July, 2025 No 8
From the Director's Desk
Greetings Staff and Participants,
It’s been a while since we have published a newsletter – but we do hope it will be monthly from now on. With lots of great content, it should be a good read. From personal stories to helpful articles, or a few corny jokes – there is something for everyone.
Life seems to constantly serve up CHALLENGES –Whether it is sickness or crisis or just getting through the boring everyday. I am learning to be content – whatever state I am in.
And I am working on not complaining. It makes such a big difference to have a positive outlook and look for the good in the situation.
All the best, and I look forward to seeing you around,
Beatrice Airs, Director
Volunteering with Tammy
Can you tell us a little bit about you? I turned 18 this year. I’m an avid AFL fan - Collingwood is my favourite team. I like playing basketball, working out at the gym, playing with my horse Jack, listening to music, gaming on my Xbox and watching horror movies. I also volunteer at Wild Horse FM as an Administration Assistant.
How long have you been helping at WildHorse Radio? I’ve been volunteering at Wild Horse FM for over 6 months
What made you want to work at the radio station? It was an opportunity to do something new and interesting where I could build on my existing computer skills and meet new people.
What jobs do you do at the radio station? I do admin work including Facebook posts, searching for the music libraries and downloading music for our presenters to use. I am also assisting with posting about what’s on in our community. I have volunteered with Wild Horse FM at the Yarraman Heritage House Open Day and the Show & Shine.
What do you enjoy most about working behind the scenes?
I enjoy seeing how a radio station operates and like meeting and talking with all the presenters and other volunteers.
Have you learned any new skills at the radio station? How to use Canva, learning how to access the music libraries and download music
Has volunteering helped you feel more confident? Yes definitely. I used to be quite shy but meeting all the new people has improved my confidence and conversation skills.
Who helps you while you volunteer? My Proactive Support worker, Micheala and Station Manager, Amanda.
What would you say to others who want to volunteer? Be brave and just do it.
What kind of music do you like? Rap and Country music. My favourites Artists include Eminem, Machine Gun Kelly, Tom MacDonald, Adam Calhoun and Luke Combs.
If you could interview anyone on the radio, who would you choose? Machine Gun Kelly because I love his music.
Google Review
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Staff Focus
This month’s training will focus on incident reporting and documentation. All staff will receive the Training Digest via email. The training will include a practice scenario where you will complete an incident report based on the information provided. This refresher helps ensure we all know how to report incidents clearly, accurately, and in line with NDIS and WHS requirements.
· WHS tip: “Report Early, Report Clearly”
If something happens — even a near miss — report it as soon as you can.
· Write down exactly what happened, where, when, and who was involved.
· Stick to the facts — what you saw, heard, and did.
· Good reporting helps keep everyone safe and can stop bigger problems later.
Tabs Talking—
Hello! It has been a few weeks since I saw some of your faces on the team meeting online where I joined you as a guest speaker.
Trust you’re layering up well. I love it when I can get my scarf collection out again. A long-time friend told me she is thinking about becoming a support worker too. She is currently working at a very busy bakery in Dayboro. She is great with people, has a bubbly personality, is a mum of three children, and has more than 10 different pets at home. So I can only support her to make the move.
She asked me what advice I can give her, which made me think! This is roughly what the thought process led me to…
· Celebrate successes: Acknowledge progress and achievements with the participant. Yes, some participants need a list and stickers! Others might celebrate with something they enjoy
· Be proactive in seeking feedback: Ask for constructive criticism to improve your skills. We all know criticism isn’t our favourite topic, but we’re on a journey and learn from our mistakes (at least that’s what we should tell our participants when things don’t go as planned, right ?!)
· Learn about the participant’s background and interests: This can help you build rapport and provide more personalised support.
I am lucky to have a gorgeous 13-year-old autistic girl that I support. It’s fair to say that she can be quite unmotivated but loves food and will help make a simple meal or snack with me and eat it, with any leftovers being hers to take to school the next day. Then there’s the quick kitchen cleanup, and afterwards she’ll sit in the reclining chair under a weighted blanket and listen to some music with her eyes closed—often a big silly grin on her face .
Anyway, I hope the advice might help my friend that is on her way to becoming a support worker. There will be highs and lows for her for sure, but what a chance to make a difference!
Love, Tabs
NDIS FOCUS
Understanding The New NDIS Funding Periods
From 19 May 2025, the NDIS is changing how funding works in participant plans. Instead of getting your full yearly budget upfront, funding will now be released in smaller chunks—usually every three months. This change is part of new rules under Section 33 and is meant to help you manage your budget more easily.
What does this mean for you?
You’ll only be able to access the funds for that specific quarter. For example, if you have $20,000 in your plan for the year, you might get $5,000 every three months.
Is the funding always split evenly?
Not always. Sometimes it will be split evenly across the year, but in some cases, more funding might be released at the start (called “front-loading”). You can ask about this during your plan reassessment if needed.
What if you don’t use all the money in time?
If you don’t use all your funds in a quarter, the leftover amount will roll forward—but only within your current plan. You can’t carry it into your next plan, and you can’t use future funds early, even if you really need more support now. Funds also can’t be transferred back into past quarters.
Where can you see your funding periods?
You can check the details in:
· The participant portal
· The My NDIS app
· Your plan manager’s portal or app (if you have one)
· Your monthly statement (if plan managed)
· Your plan document
Regular Things To Do In...
Our wonderful Support Worker Tanja has created fantastic resources detailing regular activities in various regions:
• Things to do in Ipswich
• Things to do in Moreton Bay
• Things to do in Somerset
• Things to do in South Burnett
• Things to do in Toowoomba
To receive a copy, please email admin@proactive-support.com.au and specify the region you’re interested in!
Joke
Why don’t skeletons fight each other?
They don’t have the guts.
CALLING ALL PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES!
Participants and support workers
What are you up to? Anything exciting or interesting?
Or maybe even a little ‘ho hum’?
Take photos and send to:
admin@proactive-support.com.au Or 0491615649
YOU MIGHT BECOME FAMOUS!
(or not)
Joke
What did one wall say to the other wall?
I’ll meet you at the corner.
Sam’s NDIS Plan: Funding Period
Example:
Plan Length: 12 months
Funding Type: Core Supports (flexible)
Funding Periods: 4 (every 3 months)
Spread: Uneven – only the first 2 periods are funded
Funding Period 1
· Budget: $1,000
· ✅ Claim 1: $400 for 20–23 May → NDIS Approved
· ❌ Claim 2: $601 for 24–26 May → NDIS Rejected
o Why? Only $600 left in this period
o Can’t use next period’s funds early
Remaining Balance: $600
Funding Period 2
· New funds added: $500
· Rolled over from Period 1: $600
· Total Available: $1,100
✅ Claim: $700 → NDIS Approved
Remaining Balance: $400
Funding Period 3
· No new funds
· Rolled over from Period 2: $400
✅ Claim: $300 for services across periods 2 & 3 → NDIS Approved
Remaining Balance: $100
Funding Period 4
· No new funds
· Rolled over from Period 3: $100
✅ Tom can claim up to $100
Can claim for services within his current plan dates but can’t go over the total available amount
Quick Tips:
· ✔ Unused funds roll forward within the same plan
· ❌ You can’t use future funding early
· ❌ Unused funds don’t roll into your next plan
Marketing
Hello, Proactive Participants and Staff! If you have an anniversary, birthday, story, or accomplishment you would like to share, please contact us,
Paula Ward
communications@proactive-support.com.au
Text: 0406940123
