Growing Abilities Together

18/05/2026

Many of you work hard - paid and not paid, but still find time to volunteer. Here’s a small thank you from the council - register for your free movie ticket at Mt Barker Wallis this Wednesday! Thank you Mount Barker District Council.

TIME TO PUT YOUR FEET UP 👣

Local community organisations and initiatives across the district rely on dedicated volunteers to keep the wheels turning.

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we're inviting volunteers to apply the brakes for a few hours and enjoy a FREE movie - on us!

You have the choice of:

🎥 attending any standard session at Wallis Entertainment Mount Barker Cinemas on Wednesday 20 May
🎥 watching the rom-com 'You, Me & Tuscany' at Lobethal Cinema at 7pm only on Friday 22 or Saturday 23 May

Secure your free ticket now!

Online:

🍿Mount Barker movie sessions:
https://nvw-movies-2026-mtbarker.eventbrite.com.au
🍿 Lobethal movie sessions:
https://nvw-movies-2026-lobethal.eventbrite.com.au

In-person:

🎬 Mount Barker District Council offices at the Homemaker Centre
🎬 Mount Barker Community Library on Dumas Street
🎬 Wallis Entertainment Mount Barker Cinemas

Registrations are essential.

Call our Volunteer Development Officer on 8393 6414 if you have any questions or need help booking your ticket.

This National Volunteer Week celebration is a joint initiative between Mount Barker District Council, Adelaide Hills Council and Alexandrina Council and made possible with support from Wallis Entertainment and Lobethal Cinema.

📷 Katie Anne Photography

17/05/2026

Grateful for the amazing people I get to work with everyday!

10/05/2026

Happy Mother's Day to all amazing mothers, mothers to be and those stepping into the role of motherhood. We know there is no one kinda mum and that’s what makes you all very special 🥰

30/04/2026

Such a fun night last year and will be even better this year 🫶🙌
Register today

Happy Thursday everyone.

A reminder that the Disability Pride Night with OVSA is on:

Friday 26 June at the Arkaba
6:30 - 8:30pm.
Spots are filling up.

Two awards will be presented on the night.
You can nominate someone or yourself here.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=qJuGzk-meEmQRsMjRoM055cNHPnKNY9ElPkYLU7fstJUQlhaS1BSMTA0MzhTVVU1VTRERVlCOVFTNS4u&route=shorturl

The awards recognise achievement and leadership.

In loving memory of Gavin Burner, one of the awards will be named The Gavin Burner leadership and advocacy award.

Below is information about each award.

Personal Achievement Award

A person who has achieved a goal or success in any area.
Examples include: arts, music, sport, community.

The Gavin Burner Leadership and Advocacy Award

A person who has led or advocated for change.
Examples include a person who advocates for:

better venue access, disability inclusion, program development, influencing policy, influencing changes in practice, organisational changes.

27/04/2026

Great info from Sam about the NDIS changes in clear language.

23/04/2026

NDIS reset...

Here's what we actually know.
The scheme is not being abolished. I need to say that first because I've seen the word used in three posts today, and it is not what was announced.

What is changing: The size, cost, and shape of the scheme, across four pillars: fraud, cost growth, eligibility, and provider quality.

The timeline that matters for your family:
From June 2026: Tighter criteria for unscheduled plan reassessments. This lands 7 days after the legislation passes, so very soon. If your child's circumstances have genuinely changed, document it carefully.

From 1 October 2026: Participant budgets for social and community participation and capacity building daily activities start being progressively adjusted. This is the change most families will feel first. If your child has significant funding here, talk to your plan manager now, NDIS contact or support coordinator now.

From 1 February 2027: Tighter assessment of what's reasonable and necessary, new entrants first, then existing participants at renewal.

From 1 April 2027: The new Framework Planning system starts.

From October 2027, families will choose their plan manager from that approved list.
I want to be straight with you: we don't yet know the details of how this panel works or how many providers will be on it. What I do know is that Kindship has been building exactly the kind of operation that gets onto panels like this. Governance systems. Audit readiness. Genuine compliance. We'll be fighting to be on that list.

From 1 January 2028: New eligibility rules apply to new applicants, then roll through existing participants at renewal.

Unspent funds: This one snuck through without much attention, plan rollovers are ending. Unspent funds will no longer carry forward. If your child's funding has historically sat idle, it's time to use it on what they actually need.

Fraud crackdowns: Tighter invoice standards. More evidence is required at point of service. A new provider enrolment system. All of this rolls out from July 2026 through to 2030. Good providers welcome it.

What to do right now:
Look at your child's plan. Know what's in social and community participation. Talk to your plan manager, NDIS contact or support coordinator. Don't panic-pull from programs. (source Hayley from Kindship)

Here is the link to the government fact sheet - https://www.health.gov.au/securingtheNDIS

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is one of Australia’s most important social programs. The NDIS needs to be protected for people with permanent and significant disability and for future generations who will rely on it.

12/04/2026

Did you know … “Developmental Educators are the only allied health professionals with a disability specific qualification, working alongside people living with disability to co-design supports that develop: goals, skills, capacity, connection, opportunities, inclusion, understanding, confidence, and independence.”

07/04/2026

Language is important and can support a child to keep trying or let them know they are not good enough.

31/03/2026

Searching for a creative outlet for children on a screen, discover art hub's drawing lessons for kids covering a wide range of subjects.

Hey art friends! Easter is almost here, and Austin and I are drawing the cutest Easter bunny sitting in a basket! This little bunny is peeking out of a woven...

07/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day to all the amazing women!!