Engage City of Whittlesea
This noticeboard is to promote events, information and projects Council and other organisations are working on that may be of interest to you.
If you have an event, information or project that you would like promoted in this space please contact:
A motorised all-terrain wheelchair is available to hire from the Kinglake Parks Victoria Office.
Trailriders are wheelchairs with adjustable seating and supports, making them suitable for adults and children with varying abilities.
A number of Trailrider wheelchairs are available, free of charge, at various parks across Victoria.
For more information, please go to
For more information, contact Parks Victoria:
Phone: 13 19 63
The Association for Children with a Disability is running free online workshops, to support parents to advocate for their child’s needs at school.
The 2 hour workshop is facilitated by a parent or carer of a child with disability. Three workshops will be held in April and bookings are essential.
When:
Wednesday 24 April, 10am – 12pm
Monday 29 April, 7pm – 9pm
Tuesday 30 April, 10am – 12pm
To Register, please contact the Association for Children with a Disability: education@acd.org.au or (03) 9880 7000
City of Whittlesea is updating our Asset Management Plan that helps us manage the assets in our community.
We invite expressions of interest from residents who would like to join a focus group and have your say. Successful applicants will receive a $50 gift voucher.
Separate focus groups will be established to discuss the following suburbs:
Come along to the Helping Hands Expo to learn about the services and support you can receive to help you live your best life!
Learn about My Aged Care and the NDIS, view the latest mobility aides and talk to specialists.
When: Thursday 30 May, 11am – 2pm
Where: Whittlesea Community Activity Centre
This is a FREE event and light refreshments will be served. Registrations advised.
To Register or for more information please contact:
Phone: (03) 9716 3361
Email: karen@whittleseach.com.au
Are you a supplier of products or services to assist community members with daily tasks due to ageing and/or disability?
The Whittlesea Helping Hands Expo would like to hear from service providers interested in having a stall at the Expo.
This event is supported by City of Whittlesea. A light lunch will be provided.
We will be finalising our list of stallholders by 30 April.
Contact Karen or Mary-Lynn for more information: wchi@whittleseach.com.au or karenm@whittleseach.com.au
This FREE community run support group offers a safe, friendly environment for parents and caregivers to come together to support each other, share information, ideas and experiences and find out about support services. A light afternoon tea is provided.
When: Mondays fortnightly 1pm-2.30pm
April 1, 15, 29
May 13, 27
Where: Mernda Village Community Activity Centre, 70 Mernda Village Drive, Mernda
For more information please email Lou - lou_sunshine@hotmail.com
A new baby sign language 6-week Playgroup Course is running at Watsonia Library.
The course will be delivered by a certified Auslan interpreter. People can also access a self-paced online course.
When: starting Wednesday 17 April, 9.30am
Where: Watsonia Library, 4/6 Ibbottson St, Watsonia
This volunteer, community-run playgroup is for LGBTIQA+ parents, carers, and children aged 0-5 years old.
You will need to be a member of Playgroup Victoria to join. See link below to organise your free membership.
Please bring a piece of fruit to share for morning tea.
When: Weekly on school term Fridays, 10am-12 noon.
Where: Goodstart Early Learning, 412 Main Street, Lower Plenty
For more information, please contact Cristina:
Email: BanyuleRainbowPG@gmail.com
Phone: 0422 245 705
Virtual MyTime is an entirely online peer support group. MyTime is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services and is nationally coordinated by the Parenting Research Centre.
The group provides the opportunity to connect with others from your own home. The facilitator is a parent of a young person with disability and will provide support and guidance during the sessions.
When: The first session begins Monday 22 April at 7.30pm, and will continue every week.
The Department of Transport is holding a Try Before You Ride Day, to familiarise people with public transport and its accessibility features.
You'll have the opportunity to practice getting on and off public transport safely; speak with public transport staff; learn about the accessibility features available; and join a station familiarisation tour.
This is a FREE event for anyone who requires accessible public transport.
When: Thursday 9 May, 10.30am – 2pm
Where: Southern Cross Station, Melbourne
Do you provide care or support to someone in your life?
Do you want to learn more about what support is available?
Join Suzannah Kennedy from Carers Victoria to learn more about support services available for carers.
Where: Thomastown Library
52 Main Street, Thomastown, 3074
When: Tuesday 26 March
1 – 2pm
Bookings essential. Phone (03) 9464 1864 or follow link below.
Program for parents raising children with disabilities or developmental concerns
Envisage is a program co-created by Australian and Canadian researchers and parents of children with developmental concerns and disabilities.
The 5 week program offers workshops facilitated by early childhood professionals and parents with lived experience, designed to provide time and space for participants to connect and share experiences, and opportunities to discuss how children’s development is best supported.
If you hold a pension card, Health Care card or DVA Health card, you can save up to 50% off your water and sewer charges.
To register your card with Yarra Valley Water, please contact them on:
Phone: 1300 441 248
Yarra Valley will also be at Broadmeadows library to talk to community.
Monday 18 Mar - 10.30-1.30pm
Wednesday 20 Mar - 11-2pm
Monday 25 Mar - 10.30-1.30pm
Wednesday 27 Mar - 11-2pm
Do you have a young child with developmental delay or disability? Then you’re probably trying to navigate the huge amount of information out there to find out what supports are available.
Register for ACD’s FREE online workshop, First Steps to Support & Connection. It will give you practical information to help you decide where to start and what your child and family need.
Topics include:
Places are limited.
‘Leading Change – A Webinar for Women with Disability on Leadership’.
Keynote speakers and a panel of women with lived experience will share their expertise in 'leading change', breaking down barriers and exploring resilience, inclusion and success.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of an empowering event celebrating women and gender diverse people with disability.
Are you a parent of a child with a disability?
Monash University wants to hear about your child’s educational experiences.
This Monash University research project wants to learn more about the experiences of parents of children with disability. The voice of parents is crucial to informing further research and policy related to education for children with disabilities.
For further information, please contact:
Fiona May at fiona.may@monash.edu or Professor Umesh Sharma at umesh.sharma@monash.edu
DPV Health are keen to understand some of the issues and concerns for people over the age of 65 in our local communities.
If you are over 65 years of age or you care for someone over 65 years, please complete the How is Ageing Affecting You Survey. It only takes 5 minutes and will help DPV understand the supports and services needed in the local community to improve the lives of older residents and carers.
Participants will go into a lucky drawn to win 1 of 3 $100 Visa vouchers.
Federal government grant opportunities are now available for disability service providers working in employment.
See below for details or go to the Australian Government Grants Connect page (http://help.grants.gov.au) for up to date information about grants related to disability, accessibility, inclusion and equity.Respite Care Service for People with Dementia and their Carers
A new Dementia Wellbeing Centre in the City of Hume offers free, comprehensive support and care to individuals living with dementia and their carers.
Residents of Whittlesea are welcome to use the service and can be any age and from any background, although there is special capacity to work with people from culturally and linguistically divers (CALD) backgrounds.
For more information Phone: 03 9689 9170
Women with Disabilities Victoria is delivering a state-wide Youth leadership program – Enabling Young Women.
The program is designed to help young people to increase their confidence and build leadership skills, including advocating for others in the community.
The program is open to women and non-binary people, aged 18 – 25, helping them to build their confidence and leadership skills.
Women with Disabilities Victoria is releasing a new podcast, From the Outskirts, featuring the stories of 12 women with disabilities living in regional Victoria.
The podcast will be available across platforms from September 09, 2023 and a full transcript can be downloaded at wdv.org.au.
For more information, please contact:
Brigitte Stone
Phone: (03) 9286 7807
Email: brigitte.stone@wdv.org.au
New Parents and Carers Group
My Time is a new group for parents and carers of children with a disability, chronic medical condition or other additional needs including developmental delay.
The group meets fortnightly to enjoy coffee and chats, activities and trips and guest speakers.
When: Fridays (fortnightly), 9.30am – 12pm
Where: Mill Park Drive Children’s Centre
152, Mill Park Drive, Mill Park
Contact Karen Allen on mob: 0411 523 187, email karena@mytimevic.com.au
Free to be Me is an inclusive support group for parents, carers and their children with additional support needs aged 18 months to 6 years.
The program helps families connect to local supports and services and other families on a similar journey. The group also supports you to gain skills and knowledge through play and workshops to help you support your child.
When: Tuesday 12 – 1pm (during school term)
Where: Goodstart Early Learning, 156 Centenary Drive, Mill Park
The North East Metro Family and Carer-led Centre is a warm and welcoming space available to family, carers, friends and supporters of people living with mental health or alcohol and other drug use challenges.
It is available to people of all ages and backgrounds.
The Centre is co-designed and led by people with lived/living experience of being a family member or carer.
Limited drop-in sessions have now started.
City of Whittlesea have a Marveloo on site for use. This is only accessible to people with a MLAK (Master Locksmith Access Key). Marveloo is only available for the use of people who need a ceiling hoist, an adult change table and who cannot use a standard accessible toilet.
Aspergers Victoria is a small not-for-profit organisation providing opportunities for Victorians who have Aspergers, autistic individuals, and the wider neurodivergent community to connect, share stories and information, find meaningful employment opportunities, and most importantly, feel part of a community who just “get” us.
The Access All Abilities Play Program (AAA Play) is a free information and referral service to help people of all ages with a disability to get involved in sport and recreation. The Victorian Government funds Reclink Australia to provide the program.
Learn more about the All Abilities Play Program
Please contact AAA play by email, phone or visit our website:
Email: request@aaavic.org.au
Phone: 1800 222 842
Website www.aaaplay.org.au
