Networks and Email Lists
In the Hunter Region we have a cohesive network of committees and e-lists to enable staff, and students and people with a disability, to stay connected and informed.
Aboriginal Employment Interagency
An interagency focussed on the employment of aboriginal people within the Hunter Region - not disability focussed, but there is a cross-over of issues. Open to employment and related services.
Contact: Colin "Bud" Gibson, Indigenous Services Officer
Centrelink - Service Delivery Strategy
Area Hunter - Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
M: 0419 408 995 | F: 02 49743899 | E: aei.newcastle@centrelink.gov.au
Australian Association of Special Education (AASE)
Hunter Branch
AASE is a broad-based non-categorical association concerned with all who have special education needs, aiming to advocate on behalf of people to ensure the provision of and access to quality education services to members and the wider community. Any person interested in these aims may be a member of AASE, and includes parents/caregivers, teachers, therapists, community members, administrators and university lecturers.
Activities
Biennial Conferences, Evening Topical Seminars, Active Network who monitor issues across the sectors
Monthly Network Meetings
Contact Kay Dean, AASE Secretary, for more information
E: kay.dean@newcastle.edu.au | P: 49218844 | M: 0438 218848
Join the AASE e-listserve - how to subscribe
Go to http://mailman.newcastle.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/aase or email kay.dean@newcastle.edu.au
Disability Education Association of NSW/ACT (DEAN)
DEAN is a statewide network which offers Professional Development Days for tertiary disability staff. Membership of DEAN is open to anyone employed in a NSW/ACT TAFE or University, whose role is wholly or partly concerned with the provision of disability support and services. Non-DEAN members and other interested professionals outside the tertiary education sector are however very welcome to attend PD Days. Training venue is usually in Sydney, but transport may be available from Newcastle to the venue with Kay Dean, the NDCO, as she is involved in the organisation of these days.
More information on PD Days, dates, registration process - also promoted through Den-list
Hunter Region Day Forum
Representatives of Day Programs funded by Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) meet bi-monthly. The Forum is an avenue to network and share information with like-minded service providers. It is also the medium to discuss concerns or issues and provide collective feedback to ADHC.
Please contact Amanda O'Hara from ADHC for more information
Newcastle Disability Employment Advisory Group (NDEAG)
NDEAG aims to enhance existing services and develop networks at a local level so that the needs of employers and the employment aspirations of people with a disability can be met. Membership includes Newcastle City Council Officers; the University of Newcastle; Hunter New England Health; Job Services Australia providers; Disability Employment Services; businesses; Australian Apprenticeships Centres; disability support/advocacy services; representatives from training centres; Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations; Centrelink; and people with a disability.
Activities
The Committee provides a forum for stakeholders to meet together and discuss local issues, to pool resources and knowledge, and through cross-sectoral cooperation enhance opportunities for the employment of people with a disability. Through the NDCO and in collaboration with the Committee, Disability Awareness Training for Employers is also offered annually.
Meetings
Meetings are held at 2.00 pm - 3.30 pm, first Wednesday of every month, at Newcastle City Library, Third Floor Conference Room. RSVP to mnunn@ncc.nsw.gov.au
Join the NDEAG e-listserve - how to subscribe
Go to http://mailman.newcastle.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/ndeag or email kay.dean@newcastle.edu.au
Contacts
Community Worker (Aged and Disability Services), Newcastle City Council
P: 4974 2855 | New officer TBA
Kay Dean, National Disability Coordination Officer
P: 4921 8844 | E: kay.dean@newcastle.edu.au in relation to the free employer training
School Leaver Committees
Committees comprised of staff and services involved in the transition of students with a disability post-school are well-established across the Region:
Region |
Meetings |
Contact |
Details |
| Hunter | Meets quarterly | Penny Parker DET Support Teacher (Transition) |
penelope.parker@det.nsw.edu.au 4960 2122 or 4981 1444 |
| Central Coast | Meets quarterly @ Henry Kendall High School | Cheri Risti DET Support Teacher (Transition) |
cheri.risti@det.nsw.edu.au |
| Forster/Great Lakes/Taree | Meets monthly @ Taree TAFE |
Denise Cobourn |
denise.cobourn@det.nsw.edu.au |
Sector Contacts for Transition
All Sectors
Kay Dean, National Disability Coordination Officer
P: 49218844 | M: 0438 218848 | E: kay.dean@newcastle.edu.au | W: www.newcastle.edu.au/ndco
Government Schools
Tom Davison
Based at Newcastle School (Covers Lake Macquarie/Newcastle Area)
P: 4929 7432 | F: 4929 2319 | E: tom.davison@det.nsw.edu.au
Penny Parker (Chair Hunter School Leavers Committee)
Based at Callaghan College (Waratah Campus) (Covers Maitland/Newcastle Area)
P: 4968 1939 or 4981 1444 | E: penelope.parker@det.nsw.edu.au
Gayl Chappell
Based at Hunter River Community School (Covers Maitland/Upper Hunter)
P: 4933 5844 | F: 4933 5557 | E: gayl.chappell@education.nsw.gov.au
Cherie Risti (Chair Central Coast School Leavers Committee)
Based at Glenvale SSP (Covers Central Coast Area)
P/F: 4325 0792 | E: cherie.risti@det.nsw.edu.au
Tracey Scheitel
Based at Lake Munmorah High School (Covers Central Coast/Lake Macquarie)
P: 4358 2091 | M: 0407 006441 | E: Tracey.Scheitel@det.nsw.edu.au
Denise Cobourn
Based at Westport High School (Covers Great Lakes, Forster, Taree and north)
(Contact for Beyond School Group - Manning and Great Lakes)
P: 6584 3527 | E: denise.cobourn@det.nsw.edu.au
Catholic Schools
Maitland-Newcastle Diocese
Kathy Gillespie
E: kathryn.gillespie@mn.catholic.edu.au
Broken Bay Diocese
Marie Seaford
E: marie.seaford@dbb.edu.au
Staff Email Lists to Join
Name |
Type of E-List |
Targeted At... |
How to Join |
| Den-List | Core regional e-list with 500 members | Open to Hunter-Central Coast staff involved in the transition of students and people with a disability | Go to Den-List link or email kay.dean@newcastle.edu.au to subscribe |
| NDEAG | Newcastle Disability Employment Advisory Group E-List | Open to Hunter staff involved in the transition of students and people with a disability into employment | Go to NDEAG link or email kay.dean@newcastle.edu.au to subscribe |
| AASE | Australian Association of Special Education - Hunter Branch - E-list | Open to Hunter staff and people interested in best practice in special education - AASE meets monthly | Go to AASE Link or email kay.dean@newcastle.edu.au to subscribe |
| AATUG |
Australian Adapted Technology User Group - national list for information about assistive technology |
Open to interested staff | |
| AusLD | Australian discussion list for issues regarding Learning Disability - and related neurological disorders - in schools, TAFE, Universities and Employment | Open to anyone wishing to discuss LD in Australia |
To subscribe go to this link and follow the instructions at the bottom of the page |
| NSW-disability | NSW Tertiary Practitioners E-List | Open to TAFE and University disability practitioners | Email d.toman@uws.edu.au |
Student Email Lists to Join
Name |
Type of E-List |
Targeted at |
How to Join |
| MovingOn | To enable leaving school, TAFE and Uni students to stay connected | Open to students in Hunter Region through referral from education providers | Email kay.dean@newcastle.edu.au More on MovingOn |
| ANSWD |
Australiasian Network of Students with Disabilities |
Open to tertiary students in Australia and New Zealand | www.answd.org |
| AusLD | Australian discussion list for issues regarding Learning Disability - and related neurological disorders - in schools, TAFE, Universities and Employment | Open to anyone wishing to discuss LD in Australia | To subscribe go to this link and follow the instructions at the bottom of the page |
