CEOWelcome Welcome to the thirteenth edition of the Rural Lifestyle Options Australia magazine. I would like to start this update by acknowledging how proud I am of the efforts of our staff, participants, and families over the past six months. It really has been a joint effort by all. Additionally, without the ongoing support provided by my Executive Team and the Board of Directors, we would not have been able to navigate through these uncertain times. Since I returned from maternity leave on the 6th of January 2020, as an organisation we have witnessed a great deal of change. When the news of COVID-19 reaching Australian shores broke, plans were put on hold however our organisation’s commitment to fulfilling dreams and assisting people to achieve their desired goals was still achieved. Despite our inability to control what was happening further afield, and with the support of my Executive Team and the Board of Directors, I recognised that we were still in a position to control what was happening at Rural Lifestyle Options Australia. Our participants and our workforce were at the heart of our plan, which saw the whole team working together seamlessly to introduce new safety measures and precautions to mitigate any potential spread of the virus and to ensure the organisation’s mission of ‘Supporting a life of choice’ remained resolute. After many months of our office staff working tirelessly from remote working arrangements, on the 1st of June 2020, our three office locations re-opened. This was the first phase of our two-stage plan, which was founded in advice from both federal and state governments. We want to reassure our staff, participants and families that we are continuing to monitor federal and state governments’ updates on the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation and have the resources and infrastructure in place to handle any situation that may transpire to continue to best support our people in the community. I consider myself grateful for how our team stepped up in the face of this adversity and empathise with those who have been affected by tragedy and heartbreak on account of this pandemic. I would also like to acknowledge the federal government’s financial contributions over this period to ensure our organisation could continue to support vulnerable people in the communities in which we operate. In this edition of the Rural Lifestyle Options Australia Magazine, you will hear from one of our participant’s Michael, who submitted an editorial reflecting on his experience throughout COVID-19 (Pages 4-6). I am proud of the positive feedback we received from many participants and their families for the organisation’s handling of this situation and appreciate the time contributed from Michael in preparing his piece. In addition to this you will learn about our latest service offering 'Attendant Care and Support' under the National Injury Insurance Scheme (Page 7) as well as our revamped 'Tree Change' Short Term Accommodation Holiday package under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Page 11). You will also read about how we have progressed our commitment to reconciliation (Pages 8-10). We are looking forward to sharing with you the next stage of our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in rural and regional communities. Since our last edition, we have had several staff members receive awards and achieve some amazing feats, including Leanne Cahill who achieved 15 years of service to the organisation (Page 24-25).
Rural Lifestyle Options Australia Magazine ISSUE 13 BIANNUAL PUBLICATION August 2020 QUEENSLAND For the Scenic Rim Region PO Box 617, Beaudesert QLD 4285 For the Logan and Ipswich Areas PO Box 6095, Logan Central QLD 4114 NEW SOUTH WALES For the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers PO Box 238, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Search 'Rural Lifestyle Options Australia' to find us on: Produced and published twice yearly by the Rural Lifestyle Options Australia New Business, Communications and Innovation Division with contributions from the Board, Staff, Participants, Partners and Volunteers. DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Nicholas Power Executive Leader Brand and Innovation nick.power@rloa.org.au ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES David Gordon To gain permission to reprint any material that appears in this publication, please contact social@rloa.org.au. The views expressed in the Rural Lifestyle Options Australia Magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of Rural Lifestyle Options Australia. Chief Operating Officer advertising@rloa.org.au The organisation takes no responsibility for equipment, products or services advertised in this publication.
Rural Australia respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present. Lifestyle Options
Michelle Latailakepa Chief Executive Officer
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