Southern Rivers Community Services

02/04/2025

🌍💙 World Autism Awareness Day 💙🌍

Today, we recognize World Autism Awareness Day, a global observance dedicated to increasing awareness, understanding, and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

This day is an opportunity to celebrate the unique strengths and contributions of individuals with autism, educate the community about both the challenges and triumphs they experience, and advocate for greater inclusivity in all aspects of society.

At Southern Rivers Community Services, we are committed to fostering a world where autistic individuals feel valued, supported, and empowered every day—not just today.

26/02/2025

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐖𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 💙

No two people are the same— and that’s why 𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞-𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞-𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬-𝐚𝐥𝐥. At Southern Rivers Community Services, we believe that every participant deserves care that is as unique as they are. That’s why we take the time to 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬, 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 to provide support that fits their life, not the other way around.

Here’s how we do it:

👂 𝐖𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 – Every participant has a story, and we start by understanding yours. We take the time to learn about your daily routine, personal goals, and the challenges you face.

📌 𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭 – Life changes, and so do your needs. Whether you need more support, less support, or something different altogether, we’re always ready to adjust your services to match your evolving goals.

❤️ 𝐖𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 – You’re not just a number to us. We believe in building real relationships based on trust, respect, and understanding. Our goal is to make your life easier, not more complicated.

Because at the end of the day, 𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐬.

💬 We’d love to hear from you! 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👇

📍 Supporting participants across Melbourne
📞 0416 162 763
📩 admin@southernrivers.org.au
🔗 www.southernrivers.org.au

24/02/2025

🌟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 🌟

A well-structured routine can make a huge difference in the lives of NDIS participants, helping to build independence, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being.

Here’s why routines matter:

✅ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 & 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 – Having a set schedule helps create a sense of security.
✅ 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 – Daily tasks like meal prep, personal care, or social activities become easier with practice.
✅ 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 – Knowing what to expect each day can lower anxiety and build confidence.
✅ 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 & 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 – Regular routines promote good sleep, healthy eating, and social engagement.

At Southern Rivers Community Services, we support participants in building routines that fit their unique needs, empowering them to live life to the fullest.

💬 What’s one routine that has made a positive impact in your life? Share in the comments!

📍 Supporting participants across Melbourne
📞 0416 162 763
📩 admin@southernrivers.org.au
🔗 www.southernrivers.org.au

Southern Rivers is a nonprofit organisation in Victoria offering NDIS support and advocacy that enables clients to engage and contribute to their communities.

21/02/2025

🌟 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭? 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞! 🌟

At, Southern Rivers Community Services we believe 𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞—𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩.

We’re here to 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮, providing the right support so you can live life 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲 with confidence and independence.

✔ Personalised support tailored to your needs
✔ Compassionate, experienced team that truly cares
✔ Helping you build 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞

Your goals matter. Your independence matters. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫.

📞 Call us today and let’s make your NDIS plan work for you!

📍 Supporting participants across Melbourne
📞 0416 162 763
📩 admin@southernrivers.org.au
🔗 www.southernrivers.org.au

Southern Rivers is a nonprofit organisation in Victoria offering NDIS support and advocacy that enables clients to engage and contribute to their communities.

18/02/2025

💪 Empowering Independence Through Support

At Southern Rivers Community Services, we love seeing our participants grow in confidence and independence.

One of our participants, a young woman* in Melbourne’s west, wanted to feel more independent when managing everyday tasks. Grocery shopping and social outings felt overwhelming at first, but with the right support and encouragement, she built up her confidence step by step.

Now, she comfortably does her shopping, interacts with her community, and enjoys outings without feeling stressed. Seeing her gain independence has been incredible, and we’re so proud of her journey!

Every small step matters, and we’re here to support our participants in achieving their goals—big or small.

✨ Need support with daily tasks, social participation, or community access? We’re here to help! Contact us today.

📍 Supporting participants across Melbourne
📞 0416 162 763
📩 admin@southernrivers.org.au
🔗 www.southernrivers.org.au



*Post shared with participant’s permission

17/02/2025

What is NDIS Core Support, and how can it help you?

NDIS Core Support is designed to help participants with daily activities, community access, and independence. But what does that really mean for you?

✅ Assistance with Daily Living – Help with personal care, household tasks, and everyday activities.
✅ Transport Support – Safe and reliable transport to appointments, social outings, or community events.
✅ Community & Social Participation – Support to join group activities, hobbies, and programs that matter to you.
✅ Consumables – Funding for essential disability-related items like continence products or assistive technology.

At Southern Rivers Community Services, we tailor our support to fit your needs, ensuring you get the most out of your NDIS plan.

Need help with your NDIS journey? We’re here to guide you every step of the way! Contact us today.

☎️ 0416 162 763
www.southernrivers.org.au
📍 Supporting participants across Melbourne

17/02/2025

Ensuring the safety and dignity of people with disability is everyone’s responsibility.

Leading Senior Constable Tim Schnepf’s dedication to justice and safety is truly commendable. His work not only led to serious consequences for a reckless taxi driver but also highlighted the importance of protecting vulnerable passengers.

At Southern Rivers Community Services, we stand by the right of all individuals to access safe and reliable transport. Stories like this remind us why advocacy, accountability, and community support are so important.

Congratulations to Tim and all the award recipients for their outstanding service to people with disability!

Leading Senior Constable Tim Schnepf responded to a Triple Zero (000) call from Safe Transport Victoria requesting a breath test on a taxi driver who appeared intoxicated after dropping off passengers who were wheelchair users.

He never expected to uncover what followed.

The taxi driver’s evidentiary breath test (EBT) reading came back at 0.191 - nearly four times over the legal driving limit, let alone the zero-limit required for taxi drivers.

Despite the EBT reading, Tim never witnessed the taxi driver driving so he requested in-car CCTV.

The footage revealed distressing offences committed by the driver that went beyond drink driving, including physical assault, failure to secure wheelchairs and persons while driving.

This prompted an investigation where Tim sifted through hours of footage and made notes of every offence. He identified each victim and spoke with them, their family members, and their carers to get statements.

A total of 652 charges were laid against the taxi driver and he was sentenced to a two-year community corrections order with conditions for treatment and rehabilitation.

His licences – drivers and taxi – were cancelled and disqualified for three years. He was also fined and ordered to compensate fares he fraudulently obtained.

On 3 December 2024, the International Day of People with Disability, Tim received the Ben Bodna Award for exceptional leadership in support of people with disability at the Public Advocate Awards.

Tim was one of six members and two police stations who were recognised for their outstanding service to people with disability in Victoria, and their genuine commitment to delivering services that are inclusive and responsive to people with disability.

The award also inspired Tim to become a Victoria Police Disability Liaison Officer to further connect with and support the disability community in the road policing space.

“People with disability have the right to use our road networks safely, whether that’s driving themselves or accessing any form of transport. I want to be out there speaking with them and helping them feel comfortable and safe.”

Congratulations to all the award recipients.