{"id":7455,"date":"2024-11-28T10:49:34","date_gmt":"2024-11-27T23:49:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/?p=7455"},"modified":"2026-08-07T11:31:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T01:31:07","slug":"summer-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/summer-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Summer 2024<\/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
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Welcome back to Melba Community News \n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Can you believe it\u2019s December?<\/p>

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As we near the end of 2024, I hope you all take a moment tomorrow to recognise International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).<\/p>

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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 joyfully celebrated platform to push for inclusivity and break down barriers \u2014 whether they\u2019re physical, technological, or in people\u2019s attitudes.<\/p>

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This is a day that is all about highlighting the voices, experiences and leadership of people with disability and creating a more inclusive and understanding community.<\/p>

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At Melba, we like to think that this is just part of what we do but this global day is a great opportunity for everyone to look for and share stories told by people with disability. Not sure where to look? Check out the ABC\u2019s new series Headliners, which gives an insightful look into the lives of musicians with a disability.<\/p>

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2024 has been a big year for Melba and we expect 2025 to be no different. We are looking forward to returning as a platinum sponsor of the VALID Conference at the end of January and encourage everyone to register and attend the only conference run by people with disability, for people with disability. If you can\u2019t attend but are in the area, you should make the time to wander through the disability expo attached to the conference, there will be some great stands, including Melba! Come and say hi! We will have lots of giveaways for our Melba Community News subscribers!<\/p>

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In 2025 we will be ramping up our advocacy efforts, we will be talking more about meaningful relationships, we will be increasing the number of Specialist Disability Accommodation provider partners we have and Supported Independent Living options.<\/p>

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We also want to see more people taking advantage of their individualised support arrangements and working with Melba to do whatever it is they want to do.<\/p>

In short, we want to stay true to our mission to open up a world of opportunities for everyone to live a fabulous life! A life that they choose!<\/p>

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Stay safe over the end of year and summer break and we will be back in 2025.<\/p>

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Don\u2019t forget to find and share all the fabulous stories from and about people with disabilities tomorrow \u2013 tag us in what you find!<\/p>

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Follow us on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Dr Melinda Smith – pushing boundaries<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Image Credit: Nicole Tsourlenes<\/p>

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Melinda Smith is someone who defies categorisation. Dancer, poet, writer, visual artist, mentor \u2013 she wears many hats with passion and purpose.<\/p>

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Melinda describes herself as\u00a0someone who is\u00a0always in\u00a0motion,\u00a0constantly\u00a0engaged in creative endeavours.<\/p>

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\u201cI\u00a0am a very motivated\u00a0person\u00a0and always have been,\u201d\u00a0she says.\u00a0\u201cI never experience boredom because I can always find something to do.\u201d<\/p>

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Conduit Bodies: A one-woman show<\/strong><\/p>

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One of her\u00a0major\u00a0projects this year was her one-woman show,\u00a0Conduit Bodies<\/em>, which she both wrote and performed. The show debuted at this year\u2019s Fringe Festival, offering audiences a profound exploration of \u201cthe relationship between technology and the body, disability, assistive tech, and the natural world\u201d.<\/p>

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The power of\u00a0\u201cairsticks\u201c<\/strong><\/p>

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Melinda, who has cerebral palsy, used\u00a0\u201cairsticks\u201d\u00a0strapped to her body and wheelchair to transform the performance space into something entirely new\u00a0\u2013 an experience that\u00a0expanded the boundaries of dance and questioned who it is for.<\/p>

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The\u00a0\u201cairsticks\u201d\u00a0are a remarkable piece of wearable tech, translating movement into sound, text and visual effects. Using cutting-edge motion tracking and wireless technologies, the\u00a0\u201cairsticks\u201d\u00a0gave Melinda complete control over gestural data, making every movement part of an immersive multimedia experience.<\/p>

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Breaking boundaries in performance<\/strong><\/p>

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The audience could witness the magic of movement directly influencing the performance, offering a transparency that made the show even more compelling.<\/p>

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For Melinda, movement is at the core of everything she does.\u00a0\u201cMovement drives me to every aspect and every activity I do,\u201d\u00a0she says.\u00a0\u201cDance is important to me, (as is) creative expression and being able to be who I am and what I want to communicate.\u201d<\/p>

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With\u00a0Conduit Bodies<\/em>, Melinda pushed beyond the expectations placed on her by society\u00a0and embraced\u00a0a deeper form of expressive mastery. The performance grew into a crescendo of sound, movement and visual art, culminating in a transformative experience for the audience.<\/p>

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Unique, innovative and thought-provoking,\u00a0Conduit Bodies<\/em>\u00a0challenged stereotypes and preconceptions about disability. It invited audiences to reconsider the limitations of form and explore a new frontier in live performance.<\/p>

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Melinda wrote the show with a clear intention: to dismantle the conventional ideas about disability\u00a0that she encounters in her daily life.<\/p>

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\u201cI\u00a0wrote\u00a0Conduit Bodies<\/em>\u00a0to challenge stereotypes and preconceptions of disability,\u201d\u00a0she says.\u00a0\u201cSometimes society is my biggest barrier because people assume that one size fits all.\u201d<\/p>

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Supported independent living with Melba<\/strong><\/p>

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Melinda\u2019s\u00a0relationship with Melba began on Halloween Day in 2023 when she moved into an apartment built to specialist disability accommodation (SDA) standards in Cheltenham. The transition has been a transformative experience.<\/p>

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\u201cMoving into an SDA apartment and being able to access Melba Support Service has been incredible and a life-changing experience,\u201d\u00a0she says.<\/p>

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\u201cBeing able to connect\u00a0with Melba Support has allowed me to feel safe and secure in my apartment at all times of the day and night.<\/p>

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\u201cAlthough I am very independent, sometimes I have difficulty completing certain tasks, but Melba has always been there when I needed them. Getting to know all the staff has been a very personal and professional experience.\u201d<\/p>

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With her boundless energy, fierce independence and passion for challenging perceptions, Melinda continues to push the limits of\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0possible and redefine how we understand disability, creativity and the\u00a0body\u2019s\u00a0relationship to the world.<\/p>

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Melba provides Supported Independent Living (SIL) so you can get the support you need to live independently, just like Melinda. That might be a few hours a day or around the clock \u2013 whatever is best for you. It\u2019s your choice, because a good life starts at home.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Melba delivering meaningful solutions<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Melba\u2019s\u00a0Meaningful Homes\u00a0initiative is revolutionising the lives of the 320 people we support in former state-run group homes. Historically, many of these people had\u00a0little-to-no\u00a0say in where they lived, who they lived with, or how they lived.\u00a0Today,\u00a0that is changing, as Melba\u00a0is empowering every person\u00a0to define what a\u00a0\u201cfabulous life\u201d\u00a0looks like for them.<\/p>

By listening carefully to\u00a0people\u2019s\u00a0preferences, as well as\u00a0having conversations with their support networks, we are transforming these insights into tangible outcomes, providing people with the opportunity to live in homes that\u00a0truly\u00a0reflect their desires and needs.<\/p>

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For many, this means moving into homes with friends or having spaces\u00a0that accommodate\u00a0mobility devices, such as walkers and wheelchairs.<\/p>

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Most people\u00a0express a preference for\u00a0living with fewer people, having access to newer homes with private ensuites, and creating living environments that better align with their personal preferences. People\u00a0are sharing\u00a0specific details on what they do and\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0want, reflecting a strong desire for change.<\/p>

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Some people want a home that is open to pets, friends\u00a0and intimate\u00a0partners,\u00a0some want\u00a0a home\u00a0that is\u00a0closer to public transport, friends, family, or even their favourite hairdresser.\u00a0Through our\u00a0Meaningful Homes\u00a0initiative\u00a0every\u00a0person\u2019s\u00a0preferences are not only heard but treated as entirely\u00a0possible.\u00a0We are committed to turning older houses into\u00a0truly\u00a0meaningful\u00a0homes,\u00a0where people are free to live the life they\u00a0choose,\u00a0on their terms.<\/p>

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Key achievements\u202f<\/span><\/strong>\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>

1. Development of the first 125 housing plans<\/span><\/strong>\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

The Meaningful Homes team made remarkable progress by developing 125 individualised housing plans, each tailored to meet the specific needs, desires and visions of the people we support. These plans serve as blueprints for creating homes that foster independence, comfort and choice.<\/p>

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2. Welcoming the first three women to their new home<\/span><\/strong>\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

One of the team\u2019s most heartwarming moments was visiting three women who had just moved into their new home, which includes a purpose-built beauty studio. The joy of being able to paint their nails in a space designed just for them symbolised the profound impact of the Meaningful Homes initiative on people\u2019s day-to-day lives.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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3. Building partnerships with property developers<\/span><\/strong>\u202f\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>

Forming strategic partnerships with property developers has been key to the success of the program. These collaborations are helping to ensure that new homes are built in the locations where people actually want to live, reflecting their preferences and needs.<\/p>

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Meaningful Homes is not simply about relocating people; it\u2019s about supporting them to make choices, fostering independence and ensuring that every person can live in a home that is truly meaningful to them.<\/p>

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Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)<\/span><\/h3>

At Melba, we are continuing to advocate for more accessible homes in the areas we deliver services. We believe everybody should have the opportunity to experience living in their own place.<\/p>

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To achieve this, we partner with highly skilled and experienced developers and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) providers, who are committed to improving the lives of people with disability.<\/p>

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We then deliver our Supported Independent Living services in these homes, blending great, purpose-built accommodation with excellent, personalised support care.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSearch SIL Vacancies<\/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
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMelba Spotlight<\/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
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Meet Kelly, a vibrant and determined person who has embraced life with enthusiasm and resilience. By joining her local ARROW group, Kelly is learning more about her rights and has grown her confidence in advocating for herself.<\/p>

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ARROW (Advocacy | Rights | Representation | Outcomes | Worth) is Melba\u2019s self-advocates group. At Melba, the voice of people we support is the most valuable feedback we receive.<\/p>

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Monthly ARROW meetings have become a powerful platform for Kelly to speak up, share her thoughts, and inspire others to find their voices.<\/p>

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Kelly used to be quiet but now socialises and embraces new experiences with open arms. The support she\u2019s received \u2014\u00a0particularly 1:1 support\u00a0<\/a>\u2014 has been instrumental in helping her rebuild her confidence. \u201cBeing more confident has allowed me to explore new places and try new things,\u201d she shares. Kelly\u2019s newfound sense of empowerment means she\u2019s making her own choices and filling her days with activities that bring her joy and fulfilment.<\/p>

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Her days are packed with the things she loves most. Kelly is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys going to the gym, swimming, and playing tennis. Equine therapy has also been a special part of her routine, allowing her to connect with animals.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Of course, there\u2019s always time for a bit of shopping! Kelly loves to explore Melbourne\u2019s bustling shopping scene, Traralgon\u2019s cozy cafes, and the sprawling stores of Fountain Gate, especially during the festive season.<\/p>

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Kelly is a lover of the arts. She has a soft spot for stage shows and concerts, with her recent Taylor Swift concert experience leaving a lasting impression. \u201cI love music and dancing,\u201d she says, adding that her talent for music trivia is something not everyone knows about her.<\/p>

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When it comes to relaxing, Kelly is all about her favourite TV shows, especially the classics like\u00a0Home and Away<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Neighbours.<\/em><\/p>

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Living independently in her own unit<\/a>\u00a0through Melba Support Services has been life-changing for Kelly. \u201cI love living in my own unit!\u201d she beams, reflecting on the sense of freedom and accomplishment it brings.<\/p>

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Kelly\u2019s zest for life is contagious. From exploring the soothing Metung Hot Springs to visiting the Cat Caf\u00e9 or spending quality time with her family, she makes every moment count.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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We\u2019re excited to be returning to the Midsumma Festival<\/a> once again, a vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and pride within the LGBTQIA+ community. Supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies is essential to who we are as an organisation that values diversity, inclusion, and equality.<\/span><\/p>


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We\u2019ll have a stall set up at the Midsumma Carvinal on Sunday 19 January, and we\u2019ll be participating in the Midsumma Pride March on Sunday 2 February. And guess what\u2026 YOU can march with us!<\/span><\/p>


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Sunday 19 January: Come and say hi at the Midsumma Carnival<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Midsumma Carnival<\/a> is an exciting kickoff event in the city filled with community festivities, games, and pride-themed activities. We\u2019re going to have our stall! It features games, plenty of people to chat with, and some merch \u2013 it\u2019s not to be missed.<\/span><\/p>


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Rubber ducky carnival game<\/span><\/h4>\n

Guess which rubber duck has a star on the bottom, and you could win unique prizes, including exclusive Arthur Creative merchandise. It\u2019s a fun, accessible way for everyone to join in, connect, and celebrate pride.<\/span><\/p>


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What is Arthur Creative?<\/span><\/h4>\n

Melba\u2019s Arthur Creative<\/a> is an inclusive arts based workshop in Ballarat. This is a space where artists with disability can express themselves, connect with the community, and showcase their talents through various mediums. The artists at Arthur Creative have crafted some unique items to celebrate creativity, diversity, and pride\u2014perfect for the Midsumma spirit!<\/p>\n

Get in touch if you, or someone you know would like more information about Arthur Creative.<\/p>


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Sunday 2 February: Join Melba at the Midsumma Pride March<\/span><\/h3>\n

Whether you\u2019re someone Melba supports, a family member, a friend, or simply someone who believes in equality and inclusion for the LGBTQIA+ community, this is your chance to stand alongside us and march proudly together.<\/p>


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Why join us?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Lead the way with Drag Queen Dizzy Bility<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Our march will be led by the fabulous Dizzy Bility<\/strong>, a drag queen who incorporates her hearing aids and legal blindness into her dazzling performances. Dizzy challenges perceptions and proves that true glamour knows no bounds. Imagine being part of this trailblazing moment!<\/p>\n

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    1. Dance your heart out<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      We\u2019re bringing the energy with an accessible dance routine<\/strong> for everyone to join! No prior dance skills needed\u2014we\u2019ll send a fun tutorial ahead of time so you\u2019re ready to move, groove, and celebrate with the Melba community.<\/p>\n

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      1. Wear your pride<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Register early to grab a vibrant Melba-branded t-shirt, <\/strong>designed by Arthur Creative<\/strong> (collect on the day). Show your allyship and pride as we create a colourful sea of support for inclusion and equality. T-shirts are limited to the first 75 registrants.<\/p>


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        Be part of something bigger<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Joining the Pride March is about standing in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community<\/strong>, joining Melba at the Pride March shows the world that pride is for everyone.<\/p>


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        Don\u2019t miss your chance to march proudly with Melba. <\/strong>Sign up now<\/a> to secure your spot! It\u2019s super quick\u2014the form takes less than 30 seconds<\/strong> to complete. Join us today and be part of this fantastic celebration of pride and inclusion!<\/p>\n

        Let\u2019s make this Midsumma unforgettable\u2014together.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up to join the march<\/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
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        \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJoin our Mates & Dates Focus Groups<\/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
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        Ahead of launching our 2025 event season we\u2019d love to hear from you about what you want our Mates and Dates events to look like.<\/p>

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        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.<\/p>

        Limited places still available to book now!<\/p>

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        Online focus groups to run on:<\/p>