Vol. 28 No. 43
A FREE PUBLICATION FROM YOUR LOCAL RADIO STATIONS 3WM AND MIXXFM
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
IMPACTFUL: Family violence advocates, workers and supporters gathered in Horsham on Monday night for Wimmera Committee Against Family Violence’s annual candlelit walk and vigil. Beginning at Ward Street, the walk continued through the main street to Sawyer Park, where guest speakers shared their perspectives on the issue. A lit display of 716 table tennis balls represented each reported incident of family violence in Horsham in the past financial year. Ulani Hobbs, left, and Rhianna Williams share messages of support during the walk. Story, page 7. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Rallying to be seen BY BRONWYN HASTINGS
D
isability support workers rallied at Ararat and Stawell last week, fighting for more funding for clients, and better wages and conditions for employees.
As changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, NDIS, are introduced across Australia, the workers, employed by provider Possability, rallied outside town halls to publicly highlight issues within the disability sector – including the closure of homes for people with a disability in the region. At Stawell on Wednesday last week, Health And Community Services Un-
ion, HACSU, branch secretary Paul Healey said the action came at the end of the Federal Government’s subsidy period. “Eight years ago the State Government privatised into five entities, one of which is Possability, and that subsidy has run out,” he said. “We’re bargaining for a new agreement, making sure that there’s good wages, conditions, and all the things staff need to make a liveable wage and a liveable job. “But also, our campaign is about ensuring there’s good housing and continuity of care for the participants and their families.” Mr Healey said disability housing
was being closed across the state. “There’s been over 80 ex-government houses shut in the last couple of years – there’s been four in Stawell and one in Ararat,” he said. “Currently, around 490 homes statewide are at risk, with 26 in the Stawell and Ararat regions facing potential closure. We are also saying that you have got to have the right staffing for the right people, and you have got to be able to access community and be involved in all the things participants need to live their best possible lives. “That’s what our people are about, it’s not just a job, it’s our care and profession, and they really do care –
it’s not unusual for staff to spend 30 or 40 years in the same house with the same people. The better you know someone, the better the outcomes.” Mr Healey said the homes’ closures could result in participants living in hospitals, becoming homeless, being ‘prisoners in their own homes’ and not having their needs met. “That’s not what we want – we want people to live a quality life,” he said. “We know that when they’re in the community, it embraces them, and they have really positive lives, especially country towns like this.” NDIS provider Possability began in Tasmania in 1989 and in 2016 merged with another support service
to become the state’s largest. It now services Victoria’s Grampians and Loddon areas, along with suburbs in Melbourne’s western outskirts. In an online statement, Possability outlined changes that would be progressively introduced during the next four years, beginning next month. “Changes like these can bring uncertainty – we want to communicate with you directly to share what this means and to reassure you that we’re here to support,” the statement read. “The NDIS is a vital part of our community, supporting thousands of Australians with disability to live life their way.” Continued page 3
IN THIS ISSUE • Money for schools in Budget • Grape Escape boosts tourism • Yanac maintains record Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
21,505 COPIES DISTRIBUTED EACH WEEK (average)