"Home of my Own" seminar 21st of March, 2011Balla Balla Centre, Cranbourne This seminar was free for people with a disability and families (particularly living in the City of Casey and Shire of Cardinia) who are interested in pursuing creative living arrangements. This seminar aimed to give people with a disability and their families the opportunity to hear from a range of inspiring speakers who have tackled the question of 'accommodation' in creative, innovative, personalised and life giving ways, while meeting some of the most complex needs. The seminar was supported by Melbourne Community Fund. Guest Speakers included: Jill Hole (Homes West QLD); Brenda Schurmann (Melbourne) and Maggie Skinner (Gippsland) 
FAMILY RETREAT AT PHILLIP ISLAND- COMMUNITY VISION BUILDING WEEKEND (Darcy Elks) 6th - 8th August, 2010 Weekend Family Retreat at the Phillip Island Eco Resort For Families who Live in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne - This is a rare and exciting opportunity for families who are interested in assisting their family member with a disability to plan and pursue unique lifestyle options that include natural pathways, valued roles and contribution to the community. The retreat aims to provide a place where families who have a strong interest in community inclusion and meaningful lives can come together in mutual support and exchange. 
NURTURING FRIENDSHIP & CONNECTION (Darcy Elks) 10th AUGUST, 2010 
DEVELOPING THE LEADERSHIP OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO SUPPORT SOCIAL INCLUSION -11th AUGUST Transforming Services to Create Better Lives (Jeffrey Strully & Michael Kendrick) 10th and 11th May, 2010 
Feedback from participants: "The thoughtful collection of messages and real life applications and stories was truly inspiring" "Eye opener" "Challenging comfortable paradigms" "Innovative service reform" "What's possible - Many journeys, One step at a time. Better lives" "Transforming & inspiring" "Got to the pointy end" "Inspiring, thought provoking, challenging, engaging" "Letting go of the power. This is the nub of much of the work going forward" Autism - Beyond Programs and Treatment with Jeff Strully (Jay Nolan Services, California) 13th May 2010 
"Opened my eyes to the options - renewed my energy to achieve the best possible life for my son and not accept the status quo" "Enlightening" "Stimulating and challenging" "That an ordinary life is possible for all" "Important messages to families that they don't have to do it alone" [The event helped to "articulate what I want - putting it into words for me. I want generators of possibility" "Real life stories. User friendly information." "Refreshingly honest" "Ramp up expectations" "My hope was reflected in some of the beautiful stories" "Inspiring" "Possibilities" "Informative" "The guiding principles were fantastic" "Eye opening, human not process" "I have learned that everyone deserves to aim and work towards the best life possible" | 
