VillaNEWS VillaNEWS - Villa Maria

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2 By some estimates, more than 65 per cent of Australians belong to a community or not-for-profit organisation. They provide a way for people to engage with their local community, to ‘give back’ or to work for the common good. Villa Maria is a large community organisation by any measure. The capacity to deliver all the services we do is only possible through the combined energy and commitment of our staff and volunteers and our community supporters. Each day, we see evidence of how we successfully work together to achieve great outcomes for the people and families we support. Whether it is facilitating ways for people to pursue their goals through events like ‘Dreams Day’, or developing new ways of providing care and service like Austin Street, each of us plays an important role. Through Villa Maria’s work, and that of many other like-minded organisations and people, we are helping to build stronger communities. So what makes a stronger community? According to Curtain University of Technology’s Research Centre for Stronger Communities: ● Stronger communities invest in community capacity to solve community problems, to grasp opportunities, and to develop community leadership. ● Stronger communities include a wide variety of businesses, industries and institutes that are financially viable, flexible, ethical and committed to diversity. CEO message: Building stronger communities ● Stronger communities utilise and retain capital, value sharing resources and encourage all stakeholders to work together for a sustainable future; and ● Stronger communities celebrate and support inclusion and diversity. There is however a significant barrier to achieving stronger communities and one that all involved in the aged care and disability services sectors come up against time and time again: the continued lack of access to adequate government funding to deliver the services our community wants and needs. No matter how well an organisation manages its resources, fundraises or delivers its services, it cannot build a sustainable future or a stronger community in the face of fundamental problems in the way aged care and disability services are structured and funded. It is sobering to note that nationally, only 40 per cent of aged care homes are operating in the black. The remaining 60 per cent are surviving by eating into reserves and this puts pressure on their ability to deliver the services the community and government expect. Governments must recognise the real costs associated with providing aged care and disability services and accommodation. At the very least, Government funding needs to be indexed to account for the increasing costs associated with the workforce and daily expenses such as food, transport and energy. For years the aged care and disability services sectors have been advocating for change, but in the lead up to the 2010 state and federal elections, we have significantly increased the pressure. We must make our voices heard. In the last issue of Villa News I asked for your active support to help us bring about change. No matter what party is in government, it is up to us as members of our communities to act as the voices for the people who are part of our services. The rights of the individual, regardless of age or ability, are paramount. I again call on you to voice your opinion and raise these issues and join our industry campaigns: Aged & Community Services Australia – “Can’t do it without you” and “kevin87”: www.agedcare.org.au The Campaign for Care of Older Australians Group: www.thegrandplan.com.au National Disability Insurance Scheme: www.ndis.org.au National Disability Services Victoria – “A Fair Go for All”: www.nds.org.au As Ghandi said: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Thank you for your continued support – together we can build stronger communities. Valerie J Lyons Chief Executive Officer
Fond memories for Flora The first volunteer of St Paul’s College says Villa Maria has “more than repaid her” for years of dedicated service. Flora Langford, aged 94, began volunteering at the school when it opened as St Paul’s School for the Blind in 1957. Flora‘s sister had heard that Rev. Br. Patrick O’Neill, who was principal at the time, needed help to run the school and although she hesitated at first, she soon made a decision that would benefit the first 12 pupils immensely. “My youngest son had just started school and my sister had had a stroke so I said I was quite tired and wanted a bit of time to myself,” Flora said. “But then I felt guilty and thought, ‘I have three children who are healthy’, so I went along. In this issue Pg 3 Life member profile Pg 4 Wantirna redevelopment Pg 6 Austin Street update Pg 7 Siblings Program Pg 8 Overseas Aid Flora Langford “I’d read to the pupils and when the children felt my face and the top of my head they said, ‘you’re only a little girl!’, because I was only ever small, four foot seven and a half!” Flora, a great-grandmother of 33, said she enjoyed volunteering several times a week at the school and described Br. O’Neill as a “wonderful man”. Flora’s life member certificate was the last one Br. O’Neill signed before he passed away in 1968. “When my Dad died and Mum couldn’t look after herself, I took her to Villa O’Neill (Prahran) where she lived for about nine years,” Flora said. “I thought I was more than repaid for going over to St Paul’s because I wouldn’t have known anything about Villa O’Neill unless I’d volunteered there. “They loved mum so much and looked after her well. When she died the priest said they’d ‘lost their treasure’.” If you would like to volunteer with Villa Maria visit www.villamaria.com.au/volunteers or call 9855 7600. For more information on becoming a member of Villa Maria call 9855 7641. A copy of Flora’s life member certificate Back in time: Br O’Niell with some students About St Paul’s College Villa Maria’s St Paul’s College, offers a Bridging Program and a comprehensive educational program for students with disabilities and additional needs aged 5 to 18 years. The college is committed to working in partnership with parents to ensure that each student has access to educational pathways and developmental and therapy programs to enable them to reach their full life potential within a caring community. 3
Page 1: Intensive Interaction changing live
Page 5 and 6: No excuses needed to go to the gym
Page 7 and 8: Siblings Program For more than 100

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