Autumn 2015

FRANS
Ne ws
Autumn 2015
For Art ’s Sake 2015
Save the date!
We are delighted to invite you to For Art’s Sake 2015.
This year, the exhibition will be in a different format, showcasing collaborations between people living with a
disability and practicing artists. The exhibition will be open for one night only and all works created in these
exciting partnerships will be for sale by silent auction.
Collaborating artists include:
• Jody Broun, multi award winning and highly acclaimed Indigenous artist, who has donated significant
pieces to For Art’s Sake in the past;
• Jenny Orchard, Australian ceramicist, sculptor and artist,whose much-admired work is represented
internationally and who has also donated her works to For Art’s Sake previously;
• Anthony Maklouf, a photographer and artist who has enjoyed success with commercial and artistic
projects, blending techniques and mediums, and whose anonymous entries to For Art’s Sake have always
been highly sought after;
• Ro Cook, esteemed practicing artist who creates screen printed textiles and who collaborated with a small
group to create amazing full body shadow puppets, producing colourful, life-size works that explore the
art of play.
• Lisa Hölzl, a local practicing artist, a highly regarded art teacher and author of ‘Found and Made’, a book
about art upcycling. Lisa will be working with a group of collaborators to create ceramic totems.
• Zoë Walford, an emerging, interdisciplinary artist with a wealth of experience in supporting and working
with people living with disability.
Thursday, 16 April 2015
6:30pm to 9:30pm
Design Centre Enmore
110 Edgeware Road, Enmore
Inclusion
•
Independence
•
Ability
•
Support
A message from the CEO
As FRANS continues to prepare
for the NDIS, we undertook a
thorough analysis of the most
significant issue that is facing the
organisation: the need to control
costs and increase revenue
generation.
Under the current block funding
model, we are able to manage
our finances with great flexibility
by diverting savings from one
area to another where the
funding is inadequate. This will
no longer be possible with individual packages, and
we will not be able to deduct sufficient money from the
packages to meet our current overheads – rent, utility
bills, cost of stationery, vehicles and fuel, and wages for
coordinators and managers.
The extent of the shortfall is considerable, and this has
prompted me to look at our organisational structure,
and in particular, the size and make-up of the Executive
Management Team.
After consulting with the Executive Team, an external
HR consultant and the Board of Directors and after
very careful consideration, I have decided to reduce
the Executive Team by one position and to redirect the
duties of the of the Development Department to the
remaining four.
There was an open competition to fill the four remaining
positions. As a result, our colleague Matt Spanko,
Executive Manager Development, has decided to take
a redundancy instead and will be leaving FRANS at the
end of April.
This has been a difficult process for everybody, but most
evidently for Matt, and I would like to acknowledge
and thank him for his professionalism and composure
during this challenging time.
Matt has contributed significantly to FRANS over the
past eight years and I thank him for his loyalty and
commitment. Matt has been instrumental in bringing
FRANS to where it is today and I am sure you would all
join me in wishing him well.
I would like to stress that this is purely an administrative
change and that there will be absolutely no impact
on the level and on the quality of support that FRANS
participants, their families and carers enjoy.
This year will see the return of our annual arts show For
Art’s Sake. We have changed the format of the exhibition
and while I regret that we will no longer be inviting
hundreds of artists to contribute to an anonymous
exhibition, I believe that the new format, showcasing
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collaborations between practicing artists and a person
with a disability, will breathe new life into this exciting
project. There is a separate article in this newsletter with
all the details.
I am also delighted to let you know that we have signed
a new lease for our main office in Croydon. This means
that we will remain in these premises for the next 5
to 10 years. It has required delicate negotiations over
several months to ensure the terms of the new lease are
favourable and affordable for FRANS.
Late last week, we brought together all office staff for a
day-long workshop in preparation of our Business Plan
2015-2016. I congratulate the team on a productive
and insightful day. We now have a strong indication of
the direction that FRANS operations will take in the new
financial year. As always, this was done with the needs
of our program participants and their families at the
core. We will refine the Business Plan over the coming
weeks and present it to the Board of Directors at its
meeting in April. That Business Plan will be available to
those interested in June.
And finally, it is my great pleasure to inform you that
FRANS has formally been verified against the NSW
Disability Service Standards through an independent
Third Party Verification process, which was a
requirement of the NSW State Government to ensure
continuation of funding. I thank and congratulate
the whole team on achieving this important goal,
particularly Matt Spanko, who managed the project
closely and successfully. You will find more information
about this in this Newsletter.
As always I remain open to any suggestions for
improvement or to hear any of your concerns or issues.
Please feel free to contact me at any time or arrange a
meeting if that is more appropriate. FRANS thrives on
your feedback and I personally welcome it.
Jerry McNamara
Chief Executive Officer
FRANS Financial literacy program
Several years ago FRANS designed its first financial
literacy program for teenagers and young adult
participants. The original program was financially
supported by the Future 2 Foundation, which
contributed $15,000 in seed funding.
Earlier this year, we successfully applied for a grant
for $57,500 from Financial Literacy Australia, a
Commonwealth initiative, and a technology grant
from the Optus Community Fund for $6,500 to take
this program to the next level.
The FRANS financial literacy program is unique within
the disability sector across NSW. It is based on three
distinct functional levels:
1. a basic course to support teenagers in
recognising the value of money, making simple
transactions and understanding the way in which
goods and money are exchanged;
2. as a progression from the basic course, a
program supporting young adults in planning a
night out in a group to have a meal and see a
movie, travelling safely to and from venues, using
their own financial means individually, paying particular
attention on each transaction, and
3. a third level to support young adults who are leaving the
family home to live independently, in understanding and
managing simple household budgets, doing the weekly
shopping, using debit cards and managing their own
personal spending money.
The new funding from Financial Literacy Australia will assist
us with improvement of the existing course resources, the
instruction of additional trainers and the development of a more
structured curriculum and assessment tools. The funding also
extends to developing a training package that we can deliver
to other disability organisations across the Sydney region and
beyond.
The contribution from the Optus Community Fund will allow us
to introduce technology into the program through the use of
tablets, which have emerged as a tremendously helpful tool
since the course was first developed.
For more information regarding this program please call Enrica
Irene on 02 9797 5322 or email [email protected].
Artist Run workshops
Since 2011, when we first collaborated with artist and
textile designer, Ro Cook, we have facilitated artistrun workshops every year as part of the For Art’s
Sake events.
Following Ro’s highly successful Shadowplay project
of 2011, we invited her again this year to work with a
group of eight FRANS participants on a new project.
This time, workshop participants created large format
shadow imagery that they rendered and decorated
in strong, vibrant colours.
butcher’s paper – effectively separating the whole body into
three or four sections. Each was then rendered individually,
outside of the context of the body shape, affording the young
artists the freedom to break through any creative limitations
they might otherwise have felt.
This year’s work will be exhibited at the new-format For Art’s
Sake, on Thursday, 16 April at the Sydney TAFE Design Centre
in Enmore. We will send invites out shortly, but perhaps you’ll
want to save the date in your diary now.
This project was supported by funding from Leichhardt Council.
The shadow images were traced on individual
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FRANS participant graduates from university
Hi, I’m Tom Maxwell; I recently graduated from
Sydney University with a course in CDS (Centre
of Disability Studies). I studied Roman History
based in Roman Senate at the university.
I now work at the department of Public Health
and Tropical Medicine and Community Services
now known as School of Public Health at Sydney
University. I started my first paid job at
Sydney University in 2009. I have been in my
current job for nearly 7 years.
I wanted to study this course because I really
wanted to achieve something meaningful in my
life. So, I chose this course because I really love
Roman history.
I can’t wait for my long service leave so I can
go to Bora Bora for a nice holiday.
Thank you
Let’s get NDIS ready!
FRANS held an NDIS information workshop with more
than 40 attendees late in February. The workshop was
facilitated by My Choice Matters of the NSW Consumer
Development Fund and invitations extended to families and
carers affiliated with FRANS and St Anthony’s Family Care.
Feedback from
participants
was great,
especially as
My Choice
Matters
facilitated
a dynamic
group session
with lots of
meaningful
information,
lively
discussions and a question time, which was not nearly
long enough, as it turned out!
Attendees found they learnt a lot from the facilitator, but
also from other families and carers at the forum, and so
we agreed to pursue this model with a further workshop
for this group, to delve deeper into some more specific
areas of NDIS planning. And we agreed to run the same
introductory workshop again, so that those carers and
families who were unable to attend this first one could also
benefit.
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We have not yet set a date, but if you are interested in
attending this workshop, please let us know so that we can
contact you with more information as it comes to hand.
For more information or to register your interest in
attending, please email or call Matt Spanko, Executive
Manager Development:
(02 9797 5310; [email protected]).
We are always very pleased to receive feedback
from participants and families; regardless of
whether it may be praise or criticism. If you want
to let us know about something you are happy
or dissatisfied about, please speak to any of our
staff or write to [email protected].
When I arrived to pick Luke up at the
conclusion of last Saturday’s TIG Social Skills
outing, Luke had a big smile on his face and
was in a great mood, which indicated he had
enjoyed his day. His Support Worker also
informed me that there had been NO issues
during the outing. I am therefore very keen
for Luke to participate in future TIG outings if
possible.
Regards,
Dora Sindone
Celebrating international women’s day at FRANS
8th of March marks International Women’s Day, a
global celebration of women’s economic, political, and
social achievements, and an expression of the respect,
appreciation and love towards the women in our lives who
help achieve these accomplishments.
The Burwood Coffee Club came together last Sunday to
prepare a luncheon of home-made cannelloni and green
garden salad, followed by scrumptious cakes, courtesy of
FRANS Director Penny Gerstle.
This group has been coming together for many years
to spend time in the company of friends, socialise and
undertake a range of activities. On this occasion they
enjoyed a wonderful meal, discussed womanhood and
why it is still so important to celebrate the day, and some
even got a henna tattoo and had their nails painted.
FRANS is verified…!
In preparation for the rollout of the NDIS, all disability support
organisations in NSW are required to undertake third party
verification prior to 30 June this year.
Third party verification is a rigorous audit process that looks at
an organisation’s performance and practices against the NSW
Disability Service Standards. The purpose is to have in place
solid and transparent systems and practices, as well as clear
documentation procedures and continuous improvement
plans.
review our performance against those 83 key performance
indicators on an ongoing basis. This includes our resolute
commitment to a person centred focus and adherence to the
National Disability Standards in all planning and activities.
You can view a copy of the National Standards for Disability
Services by visiting tinyurl.com/disAbility-Standards.
The audit examines 83 different key performance indicators of
the six Disability Service Standards.
The third party verification was conducted early last month by
an independent auditing company. The verification included
onsite reviews of policies and procedures, evidence of
practices supporting the Standards, interviews with a range
of stakeholders, including persons with a disability, and an
analysis of the quality management system in place at FRANS.
Prior to the actual verification, FRANS undertook a gap
analysis, to identify any areas of improvement. We then
invested considerable time in making sure our administrative
systems were up to scratch, that we had clear delineations
of roles and responsibilities – and that our stakeholders
were aware of those – and we continued to involve program
participants and carers in all facets of the organisation, with a
view to maintaining high transparency,
With the successful certification, we are now formally verified
as being adequately accountable for all of our operations
under the NDIS. This is an important starting point to prepare
the organisation for the transition to the NDIS in the Sydney
region.
While the verification may be concluded, we will continue to
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End-of-Year Party
Before 2014 came to an end, we invited participants and
their families to our annual end-of-year party at Croydon
Park Public School, to celebrate another successful and
busy year with them.
Thanks to generous contributions of money and food from
Club Five Dock, Club Ashfield, Wests Ashfield and Club
Burwood RSL, and thanks to a very generous gift of $2,500
from Ashfield Council, we were able to provide some 80
participants and families a great BBQ lunch with healthy
salads and desserts and a small gift for everybody.
The organising committee ensured there were plenty
of activities on this beautiful day. Richard Bassett from
everybody’s favourite bikie group, the Wednesday Wheelie
Warriors (the other Warriors were caught up elsewhere),
charming Penelope the Pirate, a face painter, a DJ and a
massive jumping castle were among the fun activates that
made the party unforgettable for many.
We thank everybody who came along, and we look
forward to celebrating another end-of-year party with our
friends and families in December this year.
This is your captain speaking...
Last Saturday, the FRANS Oaks group was treated to
a very special experience, thanks to the Harry WastiePero’s parents, Iain and Ruth, who run the Flight
Experience Flight Simulator in Darling Harbour.
it’s like to be an airline captain with real-life airline
procedures!
We thank Flight Experience Flight Simulator for flying the
Oaks crew, and we hope to be back one day soon!
The group was invited to spend an hour in a real flight
simulator, specifically designed as an entry level training
simulator – just like the real thing used by trainee pilots!
They flew a Boeing 737 on take-offs and landings at
different airports. The experience is pretty much what
Trivia Night
FRANS Self-Advocacy group will host another
unforgettable night.
»»
Tuesday 26th May
»»
Wests Sports Club
114 Church Street
Croydon NSW 2132
»»
6PM
»»
Great Night
Great Prizes
Please stay tuned for more information. This
event is open to all!
If you are interested in participating please call
or email to Babak Jafari, Marketing Coordinator
on 02 9797 5313 or [email protected]
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New Staff
My Name is Diana. I have been working as a volunteer
in the FRANS office since August last year. Since Friday
the 13th of February I have been working here at FRANS
as a paid employee. I will be working here two days a
week on Wednesday and Friday from 9am-2pm. Some
of things I will be doing are looking after reception and
helping people with administrative work.
Working in the office was my goal and I really like it
because all the people in here are very kind and lovely.
I have been working at Afford
in Marrickville for 10 years.
I still work there two days a
week. I just wanted to do
something different.
Chetna Baweja, Coordinator Support
I am the new coordinator for Teen Time and vacation
care.
I started at FRANS as voluntary worker in September
2009 while studying Diploma in Community Welfare
Work, which motivated me to work with people with
disability. This later gave me an opportunity to work as
Support Worker and in team leader capacity, mainly in
Day Options, Teen Time and
Vacation Care programs.
I am original from New
Delhi and have passion for
cooking and creating new
varieties of dishes. I love
travelling and look forward
to travelling to New Zealand
and Malaysia in the new
year.
What I like to do in my own
time is sing and dance! I am
also a member of the FRANS
self-advocacy group with
five other people. We are
currently organising a Trivia
Night to raise funds for the
activities the group wants to do.
 Please post to FRANS Inc · PO Box 210 · Croydon NSW 2132 
Please help support FRANS by making a donation or becoming a FRANS Member.
Donate now
Become a member
Your donation will make a difference to FRANS’
current and future services for people with
disabilities, their families and carers. In return for
your generous contribution, FRANS will guarantee
that your donation is applied to provide direct
service to people in need.
All donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.
CFN: CC27014
ABN: 39 136 853 895.
c YES, I would like to make a donation to FRANS.
Your support will provide:
Members are eligible to vote at the FRANS AGM,
join a subcommittee, and access and borrow books,
dvds and other resources free. Please apply now for
2014/2015.
c $20 Individual / Family membership
c $50 Organisational membership
c Dr c Mr c Mrs c Ms c Miss c Other
Name
Organisation
c $35 (1 hour of 1:1 support)
c $100 (participation in a 1 day group outing)
c $200 (1 day of 1:1 support)
c Other: $
c I would prefer to give a regular gift of $
To be automatically charged to my credit card every:
c month c quarter c six months c year.
Address
Postcode
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email
Donation / Membership Payment Details:
c I enclose a cheque / money order payable to FRANS Inc.
c Please debit my credit card. c VISA c Mastercard
Card No.
c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c c
Expiry Date
c c • c c
Cardholder’s Name
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Our generous Sponsors in 2014
Concord R.S.L &
Community Club
EXECUTIVE
CENTRAL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Glenn Ball
Vice President
Emily Dash
Treasurer
Warren Dawes
Secretary
Sally de Dear
Directors
Mary Lou Carter
Sandra Casinader
John Clarke
Darren Dick
Penny Gerstle
Stephen Hodges
Rosemary King
Rosa Saladino
STAFF CONTACTS
Senior Coordinator, Support
Debbie Focas..............................02 9797 5314
Chief Executive Officer
Jerry McNamara........................02 9797 5397 Senior Coordinator, Support and Intake
Alison Matthews .....................02 9797 5316
Executive Manager, Support
Erika Aravena.............................02 9797 5317 Accounts Senior Coordinator
Eric Hong....................................02 9797 5309
Executive Manager, Development
Matt Spanko...............................02 9797 5310
Reception...................................02 9799 4333
Chief Financial Officer
Susan Woodhouse....................02 9797 5302
Executive Manager, Marketing & Fundraising
Peter Schneider..........................02 9797 5315
FRANS
Manager, Human Resources
Lorenzo Serva............................02 9797 5304
113 Edwin St North
PO Box 210
CROYDON NSW 2132
Manager, Support
Kelly Rodrigues...........................02 9797 5318
02 9799 4333
[email protected]
Manager, Support
Thom Calma...............................02 9797 5311
frans.com.au