Read what is happening in our world, your world, and the wonderful disability community in general.
NAIDOC WEEK: Sunday 6 – Sunday 13 July 2025
July 7, 2025
NAIDOC Week is a special time to recognise and honour the deep cultural roots, achievements and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It also gives all Australians a chance to listen, learn and show respect for the world’s oldest living cultures. Watch video
Why Dan found coming out harder than losing his vision
June 23, 2025
When Dan Searle lost his vision at 16, people saw the struggle. What they didn’t see was the deeper battle – accepting and sharing his sexuality in a rural town where being different didn’t feel safe. Now, Dan speaks up to show others they’re not alone. His story is a powerful reminder that Pride is about more than visibility – it’s about being seen for who you truly are.
Embracing my true self: A journey beyond labels
June 16, 2025
Growing up, Simon Scoggins learned early that being different meant having to hide parts of himself. But he also discovered the strength that comes from living authentically – even when the world isn’t always ready. Now Melba’s Business Application Support Officer, Simon shares his story to remind us: Pride isn’t just celebration – it’s resilience, visibility and pushing for real inclusion.
Olivia’s strength shines in her struggle to be seen
June 12, 2025
At 30, Olivia* embraced her identity as a bisexual woman, a journey made more complex by her family’s lack of understanding. While her friends accept and support her, her family struggles to see her as an adult with agency, dreams, and the right to love. As we celebrate Pride Month, Olivia hopes her story will inspire others to live authentically and be seen for who they truly are.
Eating out just got more accessible
June 11, 2025
A new web app is making it easier for people with disability to dine out by helping them find accessible cafes and restaurants in their area.
Celebrating Pride Month: Where disability and LGBTQIA+ identities meet
June 2, 2025
As rainbow flags unfurl across cities worldwide this June, Pride Month invites us all to celebrate love, authenticity and the rich diversity that strengthens our communities. At Melba, we recognise that Pride is a powerful opportunity to highlight how our various identities – including disability, sexuality and gender – intertwine to form our complete selves.
Able Meet
| Join us at the Frankston able meet on 17 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. |
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.
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.
Open House
Join us at an upcoming open house event showcasing Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) that Melba offers Supported Independent Living (SIL) in.
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 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.
June 2025
June 11, 2025
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…
Get Support
If you are seeking support for yourself or someone else, contact us today.
Email Enquiry
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.