Families Supporting Families

23/01/2026

23/01/2026

📣 Parliament is running an Inquiry into the administration of the NDIS, and they want to hear from you.

The Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit is asking for submissions on how the Scheme is run, including how the NDIA operates, how claims are handled, the performance of the NDIS Commission and more. Submissions close 30 January 2026.

Your lived experience matters, your voice counts, and this is a chance to push for fairness, reasonable and necessary support, and choice and control.

📨 You can make a submission, share your story, or raise issues you see every day.
👉 Add your voice today: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Public_Accounts_and_Audit/Inquiry_into_the_administration_of_the_National_Disability_Insurance_Scheme

[Image description: Graphic with red and white background. A megaphone sits in the bottom left. Text reads: "Add your voice – Inquiry into the administration of the NDIS." The Every Australian Counts logo appears in the bottom right.]

22/01/2026

Young People's Theatre Newcastle are having an Open Day this Saturday 24th January! A FREE event with performances, a tour and workshops in Drama, Dance and Musical Theatre!

Book your free ticket at https://ypt.org.au/bookings/

🌟2026 OPEN DAY🌟

On Saturday 24 Jan, YPT is holding our 2026 Open Day!
Whether you are a newly enrolled student who wants to check out YPT before classes start, or whether you want to see if YPT is something you're interested in, our Open Day is perfect for you!

Each session is catered to a different age group so you can see what classes would be like for you, but all ages are welcome at any session! Each session will have two performances from productions in our 2025 season, as well as two 30-minute workshops in either Drama, Musical Theatre or Dance!

Our Highschool Session will also have a special Tech Workshop for those interested in Tech!

Session 1 - Primary School Years 1-4, 9am - 10:30am
Session 2 - High School Years 7-12, 10am - 12pm
Session 3 - Primary School Years 5-6, 11:30am - 1pm

Tickets: FREE!!!

So what are you waiting for?! Book your ticket to our open day here https://ypt.org.au/bookings/

21/01/2026

Term 1 registrations now open at the awesome Chance2dance Australia Inc! 🤩

Chance2dance 2026 … LETS Go !!!
Contact Megan 0410 679 482 if the SUPERSTAR on your family is ready for the REAL dance experience

’sNumber1 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

21/01/2026

20/01/2026

Tickets are on sale now for the Newcastle Girls Day Out - Women in Sport including the all-abilities event. All happening on February 7th.

NEWCASTLE, tickets are now live! 💥
⁠
Head over to our website www.girlsdayout.com.au and grab yours now! Quick run before they sell out - link is the bio ⬆️⬆️⬆️⁠
⁠
Looking forward to seeing you all soon for an awesome day out 🤸

Kloster Ford Port Waratah Coal Services Rip Curl Toybox Films Ryan Ansell Investment Solutions NSW Rugby Philippa Anderson Surf School Nobbys SLSC Newcastle Play Rugby League Hunter & Central Coast Netball NSW Hunter Netball Hockey NSW Golf NSW Northern NSW Football AFLNSWACT

19/01/2026

Enrolments are now open for a new Perform Ability class in Newcastle.

Starting from Monday 9th Feb at 4pm in Henderson Park Hall, Adamstown.

Use this link to request a FREE trial class!
https://performability.com.au/ -scIYUibZ9

NEW CLASS starting 9 February in the Newcastle area! 🤩

We’re so excited to be bringing Perform Ability classes to the Newcastle area, with our newest program launching at Henderson Park Hall.

🗓 Mondays
⏰ 4:00–5:00pm
📍 Henderson Park Hall, Merewether (Newcastle area)

This class puts fun first and offers a safe and welcoming space where your child can relax, explore, and enjoy movement. Confidence and connection grow naturally with no pressure and no expectations.

Parents, carers, and support workers are always welcome to stay close and be part of the session.

✨ Enrolments are now open and we would love to welcome our Newcastle families into the Perform Ability community 💙

Link in Bio to get a FREE Trial! ⬇️
https://performability.com.au/ -scIYUibZ9

19/01/2026

Another Model Newcastle Low Sensory Session is coming up this Wednesday! 🥰

For visitors who may feel overwhelmed by crowds or noise, these sessions offer a quieter, more relaxed experience at the Museum in the afternoon.

Specifically designed for individuals with disabilities or low-sensory needs, these sessions allow guests to explore the Model Newcastle exhibition in a calm environment.

📆 Wednesday 21 January
⏰ 4-5pm
🧑‍🦰 All ages welcome!
🎟 Exhibition entry fees apply. Book now at: https://www.trybooking.com/DHZXE or on arrival at the Museum.

18/01/2026

Upcoming opportunities to learn about Social Role Valorisation from Imagine More.

Have you been wondering what you can do to ensure your family member with disability is not disadvantaged by marginalisation, discrimination, and stigma, and instead has the opportunity to thrive and enjoy all that life has to offer?

Many families and professionals have found a working knowledge of Social Role Valorisation (SRV) to be very helpful.

In its simplest form, SRV shows us how to support people who are marginalised by society in developing valued roles across every part of their lives. The more valued roles a person occupies, the more likely they are to gain access to the good life.

If this sounds intriguing, we think you'll enjoy two of our upcoming events!

✨Workshop 1:
Building better lives: An introduction to Social Role Valorisation, presented by Darcy Elks

In this brand-new, two-hour online session, you’ll be introduced to Social Role Valorisation (SRV), a social theory developed by Dr Wolf Wolfensberger to guide efforts that support marginalised people to access the good things of life.

🗓️ Wednesday, 28 January 2026
⏰ From 11:00 am until 1:00 pm AEDT
🖥️ Online via Zoom
🎟️ This is a free workshop which will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers.

Learn more and register here:
https://imaginemore.org.au/events/building-better-lives/

✨Workshop 2:
Towards a better life, presented by Amie Storer and Sharon Lowe

Join us for two days for a deeper dive into Social Role Valorisation and its practical applications. This workshop is one of our most popular annual events. Places are limited, so please secure your place to avoid disappointment.

🗓️ Thursday, 12 March and Friday, 13 March 2026
⏰ 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on both days
📍 59 Cameron Avenue Conference and Event Centre, Belconnen, ACT
🎟️ Sponsored (free or low-cost) tickets are available.

Learn more and register here:
https://imaginemore.org.au/events/tabl-2026/

16/01/2026

Register now for this fantastic all-abilities program run by Wallsend Touch Association!

REGISTER NOW - Wallsend Touch All Abilities Program❗️

Program runs for 6 weeks starting 25 February.

For all the details and to register: https://wallsend.nswtouch.com.au/2025/12/coastal-fire-all-abilities-ds-roofing-touch-football-program-feb-2026/

The program is proudly sponsored by Coastal Fire Services and DS Roofing☺️

14/01/2026

A great family day out yesterday at Oakvale Wildlife Park thanks to the generous support of Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group and Port Waratah Coal Services! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Thank you to Belinda for organising this fun outing for 37 of our members. 🙏

Everyone enjoyed exploring the park, interacting with the awesome animals and finishing off with some fun in Splash Bay! 🐊 🐪 😎

14/01/2026

🌊 Make Waves This Summer with Our Surfing Days! ☀️

Join us for fun, safe surfing at Stockton Beach using our custom-made surfboards. 🏄‍♀️

📅 Fridays in January 2026:
16 January
23 January
30 January

🕥 Time: 10:30 am – 1:00 pm

📍 Location: Stockton Beach

What to bring:
✔ Hat
✔ Sunscreen
✔ Swimmers
✔ Towel

Most importantly, don’t forget to Slip, Slop, Slap! 😎

📞 Questions? Call us on (02) 4962 1000 and press 3 to speak to our friendly team. We hope to see you there! 🌞