Strong start for active yearIt’s only April but 2014 is definitely in full swing and is looking to be a big year for Wheeling & Able.

Already we have had BBQs at Bunnings in Lake Macquarie (Belmont), Cessnock and Singleton, and on 2 March a great group of volunteers paddled up a storm for Paddlefest at Speers Point, going on to win their division in the dragon boat race (check out the photos on our Facebook page). We were also nominated as one of the charity partners of the Harleys for Humanity (H4H) KrankiT bike and car show held at Wallsend on 6 April.

As the 2014 charity partner for the Tocal Field Days, we still need volunteers to help out with this three day event from Friday 2-4 May. If you can assist in any way, even just an hour or two of your time, please contact us.

To top off the first part of the year, the second annual “Go Wheeling” wheelchair basketball event will be held on 1 August with the support of our ambassador, Liesl Tesch AM and our friends from NUsport | The Forum at the University of Newcastle.

We are very excited to commence renovations to the Forster Unit from 19 May. A huge thank you goes to the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, without whom this work would not be taking place.

Both units at Corlette and Forster are now open to the public, so while we prioritise our clients past and present, if you know of anyone that would benefit from accessible holiday accommodation please get them to contact us.

I would like to congratulate and highlight the wonderful work of two very inspirational ladies who were recognised at the 2014 Australia Day Awards.

Wheeling & Able Ambassador, Liesl Tesch, received the title of Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her significant service to sport as a gold medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and the promotion and facilitation of sport for people with disabilities.

President of our Central Coast Branch and immediate past Chair of the Board, Helen Walker, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to people with disabilities.

Well done, you are both very deserving recipients who have contributed greatly to this organisation and our community.

Karen Phillips

Wheeling & Able News

APRIL 2014 | 1

Red racers raise profile

Team Wheeling & Able certainly made a splash at Paddlefest 2014.

The inclement weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the volunteers at Paddlefest 2014. The crew had a lot of fun and made a lot of noise paddling hard in the Dragon Boat races at Speers Point on 2 March.

Wheeling & Able’s participation in the dragon boat races was made possible by the big-hearted sponsorship of a dragon boat by Toronto Sunrise Rotary Club. With the people-power of our wonderful volunteers Wheeling & Able proudly paddled our way to ‘Divisional Winners’.

Our association with strong, proven organisations such as Rotary Clubs in the Hunter is an important part of our history and future. By working together we can continue to raise awareness and assist children with physical disabilities to get mobile right across our region.

The day’s action was also captured by NBN News and the team’s bright red singlets were hard to miss. Scan the QR Code to watch the footage and see if you can spot Team Wheeling & Able.

Thank you Our sincere thanks to the following for their support and generous donations.

• The Westpac Matching Gifts Fund - $10,000 to match a previous individual donation

• Lake Macquarie Private Hospital - $2500

• Employees of Lake Macquarie City Council, workplace gold coin collection day - $194

• Orrett Investments - $2000 towards the purchase a new electric hospital bed

• Safearth, local specialist engineering group - $2000

• St George Foundation - $2500 grant to fund Riding for the Disabled program for our clients

• Harleys 4 Humanity (H4H) – proceeds from KrankiT event

• Volunteers – helping at the KrankiT event

• Toronto Workers Club – showcasing our charity for the month of March

• Volunteers at the Bunnings Belmont BBQs – close to $3000 was raised

• Aldi Belmont – assistance with consumables for Bunnings BBQ

• Flourish Naturally - $80

• Patrons of IGA Merewether – money tin donations

• Patrons of Pauls on Harrison, fish and chips at Cardiff – money tin donation

• Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) - $5351 for a new hospital bed and air/day chair for the Forster holiday unit

APRIL 2014 | 2

Coffee break for visitors

After a short stay in hospital, Orlando and his family enjoyed a holiday at the Corlette accessible holiday unit. Mum and dad are coffee lovers and kindly donated a coffee machine to the unit that we are sure many other families will be very grateful for. Thanks guys!

New hand on deckWheeling & Able has welcomed Geri Reeve to our volunteer staff. Geri has kindly offered to come into the office one day a week to help keep our database up to date.

If you would like to volunteer, we’d love to hear from you. Please call us on 4962 2042.

Grill’d shows support againWheeling & Able is grateful to again be selected as a ‘Local Matters’ charity for Grill’d at The Junction. This means we receive donations made to us from patrons. We hope all our readers continue to support the local organisations that support us!

First time opportunity for many We are really excited about our two new beach wheelchairs for the accessible units. The chairs have balloon-like tyres that ride easily over the sand which makes it possible to easily get people with physical disabilities on the beach and to the water’s edge. For many children this may be the first time they have experienced a walk along the beach or the sensation of being able to play in the waves.

The purchase of these fabulous beach wheelchairs was made possible solely from the generous donation of almost $9000 from the proceeds of the Combined Insurance Golf Day held at Merewether Golf Club.

A huge thank you to the organising committee, participants and sponsors of the Golf Day.

Christmas RaffleOur Christmas Sports Pack raffle raised $1307, with winners drawn on 9 December.

The winners: 1st prize – Norrie Stevens2nd prize – Michael Purser3rd prize – Gary Cox

Congratulations to our winners and a big thank you to all who sold and purchased tickets in support of Wheeling & Able.

Central Coast makes James mobile

It took a combined effort to make the Stellakis family’s dream come true. Thanks to support and contributions from the Wheeling & Able Central Coast branch, Central Coast Lions, Lions Foundation and Life Without Barriers, the Stellakis family now has a specially converted, wheelchair accessible van.

James Stellakis has a condition known as Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) and needs mobility equipment to move around.

The modified car has made life a little easier for his family and improved James’ comfort and access to the community.

Wheeling & Able is proud to work alongside other local organisations making a difference in the community.

Top: Jeff Kukura from East Gosford Lions Club with James and his mother, Alicia, and sister, Rosie.

The Cessnock Advertiser recently reported on an overwhelming show of support for one of our clients in Cessnock.

Daniel Mayer, 9, was diagnosed in 2009 with an incurable genetic condition called Ataxia telangiectasia (AT). Just days later his mother, Judy, was diagnosed with breast cancer, which has since spread to her bones.

Judy’s sister-in-law, Leah Armstrong, set up a GoFundMe page which has now raised $20,000 to help the family’s dream of going to Disneyland become a reality.

Image Source: Cessnock Advertiser

Wheeling & Able has been on the journey with the Mayer family, ensuring Daniel’s wheelchair has the right fittings and alterations when he needs them, as well as a speech support App to use with an iPad for school work.

Read the full article online or scan the QR code here:

Community rallies for Cessnock family.

APRIL 2014 | 3

Behind the scenesSome photos from the filming of our community service announcement. Watch out for our new TV commercial on NBN and Prime7, or see it online: www.youtube.com/wheelingandable.

AN INVITATION TO PARENT/CARERS

Do you provide care and support to a Child/Young Person who is aged Pre-School to School Years with a Disability,

Mental Illness or Chronic Condition?

You are Invited to attend our FREE Parent/Carer Information Sessions

Where: Club Macquarie, 458 Lake Road, Argenton Time: 9.30am — 2.00pm Cost: FREE — Morning Tea & Light Lunch Provided RSVP: Thursday 24th April – For Catering Purposes Ph: 4921 4895 or 1300 887 776

or Educare-Admin@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

When: Wednesday 30th April 2014 The Impact of being a Parent/Carer – HNE – Carer Education & Support

Program – Hunter Building Parent Resilience – Jackie Currey, First Chance

When: Wednesday 7th May 2014 Siblings – HNE – Carer Education & Support Program - Hunter National Disability Insurance Agency – Suzanne Punshon Using Assisted Technology – Ben Coombe, Samaritans

When: Wednesday 14th May 2014 The Importance of Support Groups – Bronwyn Thoroughgood - Families

Supporting Families Child Behaviour that Challenges Us – Craig Moore, Clinical Psychologist Discrimination – Your Rights and Responsiblities – Claire Williams – Anti-

Discrimination Board of NSW

Respite may be available by contacting

Commonwealth Respite & Carelink Centre on

1800 052 222

Contact UsWheeling & Able Head OfficeSuite 11, 48 Oakdale RoadPO BOX 2169Gateshead NSW 2290Phone 02 4962 2042Email mail@wheelingandable.org.au

Volunteer Branch Contact DetailsCentral Coast 02 4372 1222Cessnock 02 4990 5420Singleton 02 6573 1949

www.wheelingandable.org.au

EventsRock ‘n’ RollA Rock ’n’ Roll group has been initiated for children aged 6+ with physical or intellectual disabilities and their families. This group will be run from the Rathmines Bowling Club from 4.30-6.00pm each Wednesday from 30th April for a seven week trial Period. Cost is only $2 per person!

Please contact Lisa Taylor on 0421 642 675 or email leisbj@hotmail.com

Tocal Field Days 2-4 May 2014Wheeling & Able will be having a stall located at Eat Street in the exhibition. We need volunteers to sell raffle tickets and promote our charity. Volunteers will be given a free entry pass and free exhibitor parking.

Contact Jan to register – jancampbell@wheelingandable.org.au or phone 0419 622 055

Trivia, Raffles and Games31 May 2014Wallsend Maryland Rotary Club is holding a trivia night to support Wheeling & Able and the Hunter’s First Dual Scalp Cooling Machine (to reduce hair loss from chemotherapy treatment).

Saturday 31 May, 6.30pmCharlestown Bowling Club$10 per person – Tables of 10RSVP to Karina Parkes by 17 May 2014 (kcolburt@y7mail.com or call 0432 656 862)

APRIL 2014 | 4

What’s on

Go Wheeling is on again at The Forum on 1 August 2014! Keep an eye on our Facebook and website for more information on how

to get involved.