteer duties: I started helping out
with Novita’s Convoy for Kids event,
setting up the venue and assisting on the
day. Since then, I’ve been a part of the
on-land crew for all four of the Mighty
River Runs, the annual five-day boating
fundraiser on the River Murray for Novita.
Why I started volunteering at Novita:
My daughter Kelly worked at Novita and
suggested that I might like to get involved.
My favourite memory of being a
volunteer at Novita: At Convoy, helping
the children and parents find their way to
the correct truck and seeing the obvious
pleasure that everyone, including the
drivers, get out of the day. On the Mighty
River Run, meeting some of the parents
and Novita children along the way makes
you realise why we are volunteering, which
can be a very emotional experience.
The best thing about volunteering at
Novita is: The way that everyone, staff
and volunteers, pitch in to make these
events work.
To someone who is thinking about
volunteering for Novita I would say:
Get involved! Anything that we can
do to help support these families will
be greatly appreciated.
Final word: I am amazed at the
determination and strength shown
by the Novita parents coping 24/7.
They need some time out as well.
The Novita calendar features lots of
events at which anyone is welcome to
volunteer, including Convoy for Kids,
the Mighty River Run, and many more.
Please call Novita Fundraising on
8243 8229 to register your interest.
AFTER THE BAND STOPS…
L
ong after the flash bulbs have
stopped popping, the bands have
packed up and the endless social
whirl has passed, happy memories of a
time long gone reunite former Mrs South
Australia Quest entrants and their friends
each year as they gather to raise funds for
the many children served by Novita.
These quest entrants and supporters
have been working hard for Novita, in
some cases for up to 40 years. They are
joined by many others motivated to make
a little child’s life better.
Each year this lively community raises in
excess of $100,000 through the staging of
golf days, high teas, auctions, and ‘girls’
nights out.
Their commitment to one of life’s most
noble causes: the welfare of children living
with disabilities, impels them to continue
their invaluable work. Their only reward
is the happy smiles of the children they
reach out to help each year and the joy of
families who lives can be transformed by
Novita’s commitment to their little ones.
In recognition of the loyalty of its
Auxiliary volunteers, Novita staged its
annual luncheon in early May.
Coinciding with Volunteers Week, 65
Auxiliary volunteers from around SA
enjoyed one another’s company, with
entertainment provided by Lindi-Jane and
Fluffie-Feline from Snappy Productions.
It was Novita’s way of saying: Thank
You very much for a job superbly and
faithfully done!
NOVITA CHILDREN WINNERS IN STATE BUDGET
C
hildren and their families living with
disability are big winners in this
year’s State Budget.
Novita Children’s Services will receive
$1.5m over four years to help deliver vital
therapy, respite and in-home care.
Welcoming the news, Novita Chief
Executive Glenn Rappensberg said it was
“a great result for the children and their
families we serve and a much needed
boost to support our charitable cause”.
“The Government has reaffirmed its
commitment to children with a disability in
this year’s State Budget and we couldn’t
be more delighted”, he said.
“Every child deserves the right to live a
fulfilling life, yet for some children with a
disability, their right to an ordinary life still
remains elusive.
“National data confirms that children
The West End Mighty River Run
T
he fifth annual Mighty River Run
will once again head down the
magnificent River Murray this
November to raise funds for Novita!
Helmed by Novita Ambassadors John
Riddell (Channel 7, Mix 102.3) and
Jason ‘Snowy’ Carter (Mix 102.3), the
Run has raised more than $400,000 for
Novita over the past four years.
The fun begins on Monday 21
Crew fundraising is off to a flying start!
T
he Motley Moonta Crew of Trevor
Bowden, Ian Hatcher, Terry Logan
and Don Underlin held a highly
successful Sportsman’s Night on the June
long weekend at Moonta Bowling Club.
Approximately 140 guests enjoyed
themselves at the informal function held in
the swank new clubrooms of the Moonta
Memorial Park Bowling Club. Organisers
were proud to show off their new premises
before locals and visitors to one of Yorke
Peninsula’s premier tourist attractions.
High-profile sporting identities Russell
who have a disability are more likely to live
in poverty, live in single-parent families,
experience difficulties at school, and as
they move into adulthood, are more likely
to have fewer educational qualifications,
be out of work and experience prejudice
and/or abuse.”
Mr Rappensberg said the State
Government had recognised there was an
unmet need for personal support and
respite to help families caring for their
loved ones remain resilient.
For many families of children with
disabilities, a common theme was the
enduring and unconditional daily support
they provide to their loved ones.
“However, families tell us they also need
more support to remain resilient. Families
require better access to respite and
personal care for their children to sustain
November – Friday 25 November 2011
with the journey starting at Waikerie
before ending in Goolwa.
Registration for a crew of up to four
people is $1000. Extra crew members
are $250 each. That includes
accommodation, food and
entertainment. Crews must provide
Novita with a minimum of $6,000
sourced through fundraising activities
Ebert, Katrina Webb and Les Burdett were
guest speakers on the night.
Thousands of dollars were raised for
Novita through various raffles and
auctioning of sporting memorabilia and a
travel package, which will count towards
the Motley Moonta Crew’s fundraising tally
for the 2011 Mighty River Run.
Former Adelaide Oval curator Les
Burdett and Port Adelaide legend Russell
Ebert at Novita presenting Sportsman’s
Night donated prizes to the Motley Moonta
Crew’s Terry Logan and wife Kate.
their caring role and more therapy to help
their children achieve developmental
milestones,” he said.
“This year’s budget will help us provide
those badly needed services.”
Following the release of the Budget,
Novita Children’s Services hosted a media
announcement by Jennifer Rankine, Minister
for Disability and Jack Snelling, Treasurer
at Regency Park Centre the next day.
A highlight of the event was the visit of
both the Minister and the Treasurer to
Novita’s Early Childhood Playgroup
attended by 12 children and their parents.
It attracted senior news journalists
from The Advertiser and television news
crews from Channels 7, 9, 2 and 10. A
story was broadcast later that evening
featuring Novita’s Chief Executive and
Novita clients.
before starting out. You can begin
fundraising at any time. Crews that
begin fundraising for Novita now will
receive priority registration.
Please call Novita Fundraising on
8243 8229, or email to Sam in the
Novita Events Team on events@
novita.org.au to register your interest
or find more information. Details are
available at www.novita.org.au/riverrun.
8 9

Wills and Enduring
Powers of Attorney
and Guardianship
Brian Paris and Novita Client Jet Johnson
Masterchef skills
cook up a treat
for Novita
Will I or won’t I?
A
s a father of two active boys aged
eight and four, I understand the
pressures that parents are placed
under in this day and age. More than
often the ‘macro’ of life often tends to be
overshadowed by the ‘micro’.
While the ‘micro’ in life is extremely
important, when time permits, it is
important to consider the bigger picture.
The thought of death or incapacity is often
a confronting and difficult issue to deal
with. This is possibly the reason why, on
average, one out of two people in Australia
die without leaving a valid Will.
In my view, every person should have a
Will (whether basic, complex or
somewhere in between) as well as
Enduring Powers of Attorney and
Guardianship documents in place, no
matter how simple or complicated they
believe their affairs are.
A Will takes effect only upon your death
and can only cover assets that you own
personally, as opposed to assets you may
hold on trust for another person. Unless
you marry, remarry or make a new Will,
your Will remains in force (subject to being
validly made) and is the instrument under
which your assets pass upon your death.
A typical Will covers:
1. Who is appointed to act as executor
and trustee – that is the person/s who
will administer your estate.
2. Subject to orders of the Family Court of
Australia or the Guardianship Board of
South Australia, the appointment of an
appropriate person/s as the guardian/s
of any infant child or children alive at
your death.
3. Who you wish to receive your assets
upon your death and at what age
(including any specific gifts you may
wish to make).
4. Specific trusts
for children or
other
beneficiaries
together with
directions to
your executors
and trustees
as to how such trusts are to
be administered.
5. If you have a family trust established,
who will gain control of the assets of the
trust upon your death.
6. Who should receive your
superannuation payments upon your
death – noting that traditionally such
assets do not form part of your estate.
7. Any directions you might have regarding
funeral directions or organ donation.
Of course, the above list is not intended to
be exhaustive, and everyone’s affairs and
intentions are never the same. Given the
very personal nature of Wills, they must be
carefully crafted and tailored to meet an
individual’s needs.
The ‘do-it-yourself kit’, while initially
perceived as a cheaper option, may in fact
end up costing your estate more than you
think due to incorrect completion, and may
in the end not achieve what you actually
intended. Accordingly in my opinion,
specific legal advice should always be
sought before attempting to draft a Will.
Equally a Will is only half the job done.
What if you lose the capacity to make
decisions concerning you legal and/or
medical affairs during your lifetime? Who
do you want to have the power to make
those decisions if you cannot?
While you have your legal capacity, and
until your death (unless you revoke the
powers and grant fresh ones), you have
the ability to appoint an:
(a) Enduring attorney (via an Enduring
Power of Attorney) – authorising such
person/s to deal with matters pertaining
to financial affairs, such as the transfer
of real estate, power to deal with bank
accounts, to pay bills etc.
(b) Enduring guardian (via an Enduring
Power of Guardianship) – authorising
such person/s to deal with your “lifestyle”
decisions including matters pertaining
to residence, general wellbeing as well
as the power to consent or refuse to
consent to medical treatment.
What I hope that you take from this article is
not a feeling of fear or dread but rather a
feeling of empowerment and self-awareness
which motivates you either to drag out the
old Will (and hopefully Enduring Powers of
Attorney and Guardianship) made countless
years ago to see if they still do the job. Or, if
they are not in place, or require updating
because your affairs have changed, to seek
professional advice to put those documents
in place to give you the peace of mind that
should something happen to you, your
affairs are in order.
If you require any assistance or further
explanation in relation to the issues raised
in this article, then please do not hesitate
to contact:
Brian Paris, Senior Associate
Wallmans Lawyers
Ph 08 8235 3000
brian.paris@wallmans.com.au
R
eaching the finals on television
ratings winner Masterchef (2010)
has inspired Adele Fragnito to
teach children living with disabilities the
delights of cooking for themselves.
Many of us know Adele as the bighearted
hairdresser who has cooked her
way to fundraising success for Novita.
Adele raised almost $20,000 from her own
efforts cooking for different events last year.
Having a son with an intellectual
disability sparked an idea she had to
teach cooking to children with disabilities.
“My son, Michael, started learning to
cook with me when he was seven,”
explains Adele, “as I was passionate
about ensuring he could cook nutritious
meals for himself. But it also helped
with his sequencing and speech
development because of the regimen
of the cooking process.”
Adele contacted Novita to float her ideas
W
hen four-months-old Callan
Costello first had major
breathing difficulties at home his
mother felt her world collapsing around her.
A nurse by profession Lisa Costello had
witnessed the trauma of people who were
suddenly unable to breathe. This time it was
different – it was her son.
Waiting for the ambulance, Callan’s
mother Lisa feared he would stop
breathing totally.
Ambulance officers arrived quickly and
transported Lisa and Callan to hospital
where he was to spend the next seven
months enduring further bouts of breathing
stoppages. It was while in hospital that the
full extent of Callan’s breathing difficulties
were diagnosed which would require
oxygen support.
High school physical education teacher
Andrew Costello is Callan’s Dad. Deeply
shaken by that life-threatening experience
with his son he ran the Melbourne
marathon to raise $4500 for Callan’s
on sharing skills and recipes with selected
Novita clients. Novita staff loved the idea.
Now in 2011, the first of a series of
classes will be conducted given
sponsorship from Festival City
Food, Wines and Spirits at
Albert Park and AIR
Restaurant on
North Terrace.
Adele’s vision is to
run regular cooking
classes for children
and teenagers
living with various
disabilities. She
says focussing on
their abilities in the
kitchen provides an
important level of
independence,
and a supply of
nutritious meals!
Callan’s courage inspires
carers – Novita Children’s Services.
It was Andrew’s way of helping Callan and
2000 other children who rely on Novita for
therapy, equipment and family support.
Andrew is now planning to run in September’s
2011 Sydney Marathon. He wants to raise
even more to help others like Callan.
“Callan has been through a lot in his
short life so far,” says Andrew. “But he is
such a happy and vibrant boy who always
has a smile, everyone who meets him
can’t believe how happy he is and how
well he is doing. Undoubtedly, he is the
most inspirational person I have met and
he constantly amazes us with his courage
and perseverance against the odds. “
Andrew says his family’s experiences
are shared by others. He knows how
critical it is that there is sufficient funding to
keep programs that help children like
Callan on track.
“We are extremely grateful for the
services that Callan has access to through
Novita. His rehabilitation program is
extensive and Novita is playing a huge role
in his continued movement in the right
direction. If you can possibly spare it,
Novita will happily accept your donation.
I ask everyone who reads this to please
think carefully about what you can do to
help,” Andrew says.
Further information on Novita can be
found at www.novita.org.au
10 11

Diary dates
You are invited to attend any of the following
events. Please visit novita.org.au or contact
the Novita Events Team on 8243 8229 for
more information.
Shadowlands
Wed 3 August, 444 Brighton Rd, Brighton
New Era Auxiliary’s 21st Birthday
Celebration Luncheon
Sunday 7 August, Mount Osmond Golf Club
Lollipop Markets
Sunday 7 August, The Westpac Centre,
AAMI Stadium. Novita is sincerely grateful
to be the beneficiary of donations made at
this event.
Quiz Night
Saturday 20 August
Thebarton Oval Function Room
City-Bay Fun Run
Sunday 18 September
www.novita.org.au/city-bay
Walk With Me
Sunday 11 September
www.walkwithme.org.au
West End Mighty River Run
Monday 21 - Friday 25 November
Every week – Novita Bingo!
Marion
Marion Sports and Community Club,
Sturt Road, Marion
Licence
Number
Wednesday 11.30am – 1.30pm (H164)
Friday 12.30pm – 2.30pm (H60)
Regency Park
Regency Park Centre,
171 Days Road, Regency Park
Sunday 1pm – 3pm (H61)
4pm – 5pm
(H64)
6pm – 8pm
(H64)
Tuesday 7.30pm – 9.30pm (H61)
Wednesday 7.30pm – 9.30pm (H65)
Thursday 7.30pm – 9.30pm (H61)
Friday 6pm – 6.35pm (H65)
7.30pm – 9.30pm (H65)
Saturday 6pm – 7pm (H62)
8pm – 10pm (H62)
Wingfield
British Working Men’s Club,
11 Davis Street, Wingfield
Thursday 12.30pm – 2.30pm (H63)
Visit www.novita.org.au/bingo for more details
To purchase
Kids Around Town family
voucher books
This family-friendly voucher book brings
great ideas and savings to families for just
$20. The current edition is valid from July
2010 until 31 December 2011. Purchase
yours through Novita Marketing and Novita
will receive $6.50.
2011-2012 Entertainment Books
For just $65, the Entertainment Book is
your guide to the best restaurants,
accommodation, attractions and leisure
activities, all with 25% to 50% off or 2-for-1
offers. $13 from each book sold through
Novita goes to our fundraising.
Please contact Novita Marketing on
8243 8229 to order your copies of the Kids
Around Town and Entertainment Books.
Soul Deal
Save 50% to 90% on
fantasic Soul Deals
Sign up to www.souldeal.com.au today,
select Novita as your beneficiary and start
rewarding yourself and helping Novita.
Network with Novita
Stay in touch with Novita
through Facebook and
receive daily updates.
Visit www.facebook.com/
novitachildrensservices,
and ‘Like’ our page.
Novita is also on Twitter – follow
us at www.twitter.com/novitastar
Watch Novita’s videos on our
YouTube channel -
www.youtube.com/user/NovitaCS
Novita Children’s Services is a
recognised leader in the provision
of therapy, equipment and family
support services to more than 1,300
South Australian children living with
disablities and acquired brain injuries.
While it costs millions of dollars to
provide our life-changing services,
they are provided free of charge to the
children and young people we serve.
Novita receives approximately
55 percent of its funding from the
South Australian and Australian
Governments. The remaining
costs are generously donated
by our loyal supporters and the
South Australian community.
Your donation will help Novita
to continue to ‘connect kids with
their worlds’.
Mail your donation to
Novita Children’s Services
PO Box 2438,
Regency Park SA 5942
Call 1300 NOVITA
(1300 668 482)
Donate online at
www.novita.org.au/donate
Visit us at 171 Days Road,
Regency Park SA 5010
Donations of $2 and over are tax
deductible. Please make cheques
payable to Novita Children’s Services.
ABN 53 137 537 636
Novita Children’s Services will record
your personal information for the
purposes of communicating with you.
Your information is strictly confidential
and will not be disclosed to any third
party. Please contact our Fundraising
Department on 8243 8229 if you have
any queries.
Novita News
Winter 2011
www.novita.org.au