From the Board

In March 2010, Sunnyfield's Chair - Patricia McKenzie - introduced an initivative entitled "From the Board".  Its purpose is to keep Sunnyfield's Members and families up to date with the work being undertaken by the Board of Directors.

From the Board | August 2010

From the Board | May 2010

From the Board | March 2010

Sunnyfield Members' Auxiliary

History of the Members' Auxiliary

At Sunnyfield's inception over 60 years ago, only parents were eligible and both father and mother were required to be membes if they wanted Sunnyfield to provide service to their disabled family members.  For the first 30 years or so, family members were rostered each year to provide proactive and regular support in many aspects of Sunnyfield's growth; from laying bricks at Allambie in the beginning, to subsequent fundraising events like cash-a-can, Duck Races, annual "white elephant" sales and the well known and highly respected Sunnyfield Art Show.

The Members' Auxiliary today

Although family membership is no longer a requirement for people with disabilities to receive services from Sunnyfield, membership in Sunnyfield remains a key differentiator for Sunnyfield from many other disability support organisations.  Memembers have continuously played a key role in helping Sunnyfield define and provide "leading edge" services to families with an intellectual disability.  In the immediate past, the Auxiliary was deeply involved in fundraising and frequently helped Sunnyfield management source volunteer support for various events.  The Auxiliary today seeks to also fill a valuable role as family self support group. 

There are four regular meetings each year, usually held in Chatswood, and all members are welcome.  We wish to help families initiate and maintain local sub-groups where parents and families can talk about their local needs and wants.  The Auxiliary can, and does, take an interest in the politics surrounding disability as an additonal means of making State and Commonwealth Governments aware of the problems and the very large numbers of voters involved.  We plan to hold 1 - 2 annual whole family social events so that Sunnyfield's famous personal contact can be kept between all of the now large numbers of families involved.

An internet "blog" (see Sunnyfield Auxiliary) is kept current to inform members of relevant news, publications, events, services available etc.  Any members can initiate discussion of their personal or family views and can comment on postings that are listed.

If you would like to receive further information or just talk about Sunnyfield, pleace contact the President or Vice President (contact details can be found on the Auxiliary blog.

Submissions

Sunnyfield has submitted the following discussions paper:

ADHC Stronger Together II Feedback Consultation Paper; and

Submission to Disability Care & Support Productivity Commission.

Position Papers

Sunnyfield is developing key position papers in response to requests from families for specific information on a number of issues.

Below is the list of papers that have been developed and focus on:

Advocacy;

Trusts and Wills;

Person Centred Practices;

Accommodation;

Individualised Funding and

After I Die.

The papers have been developed to provide important background, up-to-date information and Sunnyfield's perspectivie on each key issue. Please watch this space as more position papers will be added.

In Control Australia

In Control Australia have a number of upcoming events NSW:

9 August  | Supported Living - creating a home of one's own with self directed support.  Click here to find out more.

15 October  | Election commitments for a self directed approach.

For further details, please click here or visit www.in-control.org.au.