Read what is happening in our world, your world, and the wonderful disability community in general.
NDIS assessments are changing
November 20, 2025
Big changes are coming to the way people with NDIS plans have their support needs assessed. From mid-2026, people aged 16 and over will experience a new approach to planning that focuses on conversation rather than paperwork.
New app helps you understand your NDIS rights
November 19, 2025
A groundbreaking new tool is helping people with disability take control of their NDIS journey with confidence. The Supporting My Rights app makes understanding and exercising your rights simple and accessible.
Melba endorses Social Services Regulator
November 14, 2025
Melba Support Services is endorsing the current proposal to introduce a single regulator, the Social Services Regulator (SSR), to oversee Victoria’s social services network. This endorsement, however, comes with a caveat. That people with a disability lead the way in this change, and that disability is fully recognised and evenly weighted against other sectors within the social services space.
Arthur Creative Lilydale gets $10,000 boost
November 3, 2025
Melba’s newly established Arthur Creative Lilydale arts program has received a significant boost, thanks to a $10,000 grant from Yarra Ranges Council. The money will fund a 20-week program beginning late January.
Yarning with Tim: Treaty
October 31, 2025
Melba’s Aboriginal Connections, Liaison & Awareness Officer, Tim White, who is a proud Wiradjuri man, shares his perspective on news Victoria has passed Australia’s first Treaty law, creating a permanent Indigenous voice in parliament. “Treaty is a major step toward self-determination and a powerful affirmation after the disappointment of the Voice To Parliament referendum,” he says.
Gongs, grants and galleries – Arthur Creative’s month to remember!
October 28, 2025
Three of Melba’s Arthur Creative artists have been honoured with the Emma Barrance Inclusive Arts Award and their performers have received funding from Ballarat City Council to buy much-needed portable music equipment.
Able Meet
| Join us at the Melton Able Meet on 18 September 2025. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this expo. |
Arthur Creative Art Exhibitions
Join us for some upcoming Arthur Creative art exhibitions and end of year performances. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend these events.
Community forum
We are holding a community forum to talk about a possible new location for a Community Connections day program in Bacchus Marsh. This forum will be an opportunity to share ideas, hear wider community perspectives, and discuss the potential benefits and considerations of establishing Community Connections in the area. If you know someone who might like to find out more, please encourage them to attend.
Everything Disability Expo
| Join us at the Everything Disability Expo from 18-19 July 2025. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this expo. |
Games for All – Online
Join our next online social event. Hosted online by Melba Support Services, this is a great chance to meet other people with disability, make new connections, build community, and have fun while enjoying a few games.
Local Disability Expo
Come along to the 2025 Local Disability Expo at Langwarrin Park Primary School, Northgateway, Langwarrin on 11 October 2025, 11am to 3pm.
Mates and Dates Focus Groups
We want to hear from you! Are you living with a disability in Victoria? Join our online focus groups to tell us what you want from our next Mates & Dates events. Our Mates & Dates events cover a range of in person events that we run across Victoria to help people with disability make new connections, whether that be meeting new friends, socialising or dating. Ahead of launching our 2025 event season we’d love to hear from you about what you want these events to look like.
Melbourne Disability Connection Expo
Join us at the Melbourne Disability Connection Expo on Friday 3 to Saturday 4 October, 10am to 4pm. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this conference.
Midsumma Carnival
Join us at the Midsumma Carnival to explore our stall with your chance to win some prizes. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend these events.
Midsumma Pride March
Join us at Pride March 2026! We will be loudly and proudly attending the Midsumma Pride March in St Kilda to show our support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend these events.
Open House
Join us at an upcoming open house event showcasing Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) that Melba offers Supported Independent Living (SIL) in.
Parents, Friends and Families Workshop
Talking with your loved ones about friendships, relationships and intimacy can be tricky. As parents, family and friends, we often worry that talking about it can be risky.
This workshop will help you feel more confident to have these conversations. It will give you ideas about the best topics to cover, tips for talking and opportunities to practice so you can support your loved one to develop knowledge and skills that give them power and control to keep themselves safe, while also having a fulfilling life. The four modules we’ll cover are:- Introduction and Setting The Stage
- Human Sexual Development
- Tips For Talking and Teachable Moments
- Responding to Behaviours
Parents, Friends and Families Workshop – Melba family and friends
This event is open to Melba parents, friends and family only. Talking with your loved ones about friendships, relationships and intimacy can be tricky. As parents, family and friends, we often worry that talking about it can be risky. This workshop will help you feel more confident to have these conversations. It will give you ideas about the best topics to cover, tips for talking and opportunities to practice so you can support your loved one to develop knowledge and skills that give them power and control to keep themselves safe, while also having a fulfilling life. The four modules we’ll cover are:
- Introduction and Setting The Stage
- Human Sexual Development
- Tips For Talking and Teachable Moments
- Responding to Behaviours
Source Kids Disability Expo
Join us at the Source Kids Disability Expo from 11-12 April 2025. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this conference.
The Disability Events Community
Come meet us at the upcoming Community Disability Expos. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this expo.
The Misfit Project
VALID Having a Say Conference
We’re very excited to be the returning sponsor for VALID’s annual Having a Say Conference. Join us for this exciting event from Tuesday 27 – Thursday 29 January 2026. Melba can also support you to attend using your individual support arrangement (ISA). Get in touch with us today to discuss your support needs to attend this conference.
May 2025
May 8, 2025
April 2025
April 8, 2025
March 2025
March 21, 2025
Summer 2024
November 28, 2024
Can you believe it’s December? As we near the end of 2024, I hope you all take a moment tomorrow to recognise International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). IDPwD has come a long way since it began as International Day of Disabled Persons in 1992. It has grown into a globally recognised and…
Spring 2024
September 30, 2024
Welcome to the first edition of Melba Community News, our new quarterly newsletter. We are excited to share what’s happening at Melba Support Services with you. Yesterday, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten made an important announcement, revealing changes to what the NDIS will and won’t fund. Tho…
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Melba Support Services acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises First Peoples’ continuing connection to lands, waters, and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present who carry the memories, traditions, cultures, and aspirations of First Peoples, and who forge the path ahead for future leaders.