Gippsland Disability Advocacy Inc.

05/01/2026

It's here! Free weekend travel for eligible travellers
Seniors, carers and disability support pensioners can now get free public transport on weekends.

More than 280,000 carers and disability support pensioners, and more than 650,000 seniors can now travel for free on public transport anywhere in Victoria, all weekend.

There’s no need to do anything to access free travel. Your seniors, carers or disability support pensioner myki card will be automatically updated. Simply tap on and off as usual and you won’t be charged on weekends

Get cheaper fares
Concession holders get fifty per cent off their fares.

Check if you meet the eligibility rules below. You may be fined if you don’t follow the rules.

You can buy a Concession myki for $3, or a free Mobile myki online. Learn about other ways to buy a myki.

You can check to see if you're eligible for a free travel pass.

05/01/2026

You can now get free health information and advice anywhere in Australia, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 1800MEDICARE (1800 633 422).

If you’re feeling unwell, caring for someone, or unsure whether to seek medical help, call 1800MEDICARE and a registered nurse will:

listen to your concerns
assess your symptoms
advise on next steps—whether that’s looking after yourself at home or getting help from a GP, Medicare Urgent Care Clinic, pharmacy or emergency department in your area.
For emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).

Why use 1800MEDICARE?
✔️ Immediate support for non-emergency health concerns – the first point of contact for health information and advice.

✔️ 24/7 access to registered nurses who guide patients to the right care.

✔️ National service available through phone and digital channels.

Along with the phone service, 1800MEDICARE also includes a website and app. The service is free, available to anyone, anywhere in Australia - you don’t need a Medicare card.

1800MEDICARE is part of the Strengthening Medicare initiative, which aims to simplify healthcare access, improve service equity, and reduce pressure on emergency departments.

For more information visit: medicare.gov.au/1800.

22/12/2025

The GDA Board and Staff wish all peace,
light and hope now and in the New Year 2026.

GDA will be closed from 12pm Wednesday 24th
December 2025 and reopen on Monday 5th January
2026.

19/12/2025

An invitation for all community members, local businesses, and service providers who may be feeling overwhelmed, distressed, or uncertain in the aftermath of the devastating events at Bondi Beach on Sunday, 14 December, to come together.
Event Details

📅 Wednesday, 17 December
🕑 2:00pm – 4:00pm
📍 Gippsland Multicultural Services
26–28 Tarwin Street, Morwell

16/12/2025

New Wave, Speak Up Drop In Christmas Party in Latrobe Valley - it was fun! We did role plays (thanks Glynn and David), played Kat's new disability rights memory game, and wrote what is important to us about self-advocacy.

Thanks so much to everyone who dropped by - including guests from Gippsland Disability Advocacy Inc., Empowered at GCASA, Life Skills Victoria, SARU - Self Advocacy Resource Unit, Reinforce, Positive Powerful Parents, Latrobe City Council, and some new visitors! We look forward to seeing everyone in the new year 🎊

15/12/2025

Aged between 20 and 59?
You may need another measles vaccine
Protect yourself and your loved ones - get your FREE MMR top-up today

You need two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella
(MMR) vaccine to protect yourself and others.
If you were born between 1966 and 1992, you may have only had 1 dose of
the MMR vaccine.
If you haven’t had two doses, or you don’t know, visit your GP or pharmacy.
No Medicare card is required to get a free state-funded MMR vaccine

08/12/2025

The "World Festival of Magic" in Australia for 2025

Due to popular demand, the Lions Club of Melbourne Markets is offering all Gippsland Disability Advocacy clients, participants, staff and their families complimentary, on-demand streaming access to their 2025 World Festival of Magic Online Show.

Relaxed, inclusive theatre shows with illusions and comedy, designed for all ages and abilities

Available now and during the school holiday period. Accessible to Auslan users.

Click the video link below and enter the password 2025 for unlimited viewing access.

https://vimeo.com/showcase/Melb25
Password: 2025

01/12/2025

With summer on our doorstep, the Bureau of Meteorology has forecast increased chance of extreme heat. Many people will face heat stress and related health issues.

Cooling homes this summer is essential to keep people safe. That’s why we’re spreading the word about two Victorian Government initiatives helping people pay energy bills, making it easier to keep homes cool this summer:

· $100 Power Saving Bonus: A $100 payment available to households with a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card or Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, and a recent electricity bill.

· Energy Assistance Program: A free phone service helping Victorians having trouble paying their energy bills. The service covers energy debt, getting the best offer, saving energy, and negotiating with energy companies.

Both initiatives are open now. The Power Saving Bonus is scheduled to close at the end of March 2026.

25/11/2025

SENSITIVE SANTA! - Ho Ho Ho

The first is 'Sensitive Santa' hosted by the East Gippsland Library. This is a holly-jolly event where children who may be overwhelmed by the noise and hustle and bustle of queueing to visit Santa are able to immerse themselves in their visit to Santa, in a quiet, and relaxed setting that is all about their enjoyment - See flyer attached for further details

COLOUR FUN EVENT!!!

The second opportunity, to acknowledge the 16 Days of Activism, is the 'Colour Fun Event'. A family friendly event at Davisons Oval, where children, teenagers, families can come together to enjoy free activities and join in the colour fun

Friday 5th December 4pm - 7pm
Davisons Oval, Bairnsdale

25/11/2025

FREE WEEKEND PT FOR CARERS AND DISABILITY PENSIONERS
The Allan Labor Government is delivering free weekend public transport – everywhere – for carers and Disability
Support Pensioners, and we’ve built the Metro Tunnel so it’s easier to visit our hospitals.

Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today joined carers and nurses to celebrate free public transport for carers and disability pensioners – also marking the opening of the new Parkville Station pedestrian underpass.

Free public transport will be available every weekend for every Victorian, everywhere, from the opening of the Metro Tunnel this Sunday until Sunday 1 February 2026, when the new stations will be fully integrated into the
wider network.

Now, after 1 February, close to 300,000 carers and disability support pensioners who use public transport will be able to catch a train, tram or bus anywhere across the state for free on weekends – saving carers who travel morethan $360 per year.

Currently carers enjoy free travel on weekends in any two neighbouring zones, allowing for short trips. This expansion will extend free travel to carers anywhere across the state on weekends – from Wodonga or Warrnambool to Parkville and everywhere in between.

Carer Card Holders and those on a Disability Support Pension will be able to use their myki to touch on and off as usual – but their cards won’t be charged. They will need to carry proof of their concession when they travel.
This is another way the Labor Government is making public transport more affordable for Victorians – from next year kids will be able to travel for free every single day and seniors will be able to travel for free on weekends.

18/11/2025

17/11/2025

On behalf of Gippsland Regional Sports Assembly (GippSport), we are writing to invite your staff, volunteers, and participants to a free, inclusive community event celebrating the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) in collaboration with Wellington Shire
This event is designed to promote accessibility, movement, community, and fun for all abilities in the Gippsland region.
Event Details
• What: International Day of People with Disability 2025 Celebration
• When: Wednesday, 3 December 2025
• Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Activities)
• Location: Gippsland Regional Sports Complex, Sale
Program
We have curated a range of accessible activities to ensure everyone can get involved, followed by complimentary food and refreshments:
• Fun Sports: Walking Basketball, Frisbee Target Throw, Co****le (Bean Bag Toss), and Vision Impaired Table Tennis.
• Creative Corner: A dedicated Painting Canvas Handprints area for engaging creative expression.
• Food: Free food and refreshments will be available immediately following the activities.

We would be grateful if you could share this invitation directly with your participants and support network. This is a wonderful opportunity for the Gippsland community to come together. I will also drop by some physical flyers this week
To help us manage catering and activity resources, please RSVP the estimated number of attendees (staff and participants) to this email or the contact below.
We look forward to celebrating IDPwD 2025 with your organization and your participants.
Kind Regards, Mehul J.

mehul@gippsport.com.au
0476 000 304