Leading the way

Belinda Shaw loves looking after young people so much, that caring for her own four children is not enough.
She also operates a Family Day Care service in Moama, providing high-quality early education and care for many local families.

Belinda’s dedication and quality care has been rewarded, being announced as the ACT/NSW Regional Winner (Albury, Wodonga, and Murray) in the 2020 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards.

Celebrating their ninth year, the awards highlight the incredible work of family day care educators and the invaluable contributions they make to the lives of children, families, and communities.

Belinda has been operating a Family Day Care service since 2014, and remarkably she won the same award for the Shepparton / Goulburn Valley region back in 2015.

“During this time I have provided early education and care to many local families who experience a great sense of comfort knowing their little ones are spending their time in a warm, nurturing, and safe small group environment which fosters their learning,” Belinda said.

“Starting my own Family Day Care has been a wonderful professional journey, and on a personal level I love being a mum to my four children –Matthew, Jasmine, Jordan, and Ryan,” she added.

The Family Day Care awards are based on professional practice, relationships, flexibility, autonomy and diversity, and social support.

“I have a relaxed, home-like environment where the children can explore and discover. I believe that play is the basis for children’s learning and gives the best opportunities to learn and discover,” Belinda said.

“I am honoured that the work I love has been recognised with this award and would like to thank the team at Intereach for all the support they provide.

Intereach Family Day Care offers nurturing home-based childcare for small groups of children with flexible and extended hours. Care is available in the homes of qualified, registered FDC educators on weekdays, school holidays, overnight, weekends as well as before and after school. It is available for babies and children under the age of 13 in Deniliquin, Finley, Jerilderie, Berrigan, Tocumwal, Nanneella, Tennyson, Echuca, Moama, Rochester, Swan Hill, Kerang and the Wagga City region.

A  commitment to the local community was rewarded for Intereach when it was announced as the Deniliquin Business of the Year on Friday night.

The human and community services provider received the major award at a  virtual ceremony hosted by Deniliquin Business Chamber.

Intereach CEO Keryn Fox was ecstatic at the win in the town she described as the “heart” of the organisation, which from humble local beginnings has grown to operate 17 offices throughout southern NSW and central/northern Victoria.

It now employs more than 400 staff across this footprint, with the administrative headquarters remaining in Deniliquin.

At the awards ceremony Intereach was described as a well-known organisation within the Deniliquin community that provides a broad range of services that support many members of our community.

“With a clear strategic vision for the organisation, 2020 has seen them deliver a range of initiatives including their highly commended Community Links program. Embracing the challenges of the year they adapted their service to ensure that their quality of service did not suffer. With  focus on sustainability across the organisation and a commitment to delivering on their objectives, Intereach is a worthy recipient of the 2020 Deniliquin Business of the Year Award,” the virtual ceremony was told.

Ms Fox said it was a great honour to receive Business of the Year in Intereach’s home town and described it as “fitting recognition for the entire Intereach team”.

“Deniliquin is our hub … it’s the centre of what we do and the programs we deliver at our head office are used as a model for elsewhere. I believe this award recognises the efforts of our team to build the organisation from our Deniliquin base.

“I was shocked, but extremely pleased, to be named Business of the Year because there was an awesome field of very worthy winners. This has been a difficult year for everyone and it is humbling for our team to get recognition at this level,” Ms Fox said.

The award came precisely at Ms Fox’s third anniversary at the helm of Intereach, which has been a period of constant growth across the organisation.

“I love it here in Deniliquin. The town is special to me, and this award is also special. I commend the Business Chamber for all its work and its efforts to ensure our achievers are recognised with the Business Awards, even when we cannot have a gala night together.

“At Intereach we believe it is important to ensure the Deniliquin community has the same choices and services as our urban cousins. What we are able to offer now – after coming from such small beginnings – is testament to the dedication of our staff and the support we receive from our community,” Ms Fox said.

The Intereach Carer’s Reference Group is supporting the organisation’s activities during National Carers Week, which is from October 11 to 17.

It is contributing to a video which outlines the carer experience, and also creating a series of questions which will be used to facilitate discussion with Intereach staff about the carer experience.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year there will be virtual celebrations of Carers Week at Intereach, which provides human and community services across southern NSW and northern/central Victoria.

During the discussion session, staff will be asked to consider definitions of a ‘carer’ and be presented with a range of situations from a carer’s perspective. This will include how carers respond to activities which may put their love ones at some degree of risk. This is commonly referred to as ‘the dignity of risk’ and is about ensuring loved ones can participate in activities which enrich and sustain their quality of life.

National Carers Week recognises about 2.65 million Australians who identify as being a carer, providing care and support to a family member, loved one or friend with disability, mental health condition, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or drug issue or who are frail aged.

They do this in an unpaid capacity, generally without considering how this will affect their own lives.

Carer responsibilities are often quite complex and performed over a sustained period of time. There are also many people who accept a transitional carer role which can be limited in time, but still has complex demands.

When stepping into a carer’s role, people form a new and different relationship with their loved one.

At Intereach, more than a quarter of its staff identify as being a carer.

National Carers Week has been celebrated since 1992 and is about recognising carers and providing the opportunity to pause and say “thank you”.

Intereach provides support for children and families, older people, people living with disability, mental health and carers. If you, or someone you know, needs support you can contact the team at Intereach on the toll free number 1300 488 226 or go to www.intereach.com.au

Intereach is celebrating National Children’s Week by running an artwork competition across its service area.

The Children’s Week National Theme for 2020 is UNCRC Article 15:

Children have the right to meet together and join groups and organisations as long as it does not stop other people from enjoying their rights. In exercising their rights, children have the responsibility to respect the rights, freedom and reputations of others.

– Article 15: The Convention on the Rights of the Child, United Nations

During COVID19 many children have not been able to potentially exercise their rights to become involved in group play or outdoors activities and to express their freedoms in ways they have freely chosen to do so. The artwork competition is asking children to become involved in activities to express themselves through art.

Do you have a creative streak? Do you like creating art or colouring-in? Simply create a piece of art from nature or do a colour-in from the two selected drawings available to download below, take a photo of it and submit it through to community@intereach.com.au to be in the running for some great prizes.

The colour-in pictures are based on two books used by the Intereach Reach Out And Relax (ROAR) team who work with young people and their families who are showing early signs of, or are at risk of developing mental health issues.

Unlike lots of competitions there will be no winners or losers – selected unique artworks will be rewarded with some great prizes. Competition is open to all pre and school-aged children. Remember to submit your name, age, postcode and a contact number with each submission. All submissions must be received by Oct 30 to be eligible for great prizes.

The competition has commenced. All artwork submitted will be displayed in the windows at select Intereach Offices.