Everyone at Melba Support Services was saddened when, after 70 years Annecto, a disability and aged care provider, announced they will stop delivering services later this month.
We are working closely with Annecto on what support we can provide for Victorian NDIS participants during this challenging time. Our priority is to ensure the best possible outcomes for anyone who chooses Melba as their support provider.
We have a dedicated team out and about meeting people and making appointments to discuss what services Melba can provide. We are talking to people to find out what fabulous looks like to them, and we look forward to welcoming members of the Annecto community over the coming weeks.
It’s NAIDOC Week and this week, we celebrate the enduring strength, vision and legacy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures — and look to the next generation with pride and hope.
Learn more about NAIDOC Week with these helpful FAQs on our website.
Keep an eye on our socials to find out what some members of our RAP Committee have on their to do lists this NAIDOC Week!
Tim White, Melba’s Aboriginal Connections, Liaison and Awareness Officer, recorded a video message reflecting on what NAIDOC Week means to him.
Time for a break? Chat to us about respite today!
Winter is in full swing, why not book a little winter getaway? Perhaps you want to explore the goldfields of Ballarat, visit Gippsland’s National Parks or the Botanical Gardens in Cranbourne.
We have a range of respite options to choose from for both adults and children aged over seven. In line with Child Safety Standards, adults and children never attend at the same time.
Like everything at Melba, there is no one size fits all approach to respite. It looks different for everyone, from a relaxing weekend to a week full of activities. It’s a chance to take a break in a fully supportive environment.
'I'm just like you' – Joel's story of identity, pride and being seen
July is Disability Pride Month – a time to acknowledge the experiences and achievements of people with disability. We recently spoke to trainee Arthur Creative facilitator and proud non-binary person, Joel, about their experiences living with disability, and a topic they’re incredibly passionate about – sex and disability. Joel’s message is clear this Disability Pride Month: “Treat us like adults. Don’t treat us any differently – because we’re just like you.”
We recently bid farewell to Wray Crescent, a much-loved home of several Melba programs, with a wonderful celebration, which included shared memories, lots of laughs and a lovely chocolate cake. While it’s sad to say goodbye, we look forward to bringing everyone together for the next chapter of the Melba journey.
Since discovering the joy of farms and zoos, Callum has explored many of the animal attractions Melbourne has to offer. This was his recent visit to Chesterfield Farm.
Lunch with a side of accessibility
There is nothing more frustrating than checking a venue’s website to make sure it’s accessible only to find that…well, it’s not accessible at all! A web-based app developed by University of Melbourne student Sabrina Leung is hoping to make this experience a thing of the past. The platform allows users to search and review venues based on specific accessibility features. We encourage everyone to try it out and tell us about your experience. Your feedback could help improve this valuable resource for our community!
Support emerging artists
The Incognito Art Show is back! It’s Australia’s biggest inclusive art event, with a mission to support art organisations and provide emerging artists with the opportunity to become professional. People across Melba, including the Arthur Creative crew, submitted artwork into this year’s show.
The artworks are all A5 in size and cost only $100. You don’t know who the artist is until after you buy the art…you never know you might just take home a Melba masterpiece!
