A Note from The Chair
A Word from Wendy
appy New Year. I hope 2019 is a In 2019, I want to meet as many fulfilling and enjoyable year for carers as I can. I will be attending H us all. For those of you who were not EBL’s Carers Forum on 28th It is hard to believe we are already Please join me in extending a very
at the AGM in October, elections for February, and I hope many of you will well into 2019, with no signs of warm welcome to Sue in her new role
all Board positions were held, and be also be able to attend what should slowing. As always, the team at EBL as Chairperson of our inspirational
at the Board meeting in November I be a very interesting day. The Board have been busy and we have so carer-led Board. Together with the
was appointed the new Chairperson. wants to have a good understanding many exciting things in store this EBL team, we will strive to create
The full Board now comprises: Sue of what EBL’s clients need most. year. the best possible opportunities for
One of the areas we intend to look First of which is the inaugural 2019 at this year, is trying to increase EBL Carer’s Forum! This free event We are thrilled to have our new
respite availability. I hope that we will be held at Technology Park respite service up and running in
can provide more information in that on Thursday 28th February and is Andrews Farm. This 4-bedroom
regard later in the year. dedicated to informing, sharing and home is being used for smaller
answering your questions around groups of people with a disability
advocacy, legal planning, housing and allows for those who don’t do
and navigating a world under the so well in larger groups, to flourish.
NDIS. Not only will you hear from a We are also using the house to
range of knowledgeable speakers on cater for the expansion of our Day
the day, you will also be treated to Options program allowing people
lunch and the sweet sounds of the to benefit from the programs on
Sisters of Invention. On top of that, offer. Incorporated in this home is
everyone who attends will go into a a “Sensory Chill Out Space” using
draw to win a weekend away in the assistive technology. We will be sure
Board Members) have walked the Barossa staying at the exceptional to keep you updated on this!
walk, and can talk the talk, from Barossa Novatel, including 2 x nights personal experience. respite for your child. This amazing
H
Chapman (Chairperson), Dawn
Brodie, Phil Donaldson, Tracey
Edwards, Judith O’Donnell, Andrew
Sterzl, Chris Streeter, Betsy Tang and
our CEO, Wendy Warren.
I have previously held positions with
the Innovation Committee and the
Carers’ Advisory Group of EBL, and
I hope to also continue with those
roles. I have an adult son with Autism
and intellectual disability, and my
While things are busy and there
seems to be lots to do, I am very
excited for the future, and keen to
work with our new Board, Wendy
and her staff.
husband is profoundly disabled due
to the ravages of Multiple Sclerosis.
Everyone’s story is unique, but in
some respects I (and several other
2018 was a very challenging year for
EBL. I congratulate Wendy and all of
her staff in rising to meet all those
challenges, and staying the course
Sue Chapman
Chairperson
EBL Disability Services
appy New Year and welcome and experience Sue brings to EBL
back to our quarterly newsletter! Disability Services is invaluable.
opportunity to take some well
deserved time off is not to be missed,
so be sure to RSVP to admin@eblds.
org.au and book your space now!
people with a disability.
I would also like to take this
opportunity to introduce Ex-
president of the Guardianship Board
of South Australia, Jeremy Moore.
Jeremy is a strong advocate for
those living with vulnerabilities. His
with conviction and perseverance. Secondly, we congratulate and expertise in helping our organisation
The NDIS is still not completely welcome Sue Chapman to the develop robust strategies and
rolled out in South Australia, and position of Chairperson. Sue is advocacy practices focused on
EBL still has many clients to support extremely passionate about EBL and individual consent and capacity has
in this area – I know they will make supporting people with disabilities. been invaluable as we enter the
sure that all clients are prepared as She has been involved with the new safeguarding framework of the
much as possible for their first plan disability sector for many years, NDIS. Jeremy will also be speaking
meetings or reviews, as the case may advocating on behalf of the families at our upcoming Carer’s Forum on
be. While EBL continues to grow at of those with a disability, both to the topics of Legal/Advanced Care
a modest level, the need to manage service providers, Disability SA and Directives.
funds, and especially cash reserves to The Minister. She sat on the Board of cover the NDIS teething problems, is the Autistic Children’s Association of uppermost in our minds. SA (now Autism SA), is a member of
the Family Forum group of Highgate
Park (formerly Julia Farr), and for
the last 11 years, has been a Board
Member of the Harrow Trust (Harrow
Housing P/L). Also, a member of
the EBL Carer Advisory Group. I
am sure you agree, the support
In this edition, we will also be hearing
from our Innovation Committee
Convenor, Phil Donaldson and head
of the Governance & Risk Committee,
Betsy Tang on the incredible work
they are currently undertaking. We
work very hard in both of these
areas to ensure that not only are we
leading the way when it comes to
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EBL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER 3