Welcome to our last Melba Community News for 2025. The next edition will land in your inbox in February 2026.
As we close the chapter on 2025, we want to speak honestly with you. It’s been a year of significant challenge—for Melba, for the disability sector, and for our world. But it’s also been a year of resilience, determination and hope. In this final community message for the year, we reflect on what we’ve faced, what we’re proud of, and where we’re headed. Most importantly, we reaffirm what will never change: people we support always come first.
Make this summer yours!
Summer is here! Now is the perfect time to relax and slow down, try something new, or simply enjoy a change of scene. Whether it’s a respite stay or one to one support to get out and explore, Melba is for you to make this season yours!
Meet John
John has been part of the Melba community since 1992. He knows how to fill a dancefloor as a DJ and he can often be found MCing Melba events. He has big plans for 2026!
See you in Geelong
Melba is returning to VALID’s Having a Say Conference in January 2026 and we hope to see you there. This year marks the 25th year of the Having a Say conference with the theme: “Strengthening our voices for a better future!”.
We will be talking about access to intimacy and how to get the conversations started. If you know someone who wants to go, it’s not too late!
When: Tuesday 27 – Thursday 29 January, 2026
Where: Deakin University, Waterfront Campus, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong
Melba can support you to attend using individual support arrangements (ISA). Get in touch with engagement@melbasupport.com.au today to discuss your support needs to attend this conference.
In need of a holiday?
What a year it’s been! Our Leisure and Recreation crew kicked goals in 2025! From local day trips to Bendigo, to weekend getaways, all the way to our longest adventure ever: 15 unforgettable days in Texas!
Whether it was exploring new cities, trying new food, making memories with mates or ticking something off the bucket list, 2025 was full of fun, laughter and epic experiences.
Ready for 2026?
Leisure and Recreation is our tailored, fee for service program designed to help you plan and set off on your next adventure – your way. We offer scalable levels of support and a range of small group or individual holiday options to suit your interests, budget and dreams.
Join a planned group trip or create your own – it’s up to you!
Coming up in 2026:
We’ve got trips to Sri Lanka, Sydney, Scotland and more in the works. Whether you’re after culture, coastline, city vibes or something completely new – let’s get you there!
The world is a big, fabulous, fun place, and everyone should have the opportunity to explore it. Let’s work together to make 2026 your year of adventure.
Join us at Pride March 2026!
Melba will be loudly and proudly attending the Midsumma Pride March in St Kilda to show our support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
The March is on Sunday 1 February, bring along friends and family to be part of the fun – remember to sign up using the registration link below, so we know who’s coming and how many people you’re bringing!
We’ll send out more info, including start time, to those who have registered closer to the date – we’ll also keep you updated on heat management because it can be scorchingly hot at this event and we want to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Let’s show our Pride!
Your feedback matters!
The Government’s NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee wants to hear from people with disability, families and providers about six specific supports—and your feedback will inform their recommendations.
Inclusion everyday!
International Day of People with disability may be over but it’s not too late to check out some simple tips to make your world more accessible!
What we say matters
Language and how we talk matters, it can be a powerful tool for cultural change, it shapes how we think about disability and influences how people with disability are perceived, treated and included in society.
Creating a more inclusive society
Everybody has a role to play in increasing inclusion. These six simple steps show how everyone can help to create more inclusive communities. Inclusive communities are great communities.
