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SOUTHERN REGION
DECEMBER 2015
In this Issue:
CCS Disability Action Celebrates 80 years
A Few Lines—from the Acting Regional Manager
From the Chief Executive’s Chair
Darryn—motivated for success
Christmas Holiday Closing Dates
Jack’s give it a go attitude
Community Ties
Southland AGM
Moving Around Communities
Pania—Portrait of a painter
Is my primary objective to make money?
Acknowledgements
CCS Disability Action Information Service
CCS Disability Action Celebrates 80 years
What a year of celebrations it has been. 2015 marked 80 years since CCS Disability
Action, formerly known as the Crippled Children Society, was established by local Rotary
groups around the country.
To celebrate this fact Local Advisory Committees in each of the three branches in the
region organised an event for the local community.
As is the way of the organisation the committees thought long and hard about the people
that would speak at these events and each committee arrived at quite a different focus.
In Otago, Adam Hall, gold medal winning Paralympian, captivated a crowd of 70 people
present at the event. Adam reminded us of the importance of setting yourself a goal and
continuing to strive towards that, even at points in time where the goal may not seem as
possible as we would like.
In Invercargill Merv Gillick took the 45 people in attendance on a journey back in time
through his long connection with the Board of the Southland branch and provided details
around Gilmore Lodge and the way in which this Lodge came to be a holiday facility
managed by the branch.
Finally, in Oamaru Jacqui Dean, local Member of Parliament told a personal story of
growing up with a younger sister with a disability who lived in the family home, at a time in
New Zealand’s history where this was not the ‘norm’.
The three functions were well attended and reflected the local flavour of the community .
The functions also highlighted the connection of the local branches to the national
organisation through the attendance of the National Board President, Kim Willetts and
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Chief Executive David Matthews.
A Few Lines from Melissa Smith, Acting Regional Manager
As we draw ever closer to the end of another year, and everyone is rushing around trying
to juggle their professional and personal commitments, I have taken a few moments to
reflect on 2015.
This has been another year of movement in the disability support sector, with the
government running a number of pilot projects and seriously contemplating the way in
which they contract with organisations such as CCS Disability Action. We have been
fortunate enough to have this contrasted, inside of the organisation, with 2015 being a
year of celebration of the fact that CCS Disability Action is now 80 years young.
When you are at these points in time, that you combine the opportunity to look forward to
where we are going and then to look back at where we have been you realise that the
relationships we have with people in the community have continued to keep the
organisation vital.
For the Southern region this has been a year of growth and consolidation with new pilot
projects running in Queenstown Lakes and South Otago and the increase of referrals for
the region into longstanding national contracts. This increase is due to a number of
factors but connections in local communities and people knowing who ‘CCS Disability
Action’ is and what we do cannot be underestimated in this equation.
Our teams in the South go out everyday and interact with the community in different ways
which you will get a glimpse of in pages to follow. From the Education Support Workers
working with children in their preschool years, Support Workers ensuring that people are
able to safely navigate the community, to our Access Coordinator working with councils to
develop the built environment in ways that work for all people. Coordinators advocate on
a daily basis for situations that they become part of that don’t meet the needs or uphold
the rights of disabled people and Team Leaders and the Regional Manager step in to aid
in this advocacy and relationship building when meeting with contract holders and
funders on a regular basis.
It does take all people though—not just those who are paid to be there and that is where
the community comes in. In 2016, you will see a push to look at situations with a
community development approach and we will keep you updated on some exciting things
happening in Invercargill to kick this off next year.
At this point in the year, however, I would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a
safe and happy festive season with those they love around them and to encourage
people to come in to the local office and say hello in 2016. There are always so many
things underway in a branch and we always welcome the input and ideas of those living in
the local community.
From the Chief Executive’s Chair
Since February we have been holding a series of events around the country to mark our
80th birthday. It was the inspiration of our Rotary founders in 1935 who decided to take
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action to address issues for a group of people (young children with disabilities) who they
felt were not getting a fair go.
As a result a network of Branches was established. Eighty years on this work is carried on
by dedicated paid and voluntary staff supported by governance members. Our work is
always focused on the rights of disabled people to have a good life and is built on
partnerships with them, families / whanau and community groups to bring about a more
inclusive society.
We would like to be around for another 80 years if there are still unmet needs. We believe
that what we offer today in terms of services, support and advocacy is relevant to disabled
people and their families / whanau and should be an attractive proposition to any
government wishing to build on the strengths and experience of a community
organisation like ours. We have only got to where we are today by sheer hard work; by
being determined to be at the forefront of change, evolving to meet the needs of disabled
New Zealanders as well as government requirements. We have invested our precious
resources in innovative practice and been staunch about our values and principles. We
will never ever accept anything less than a fully inclusive New Zealand in all aspects of
life. That is what we stand for.
The major challenge facing our organisation is how well we adjust to the new approaches
to funding support currently being mooted by government and the increased emphasis on
individualised funding. These challenges will impact on all service providers in the sector
and we are currently spending some time and resources developing systems to
accommodate this change. In the meantime it is important that we continue to remain
agile and innovative, whilst ensuring we stay true to our mission, values and our core
work. Like all community organisations we are subject to a range of economic and social
pressures and we will need to manage our resources carefully over coming years.
We are rapidly approaching the festive season – one in which we talk about goodwill to all
people. Let’s hope that in 2016 we see even more goodwill and understanding so that
New Zealand continues to be a more inclusive society in which everyone feels valued and
able to make a contribution.
Have a safe and peaceful festive season
David Matthews, Chief Executive
Regional Happenings…..
Darryn: Motivated for Success
Completing the first year of Human Services Certificate Level Two
During conversations with his friends Darryn learnt about a training course Human
Services Level Two. Darryn felt it was time he looked at his options for his future and
wanted to broaden his horizons. He set a goal to become independent and work in the
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human service field where he feels he can use his experience to support other people.
Darryn completed the enrolment form for Otago Polytechnic and was accepted to start in
2015. In November 2014, to prepare for his training, Darryn met with Workbridge to seek
financial support for his educational needs. Workbridge funded part of his reader writer
supports.
Darryn worked out to get best value for money he needed to transport himself to Otago
Polytechnic and use the Workbridge funding on educational support.
Darryn met with the Otago Disability Support Services and the Human Services
Department tutors who worked collaboratively with Darryn to find the best ways to support
him to achieve success.
In 2015 Darryn travelled 45 minutes each way twice a week in the wind, rain,
hail—luckily he had no snow. But he did have floods and he was not able to get to the
Otago Polytechnic course for two weeks.
Darryn says that the support he has received from the Polytechnic course advisor has
been very good and he says that they were easy to talk to and have a good system to
support his needs.
Darryn says the most helpful people have been his class mates and his reader writer.
Darryn say they have a great working relationship “my tutors and my reader writer all
wanted to see me succeed.”
The hardest part of the training for Darryn has been speaking out in a group “the more I
talked in a group the more my confidence grew”.
The best part of the training for Darryn has been getting two ‘A’s.
One ‘A’ was for group work and the other ‘A’ for a speech on domestic violence
completed with his class mate.
Darryn says “The best thing I’ve learnt from this year is that I can do it!” .
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY CLOSING DATES
Waitaki branch closes Friday 18 December 2015 and reopens 9.00am 6 January 2015
Otago branch closes Tuesday 22 December 2015 and reopens 9.00am 11 January
2015
Southland branch closes Tuesday 22 December 2015 and reopens 9.00am 11 January
2015
Total Mobility Vouchers - if you receive taxi vouchers from Waitaki or Otago branches
please make sure you have sufficient vouchers to see you through this holiday break.
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Trust’s grant supports Jack’s give it a go attitude
Jack Robinson is eight years old and lives in beautiful Bannockburn, Central Otago. He
attends Goldfields Primary School full time with the support of a teacher aide.
Jack is an extremely active boy willing to give anything a go, from skiing to kayaking, to
just hanging out with his friends.
Recently Jack was granted some funds from the Ron Murray Trust and this will help
Jack have one-on-one mentoring/training from a world semi-professional paralympian,
Stefan Gaggl. Stefan was introduced to Jack’s family through CCS Disability Action as
he was looking for employment in the disability sector.
The support to be provided for Jack will help him reach his goal to participate and be
included confidently in team sports with his friends and peers.
Community Ties!
Oliver is 20 years old and is supported by CCS Disability Action Southland to live life the
way he wants. At present this involves work experience at a local car groomers and
Nichol’s garden Centre.
Oliver recently attended his school ball and like many teenagers, he was very excited.
Also similarly to other teenagers, Oliver did not have a suit hanging in his wardrobe or any
clothing that he felt was suitable for a school ball.
Following training held in the local branch for staff about building relationships and
connectedness with the community (and sometimes just going out and asking), Gayle
Meijer approached a local business to see if they may be able to assist with attire.
Tony and Christine Green, at Bakers and Beyond, were more than happy to be of
assistance and provided funding for a suit, shirt and tie for Oliver. Oliver had been
previously introduced to Tony and Christine. Tony had given Oliver a visual and hands on
run-down on the process of bread-making, and Oliver and Tony had a connection straight
away— always shaking hands upon greeting.
This is a fantastic example of people supporting others and shows the benefit of great
relationships in your local community. To add to this, when Oliver arrived at the school
ball he was given the opportunity to ride in an ‘old time’ vehicle arranged by local
business Street Machines.
CCS Disability Action Southland’s 80th AGM 21st October 2015
We in the South continued our 80th Celebrations by surprising two lovely ladies at our 80th
AGM with Life Membership. Our biggest challenge for our meeting was to ensure the
attendance of these two important recipients but the mention of one new life member
(Robin knew about Janice’s award) and the guest speaker (well-known to Janice) drew
them in.
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Our two new life members are Mrs Robin Dunlop (on the left) and Mrs Janice Elder and
we really caught them both by surprise when we announced them as our two new
recipients of this well deserved honour.
Our first new life member Mrs Robin Dunlop is the Chair of the Gilmore Lodge Committee
and has held this position since April 2006, nearly ten years. The Gilmore Lodge is our
awesome CCS Disability Action Southland holiday home in Queenstown and to make our
80th meeting even more special, we were able to ask Robin to speak to her own annual
report. An added bonus was that we could (after all these years) thank Robin in person
for all the great work she has done, along with her committee, in making Gilmore Lodge
such a great holiday destination for the people who we support.
We thank Robin for her leadership and guidance that she gives to the Gilmore Lodge
Committee thereby ensuring that Mr Gilmore’s legacy continues to thrive well into the
future.
Robin in her report for 2013/14 said “Thank you Mr Gilmore for your foresight and
generosity in establishing this wonderful facility for those in our communities with
disabilities.
Our LAC committee member Alana McLeod-Young had the honour of presenting Robin
with her life membership certificate and flowers.
Our second new life member Mrs Janice Elder was a Board Member of CCS Southland
Inc, in the days before our current committees (the LAC and LEC) came into being.
Janice represented the Northern Southland Area as the Board was made up by members
from different areas around Southland.
For many years Janice and the Northern Southland Sub-Branch ladies raised funds for
the Southland Branch. These funds were mainly used for the Gilmore Lodge, providing
for the many resources and maintenance that was and is required for this awesome
holiday property.
Janice is a stellar supporter and advocate for our organisation and through her generosity
and skills she has helped us in a variety of ways. She helped out with the CCS float, a
big Boot, that was often seen in the Christmas Parades and Janice and her ladies helped
to make the many flowers that decorated the float. Also Janice was involved with our
Christmas Trees fundraising event which ran for many years.
Janice upon accepting her reward reminded us to make sure we continued to
communicate and let our communities know about CCS Disability Action, who we are and
how we continue to support people with disabilities.
Our LAC committee member Joy Pirie had the honour of presenting Janice with her life
membership certificate and flowers.
Then Joy Pirie gave her own presentation as our Guest Speaker.
Joy spoke about her
own life experiences as she grew up, sharing her challenges and many achievements
and abilities, such as her awesome patchwork. Joy has been on the LAC for many years
and her confidence has grown as she has taken on the mantel of leadership and has
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helped guide new members into their governance role.
to our LAC.
Well done Joy you’re an asset
Thanks for reading and sharing our 80th AGM, we had fun and reflected well on our past.
Let’s look to the future and what we can achieve for our People who we Support.
Kathy Obers (Southland LAC Chair)
The Southland Local Advisory Committee (LAC) would like to wish everyone a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We would also like to take this chance to thank our awesome staff for all their hard work
and commitment during the year. You are a great team and have made a huge difference
to the people we support within Southland and the Central Lakes area.
Thank you to our members who help us and support us as we work through our
governance duties, because of this support CCS Disability Action is as strong today as it
was when the organisation began 80 years ago.
Arohanui everyone from Kathy Obers (LAC Chair)
Moving Around Communities Update
In September The Clarkson Room at the Regent theatre was abuzz with lively discussion
about access in Dunedin. Disabled people had the opportunity to discuss their access
concerns with council staff who listened intently. The council were also able to tell the
people at the meeting of plans to improve access in Dunedin.
The discussion notes and evaluation forms provided a wide variety of information about
the access challenges faced by people with a lived experience of a number of disabilities
including physical, hearing and visual impairment and learning disabilities. People
reported difficulties moving about some parts of the city and using the buses and bus time
tables. Some also had difficulties booking a Mobility Taxi at busy times. BUT many
people said that access in Dunedin was getting better and that they were very, very
pleased to be able to meet with the council staff.
There is not enough room to list all of the information gained at the meeting – if you would
like to get an idea of the exciting atmosphere look at
http://ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/regions/southern.
The main message from the Council staff was that they want to know about access
problems even if it is something that needs to be fixed – such as a pot hole or a more
serious problem. You can do this by emailing of phoning the councils. No problem is too
big or too small.
All agreed that it was a worthwhile meeting and that it would be good to do this again.
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We would like to thank all of the people who attended; it was so good to have you all
there. We would also like to thank the staff from the Otago Regional Council, New
Zealand Transport Authority and the Dunedin City Council. This meeting was made
possible by the support of the DCC Community Development Officer Paul Coffey, The
Think Differently Fund and the Disabled Persons Assembly.
Pania - Portrait of a Talented Painter
Pania Amo Amo has been busy this year, expressing herself by creating beautiful art
pieces that have been on display in three different places already.
Pania is supported by Vanessa Brown at Studio 2 (The Margaret Freeman Centre) to
create imaginative pieces using acrylic paint and recycled materials such as pillow cases
and sheets. Pania chooses the colours that she would like to work with, and uses the
finger-painting process to manipulate the sheets in her hands to create her ‘Avant Garde’
pieces.
Ben, who coordinates and helps to run Studio 2, at first struggled to find a way to get
Pania to express herself. He says that with the help of her support staff, Pania found a
creative way around the traditional style of painting. He comments, “I really feel like we
have struck gold with finding a way to help Pania show us more of who she is, and how
she feels. We really love having Pania come to Studio 2. We sure look forward to seeing
more great stuff from Pania in the future!”
So far this year Pania has entered and sold a piece at the IHC Art Awards, she has had
her very own exhibition at Studio 2 displaying and selling some of her artwork, and is
currently displaying pieces in an empty building’s window in Rattray Street Dunedin.
Her family are very proud of Pania and strongly support this new direction. Jean, Pania’s
mother, says that the family “are really grateful that as a result of everyone's efforts and
the Dempsey Trust that Pania is able to express herself in this way and be able to give
pleasure to those who view her work." Thanks to the Dempsey Trust, Pania is able to
attend Studio 2 weekly for a year.
By Viki Yates
Is My Primary Objective To Make Money?
Of course it is.
No matter what other reasons you have for being in business, unless you’re
earning a profit you may as well make a phone call to the Official Assignee now.
You’re the one putting in the hard yards and taking the risks so of course you need your
reward; your profit. Profit is good. Profits show that our society is working. There is
demand for goods and services so our manufacturers produce goods who in turn sell
them to customers. A new home is wanted, so a builder builds, a plumber plumbs and an
electrician wires it up. Along with consumer demand there is a need for employees to
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produce goods and employees to sell them. So, when our carpenters, plumbers and
electricians are working to build houses, they in turn have wages to spend on the things
they want or need. And so the circle turns.
You didn’t expect a simplified economics lesson from a not-for-profit organisation did
you? As a not-for-profit in today’s world, we have to be as savvy as you the business
operator. Our organisation may not make the traditional profit you’re used to, but we do
make a profit in that we add value to people’s lives. After all, profit is obtained by adding
value to something.
Since our formation in 1935, CCS Disability Action has been, and remains committed to,
creating a level playing field and increasing the opportunities for inclusion for disabled
people and their families. Disabled people want to take their rightful place in our
community where they can participate, achieve, and maximise their capacity to engage in
major life areas like schooling, employment, training and economic self-sufficiency.
Disabled people say that people’s attitudes and behaviours can be as big a barrier to
taking part in society as a physical barrier can be. As an employer, we challenge you to
take a moment to examine some areas of your business. What opportunities can you see
to employ a person with a disability? We mean real employment too, not tokenism. Has
someone in your business recently left or taken on more responsibility? This is a good
opportunity to look at workloads to create a new role. Are you noticeably busier but not
sure if you need a full time role yet? Why not create a part time role and lessen the
pressure on your other staff members?
Remember our challenge? “Take a moment to examine some areas of your business”.
Use the creativity you have that’s made your business successful and create a workplace
that includes disabled people on your pay roll. Please ring or email Paul Arnott in Dunedin
on (03) 4796899 paul.arnott@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
or Tony Kahukura in Invercargill on (03) 2185105
tony.kahukura@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz to discuss what opportunities you have.
Lyle Palmer
CCS Disability Action
Thank you to the following organisations for their recent support to CCS Disability
Action in the Southern Region
Southland
Vernon Hall Trust Fund – for programme costs for Child and Family and Youth and Adult
services
Guy Waddel Charitable Trust – for programme costs for Child and Family and Youth and
Adult services
COGS Southland Committee – $3,000.00 for Service Coordinator and operating costs
Child and Family and Youth and Adult services
The Lion Foundation –contribution toward operating costs
Donation of china for Gilmore Lodge
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New Zealand Lottery Grants Board - $13,000.00 for Service Coordinator salaries and
operating costs
Otago
Mondelez International – proceeds of Cadbury World Carnival event for support services
COGS Coastal Committee - $3,5.00.00 for Service Coordinator salaries and operating
costs for Child and Family and Youth and Adult services
NZ Lottery Grants Board - $18,000.00 for Service Coordinator salaries and operating
costs
Waitaki
COGS Coastal Committee—$3,450,00 for Service Coordinator salaries and operating
costs for Child & Family and Youth & Adult services
New Zealand Lottery Grants Board - $13,000.00 for Service Coordinator salaries,
operating and programme costs
CCS Disability Action Information Service
Te Ratonga Mō Hiotanga
Providing free information about disability and disability issues
What can we do for you?
We provide a wide range of information and resources on disability and about the wider
disability sector. Everyone can use the Information service free of charge. This includes
people we support, parents, families and whānau, health professionals, service
providers, researchers and students. The information we provide may help answer
questions, provide guidance on ‘where to from here’ or connect you with the latest
research or thinking on the subjects that are relevant to you.
Phone: 0800 227 200 (and ask for the Information Service)
or 04 801 0854
Email: info@ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz
Contact Us
Waitaki
316 Thames Highway
Oamaru
PO Box 468
Oamaru 9444
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Ph: 03 437 9005
Fax: 03 437 9021
Email: admin.waitaki@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
Otago
514 Great King Street
Dunedin
PO Box 6174
Dunedin 9059
Ph: 03 477 4117
Fax: 03 477 4397
Email: otago@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
Southland
142 Don Street
Invercargill
PO Box 492
Invercargill 9840
Tel: 03 218 9696
Fax: 03 218 9689
Email: admin.southland@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
Regional Manager
Melissa Smith
514 Great King Street
Dunedin
PO Box 6174
Dunedin 9059
DDI: 03 479 6882
The Local Advisory and Executive Committees and Staff of the Southern Region wish you
all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Have a safe and happy holiday