{"id":7575,"date":"2026-08-11T16:33:37","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T06:33:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/?p=7575"},"modified":"2026-08-11T16:37:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T06:37:49","slug":"august-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"August 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7575\" class=\"elementor elementor-7575\" 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-5045b28 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5045b28\" 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\">August 2026<\/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-adbd7a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"adbd7a7\" 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>This month, the Australian Human Rights Commission added its voice to growing concerns about the proposed NDIS reforms, with seven Commissioners calling for the Bill to be paused. Their message is clear: reforms of this scale must be properly thought through, genuinely informed by people with disability, and focused on getting things right.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>At Melba, we support meaningful reform that makes the NDIS stronger for the future. But change must not come at the expense of the people the NDIS was created to support.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>If you\u2019re worried about what these reforms could mean, now is an important time to speak up. We encourage you to reach out to your local MP and share your stories, concerns, experiences and insights. Your voice matters, and real stories can help decision makers understand what is at stake.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>You can also visit our NDIS Reforms Hub for more information.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6406f54 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"6406f54\" 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\/latest-news\/plain-english-ndis-reforms-update\/\">\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\">Plain English summary of proposed NDIS reforms<\/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-4d250d0 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"4d250d0\" 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\/latest-news\/ndis-reforms-update-what-we-know-so-far-2\/\">\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\">Daily living explainer<\/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-a4bc4b5 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a4bc4b5\" 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\/latest-news\/what-is-social-economic-and-community-participation\/\">\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\">SCP funding explainer<\/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-72c2bf1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"72c2bf1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4b06c8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b4b06c8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc4a2b2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bc4a2b2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e105fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0e105fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b><strong>Meet Carolyn Carter, Melba\u2019s Community Engagement and Outreach Partner<\/strong><\/b><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b2d881 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8b2d881\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bbf030e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bbf030e\" 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><strong><span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">&#8220;Your NDIS plan should make sense to you. If you have questions or something doesn&#8217;t seem right, I can help you understand it and work out what to do next.&#8221;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0205976 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0205976\" 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=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-7582\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-600x450.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\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-347eeb9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"347eeb9\" 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><strong>Meet Carolyn<\/strong> <br \/>Her job is to talk with people, listen to what is important to them, and help them understand the supports Melba can provide.<\/p><p><br \/>Carolyn visits schools, community events, expos and other local activities. She talks with people about Melba&#8217;s services and helps people find the information they need.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Checking in with people<\/strong> <br \/>Carolyn also talks with people who already use Melba services. <br \/>These check-ins are a chance for people to:<\/p><ul><li>ask questions<\/li><li>share feedback<\/li><li>talk about any concerns<\/li><li>get help understanding information <\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-455f789 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"455f789\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0aacbc8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0aacbc8\" 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><strong><span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">&#8220;I love this part of my role. It helps me get to know people and support them in the way that works best for them.&#8221;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f9ae81 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6f9ae81\" 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><strong>Listening and learning<\/strong> <br \/>Melba learns a lot from these conversations. The feedback people share helps us understand:<\/p><ul><li>what is working well<\/li><li>what could be better<\/li><li>where people need more information<\/li><li>how we can improve our communication and support<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e3f98b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4e3f98b\" 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\/2026\/08\/Carolyn.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-7581\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn.png 940w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-768x490.png 768w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-600x383.png 600w\" 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-e8c3a73 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e8c3a73\" 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><strong>Need help with your NDIS plan?<\/strong> <br \/>Carolyn has many years of experience working in disability services and with the NDIS.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>If there is something in your NDIS plan that you don\u2019t understand, or something doesn\u2019t seem right, Carolyn can:<\/p><ul><li>listen to your questions<\/li><li>help explain things<\/li><li>talk through your options<\/li><li>connect you with the right person at Melba<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>We are here to listen<\/strong> <br \/>The check-ins are a chance to have a conversation and share what is important to you. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca2fa56 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ca2fa56\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5048aa3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5048aa3\" 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><strong><span class=\"a_GcMg font-feature-liga-off font-feature-clig-off font-feature-calt-off text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none\">&#8220;You do not need to have all the answers before you contact me. I am here to listen, understand what is happening, and help you work out the next steps.&#8221;<\/span><\/strong><\/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-841485b e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"841485b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aadb333 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-align-center elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"aadb333\" 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:\/\/bookings.cloud.microsoft\/bookwithme\/user\/31ffb3cb0a4f40b1ab2cd6977ff28c4c@melbasupport.com.au?anonymous&#038;ep=bwmEmailSignature&#038;ismsaljsauthenabled=true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-phone-alt\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M497.39 361.8l-112-48a24 24 0 0 0-28 6.9l-49.6 60.6A370.66 370.66 0 0 1 130.6 204.11l60.6-49.6a23.94 23.94 0 0 0 6.9-28l-48-112A24.16 24.16 0 0 0 122.6.61l-104 24A24 24 0 0 0 0 48c0 256.5 207.9 464 464 464a24 24 0 0 0 23.4-18.6l24-104a24.29 24.29 0 0 0-14.01-27.6z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Book a free consultation with Carolyn Carter<\/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-933b46a e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"933b46a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e86db54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e86db54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><b>Community spirit<\/b><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f529d16 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f529d16\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b6bb90 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8b6bb90\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d827bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4d827bb\" 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\/2026\/08\/28.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-7577\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/28.png 940w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/28-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/28-768x490.png 768w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/28-600x383.png 600w\" 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-ab55e66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ab55e66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<table width=\"100%\"><tbody><tr><td><p>The Melba community have been out and about getting involved in NAIDOC Week events, creating and\u00a0sharing art and craft across the state.\u00a0<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43bfc2e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"43bfc2e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a366283 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a366283\" 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\/2026\/08\/29.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-7578\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/29.png 940w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/29-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/29-768x490.png 768w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/29-600x383.png 600w\" 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>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99cbd4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"99cbd4f\" 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><strong>Want to know more about how SIL and SDA work together? Download our latest brochures to see what your funding can do for you.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\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-3e8885d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3e8885d\" 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=\"700\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SIL-guide.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-7584\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SIL-guide.png 700w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SIL-guide-263x300.png 263w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SIL-guide-394x450.png 394w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>\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-9a31cf6 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-align-center elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"9a31cf6\" 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\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Melba-Supported-Independant-Living-funding-guide.pdf\" 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\">SIL funding guide<\/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-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=\"700\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SDA-guide-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-7583\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SDA-guide-1.png 700w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SDA-guide-1-263x300.png 263w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SDA-guide-1-394x450.png 394w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>\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-e737c03 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-align-left elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e737c03\" 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\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Melba-Specialist-Disability-Accommodation-guide.pdf\" 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\">SDA guide<\/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-9fe007f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9fe007f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-522e862 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"522e862\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5555e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b5555e8\" 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\/2026\/08\/Your-home-your-choice-your-voice.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-7315\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Your-home-your-choice-your-voice.png 940w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Your-home-your-choice-your-voice-300x191.png 300w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Your-home-your-choice-your-voice-768x490.png 768w, https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Your-home-your-choice-your-voice-600x383.png 600w\" 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-75eb437 elementor-widget__width-inherit elementor-align-justify elementor-tablet-align-justify elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"75eb437\" 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\/latest-news\/your-home-your-choice-your-voice\/\" 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<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d8de9c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1d8de9c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b274de5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b274de5\" 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-655a745 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=\"655a745\" 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<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-036a93c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"036a93c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\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>This month, the Australian Human Rights Commission added its voice to growing concerns about the proposed NDIS reforms, with seven Commissioners calling for the Bill to be paused. Their message is clear: reforms of this scale must be properly thought through, genuinely informed by people with disability, and focused on getting things right. <\/p>\n<p>At Melba, we support meaningful reform that makes the NDIS stronger for the future. But change must not come at the expense of the people the NDIS was created to support. <\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re worried about what these reforms could mean, now is an important time to speak up. We encourage you to reach out to your local MP and share your stories, concerns, experiences and insights. Your voice matters, and real stories can help decision makers understand what is at stake. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":7582,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7575","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>August 2026 | Melba Support Services<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This month, the Australian Human Rights Commission added its voice to growing concerns about the proposed NDIS reforms, with seven Commissioners calling for the Bill to be paused. Their message is clear: reforms of this scale must be properly thought through, genuinely informed by people with disability, and focused on getting things right.  At Melba, we support meaningful reform that makes the NDIS stronger for the future. But change must not come at the expense of the people the NDIS was created to support.  If you\u2019re worried about what these reforms could mean, now is an important time to speak up. We encourage you to reach out to your local MP and share your stories, concerns, experiences and insights. Your voice matters, and real stories can help decision makers understand what is at stake. The August edition of Melba Community News is out now! Melba\u2019s monthly newsletter is full of great information, including stories about people we support, services we offer, upcoming events and other important updates.\" \/>\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\/august-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"August 2026 | Melba Support Services\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This month, the Australian Human Rights Commission added its voice to growing concerns about the proposed NDIS reforms, with seven Commissioners calling for the Bill to be paused. Their message is clear: reforms of this scale must be properly thought through, genuinely informed by people with disability, and focused on getting things right.  At Melba, we support meaningful reform that makes the NDIS stronger for the future. But change must not come at the expense of the people the NDIS was created to support.  If you\u2019re worried about what these reforms could mean, now is an important time to speak up. We encourage you to reach out to your local MP and share your stories, concerns, experiences and insights. Your voice matters, and real stories can help decision makers understand what is at stake. The August edition of Melba Community News is out now! Melba\u2019s monthly newsletter is full of great information, including stories about people we support, services we offer, upcoming events and other important updates.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Melba Support Services\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/melbasupport\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-11T06:33:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-11T06:37:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Emma Southward\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Emma Southward\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Emma Southward\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/28bafdf65c275efd59f3d4e2d8be66cc\"},\"headline\":\"August 2026\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-11T06:33:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-11T06:37:49+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":527,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr\",\"articleSection\":[\"Melba Community News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/\",\"name\":\"August 2026 | Melba Support Services\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-11T06:33:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-08-11T06:37:49+00:00\",\"description\":\"This month, the Australian Human Rights Commission added its voice to growing concerns about the proposed NDIS reforms, with seven Commissioners calling for the Bill to be paused. Their message is clear: reforms of this scale must be properly thought through, genuinely informed by people with disability, and focused on getting things right. At Melba, we support meaningful reform that makes the NDIS stronger for the future. But change must not come at the expense of the people the NDIS was created to support. If you\u2019re worried about what these reforms could mean, now is an important time to speak up. We encourage you to reach out to your local MP and share your stories, concerns, experiences and insights. Your voice matters, and real stories can help decision makers understand what is at stake. The August edition of Melba Community News is out now! Melba\u2019s monthly newsletter is full of great information, including stories about people we support, services we offer, upcoming events and other important updates.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1920},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/melba-community-news\\\/august-2026\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"August 2026\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/\",\"name\":\"Melba Support Services\",\"description\":\"Disability Support Victoria\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Melba\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/MELBA-LOGO.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/MELBA-LOGO.jpg\",\"width\":360,\"height\":358,\"caption\":\"Melba\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/melbasupport\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/melba_support\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.linkedin.com\\\/company\\\/melba-support-services\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/28bafdf65c275efd59f3d4e2d8be66cc\",\"name\":\"Emma Southward\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50112ac98ee68f95b218c4e7450d3eedb83b909c1f80b1eed4ba188b69f911ad?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50112ac98ee68f95b218c4e7450d3eedb83b909c1f80b1eed4ba188b69f911ad?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50112ac98ee68f95b218c4e7450d3eedb83b909c1f80b1eed4ba188b69f911ad?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Emma Southward\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.melbasupport.com.au\\\/author\\\/emma-southwardmelbasupport-com-au\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"August 2026 | Melba Support Services","description":"This month, the Australian Human Rights Commission added its voice to growing concerns about the proposed NDIS reforms, with seven Commissioners calling for the Bill to be paused. Their message is clear: reforms of this scale must be properly thought through, genuinely informed by people with disability, and focused on getting things right.  At Melba, we support meaningful reform that makes the NDIS stronger for the future. But change must not come at the expense of the people the NDIS was created to support.  If you\u2019re worried about what these reforms could mean, now is an important time to speak up. We encourage you to reach out to your local MP and share your stories, concerns, experiences and insights. Your voice matters, and real stories can help decision makers understand what is at stake. The August edition of Melba Community News is out now! Melba\u2019s monthly newsletter is full of great information, including stories about people we support, services we offer, upcoming events and other important updates.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"August 2026 | Melba Support Services","og_description":"This month, the Australian Human Rights Commission added its voice to growing concerns about the proposed NDIS reforms, with seven Commissioners calling for the Bill to be paused. Their message is clear: reforms of this scale must be properly thought through, genuinely informed by people with disability, and focused on getting things right.  At Melba, we support meaningful reform that makes the NDIS stronger for the future. But change must not come at the expense of the people the NDIS was created to support.  If you\u2019re worried about what these reforms could mean, now is an important time to speak up. We encourage you to reach out to your local MP and share your stories, concerns, experiences and insights. Your voice matters, and real stories can help decision makers understand what is at stake. The August edition of Melba Community News is out now! Melba\u2019s monthly newsletter is full of great information, including stories about people we support, services we offer, upcoming events and other important updates.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/","og_site_name":"Melba Support Services","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/melbasupport","article_published_time":"2026-08-11T06:33:37+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-11T06:37:49+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1920,"url":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Emma Southward","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Emma Southward","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/"},"author":{"name":"Emma Southward","@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/#\/schema\/person\/28bafdf65c275efd59f3d4e2d8be66cc"},"headline":"August 2026","datePublished":"2026-08-11T06:33:37+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-11T06:37:49+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/"},"wordCount":527,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr","articleSection":["Melba Community News"],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/","url":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/","name":"August 2026 | Melba Support Services","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr","datePublished":"2026-08-11T06:33:37+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-11T06:37:49+00:00","description":"This month, the Australian Human Rights Commission added its voice to growing concerns about the proposed NDIS reforms, with seven Commissioners calling for the Bill to be paused. Their message is clear: reforms of this scale must be properly thought through, genuinely informed by people with disability, and focused on getting things right. At Melba, we support meaningful reform that makes the NDIS stronger for the future. But change must not come at the expense of the people the NDIS was created to support. If you\u2019re worried about what these reforms could mean, now is an important time to speak up. We encourage you to reach out to your local MP and share your stories, concerns, experiences and insights. Your voice matters, and real stories can help decision makers understand what is at stake. The August edition of Melba Community News is out now! Melba\u2019s monthly newsletter is full of great information, including stories about people we support, services we offer, upcoming events and other important updates.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr","width":2560,"height":1920},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/melba-community-news\/august-2026\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"August 2026"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/","name":"Melba Support Services","description":"Disability Support Victoria","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/#organization","name":"Melba","url":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/MELBA-LOGO.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/MELBA-LOGO.jpg","width":360,"height":358,"caption":"Melba"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/melbasupport","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/melba_support","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/melba-support-services"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/#\/schema\/person\/28bafdf65c275efd59f3d4e2d8be66cc","name":"Emma Southward","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50112ac98ee68f95b218c4e7450d3eedb83b909c1f80b1eed4ba188b69f911ad?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50112ac98ee68f95b218c4e7450d3eedb83b909c1f80b1eed4ba188b69f911ad?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50112ac98ee68f95b218c4e7450d3eedb83b909c1f80b1eed4ba188b69f911ad?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Emma Southward"},"url":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/author\/emma-southwardmelbasupport-com-au\/"}]}},"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr",2560,1920,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr",2560,1920,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr",2560,1920,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-150x150.jpg?wsr",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-300x225.jpg?wsr",300,225,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-1024x768.jpg?wsr",1024,768,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-1536x1152.jpg?wsr",1536,1152,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-2048x1536.jpg?wsr",2048,1536,true],"gform-image-choice-sm":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr",300,225,false],"gform-image-choice-md":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr",400,300,false],"gform-image-choice-lg":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-scaled.jpg?wsr",600,450,false],"owl_elementor_thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-600x450.jpg?wsr",600,450,true],"owl_elementor_team":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-350x450.jpg?wsr",350,450,true],"owl_elementor_testimonial":["https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Carolyn-and-co-100x100.jpg?wsr",100,100,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Emma Southward","author_link":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/author\/emma-southwardmelbasupport-com-au\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/category\/melba-community-news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Melba Community News<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"This month, the Australian Human Rights Commission added its voice to growing concerns about the proposed NDIS reforms, with seven Commissioners calling for the Bill to be paused. Their message is clear: reforms of this scale must be properly thought through, genuinely informed by people with disability, and focused on getting things right. At Melba,&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7575"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7575\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7590,"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7575\/revisions\/7590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/7582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.melbasupport.com.au\/secure-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}