Gippsland Disability Advocacy Inc.

20/08/2026

Shaping inclusion

East Gippsland Shire Council is inviting people with disability, their families, carers and advocacy organisations to join a new community network designed to directly shape local projects and civic decisions.

Expressions of interest are now open for the East Gippsland Disability Network, which provides a dedicated, safe space for community members to share lived experiences and guide council’s approach to accessibility.

The initiative builds on the legacy of the former Disability Advisory Committee, expanding the framework to allow broader participation across the shire.

Members of the network will gain access to a private online hub to discuss upcoming council initiatives, share feedback, and highlight local access barriers that might otherwise go unnoticed. Opportunities for in-person meetings and discussions will also be provided.

East Gippsland Shire Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said the new model ensures council decisions reflect the daily realities of residents living with a disability.

“We are committed to making it easier for you to have your say and be involved in shaping our community,” Cr Ashworth said.

“This network gives us a genuine way to listen — not just once, but as an ongoing conversation that helps us design better spaces, services and programs for everyone.”

Council has pledged to keep the application process fully accessible, offering information in Easy Read and large print formats, as well as direct staff assistance for anyone needing help with their submission.

“If you have lived experience with disability, are a family member, friend, or carer, or represent a local organisation, we’d love for you to apply,” Cr Ashworth said.

Expressions of interest can be submitted at any time via council’s website, by calling or by emailing council.

14/08/2026

The Art for All Exhibition 2026 is coming to Latrobe Regional Gallery from 5 December 2026 to 14 February 2027, celebrating the creativity and talent of people with disability.

🎨 Are you an artist with disability?
Submit your work for the opportunity to be part of a professionally curated exhibition and share your creativity with the community. Expressions of Interest (EOI) close tomorrow at 11.59pm.

👉 Submit your EOI:
Via: Art for All Exhibition – Expressions of Interest

Need help or an extension to submit your EOI?
Contact Latrobe Regional Gallery:
📧 [email protected]
📞 03 5128 5700
📍 138 Commercial Road, Morwell

We’d love to see your work! 🎨

10/08/2026

Women with Disabilities Australia Reproductive health, menstruation, contraception and disability: A resource for young people

What You’ll Find:
• Menstruation: Learn about periods, managing menstruation with a disability, and finding support if you’re a victim-survivor of abuse.
• Contraception: Explore different birth control options, their effectiveness, and how to choose the right one for you.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Get informed about STIs, how they’re transmitted, and how to protect yourself.
• Your Rights: Understand your sexual and reproductive health rights, including access to information and services.

You can find the resources here
https://wwda.org.au/our-resources/project/youth-reproductive-health/

06/08/2026

Disability Group Invited to New Network in East Gippsland

East Gippsland Shire Council is inviting people with disability, their families, carers and support organisations to be part of a new way of having their say on their projects and decisions.

The East Gippsland Disability Network is now open for expressions of interest, offering a dedicated and safe space for people with a disability, carers, friends, family and organisations that work with the disability community to share their views on Council projects and decisions.

The network builds on the work of the former Disability Advisory Committee, which supported Council's approach to disability access and inclusion for many years. This new model widens that circle, giving more people across the shire the opportunity to get involved in a way that suits them.

People who join the network will have access to a private online hub, where they'll be able to discuss projects, share feedback and help identify barriers that might otherwise go unnoticed. There will also be opportunities for in-person engagement.

Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said the network was about making sure Council's decisions reflected the real experiences of people with disability across the shire.

"We are committed to making it easier for you to have your say and be involved in shaping our community," Cr Ashworth said.

"This network gives us a genuine, ongoing way to listen - not just once, but as an ongoing conversation that helps us design better spaces, services and programs for everyone."

Council is committed to making the process itself accessible, with information available in easy read and large print formats, and support on hand for anyone who needs help completing the expression of interest.

"If you have lived experience with disability, are a family member, friend or carer of a person with disability, or an organisation or stakeholder representative, we'd love for you to apply to join the network," Cr Ashworth said.

05/08/2026

New initiative for First Nations people at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART)

The ART is an independent federal body that reviews decisions made by Australian Government agencies, including Centrelink, the NDIS, Immigration, and Tax, to ensure they are fair, lawful, and correct. The review process is less formal than court, allows new information to be considered, and is designed to be accessible. The First Nations Liaison Officer Program currently prioritises tailored case support for First Nations participants seeking review of Centrelink and NDIS decisions. For more information please email [email protected] or phone (08) 8128 8146

04/08/2026

Redress for Historical Institutional Abuse extended

If you experienced abuse and/or neglect as a child in institutional settings in Victoria before 1990, you can apply.

You now have until 31 December 2026 to apply for Redress for Historical Institutional Abuse.
If you apply and are found eligible, you will be offered:
• a payment of up to $20,000
• a personal acknowledgement or apology
• up to 20 counselling sessions.
Eligible applicants will be able to choose one or all these options.
Examples of institutional settings are orphanages and children’s homes, foster care and kinship care. For a full list, see the webpage or contact us.

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing can help you to apply.

To find out more:
• call 1800 716 870
• email [email protected]
• visit services.dffh.vic.gov.au/redress.

Redress for Historical Institutional Abuse is for people who experienced physical, emotional or psychological abuse and neglect as children in institutional settings in Victoria before 1990.

03/08/2026

Free pads and tampons in every local council area in Victoria. Period.
More people now have access to free pads and tampons when and where they need them. We know pads and tampons aren’t a luxury and are essential to health and wellbeing. That’s why the Victorian Government is making free pads and tampons available across the state.

Free pads and tampons are available in over 1,000 machines across Victoria.

Find free pads and tampons near you

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/free-pads-and-tampons

02/08/2026

Cancer Council Victoria and Sexual Health Victoria are working together to increase cervical screening for Victorians.

Sexual Health Victoria now offers FREE cervical screening appointments in a range of flexible formats for people with disability, or who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing. Appointments are longer than a standard appointment.

About Sexual Health Victoria's free cervical screening appointments:
Types of cervical screening test appointments available:
• Appointment at home through a phone call (telehealth),
• Appointment at home through a video call,
• In-person (Box Hill Clinic). Read about clinic access here.

Appointment costs:
• Free (bulk billed with Medicare) for people with disability. This covers all costs, including any mailed items and a self-addressed return envelope.
How do I book an appointment?
• Book online (click here)
• Call 1800 013 952, or
• Email [email protected]

Please note: Sexual Health Victoria has consulted with several disability organisations and leaders to make their service as accessible as possible. For more information about this service, please contact Sarah [email protected]

To learn more about cervical screening, visit Cancer Council Victoria’s website or call or email our free Cancer Support service.

31/07/2026

AMES Australia is bringing its award-winning Leadership Program to Morwell!

This evidence-based program empowers emerging and established community leaders with the knowledge, practical skills, and networks needed to promote gender equality and help prevent family violence in culturally appropriate ways.

To date, the program has supported 245 graduates from 19 language backgrounds, many of whom are now leading community initiatives, facilitating workshops, and contributing to important policy discussions.

The program has a focus on Men from multicultural background who is committed and wanted to make a difference in their local community.

If you know someone in Morwell or the broader Gippsland region who is passionate about creating positive change in their community, please share this opportunity with them.

Together, we can strengthen community leadership and create safer, more inclusive communities.

Registration link:
2026 Safer Families, Safer Communities Leadership Program-Morwell – Fill out form

30/07/2026

Compliance and enforcement actions search | NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

To make an informed decision about the providers or workers you employ or work with, you can search their compliance record to see if they have received any current or past compliance or enforcement actions. More information about the actions included in the search.

The search looks for individual, sole trader, trading names or company names.

Search for a business using a single word or partial word, as this may find spelling or name variations.

Search for a worker using first name or last name, not both.

If you've searched different possible spellings, action types or years and don't find any results, it's likely the provider or worker hasn't received any enforcement

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/compliance-and-enforcement-actions&ct=ga&cd=CAEYFioTNjQyMTc2MjY3MTcxNjU3NjkwMjIfMWUzZTg5MjYwZTk4ZDU3Njpjb20uYXU6ZW46QVU6Ug&usg=AOvVaw3jdhNCO8h-uVY47L8RLYLo

actions.

Download all enforcement action data (CSV)