Distinctive Options

28/11/2025

Knowing how to cook is an essential life skill — it saves you money 💰, time ⏱️, and best of all, you get the satisfaction of enjoying something you made yourself! 🍽️✨

Bendigo’s Baking and Cake Decorating group has been busy creating some incredibly creative (and delicious!) treats 🍰😋.

Ella and the team have been hard at work baking everything from biscuits 🍪 and cupcakes 🧁 to mud cakes 🎂, slices 🍫, and even savoury muffins 🧀.

Can you spot the Remembrance Day biscuit? ❤️🌺
How about the spooky Halloween spider cupcake? 🕷️🧁

With buttercream, fondant, marshmallows, liquorice — and a whole lot of imagination — there are no limits to what you can create! 🎨✨👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

27/11/2025

Did you know that some of our participants are serving up hearty burgers and refreshing drinks at The Do Food Truck on McDougall Rd in Sunbury?

It's all part of our commitment to supporting people to build hospitality skills in real workplaces through supported employment.

If you haven't yet met Kevin and the crew, treat yourself to a classic toastie or burger next time you're down this end of town!

The Do Food Truck: 50 McDougall Rd, Sunbury - that's the road behind the big hardware store!!!

Mon-Fri 7.30am-2.30pm.

See you soon!!!

🔥 $7 Beef & Bacon Burgers! 🔥

Freshly made, juicy, and cooked to order by the friendliest crew around. Whether you’re a regular or it’s your first visit, we’ve got a burger waiting for you!

Come grab this everyday favourite — your taste buds (and your wallet) will thank you.
The Do Food Truck — Arrive hungry, leave happy. 😋

26/11/2025

🌿 A beautiful day out for Amber! 🌿

Amber from Distinctive Options loves getting out and exploring her community, and today she chose the lovely little country town of Metcalfe, where she spent time discovering the stunning Cascades.

Before heading out, Amber was assisted to prepare her own picnic lunch — another great step in building her independent living skills.

Being surrounded by nature brought her a real sense of peace, especially when life gets busy. 💚

Amber also showed fantastic independence by using Google Maps to navigate the trip to Metcalfe, with support from her Individual Support Worker, Jacquie.

What a wonderful day of learning, exploring, and connecting! 🌟✨

See our website to learn more about Independent Living Supports:
https://www.distinctiveoptions.com.au/our-services/independent-living-supports

25/11/2025

Free performances in Sunbury and Kyneton next week - book now!

Celebrate International Day of People with Disability with a powerful theatrical production that brings disability rights to life through storytelling.

Some of our participants are performing with this production and would love you to come along to enjoy the experience and join in a post-show discussion.

See the booking link in the original post shared here.

Join us to celebrate International Day of People with Disability with the launch of a powerful new theatrical production that brings disability rights to life through authentic storytelling.

For all the details and to book your place: https://sunburycobaw.org.au/my-story/

NDIS National Disability Insurance Scheme
Macedon Ranges Shire Council

23/11/2025

Open studio night!

Join us at Distinctive Options Sunbury for Open Studio Night on Thursday 4th December, 5–7pm and experience DO Connect creativity like never before.

Think art pieces, ceramics, sculptures, film, music, a brand-new mural by Ginger Taylor and mouth-watering snacks from our legendary Masterchef Crew. 👩‍🍳🔥

Grab a gold coin, bring your friends, and come soak up the visual delights on offer — this is one night you won’t want to miss. 💜🧡 💚

Address: 24 Macedon St, Sunbury.
Date: Thursday 4th December 2025
Time: 5pm to 7pm.

🕺 Make sure you RSVP via the QR code on the flyer or use this link:
https:/ /forms.office.com/r/4qY5e82N9h

21/11/2025

Cameron chose to take the V/Line train to Bendigo so he could see the trams in action! 🚆🚋

He wanted to visit the Bendigo Tramways Museum & Café, and afterwards enjoyed a relaxing self-guided walk along Back Creek.

One of his favourite discoveries was a beautiful front-yard veggie garden, full of big tomato plants and flowering native bottlebrush. 🍅🌿✨

Cameron was supported by ILS Support Worker Jacquie at Distinctive Options, who is helping him build his travel confidence — she loved seeing his growing initiative as he came up with ideas for the day. 💛

Great job, Cameron! 👏🌟

19/11/2025

History and geology ROCK! 🪨✨

Our Bendigo Prospecting and Outdoors Group at Distinctive Options recently visited the stunning Pink Cliffs in Heathcote.

Participants enjoyed a relaxing bushwalk, explored the one-of-a-kind rock formations, and chatted about the area’s fascinating gold-mining history.

This colourful landscape was shaped in the 1880s, when sluicing works from early miners revealed the iconic “pink” hills we see today.

Adventures like this help our participants build confidence, learn new things, stay active, and enjoy the great outdoors together. 🌿💛

17/11/2025

🎉 Finals time at the Tri-State Games! 🏅

Big shoutout to our medal-winning athletes from DO Galaxy—you made us proud!
Now for something fun…

🎩 Can you guess the theme of the after-event party? Let’s just say: hats required!
Make sure to watch to the end to find out who went all in on their costume!

Thanks for hanging with us throughout the 2025 Games.
See you next year! 👋

17/11/2025

Drum roll please..........

The Do Food Truck is now live on Facebook with its own page and Lachlan can't wait to share the news!!

14/11/2025

Our Bairnsdale team have an exciting opportunity at The Brew Crew Cafe

Feel free to share this with those who may be interested!

Exciting new opportunity in Bairnsdale!
Full time COOK wanted at The Brew Crew Cafe
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
⭐️Prepare and deliver high-quality meals and catering.
⭐️Ensure Food Safety standards are met.
⭐️Support, train, and include supported employees in a welcoming café environment
⭐️Help foster skill development and engagement aligned with NDIS employment goals

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
⭐️Experience in a café, catering, or commercial kitchen setting.
⭐️Certificate III (or higher) in Commercial Cookery or equivalent experience.
⭐️Empathetic, inclusive approach to working alongside people with disabilities.
⭐️Effective communication and teamwork skills.
⭐️Commitment to Distinctive Options’ values and purpose-driven approach to supported employment.
⭐️NDIS Worker Screening Check

WHAT WE OFFER:
At The Brew Crew Cafe, we are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment that values the contributions of our team.
ABOUT US:
The Brew Crew Cafe is a social enterprise by Distinctive Options which is an NDIS registered provider of disability support services in Victoria. Our mission is to empower individuals living with a disability to live their best lives, and we are passionate about creating an inclusive and welcoming community for all.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US:
Check out our website 👉
https://www.distinctiveoptions.com.au/our-enterprises/the-brew-crew-cafe

LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ROLE?
📩 For a copy of the Position description please email Roxanne McKerral, HR Business Partner, roxanne.mckerral@d-o.com.au
For a confidential discussion and to find out more information about the position please contact Jane O'Leary, Social Enterprises and Employment Manager on 0497 018 531.

TO APPLY:
If you share our values and are ready to make a difference, we encourage you to apply for this role by clicking on the link below:
👉https://www.distinctiveoptions.com.au/get-involved/work-with-us

OR VIA SEEK:
https://www.seek.com.au/job/88503401?ref=search-standalone&type=standard&origin=jobTitle =9f5063d485f1a3a7925fcf5c7916cfdf1ead403c

We can't wait to hear from you!

07/11/2025

🏇🎉 Hats off to an unforgettable Melbourne Cup Celebration at Sunbury Memorial Hall!

Organised by our amazing R&R (Rights and Responsibilities) team and dedicated support staff, the day was packed with fun and laughter!

From Fashions on the Field and the legendary staff horse race, to a delicious lunch served by the DO Food Truck, there was something for everyone to enjoy. 😋

We were also treated to live music from support worker Francis and his fantastic band — what a performance! 🎶

👏 Congratulations to our Best Dressed winners: Maurice, Victoria, and Louise!

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us — what a brilliant way to come together and celebrate in true DO style! 💐🍴✨

07/11/2025

🌟 Kyneton Cup Day 🐎✨

Ever wondered why being a Support Worker is so rewarding?

Tuula recently supported Adam on a trip to the races — and what a fantastic day it was!

“Adam was dressed and excited when I arrived — we shared a laugh, then headed off in our taxi. By 11:45 we were at the track, coffee in hand. Adam placed his first punt and we found a perfect spot on the lawn with a great view of the races.”

“Adam caught up with a few friends, tried paella for the first time (and loved it!), and we explored the Grandstand for photos and the amazing view. Even without a winning bet, Adam was smiling all day.”

“After the main race, we got our taxi and made it home around 6:40pm. Adam changed into comfy clothes, dinner was ready, and I left at 7pm.”

A simple day out — full of laughter, friendship, and new experiences. 💕
Moments like these remind us why support work truly matters.