Board Members CONTENTS

FEATUREActively seeking improvements for carersOne of the important things we are able to do with the information carers give us is to prepare submissions to governmentinquiries on matters relating to carers and disability, ageing, health and mental health. Carers have given generously of theirtime and knowledge to contribute to the submissions prepared by Carers WA. Once again, thank you.National Carer Recognition Act2010Australia now has national legislation inplace that requires federal public serviceagencies and associated providers torecognise carers. This national legislation ismeant to complement state legislation. Toensure state and federal agencies complywith the Act they will need to work closelytogether. Carers Australia and Carers WAwill continue to keep carers informedabout the implementation of the legislation.National Carer Strategy UpdateThe Federal Government released adiscussion paper to facilitate consultationswith carers and service providers as partof developing a National Carer Strategy.Carers Australia was contracted toundertake the consultations with carersaround Australia. A workshop was held atCarers WA on 17 November with 40carers attending. Along with all the othercarers who spoke about their personal andshared experiences as carers, a group ofVietnamese carers participated with atranslator and raised issues that areparticular to those who are trying toaccess information in other languages.Carers Australia is collating the responsesfrom all the workshops held aroundAustralia for submission to FaHCSIA andDoHA, the federal government agenciesmost involved with the strategy.Carers WA has submitted a response tothe discussion paper. We have alsospoken to several carers who plan tosubmit individual submissions.Submissions close on 4 January 2011.The Gillard Government has advised thatall the responses will be collated anddiscussions held with each stategovernment to ensure ongoingcollaboration and coordination betweenstate and federal government agencies.The Government’s goal is to finalise thestrategy in the first half of 2011. We willcontinue to keep carers informed of theprogress of the National Carer Strategy.An Inquiry into the Mental Healthand Wellbeing of Children andYoung PeopleThroughout October 2010, Carers WAstaff worked with Mary Ford, ARAFMI’sAboriginal Family Carer Support Officer,and a number of service providers, tomake contact with young Aboriginal carersto hear their stories and advise them ofservices available to them.In our submission to the Inquiry,Carers WA painted a clear pictureof what life can be like for youngcarers, both the positives and theharder aspects, and emphasisedthe incredible difference thataccess to support can make to ayoung carer’s life.We extend our thanks to Mary, and to theyoung carers for their honesty andparticipation. The Commissioner forChildren and Young People is expected tosubmit her report for tabling in Parliamentduring the first half of 2011.Secondary Family Support HubsThe Department of Child Protection hasrecently released a Secondary FamilySupport State Plan for 2010-2013. As partof the plan, the Department proposes theformation of ‘service hubs’ comprised oforganisations delivering secondary familysupports. This is an early interventionapproach that seeks to support families toreduce the need for further involvementby the Department for Child Protection.Secondary family supports include someof the services that Carers WA offers, suchas the young carer program, respite andcounselling. We are working with theDepartment to ensure that its assessmentframework includes questions that willassist to identify and recognise youngcarers and match them to the servicesthey require.Want copies of our submissions?Just ask us.If you would like more information aboutthese submissions, copies are available fromthe Carers WA website but please contactDonna Turner, Policy Officer at Carers WA on1300 CARERS (1300 227 377) if you wouldlike a copy to be mailed to you.CARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS CARERS QUARTERLY 1

FEATUREYoung Carer Program UpdateYoung Carer WebsiteSchools Project18-25yr old Young CarersThe new Young Carers WA website will belaunched early in Term 1 2011! Theinteractive site will feature information foryoung carers including news and events,support agencies, useful links and tips onlooking after themselves, plus blogs, videosand photos. The website also has relevantinformation for schools, teachers and families.The website has a “YC Voices” sectionwhere young carers can submit a story,poem or song that they have written. Storiescan be posted anonymously and it will be agreat opportunity for young carers toexpress themselves and relate to others.We would like to thank our Young CarerAdvisory Group who guided and helped uswith this massive project. The websitecould not have been developed withouttheir help. Young carer, Hilary Smale,assisted in writing the content for thewebsite and she did a fantastic job (checkout Hilary’s story about the recent YCNingaloo Trip on pg11!). Stay tuned for theofficial website launch date!In collaboration with FremantleHeadspace, Wanslea and Silver ChainCRCC, we have been working closely withHamilton Senior High School in raisingawareness about young carers and theservices available for them. We haveconducted student and staff presentations,as well as lunches for young carers, eachmonth for the past 12 months. This hasbeen a successful pilot project that we aimto launch into additional schools in thecoming year.Carers WA received a grant from theDepartment for Communities, Office forYouth, to establish a youth lead socialnetwork of young carers aged 18 to 25years. We kicked things off with a cruisewhich inspired plenty of event ideasfrom the young carers that attended.After the cruise, the YC ‘Social-LightsCommittee’ was formed who havedeveloped a series of events that will beheld until June 2011.Pre-BudgetSubmission2011/2012Towards the end of each calendar year,organisations all over WA present ideas forconsideration by the State Governmentwhen it determines the state budget.Carers WA has submitted several practicaland very targeted ideas that we hope willbe well received. The proposals are basedon an analysis of the issues that carershave raised with us. In particular, we havesought funding to provide an individualadvocacy and support service, to expandthe hospital-based Prepare to CareProgram, to provide carer information inother languages, to develop expertise inworking with Aboriginal carers, to expandthe eligibility criteria for our respiteservices, and to create more ageappropriate services for young carers.Thank you to ourThank youThank you volunteers!Thank youA HUGE thank you must go to all thevolunteers that helped out at Carers WAthroughout 2010. It was a big year for ourvolunteers with plenty of informationrequiring mailing to carers, a massiveCarers Week and some great activitiesorganised for the Young Carers Program,all of which could not have happenedwithout the assistance of our volunteers.In the quarter from July to September, ourvolunteers achieved an incredible 796hours of work, which is equivalent to 21weeks of full-time work. The AustralianBureau of Statistics states that volunteersare worth $25 an hour to an organisation(although we, of course, know ourvolunteers are worth much more thanthat!) which means that our volunteerscompleted almost $20,000 worth of workat Carers WA in this period!We are still looking for volunteers to helpout in our expanding Hospital Program andin our office. For further information pleasecontact Eva Tudori, Volunteer Coordinatoron 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377) oreva.tudori@carerswa.asn.au....ourvolunteersare sovaluable...they’repriceless!2CARERS QUARTERLYCARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS

WA CARERS CHARTERCARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS CARERS QUARTERLY 5

CARERS Q & AAsk Jane...Welcome to Q & A with Jane.If you have any issues relating to your caring role give us a call on1300 CARERS (1300 227 377)If we don’t know the answer we will endeavour to find out for you!Jane McKinleyQUESTIONSeniors and Road SafetyI am 76 years of age and needing torenew my license. Do I have to gothrough a driving test?A: To renew your driver’s license when youare 75 years or over, you are required tohave a medical examination. If you have amedical condition which may impact onyour ability to drive you are required tohave your doctor complete a form“Reporting a Medical Condition” which youcan download from the Department ofTransport website:http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20468.asporhttp://www.transport.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/LBU_F_DL_M108A_MedicalSeniors.pdfQWhat other conditions alter aperson’s ability to drive safely?A: Flexibility and mobilityYou may be experiencing reducedflexibility and slower reaction times.These factors can also affect your drivingability and your safety as a pedestrian.Other problems which may also impacton your ability to drive safely or use theroads as a pedestrian include hearingloss, heart disease and dementia.Q: When should I stop driving?VisionEye sight changes across our lifetime,especially into our senior years. It isimportant to wear your spectacles when theyhave been prescribed by an optometrist oran eye specialist. It is also important toremember to have regular eye checks (everytwo years) for any changes in your sight andto ensure that they check for any otherproblems such as macular deterioration.MedicationCheck with your doctor or pharmacistabout the effects of medication on yourdriving ability as they may alter youralertness and response time.A: There is a checklist for family andfriends which lists some key behaviour to look out for. Call the Department ofTransport on 13 11 56 or visit:http://www.ors.wa.gov.au/TopicsRoadSafety/Pages/RoadUsers.aspx#family.ADVERTISEMENTDriving and Your HealthQUESTIONMy mother recently injured hershoulder which reduces her ability todrive a vehicle! She still insists ondriving her car as she is fiercelyindependent. I need help!A: There are many conditions which mayaffect a senior’s ability when driving orusing the roads as a pedestrian. Conditionsor treatments for conditions which maystop you from driving safely are those thatadversely affect:• Perception • Response time• Judgement • General physical capabilityIf you have a WA driver’s license and sufferfrom a permanent or long term injury or illnessthat is likely to impair your ability to drive amotor vehicle, you are required by law toreport this to the Department of Transport. Visithttp://www.transport.wa.gov.au/licensing/20762.asp.6CARERS QUARTERLYCARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS

CARERS WEEK 2010Carers Week Success - 2010Carers Week was held between Sunday 17 and Saturday 23 October 2010. It was launched by Carers WA with a “Carers DayOut” at Langley Park on Sunday 17 October. Approximately 500 carers attended the free family fun day and enjoyed some welldeserved time out and relaxation. Carers Week was officially opened by Minister Robyn McSweeney who attended the eventalong with Shadow Minister, Sue Ellery.It was fantastic to see so many carersenjoying the sunshine and freeentertainment such as pony rides, apetting zoo, bouncy castle and facepainting, as well as a sausage sizzle andlive music. Carers Week 2010 in WA waskindly supported by the AustralianGovernment Department of Families,Housing, Community Services andIndigenous Affairs; Lotterywest; ClaytonUtz; Commonwealth Respite and CarelinkCentre; and Kalbarri Beach Resort.A family carer who attended thelaunch commented that it was ‘anexcellent day. It’s so important for usto be able to attend this event andthe kids thoroughly enjoyed it!’On Saturday 23 October, the Carers WASocial Support team hosted a Carers Weekcelebration lunch at Frasers Restaurant inKings Park for carers who regularly attendthe Linking Together and CaLD programs,and the volunteers who support bothprograms. In total 76 carers attended,which included 13 Vietnamese, 1 Chilean,1 Swede, 1 Swiss, 3 Italian, 1 SouthAfrican, 1 Burmese and 1 person fromBrunei.The lunch was a big success with allof the attendees thoroughly enjoyingthemselves. Carers WA also presentedeach volunteer with a certificate ofappreciation and a floral display.A family carer who attended thelunch said after the event ‘Thankyou all so much for a really lovelyoccasion. Everything was perfect.The venue, the meal, thecompany, and the speeches werea perfect length and it was lovelythat all the volunteers wererecognised’.Carers WA farewells RogerWe would like torecognise RogerHuband, CarersWA Board Memberof 15 years and aleading light in hisadvocacy forcarers. Followingthe rules of ourconstitution Roger, with some reluctance,had to step down. Roger has beeninstrumental in the significant progressthat Carers WA has made over his tenure.In particular Roger’s financial expertiseand general wisdom has helped guide theorganisation to be the recognised peakbody that it is today. Thank you Roger fromthe Board and staff (both past and present)at Carers WA.ADVERTISEMENTCARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS CARERS QUARTERLY 7

CALENDAR OF EVENTSJANUARY 2011Call our Events Team on 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377) to RSVP!(Please book early to avoid disappointment)MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY31 1 23 4ARMADALE5 6 7 8 9LUNCHArmadale12pm-1.30pm13 NORTHERN$15.00 12 TOWN OFSUBURBS10 11VINCENT12MORNING TEABOWL & COFFEE13 14 15 16FEBRUARY 2011MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY29 28MORNING TEA10.30am-12pmKings Park / FREE(New Multi Cultural Carer Group)20ROCKINGHAMLUNCHRockingham12pm-1.30pm$14.5021MANDURAHLUNCHMandurah12pm-1.30pm$8.8022 23MOVIE EVENTWHITFORD CITY‘Gulliver’s Travels’12.30pm-2.30pm / FREE24 25 FAR26272829 307 8WORKSHOP9am-2pmMirrabooka / FREE(Vietnamese Carer Group)NORTHERNSUBURBSLUNCHClarkson12.30pm-2pm / $12.50FREMANTLEMORNING TEAFremantle10.30am-12pm$8.001 2 3 4 5 6ARMADALELUNCH 9 PAMPER DAYArmadale@ CARERS WA10am-2pm, Monthly Draw12pm-1.30pm10 NORTHERNSOUTH$15.00SUBURBSEASTERN SUBURBSCARERWORKSHOPKallaroo(see page 3)Kings Park10.30am-12pm$7.5019 EASTERNSUBURBS17 1819 LUNCH / Midland 2012pm-1.30pm / $12.009LUNCH / LynwoodMORNING TEA10 11 12 1312pm-1.30pm / $15.00 HillarysTOWN OF VINCENT 10.30am-12pm/$8.80LUNCH Mt Lawley12pm-1.30pm / $15.00CARER WORKSHOPCloverdale (see page 3)Warwick10.30am-12pm/$8.80MORNING TEA10.30am-12pmKings Park / FREE(New Multi Cultural Carer Group)YOGAWangara12.30pm-2.30pmFREE14 15 16 EASTERN 171819 20ROCKINGHAM MANDURAHSUBURBSLUNCHLUNCHLUNCHRockingham MandurahBayswater12pm-1.30pm 12pm-1.30pm12pm-1.30pm$15.00$15.00$16.5021 22 FAR 2324FREMANTLE2526 27NORTHERNYOGAMORNING TEASUBURBSWangaraFremantleLUNCH12.30pm-2.30pmClarkson10.30am-12pmFREE12.30pm-2pm / $12.50$8.00Linking Together - Find a group near you! Social Support - Take a Break Carer Workshop Kallaroo8CARERS QUARTERLYCARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS

CALENDAR OF EVENTSMARCH 2011MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY1SHORT BREAK 23 45 Man Land 61-3 MARCAREREventCARER WORKSHOP WORKSHOPPerth Hills TourKallaroo (see page 3)Cloverdale& LunchARMADALE / LUNCH10am-5pmArmadale (see page 3)12pm-1.30pm / $15.0010 NORTHERNFREE (places limited)7 8 SOUTH PAMPER DAYSUBURBS911 12 13EASTERN SUBURBSLUNCHWilletton12pm-1.30pm$9.50@ CARERS WA10am-2pm, Monthly DrawMORNING TEA Kingsley10.30am-12pm/$9.50TOWN OF VINCENT MORNING TEAMORNING TEA Kings Pk 10.30am-12pmKings Park / FREE10.30am-12pm / $7.50(New Multi Cultural Carer Group)14 15 EASTERNWORKSHOP 1516 17ROCKINGHAM1819 20SUBURBS10am-12pmDAY TRIPLUNCHLUNCHMirrabookaTO HARVEYRockinghamBelmont9am-5pmFREE12pm-1.30pm(Vietnamese Carer Group)12pm-1.30pmFREE (places limited)$14.50$9.5021 22 FAR 23 24FREMANTLE2526 27NORTHERNYOGAMORNING TEASUBURBSWangaraFremantleLUNCH12.30pm-2.30pm10.30am-12pmClarksonFREE12.30pm-2pm / $12.50$8.0028 29 3031CARERCARERWORKSHOP WORKSHOPKallarooCloverdale(see page 3) (see page 3)APRIL 2011MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY1 234 WORKSHOP 5 6ARMADALE10am-12pmLUNCHMirrabooka ArmadaleFREE12pm-1.30pm(Vietnamese Carer Group) $15.00PAMPER DAY@ CARERS WA10am-2pm, Monthly DrawTOWN OF VINCENTLUNCH Mount Lawley12pm-1.30pm / $15.007 8 9 1011 12 SOUTH 13 14 MORNING TEA 15 16 17EASTERN SUBURBS10.30am-12pmKings Park / FREELUNCH(New Multi Cultural Carer Group)RivertonNORTHERN SUBURBS12pm-1.30pmBOWL & COFFEE/Warwick$15.0010.30am-12pm/$8.8018 19 FAR 20 EASTERN 21 2223 24NORTHERN SUBURBS SUBURBSROCKINGHAM MANDURAHLUNCH / Clarkson LUNCH / Midland LUNCHLUNCH12.30pm-2pm / $12.50 12pm-1.30pm / $15.00 Rockingham Mandurah12pm-1.30pm 12pm-1.30pmCARER WORKSHOP CARER WORKSHOPKallaroo (see page 3) Cloverdale (see page 3) $15.00$15.0025 26 2728 MOVIE EVENTFREMANTLE2930BOORAGOONMORNING TEA‘Paul’Fremantle 12.30pm-2.00pm / FREE10.30am-12pm YOGA / Wangara$8.00 12.30pm-2.30pm /FREECarer Workshop CloverdaleMan Land EventCall our Events Team on 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377)to RSVP! (Please book early to avoid disappointment)CARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS CARERS QUARTERLY 9

YOUNG CARER PROGRAMHi from Elise & Jess!Wow, what a crazy few months it’s been here at the Carers Centre!Unfortunately, Robyn Forrest moved on from Carers WA, which meant that the YoungCarers Program underwent some changes. We, Jess and Elise, have now joined forcesto become the (Super) Young Carers Support Team! Together, we aim to work withyou to develop supports, link you in with other young carers, and give youopportunities for some respite and most of all have FUN!Jess & EliseHere’s a brief overview of what we have been doing…Jess has been working hard, alongside an amazing group of young carers, to develop our very own Young CarerWebsite (which is looking FABULOUS!) with info relevant to you! Jess has also been getting out into various highschools across Perth to create awareness and educate teachers and students about young carers and the massiveresponsibilities they have. So if you see Jess in your high school make sure you say hi!Elise has been busy working with our 18-25yr old young carers to develop a series of social activities. If you’re an 18-25yr old young carer, check out the calendar of events on our website or on Facebook. This will tell you about theupcoming events we’ve got happening (as decided by the Young Carers Social-Lights Committee).We have also been planning the next 12 months of young carer activities, with some really fun and exciting eventscoming your way this year. We can’t tell you what they are just yet (don’t want to spoil the surprise!), but make sureyou keep your eyes open for e-mails/letters from us! If you are not on the young carer e-mail distribution list, please getin contact with us to let us know your e-mail address – that way you’ll be in the know straightaway!National Youth Week will be held from 1 – 10 April 2011. Carers WA has applied for a grant to hold a series of danceworkshops for young carers aged 12-25yrs during Youth Week. We will let you know if we are successful in obtaining agrant. Stay tuned for more details!Finally, we have had a huge number of young carers of all ages recently sign up to the Young Carers Program –FANTASTIC! We would like to urge you to find a young carer in your life who could do with some support, helpfulinformation or fun. All you have to do is ask them to phone Jess or Elise at Carers WA on 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377)or e-mail youngcarers@carerswa.asn.au.We are really looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible over the next 12 months. If you have any eventideas, or would like to contribute to any of our young carer committees or to the website even, we would love to hearfrom you!Keep up to date with YC events by:Signing up for ‘Web Bites’ – our new YC E-Bulletin (bi-monthly) – make sure we have your email address!“Carers Quarterly” MagazineYoung Carers sectionwww.carersaustralia.com.aufFacebook – search forYoung People Who Care– Carers WA to find us.Keep smiling!Elise & Jess10CARERS QUARTERLYCARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS

YOUNG CARER PROGRAM‘‘18-25 Young CarersNingaloo Eco-AdventureI’d never been on a YoungCarers camp before. WhenI was little, my familyattended a disabilityweekend. All I rememberfrom that was following mybig sister around, being tooshy to talk to anyone. Theprospect of travelling tonorthern WA, and theopportunity to meet other Young Carers my own age, was whatcompelled me to go to Ningaloo earlier this year.I so enjoyed being there, thereef itself, camp food,meditation, hiking. I felt sodifferent after returninghome; I can’t help but thinkthat the trip changed me in areally direct way.We arrived a pretty motleybunch, none of us knowingwhat to expect. Not havingphone reception, Facebook,or the internet for a wholeweek is a pretty big ask for our generation! The peace and space it gaveus from our home life was incredible – I wasn’t the only one who delayedturning their phone back on after the week was up.We spent our days at Ningaloo kayaking and snorkelling over the reef,spotting schools of sea turtles and bright coral. At dusk we’d walk overthe sand dune to watch the sun dip into the ocean, or hike up theMandu Mandu gorge to see it from a greater height.At night we’d share tall stories about what we’d seen that day, listen toour tour guide Hal talk about the history and people of the area. We’dsleep in swags under the sweeping great starry sky.Helpful numbers& sitesCarers WA IncMon-Fri, 8 30am – 4 30pm1300 CARERS (1300 227 377)*, www.carersaustralia.com.au*Calls from mobile phones charged at mobile ratesCommonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres1800 052 222(24 hours a day, seven days a week)The Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres can let youknow about respite services that are available to help you inyour caring role. Respite is a break from the responsibility oflooking after someone. It might be for a few hours, a day, anight or longer. If you need an interpreter call 13 14 50.Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800(24 hours, every day) (5 - 25yr olds)Ring Kids Help Line to chat with a counsellor for free anytimeof the day or night. You can also have a web counsellingsession by visiting www.kidshelp.com.au. Available 24 hours,every day.Lifeline 13 11 14(24 hours, every day) (all ages)Ring Lifeline to chat with a counsellor for free anytime of theday or night.www.youngcarers.net.auVery cool young carers website. Play puzzles, memory gamesand lots more. Enter via flash then click on TV in the virtual room.www.reachout.com.auReach Out! Has lots of useful information for young peopleabout all those topics that are hard to talk about, for example,drugs and alcohol, friends, family issues, bullying.One morning I woke to the most beautiful cloudy sunrise. I went for ashort walk up the red dirt track, the sky changing colour each time Ilooked up. As I walked back towards camp I could see the whole groupand all of our things, and felt such a great sense of belonging.‘‘http://beyondblue.orgOne in five young people in Australia experience depressioneach year. YBBlue is about getting the message out there thatit's okay to talk about depression and get help when it'sneeded.www.itsallright.orgDo you have a family member or friend with a mental illness?You can find out what it’s all about by reading the diaries offour fictional teenagers touched by mental illness.Written by Hilary Smale(Young Carer)www.livewire.org.au (10 - 21yr olds)Livewire provides free, safe and fun online communities forfamilies affected by a serious illness, chronic health conditionor disability.CARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS CARERS QUARTERLY 11

RICHMOND FELLOWSHIPAre you a carer for aperson who has amental illness?We canarrange a breakContact us at:9350 8800 or www.rfwa.org.au12CARERS QUARTERLYCARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS

PREPARE TO CAREPrepare to CareHospital ProgramIt has been a busy time for the Prepare to Care hospital program over the past fewmonths. During Carers Week, there were Carers WA (CAWA) displays across 13hospitals. Thirty seven new carers became members of Carers WA and another 154carers spoke to Carers WA and Social Work staff at the displays.In addition, Joondalup Hospital implemented the program in their two rehabilitationwards over this period. During October and November, over 200 carers were identifiedand supported by receiving the ‘Prepare to Care’ resource pack whilst the person theycare for was admitted to hospital.October – November 2010Health andWellbeing -New Year, New You?Feeling stressed? Stress is a part of ourdaily lives but too much stress can lead tophysical and emotional exhaustion. Caringmay mean being cut off from others andfacing high stress over a very long periodof time. Carers are very vulnerable tostress because of the demands of caring.We can’t always do something about thecauses of stress in our lives so it’s importantto learn to recognise stress and to try newways of coping with it. As well as trying tokeep carers socially active, Carers WA seekto support all carers with their health andwellbeing and we are lucky enough to havesome generous organisations andindividuals that offer their time, expertiseand service to support carers.Australian Buddhist Bliss Mission(Willetton) – offer carers FREEmeditation lessons each Saturdaymorning from 10am.A family carer from regional WA who saw a Carers WA display at a Perth hospital went onto attend a Carers WA workshop ‘Relationships: Tools for Talking’. She recently contactedCarers WA with this feedback: “I found the workshop informative, creative & verysupportive…Hearing people in similar situations at the carers workshop is a great tool &one I would encourage to have more of, to gain strategies for different situations. Chattingduring the lovely lunch & refreshments provided, I felt very encouraged. It was during oneof our visits to the hospital for treatment that I saw your stand at Sir Charles GairdnerHospital. I was delighted to see the care that is available. Once again, thank you”.Endeavour College of NaturalHealth (Perth) – offer carers a FREErelaxation massage each Wednesdayevening from 6.30pm to 8pm. Throughout2011, they are also offering carers amassage for $20. Carers should bringalong their Carers WA Membership Cardor Companion Card as identification.Greenwood Yoga Academy(Wangara) – offer carers a FREErelaxation yoga session on the last Fridayof each month from 12.30pm – 2.30pm.Pamper by Lisa & Tina – offercarers a FREE aromatherapy massage andreflexology foot massage on the secondWednesday of each month from 10.00am– 2.00pm. Sessions are held at the CarersCentre on Lord Street, Perth.For more information about any of theseservices, please contact the Carers WA EventsTeam on 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377).CARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS CARERS QUARTERLY 13

NDISWhat is the NDIS?NDIS stands for National Disability Insurance Scheme and if you’re a person with a disability, a carer or family member it’ssomething you definitely need to know about. It’s a scheme that is currently being looked at by the federal government’sProductivity Commission to make sure that all Australians with a disability get the services and equipment they need no matterwhat kind of disability they have, how they acquired it or where they live in this country.This entitlement scheme would take alifetime view of a person with a disabilitywith greater emphasis on earlyintervention and the kinds of services andsupports that build independence. It wouldbe flexible in response to changing needsand build capacity for moreindependence, a better life and lessdependence on welfare.In April 2010 the national ProductivityCommission held hearings and meetingsaround Australia to ask the Australianpublic how they thought a scheme like thisshould operate and what it ought toinclude. The results of this will be madepublic in a draft report in February 2011.We all need to find out what it says andthen submit comments. You can do this bygoing to the public hearings and/ormaking a written submission. TheCommission will study the feedback andrelease their final report to governmentand the public in July 2011.While all the major political parties havegone on record with their support for anNDIS it’s a big jump from that to actuallyhaving the report implemented. To makesure that happens the whole of Australianeeds to get behind it. That’s why acoalition of disability organisations arefunding a campaign to explain to allAustralians why this is so important andwhy they need to stand up for it. Thecampaign needs carers to be involved inspreading the message both informallyand in the events and publicity we areplanning.How do I get involved?• Sign our pledge and encourage othersto at www.ndis.org.au.• Put yourself on our database to receiveupdates by emailing the WA CampaignCoordinator –geraldine.mellet@ndis.org.au.• Email us (Geraldine’s address as above)and indicate whether you would bewilling to be an advocate for NDIS in yourcommunity.• Put our logo and tag line on yourcommunications; run our news in yournewsletter; or use our flyers at any groupor event you are running.• Ask Geraldine to come and talk to yourgroup about the NDIS.• Go and see your local member ofparliament and tell them why you wantthem to support this.• Tell your friends, extended family,church group, school, sportingassociation etc what the NDIS is and whyyou and Australia need it.FREE MOVIE EVENT • FREE MOVIE EVENT • FREE MOVIE EVENTDo you care for someone at home with an illness or disability?If ‘yes’, then Carers WA would like to invite you and a friendto take a break, sit back and enjoy a FREE movie on us!PaulTwo sci-fi geeks embark on a pilgrimage toAmerica's UFO heartland. While there, theymeet an alien (Paul) who takes them on aninsane road trip that alters their universeforever. Chased by federal agents and thefanatical father of a young woman that theyaccidentally kidnap, the Earthlings hatch afumbling escape plan to return Paul to hismother ship. Rated R (suitable for adults aged 18+ only).DATE: Friday 29 April 2011 TIME: 12.15pm – 2.00pm WHERE: BooragoonTO REGISTER: Please call 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377) to secure your place *Places book up very quickly so please call early14CARERS QUARTERLYCARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS

CARERS WA MEMBERSHIPOPEN THE DOORDon’t forget, becoming a member of Carers WA is FREE for carers! All you need to do is give us acall! You don’t need to renew your membership anymore unless you’d like a current member benefitcard. If yours has expired please give us a call to renew it on 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377).OPEN THE DOORMEMBER BENEFITS• A quarterly newsletter• Information on seminars and workshops• Notification of social activities• Invitations to special events and forums• Carers WA Members only - FREE Health Saver Card for Friendlies Chemists(15% savings on Health & Beauty Products)• Carers WA Members Only - Discounted entry into HOYTS and Grand Cinemas(one carer per card and must accompany care recipient - conditions apply)• Free entry to the Perth Royal Show (conditions apply)TO GREATMEMBER BENEFITS• 5% Discount at Bluesky Healthcare - www.blueskyhealthcare.com.au• Your say about the future growth and development of Carers WA• Being part of a state and national network of carers working for recognitionand better services• Access to special events and tickets throughout the yearGREAT NEWS! Grand Cinemas is again offering Carers WA members who look after someone with a disabilitydiscounted tickets. There are restrictions so please read carefully below to avoid disappointment.Carer Discount Conditions• Disabled patrons attending a movie will receive a concession discount. The disabled patron must present a CentrelinkPensioner Concession Card (Code DSP) or Child Health Care Card* (Code CDA) [will receive a child discount*]• One carer attending the movie with a disabled patron will receive a $1 ticket. The carer must accompany the disabled patronto the same movie, and will be required to provide either a Carers WA card or a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card (Code CAR) andcomplete a carer verification form.• Carers do not receive a discounted ticket if they do not attend the movie with a disabled patron.See above for a full list of our member benefits including Hoyts Cinemas ticket discounts.DONATIONS As you know, we rely heavily on donations from generous people like you.To make a donation please either fill out the form below and send it in, or call us on 1300 CARERS(1300 227 377) to make a donation over the phone.Membership is free but donations are gratefully acceptedI wish to donate (all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible)$5.00 $10.00 $20.00 $50.00 Other amount - $Donation Payment Option:Cheque Please make cheques payable to ‘Carers Association of WA Inc.’ orCredit Card Visa Mastercard (minimum credit card payment $10.00)Name:Address:Card Holder’s Name:Card NumberExpiryPhone:Existing Member (please tick if ‘Yes’)Signature:Date:Thank you for supporting Carers WAPlease forward this donation form to Carers WA: PO Box 638, Mount Lawley WA 6929Tel: 1300 CARERS (1300 227 377) Fax: (08) 9228 7488 Email: info@carerswa.asn.au ABN 38 219 836 631This document becomes a Tax Invoice for GST purposes upon completion and receipt of payment. Please copy and retain for your records.CARERS WA - SUPPORTING FAMILY CARERS CARERS QUARTERLY 15