{"id":7400,"date":"2025-09-11T15:35:20","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T05:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/?p=7400"},"modified":"2026-08-06T16:11:02","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T06:11:02","slug":"september-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/september-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"September 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7400\" class=\"elementor elementor-7400\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a53d843 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"a53d843\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-defd3ea e-con-full home-banner e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"defd3ea\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17efe42 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"17efe42\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47673e2 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"47673e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Melba Community News<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14e367c elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"14e367c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">September 2025<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06599f5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"06599f5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d2e7c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4d2e7c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MCN.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4794\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MCN.png 600w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/MCN-300x100.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42642a0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"42642a0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95182d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"95182d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T153944.137.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4411\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T153944.137.webp 940w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T153944.137-300x191.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T153944.137-768x490.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0835586 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0835586\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Welcome to the September edition of Melba Community News!<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>It\u2019s been a busy time at Melba and across the sector. You may have read a recent news story about the future of Supported Independent Living (SIL) in Victoria and the financial viability of providers like Melba Support Services. Melissa Webster, Acting CEO, released a statement in response that can be\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-media-response-disability-housing\/\">viewed here<\/a>.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>While the article raised points we agree with, we would like to reassure everyone in the Melba community that people always come first and no matter what the funding challenges are, nobody we support will be left without a place to live on 1 January. Stable, appropriate housing that meets people\u2019s individual needs and preferences is \u2013 and always will be \u2013\u00a0our priority.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>On a brighter note, we\u2019re excited to share that the Ballarat Community Hub is back! The Hub is a welcoming hangout space for people we support to enjoy movie days, bake-offs, games of pool, or just somewhere to catch up with friends. The Hub closed during the pandemic, but thanks to the ongoing work of the local ARROW group, the doors are now open again. If you\u2019re not familiar with our ARROW groups, they are made up of people we support who advocate to our Board and the broader community on behalf of their peers. ARROW stands for Advocacy, Rights, Representation, Outcomes and Worth and we have a group in each of our four regions.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>In other news, Artists from Melba\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/social-and-community-participation\/arthur-creative-ballarat\/\">Arthur Creative<\/a>\u00a0are showcasing their photography in the\u00a0<em>Up Close and\u2026<\/em>\u00a0exhibition, part of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ballaratfoto.org\/\">Ballarat International Foto Biennale<\/a>.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>And, last but not least, CEO Hayley Dean spoke at a national symposium in Canberra recently, calling for reforms to the NDIS funding model to help ease pressures on the disability sector. You can read an extract from Hayley\u2019s\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/the-ndis-is-at-a-crossroads-lets-make-sure-it-turns-the-right-way\/\">speech here<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6e3302 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-align-center elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"d6e3302\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-float\" href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/subscribe-to-mcn\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Subscribe to Melba Community News<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b06516 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3b06516\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac5d684 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ac5d684\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bb6f78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6bb6f78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T154403.250.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4412\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T154403.250.webp 940w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T154403.250-300x191.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T154403.250-768x490.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e711c7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e711c7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Open doors with occupational therapy<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d9fdd4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d9fdd4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Occupational therapy can help you develop new skills, access equipment, or tackle specific challenges. This might include day-to-day things like cooking, workplace assessments or supports to help you get out and about in your community.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Occupational therapy can also make assistive technology recommendations and arrange things like equipment trials, home modifications and accessibility assessments.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Our focus is on working closely with you to see how we can support you to do what matters most to you. We are taking on new referrals, so reach out today at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:engagement@melbasupport.com.au\">engagement@melbasupport.com.au<\/a>\u00a0or 1300 696 352.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-330f306 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"330f306\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80415e6 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-align-center elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"80415e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-float\" href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/get-support\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get support<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f4513e elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-align-center elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"0f4513e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-float\" href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/occupational-therapy\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Occupational therapy<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e64dc1f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e64dc1f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce36fa2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ce36fa2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T155758.199.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4416\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T155758.199.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T155758.199-300x192.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/MELBA-NEWS-LANDSCAPE-2025-09-10T155758.199-768x491.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf7f0fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bf7f0fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Arthur Creative shines in laneway launch<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ae0a9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ae0a9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Photographers from Arthur Creative are urging everyone to see the world differently with their exhibition\u00a0<em>Up Close and\u2026<\/em>, now showing at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitballarat.com.au\/explore\/unicorn-lane\">Unicorn Lane<\/a>, Ballarat. The free exhibition opened last month and runs until Sunday 19 October.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Crowds have been stopping by to take in the striking images, each one offering a fresh perspective through the eyes of the individual photographer.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Arthur Creative\u2019s Senior Studio Coordinator, Gabrielle Hingston, said Unicorn Lane was the perfect stage for the exhibition. \u201cIt\u2019s so important for every artist to be able to exhibit in their local community,\u201d she said. \u201cThe photographers I have spoken to have been thrilled with the response<em>.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27ce95c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"27ce95c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41c03f2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"41c03f2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc8e8d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cc8e8d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FACES-OF-MELBA-724x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4414\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FACES-OF-MELBA-724x1024.webp 724w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FACES-OF-MELBA-212x300.webp 212w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FACES-OF-MELBA-768x1086.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FACES-OF-MELBA-1086x1536.webp 1086w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/FACES-OF-MELBA.webp 1414w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41e8a74 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"41e8a74\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9be7b85 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9be7b85\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/arrow.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4417\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/arrow.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/arrow-300x192.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbac1b3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bbac1b3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>ARROW goes into emergency mode<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b21cf2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b21cf2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Gippsland ARROW self-advocacy group recently stepped behind the scenes at Bairnsdale Police Station, meeting with Senior Sergeant Mitch Capodiferro, the station\u2019s Disability Liaison Officer.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Susan, Hannah, Kelly, Daniel, Jacinta and Shiona learnt all about what police officers do to support people with disability in their communities. When discussing emergency situations, Kelly confidently identified when to call triple zero: \u201cWhen you are in danger.\u201d<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>The visit was a peek behind the curtain into police operations while reinforcing the important message that emergency numbers should only be used in genuine crisis situations.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>This community connection helps build stronger relationships between police services and disability advocates and helps and reduce fear and uncertainty.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9001180 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9001180\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-614c6c0 elementor-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"614c6c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Latest News<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b297750 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b297750\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3d5fa0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f3d5fa0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a33e8cd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a33e8cd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bd67a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6bd67a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/childrens-books.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5002\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/childrens-books.webp 940w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/childrens-books-300x191.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/childrens-books-768x490.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65dfa98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"65dfa98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Picture books \u2018marginalising\u2019 children with disability<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdb9990 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cdb9990\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"nolazy\"><p>Australian children\u2019s picture books are overwhelmingly failing to represent children with disability, new research has found. The findings highlight the risk of marginalising children with disability.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a164e8e elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-align-center elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a164e8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-float\" href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/picture-books-marginalising-children-with-disability\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-507c406 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"507c406\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b47708 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5b47708\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/MELBA-NEWS-HORIZ-NEW-3.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4276\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/MELBA-NEWS-HORIZ-NEW-3.png 950w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/MELBA-NEWS-HORIZ-NEW-3-300x126.png 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/MELBA-NEWS-HORIZ-NEW-3-768x323.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d1cdb4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8d1cdb4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Melba\u2019s inclusivity etched in Bronze<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f36d834 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f36d834\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Melba\u2019s commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive environment for our LGBTQIA+ community has been recognised with a Bronze badge in the annual Pride in Health + Wellbeing Awards.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09aa92c elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-align-center elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"09aa92c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-float\" href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melbas-inclusivity-etched-in-bronze\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read more<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a788de e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2a788de\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d4f847 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4d4f847\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"192\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jacks-joke.webp\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-4418\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jacks-joke.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/jacks-joke-300x96.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ed08f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4ed08f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Share<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41496f2 elementor-share-buttons--view-icon elementor-share-buttons--skin-minimal elementor-share-buttons--shape-circle elementor-share-buttons--color-custom elementor-grid-0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-share-buttons\" data-id=\"41496f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"share-buttons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_facebook\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-facebook\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.78 90.69 226.38 209.25 245V327.69h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.31 482.38 504 379.78 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_linkedin\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fab-linkedin\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_email\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on email\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-envelope\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M502.3 190.8c3.9-3.1 9.7-.2 9.7 4.7V400c0 26.5-21.5 48-48 48H48c-26.5 0-48-21.5-48-48V195.6c0-5 5.7-7.8 9.7-4.7 22.4 17.4 52.1 39.5 154.1 113.6 21.1 15.4 56.7 47.8 92.2 47.6 35.7.3 72-32.8 92.3-47.6 102-74.1 131.6-96.3 154-113.7zM256 320c23.2.4 56.6-29.2 73.4-41.4 132.7-96.3 142.8-104.7 173.4-128.7 5.8-4.5 9.2-11.5 9.2-18.9v-19c0-26.5-21.5-48-48-48H48C21.5 64 0 85.5 0 112v19c0 7.4 3.4 14.3 9.2 18.9 30.6 23.9 40.7 32.4 173.4 128.7 16.8 12.2 50.2 41.8 73.4 41.4z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s been a busy time at Melba and across the sector. You may have read a recent news story about the future of Supported Independent Living (SIL) in Victoria and the financial viability of providers like Melba Support Services. Melissa Webster, Acting CEO, released a statement in response.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39,"featured_media":4411,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7400","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-melba-community-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>September 2025 | Melba Support Services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It\u2019s been a busy time at Melba and across the sector. You may have read a recent news story about the future of Supported Independent Living (SIL) in Victoria and the financial viability of providers like Melba Support Services. Melissa Webster, Acting CEO, released a statement in response.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/september-2025\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"September 2025 | Melba Support Services\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It\u2019s been a busy time at Melba and across the sector. You may have read a recent news story about the future of Supported Independent Living (SIL) in Victoria and the financial viability of providers like Melba Support Services. 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