Read what is happening in our world, your world, and the wonderful disability community in general.
Council approves Disability Inclusion Action Plan
April 29, 2025
The City of Casey has voted unanimously to implement its proposed Disability Inclusion Action Plan, designed to foster an inclusive community. Serving as a four-year roadmap to embed accessibility, inclusion and equity in everyday council services, policy and infrastructure, the DIAP is emphasising the ease of access.
Welcome Dr Sonia Sharp: Melba’s New Chair of the Board
April 17, 2025
We’re excited to share some important news about Melba’s leadership. Dr Sonia Sharp has officially stepped into the role of Chair of the Board, following the recent departure of Andrew Cairns. Sonia joins Melba with a wealth of experience and a deep passion for inclusion and human rights.
Farewell and gratitude to Andrew Cairns, Chair of the Board
April 4, 2025
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the departure of Andrew Cairns, Chair of our Board, who will be stepping down from his position due to an overseas relocation.
Navigating two journeys: Tristan on disability and gender identity
March 31, 2025
For Tristan, life has been defined by two profound journeys: coming to terms with his gender identity and adapting to life with quadriplegia. His story of resilience and self-discovery offers powerful insights for those navigating similar paths.
Ensuring safety: the critical need for mandatory NDIS provider registration
March 29, 2025
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) stands at a critical juncture. The fundamental promise of support for people with disability hinges on one non-negotiable principle: safety. Yet the current system of provider registration leaves this principle dangerously compromised, and more so for many participants who are most at risk due to the complexity of their needs.
Updates to NDIS Plan management: What you need to know
March 28, 2025
Recent changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) aim to improve transparency and fairness in how plans are managed. These updates are designed to ensure your funding arrangements align with your needs.
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.
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 Melbourne East Community Disability Expo. 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 28-30 January 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.
Get Support
If you are seeking support for yourself or someone else, contact us today.
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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.