November 14, 2008
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MELWAY SUCCESS By Rebecca Gallaher Interchange Outer East will have no excuses for getting lost on Victorian roads after Amanda Thomas organised 15 free Melways to be donated to Interchange Outer East this month. Interchange Recreation Coordinator Kieran Cantwell said “the new Melways will definitely come in handy on all the day activities and camps we run, we’ll actually be able to figure out where we are going.” Ms Thomas said “I noticed on program one day the old and torn Melways that were in the buses and thought I can do something about that.” After Ms Thomas contacted Melway Publishing Pty Ltd they offered her five free Melways and a further ten at a reduced price. Ms Thomas asked all the banks in her Ringwood area if they would be interested in funding the 10 extra Melways. St George Bank in Ringwood took Ms Thomas up on her offer and paid for the Melways for Interchange Outer East. Interchange Fleet Manager John Cain said “We are so thankful to Melways, St George Bank and Amanda for organising the donation it really is wonderful to have new Melways for our vehicles.” For more information please contact Interchange Outer East on (03) 9758 5522 or email rebecca.gallaher@ioe.org.au |
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November 12, 2008
COME AND PLAY CRICKET By Rebecca Gallaher
You know summer is just
around the corner when the cricket starts up. Interchange Outer East have
joined with local cricket club the Johnson Park Sharks and Cricket Victoria for
another season of cricket. Peter Siomos Interchange
Coordinator said “Last week was our first session for the season and it was a
good turn out, the guys are getting right back into the swing of things”. Johnson Park, Croydon
Ranges, Croydon North and Seville Cricket Club are all offering free come and
try cricket sessions throughout summer 2008-09 to introduce people to the sport
and demonstrate the benefits of being involved with a local club. Rob Elliott of Cricket
Victoria said promoting inclusion at all clubs around the state is a key
priority. “These sessions not only
allow people to have a go at cricket, but also aim to get people involved at
all levels of club life including playing, volunteering, spectating, not to
mention social events!” He said. “Being involved in a club is
not just great for health and fitness, but is a fantastic arena to improve
quality of life and wellbeing, make friends and create real connections in the
local community. We want these opportunities to be sustainable well beyond the
‘come and play sessions’.” For more information or to
register contact Rob Ewart on 9720 5944.
October 30, 2008
JEAN SIMPSON AWARD WINNER By Rebecca Gallaher Volunteer and staff member
of Interchange Outer East Tara Cantwell has won the Jean Simpson Award for
2008. Ms Cantwell has won the
award under the staff category for her outstanding accomplishments including
presenting at the International Respite for Carers Conference held in Paris
during September 2006. “It was a surprise and I am
delighted but there are many people working at Interchange that deserve
recognition. Jean Simpson was an amazing women who I had the privilege of
meeting and I’m honoured to receive an award in Jean’s name.” Ms Cantwell said. Ms Cantwell began working at
Interchange at 18 years of age working with various children with disabilities
and their families and has progressed through to her current role as Team
Leader of Interchange Outer East’s Recreation Program. The Jean Simpson award was
established to celebrate the life and achievements of the late Jean Simpson
(1950-2002). Jean was tireless in her efforts to best serve the needs of the
children or young adults with a disability and the well being of their
families. Jean was employed as the Executive Officer at Interchange’s Inner East
program for nine years and was responsible for leading the significant growth
of the program.
October 20, 2008
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AWARDS By Rebecca Gallaher Interchange Outer East will
receive funding to run a Sports Week for the Knox community and set up a
program for Parents of Teenage Volunteers in 2009. The projects received $2,000
of funding each and will be implemented in 2009. Interchange Outer East
Marketing Coordinator said, “The community development fund means that we have
the opportunity to run these great programs to benefit the community.” “We have been fortunate to
be a part of the community development projects in the past and are delighted
that we were successful again this year.” “Running the events means
that we are able to strengthen our communities and provide more opportunities
in our local area. It’s fantastic that Knox City Council can support community
organisations through this fund.” On Monday 20th
October, Interchange Outer East will accept the cheques for the projects at the
Knox City Council Community Development Cheque Presentation evening. For more information please
contact Interchange Outer East on (03) 9758 5522 or email rebecca.gallaher@ioe.org.au
October 15, 2008
COMMUNITY YOUTH AWARD By Rebecca Gallaher Interchange Outer East
volunteer Nathan Lowe is one of the top 6 nominees in the Ferntree Gully Nissan
and Knox Journal Community Youth Awards in 2008. Nathan signed up as a
volunteer at Interchange with his sister and parents in February this year. He
has managed to volunteer during weekends and school holidays while completing
Year 12 at The Knox School. Interchange Outer East
Volunteer Coordinator Tara Cantwell said, “It’s the second year we have had one
of our teenage male volunteers nominated. Nathan obviously excels not only at
Interchange but also other areas of his community life and we are very proud of
him. It’s a pleasure and privilege that he has nominate Interchange Outer East
for the $250. This money will go directly towards supporting children with
disabilities.” Interchange Outer East Board
Member Merrill Tunstall will be accepting the cheque on behalf of Interchange
on October 17th 2008 at the Nissan Ferntree Gully Showroom.
October 14, 2008
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THE BIG GIG 2008 By Rebecca Gallaher York on Lilydale was rocking with the Interchange Outer East annual fundraiser the Big Gig last Friday 10th October 2008. The sold out event raised $6000 for the Interchange Outer East program that supports young people with disabilities and their families. Marketing Coordinator Rebecca Gallaher said “It was a great turn out and always a pleasure to celebrate all that is Interchange Outer East.” Local Ferntree Gully MP Nick Wakeling was among the guests. “It’s was fantastic to see Nick there he has been a great advocate for Interchange Outer East and we really appreciate his ongoing support.” Ms Gallaher said. Committee Member Vicki Glenn said, “We love that everyone who is involved with Interchange gets to have a fun night out. This year we had special guests ‘The Supernaturals’ launch their first ever single which was an amazing achievement. We look forward to doing it all again next year.” For more information please contact Interchange Outer East on (03) 9758 5522 or email rebecca.gallaher@ioe.org.au |
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October 13, 2008
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MURDER MYSTERY FILM By Rebecca Gallaher Young adults at Interchange Outer East have created a short film for the 10x10 Film Festival on Friday 17th October 2008. The Gemstone Crush is a murder mystery that was written and acted by a number of young adults with disabilities at Interchange Outer East. Director of the short film Ben Horton said, “A couple of the guys have done some professional work here and there on TV, I'm interested in film and it was just a case of putting all the ingredients together.” “When we sat down during the first week and were throwing some ideas around for what we could do, it was pretty much unanimous that the guys wanted to do a "murder mystery". “We wrote the script together over the first 4-5 weeks” Interchange Outer East Marketing Manager Rebecca Gallaher said, “It’s a great demonstration of the talents and ideas of the young adults involved. I look forward to sharing it with others at the film festivals.” The film will also be screened at the Awakening Festival in Horsham next week. For more information please contact Interchange Outer East on (03) 9758 5522 or email rebecca.gallaher@ioe.org.au |
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October 8, 2008
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BALANCE CD SINGLE By Rebecca Gallaher A newly formed local rock band will travel to Horsham next week to play at the Awakenings festival. The Ferntree Gully based band the Supernaturals launched their first single ‘Balance’ last week at the Interchange Outer East, Big Gig at York on Lilydale. They formed the band of seven members after discovering their common interest in music and have been working towards the single for three months. Graham Bergroth Interchange Program Worker said “It all came together in the end and the guys all really enjoyed it”. About being in the Supernaturals the 19 year old drummer Jackson Glenn said, “This is my first rock band. I like the people. I don’t like the practice, I want to be perfect first time.” “I’m excited about the launch, people will take photos. I want to be a celebrity when I get older, maybe 21.” Mr Glenn said. For more information on the Supernaturals contact Interchange Outer East on (03) 9758 5522 or email rebecca.gallaher@ioe.org.au |
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October 2008
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LINK MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS By Rebecca Gallaher Local Knox Opportunity Shop donated their profits to support Interchange Outer East music program in October 2008. The Knox Opportunity Shop paid for $500 worth of musical instrument and equipment to the Interchange Outer East music program. Peter Siomos Interchange Coordinator said “the $500 has meant that we can buy a new guitar and other instruments for the guys which allows all the participants to join in the fun of the music program. As a non profit organisation funds can be hard to come by and the music program means a lot to our participants and is one of the most popular programs at Interchange”. Treasurer of the Knox Opportunity Shop Bayswater, Evelyn Hodgkin said “We like to contribute to the local community and we both love music. The guys in the program seem to have so much fun and enjoy themselves and we wanted to contribute to this in any way we could”. “We are neighbours in Macauley place and we would often run into each other in the mornings. It is fantastic to have such great neighbours. Every Monday and Thursday we would hear the great music emanating from next door and we loved the sound.” Ms Hodgkin said. Interchange Outer East is a non-profit organisation that supports young people with disabilities and their families living in the outer eastern region of Melbourne. For more information or to make a donation call (03) 9758 5522 or email rebecca.gallaher@ioe.org.au |
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