ConnectAbility Australia

14/11/2025

🏆 Huge congratulations to Dr Karla Seaman, Executive Lead Community Living at Newcastle-founded ConnectAbility, for winning Best Sector Impact at the 2025 Australian Disability Service Awards!

💡 Karla’s leadership is transforming disability support - from electronic medication systems to empowering teams and delivering person-centred care - impacting over 1,780 people and families in Newcastle and beyond.

🎉 CEO David Carey was able to attend the Melbourne event last night with Karla to celebrate the win. He is also proud of another recent achievement for the team - the announcement of a $500k NDIA grant for quality Supported Independent Living, giving ConnectAbility a chance to play a key role in shaping a stronger, safer, more inclusive NDIS.

👉 Learn more about last night's win at: www.connectability.org.au/news-and-media/

One Community

13/11/2025

✨ We’re thrilled for Dr Karla Seaman, our Community Living Executive Lead, who is flying to Melbourne today with our CEO David Carey to attend the Australian Disability Service Awards Gala Dinner! 🛫🎉

Karla is a finalist for the Best Sector Impact Award 🏆, recognised for bridging evidence and practice to ensure policy reforms truly improve the lives of people with disability. Her dedication as a researcher and leader has created lasting impact across teams, services and the broader sector.

Karla credits these teams as part of this recognition, and we agree - we're so proud of Karla and our teams, who support 82 people across 21 community living homes (and growing) at ConnectAbility 💜.

Good luck tonight, Karla – we’ll be cheering you on! 🙌

📍 Interested in a tour of one of our 21 community living properties in Newcastle and the Hunter? ✅ Check out our current vacancies at https://www.connectability.org.au/services/supported-independent-living/ and call our friendly team on (02) 4962 1000.

09/11/2025

👍Come chat to our team of amazing physios - including - at and learn about our earlylinks.org.au allied health & early intervention teaching services, as well as our NEW baby clinic at ✨Can’t make it here today? Call us 📞4962 1000 and register interest to WIN A FREE SPOT at either the November or February groups (for you or a loved one with a bub under 6 months who needs the added confidence and support! Valued at $250 for all 5 sessions!)

08/11/2025

08/11/2025

👋🏼 We’re looking forward to chatting all things ConnectAbility encompassing Early Links at tomorrow morning’s Mykidsmarketnewcastle at Newcastle Entertainment Centre. See you all from 9am! 💜

🤩 Small Business Showcase Newcastle 🤩

We are thrilled to be welcoming the following small businesses to our Newcastle MKM this Sunday where our shoppers will discover a collection of unique baby and kids brands and local services:

Laura M Designs
Crafty Wolf Australia
Boutique Baby
Michael's 3D World
Happykidshq
Little Strong Home
ConnectAbility Australia
Playroom - Instagram

Keep an eye out for our Market Day Spotlight posts and stories showcasing these small businesses and some of products/services and exclusive MKM deals they will be bringing you on the day!

There's still time to join this amazing list of Small Businesses so get in touch today if you'd like to showcase at MKM Newcastle this Sunday 🤩

31/10/2025

🌟 Happy World Teachers’ Day! 🌟

Today, we celebrate our incredible Early Intervention Teachers at ConnectAbility encompassing Early Links – a truly special team of 11 dedicated professionals who nurture potential and empower children to thrive.

We thank you for your compassion, creativity, and commitment in every moment of support you provide - guiding families, building confidence, and helping children achieve their goals through play, connection, and learning. 🎨🛝

The team make a difference not just in developmental milestones, but in the hearts and futures of the children and families they walk alongside. 💛

From all of us, thank you for the warmth, wisdom, and care you bring to every home, preschool, school and community setting.
You help little learners take big steps every day, and we love learning from you!

Learn more about our amazing teachers and speak with us today! 📞(02) 4962 1000
🖥️earlylinks.org.au
AITSL

30/10/2025

🎁 Donate to the Susan Roskell Toy & Gift Drive This Christmas!

💜Drop a small unwrapped gift at our Warabrook or Maitland offices, and help bring joy to local families doing it tough with the . This heartfelt initiative delivers toys and gifts to children and families impacted by domestic violence, homelessness, illness or financial stress.

A long-running community effort, it has brightened the holidays for many Early Links (and now ConnectAbility) families, and your donation can make a real difference.

📍 Drop-off Locations: ConnectAbility offices at Maitland and Warabrook
🕒 Deadline: Monday 24 November

Whether it’s a toy, book, gift card, crayons, educational supplies, or sports gear, every contribution counts. No need to wrap - our elves will handle that!

Let’s come together to share the spirit of giving and spread the ConnectAbility heart this Christmas. For more information, visit susanroskelltoyandgiftdrive.org

29/10/2025

👀 Have you seen our spookily decorated ConnectAbility bus on the streets lately? 🎃Halloween has become a favourite celebration for customers and staff at our Warabrook hub, and this year we’ve taken it to the next level. Thanks to the staff and customers who transformed one of our Toyota Commuters into the “Scary Big Bus”! 🚐💀

We are already planning a Santa Bus for Christmas! 🎅✨

As we head toward the end of 2025, there’s still plenty to look forward to: Halloween dress-ups this Friday, Melbourne Cup Party, Rock Painting Day, and our Annual Customer Christmas Party on Tuesday 23 December, are just a few.

Keep an eye on our socials and connectability.org.au for updates.

24/10/2025

🤔 Are you noticing these signs in your baby?
• Difficulty with tummy time
• Delayed head control, rolling or sitting
• Flat spots or strong head-turning preference
• Uncertainty about milestones or how to encourage them

You're not alone — and support is available. Led by an APA Paediatric Physiotherapist, our Baby Groups offer practical, evidence-based guidance to help your baby move, bond, and thrive.

The outcome?
✅ Parents feel confident and empowered to support their baby’s growth through everyday milestones
✅ Families gain practical skills to nurture development using simple strategies at home
✅ Parents feel ready to use everyday items to boost learning and connection

Email angela.hamilton@earlylinks.org.au for more information before our small groups (5-6 mums) are filled for Nov/Dec; call us on 4962 1000 or visit www.earlylinks.org.au.

23/10/2025

❤️We’ve been told that tickets to our new Baby Foundations group is the perfect gift for new mums in Merewether & surrounding areas (or those happy to travel)!
Supporting parents of babies 6wks-6 months to learn valuable skills from our paediatric physio, get in touch to find out more & ensure you/your loved one & their newborn is thriving as we enter our Summer months! ☀️
Share the word - we still have availability but you’ll need to get in quick!

23/10/2025

🎉 Our annual FUN DAY at the Warabrook Hub yesterday was a huge success again! 🌟

The baby animals stole the show 🦙🐖, while ice creams kept us cool 🍦😎. And those gyros from Keith and Tom ? Absolutely legendary 👏.

We had gazebos set up and many of us made a beeline for the air-conditioned Hub, where we found face painting, music and more entertainment. 🎨🎶

A huge thank you to:
💚 Margaret for organising another fantastic day!
🚗 Darryl from Tomago for donating parking & Jayson and Michael from Honeysuckle for making the connection.
🍧 Our returning legends: for the gyros, for sweet treats, and for the adorable animal farm!
🎨 Our two fabulous face painters Young-at-Heart Face Painting, who brought so many smiles (and sparkles)! ✨

Thanks to everyone who came along to celebrate ConnectAbility including our new Finding Yellow customers and staff!🥳 Find out more about the activities we run from our Warabrook hub at connectability.org.au/services/disabilities/

This is just a taster - more great pics will be posted in the days to come!

21/10/2025

👶 Join our Baby Development Group in Merewether, designed for parents with babies aged 6 weeks to 6 months and kicking off in 2 weeks time! 💜
Led by an APA Paediatric Physiotherapist, sessions include simple, evidence-based tips to help your baby move, bond and thrive - using what you already have at home.

📍 Location: Souths, 46 Llewellyn St, Merewether
🗓️ Group 1: 6, 13, 20, 27 Nov + 4 December (secure your place now!)
🗓️ Group 2: February 2026

💬 Enquiries welcome from parents, GPs, midwives, and child & family health nurses. Also a great GIFT idea for a loved one! ✨ Learn how tummy time, positioning and playtime support your baby’s development and your connection.

📧 Contact: angela.hamilton@earlylinks.org.au
🌐 Visit: earlylinks.org.au
✅ Sign up now — limited places available!