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

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$4m POOL rehabilitation complex planned for Novita A new $4m hydrotherapy pool and intensive rehabilitation complex is planned for Novita Children’s Services at its Regency Park Centre. Novita Chief Executive, Glenn Rappensberg, says the complex would become Australia’s leading paediatric rehabilitation therapy centre when built. “We have a fundraising target of $1m which puts us within reach,” Mr Rappensberg said. “It will be a place for children to receive important hydrotherapy and give them access to a purpose-built gym and other equipment designed to help them receive the best possible treatment as part of their individual therapy. “The new centre will be a significant link between hospital-based care and community support, as children and families leaving hospital return to their everyday lives. Our pools are accessed by more than 230 children each week and 16 special schools and disability service organisations.” Mr Rappensberg says Novita’s existing pools were constructed in 1976 and were now showing their age. “Plans for the improved facilities will enable us to broaden our services to attract vacation swimming classes, afternoon classes and an extension in opening hours. We will also have the opportunity to provide early morning and evening public classes for children with disabilities,” he said. Acknowledging previous support from the State Government, Variety, the Children’s Charity and Mr Ian Wall OAM and Mrs Pamela Wall OAM, Mr Rappensberg said Novita was now appealing for broader community support. “We know that transforming great ideas into reality demands support and commitment. It is our hope that the community will now get behind our fundraising campaigns to ensure we achieve our goal of raising that magic one million dollars.” 8 INTO RECORD BOOKS H undreds of children living with disabilities and supporters pulled on their walking shoes and walked into the Novita record books in September when they joined the annual Walk With Me event in Bonython Park. Young Novita Ambassadors Morgan Cooper and Riley Stubing joined Novita’s Patron, His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, AC CSC RANR, Governor of South Australia, Mrs Scarce, Novita President, Professor Andrew Downing and Novita Chief Executive, Glenn Rappensberg, to walk the length of the 2.4km course. Thousands of dollars were raised on the day and a record turn-out eclipsed last year’s event. Walk With Me is a community event, run under the auspices of Ability First Australia (AFA), which celebrates ability and encourages social inclusion for children living with disabilities and their families. “Take a step towards making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities… come Walk With Me!” was the theme of Walk With Me 2011. This national event raises funds for respite services for people with disabilities and their families. The event celebrates the abilities of people with disabilities and gives you the chance to walk side by side with friends, sponsors, supporters and clients of the member organisations. “We were delighted with the outcome,” Mr Rappensberg said. “So many families came and took part in a leisurely 45-minute walk around the Park and then joined Novita staff, clients and other participants for a Picnic in the Park”. “Free family activities featured John Hughes, MasterChef top 50 contestant, Series 3, who showcased his cooking talents. Children’s entertainment included interactive children’s band, Rockin’ Rocky and Lindi-Jane, clowns, face painting, air brush tattoo artists, crazy hair stylists, balloon twisters and roving puppets. Plans are under way for another event later this year. Check the AFA website for details www.abilityfirstaustralia.com.au
New Director Client Services N ovita’s new Director Client Services, Julie Astley, is relishing her new job at Novita. “I want to have a positive impact on a greater number of children and their families in helping them connect with their worlds in a way that just has not been possible in previous positions that I have held,” Julie says. “I believe the diversity of my experience in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors will enable me to introduce a variety of approaches that can be used to assist kids to achieve their potential.” Julie’s expertise is significant. In a career spanning 25 years, she has occupied senior leadership, management and clinical physiotherapy positions in local and international government, not-for-profit and private health organisations. During the past nine years, Julie has enjoyed proven success within the private children’s health sector in Adelaide as founder of Child’s Play Physiotherapy & Aquatics for Kids. Child’s Play started in January 2002 with Julie as its sole practitioner. It has grown through the skills of Julie, along with the talents and skills of physiotherapists and practice management and support staff, to provide physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and swim instruction services to more than 200 special needs children each week. From 1995-2000 Julie was Allied Health Divisional Chief at the Women’s & Children’s Hospital. This involved the strategic leadership and management of more than 200 staff in the fields of Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Speech Pathology and Orthotics. Julie’s clinical and business system interest in the fields of children’s health, education and disability started in her two-year tenure at Methodist Hospital Rehabilitation Institute in West Texas. During 1993-1995 Julie held several positions including Director of Outpatient Services and Lead Physiotherapist. She brings to her new role a comprehensive understanding of the importance of enhancing Novita’s professional relationships with key players in the childhood disability service industry. Asked what she would like to have achieved within her first 12 months, Julie responded by saying she wanted to identify the strengths of Novita Children’s Services. Julie said she would like to seek out opportunities for improving and building on those strengths by working with Client Services to develop staff action plans which would enhance Novita’s service delivery within the health, education and disability arenas. Christmas delights and treats for Novita youngsters C hristmas fairies, ice cream, face painters and dancers lit up the faces of dozens of youngsters at Novita’s annual Client Christmas Party at Regency Park Centre. Queues to see Santa snaked all the way from his den along corridors and around corners and finally out the front door of Novita’s main entrance at Regency Park. Everybody wanted to say hello and put in their special order for Christmas Day. Novita staff, together with volunteers, worked on barbecues and stalls handing out a colourful assortment of fruit, jellies and slices of bread wrapped around hot brown sausages splashed with loads of sauce. Entertainment by dancers, musicians and pony rides rounded out a joyful, warm afternoon that started at 4.00 pm and ended at 7.00 pm. Giggling children ran around clutching show bags generously donated by major Christmas Party sponsor Robern Menz. Novita Chief Executive, Glenn Rappensberg, thanked the sponsors who helped make the day a resounding success. “Two other people who really need to be thanked are Chris Watson, who sourced a significant donation to fund the event when he approached his peers in industry and who was also responsible for all the packaged food and lollies with his wife, Sue Watson, President of the New Era Auxiliary, both great supporters of Novita,” Glenn said. “I would like to thank also Phil Sims, Managing Director of Robern Menz, a long time supporter of Novita, both through this event and Bingo. For our Children’s Christmas Party he provided 400 showbags that were selling for $20 at the Royal Show – all at no charge. He also gave great support to Carols by Candlelight of which Novita was a beneficiary. “Michael Evans, from Noises, one of our entertainers, significantly discounted his show in support of Novita. And our gratitude is extended to Mosaic Audio Visual, who supplied all the sound equipment free of charge. I must mention also Broadway for Kids who performed free of charge,” Glenn said. “We can’t wait to do it all again next year.” 9
Page 1 and 2: THE OFFICIAL NOVITA NEWSLETTER / VO
Page 3 and 4: Greater choice for people with a di
Page 5 and 6: GRADUATES’ BIG DAY OUT T he gradu
Page 7: A special night FOR SPONSORS AND SU
Page 11 and 12: Dining among the roses at Carrick H

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

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