The Waratah Centre

28/08/2026

New NDIS changes start today. Here’s what you need to know.

From 27 August 2026, the first changes under the new NDIS legislation come into effect.

These include:
🔹 Plan reassessments
Only participants, plan nominees or child representatives can ask for an unscheduled plan reassessment. Requests must relate to a significant and ongoing change in functional capacity, support needs or key life circumstances. The NDIA will have 90 days to decide whether to reassess a plan.
🔹 New record-keeping requirements
Participants must keep relevant records for 3 years, nominees for 5 years and providers for 7 years. The NDIS says further rules will explain exactly what records need to be kept.
🔹 Stronger NDIA compliance and information-gathering powers
Participants and providers may be required to provide information to the NDIA, with stronger enforcement powers now available.
🔹 Changes to NDIS pricing powers
The Minister for Disability and the NDIS can now make pricing determinations. The NDIA says there are no immediate changes to current NDIS pricing.
🔹 More automated administrative action
Computer systems can now be used for some administrative actions, including claims and payment processing. The NDIA says safeguards and oversight will apply, and details of where automated systems are used must be published.

These are significant changes, and how they are implemented matters.

Every Australian Counts will be watching closely, listening to people with disability and families, and holding the Government and NDIA accountable for what happens in practice.
The legislation has passed. Our work to protect our NDIS continues.

More information: https://www.ndis.gov.au/ndis-laws/securing-ndis-future-generations
If these changes have already impacted you, we want to hear your story: https://forms.gle/SFPLCv2cCg5C46Zp9

If an NDIS decision is affecting you, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Contact the Disability Gateway on 1800 643 787 for help finding an independent disability advocate. If you need immediate emotional support, Lifeline is available 24/7 on 13 11 14.

[Image description: Red Every Australian Counts graphic reading: “NDIS Changes: Now in effect. New NDIS changes start today. Here’s what you need to know.” Includes an August 27 calendar icon.]

26/08/2026

🌻 Did you know? Many disabilities aren’t immediately apparent.

Autism, ADHD, anxiety, hearing loss, chronic pain, diabetes, Crohn’s and hundreds more can be non-visible.

Globally, 1 in 6 people live with a disability, and up to 80% of disabilities are non-visible.

The Sunflower gives people a simple way to discreetly signal that they may need a little more time, help or understanding.

Wearing the Sunflower can help make everyday experiences feel a little easier, more accessible and inclusive. 💛

Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
👉 https://shorturl.at/BuVLC

26/08/2026

Sharing!!

Gippy Girls Can Month is a Gippsland-wide initiative encouraging women and girls of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to get active in ways that feel welcoming, inclusive and fun.

It’s a whole month of beginner-friendly activities and events running right across September.

Whether you’ve been thinking about trying something new, want to connect with others in your community, or are looking for an activity that fits around your life - this is for you.

Check out the upcoming events in South Gippsland: https://gippygirlscan.com.au/opportunities/

24/08/2026

🌈🧠 Helping children understand their brains, emotions and unique ways of being 📚✨

Children are always learning about themselves and the world around them, but sometimes they need the right words and tools to understand what is happening inside their minds and bodies.

📖 The Brain Forest and Rainbow Brain books are beautiful resources that help open conversations around neurodiversity, emotions, sensory experiences and self-awareness in a way that feels engaging and child-friendly.

🌱 so.... How can you use these books with kids?

✨ Explore their unique brain
Every child’s brain works differently. These books can help children recognise their strengths, preferences and the things that help them thrive.

Try asking:
💬 “What helps your brain feel happy and supported?”
💬 “What makes your brain work best?”

✨ Build emotional awareness
Children often experience big feelings before they have the words to explain them. Reading together can help them explore emotions, body signals and regulation strategies.

Ask:
💬 “What do you think your brain needs right now?”
💬 “What helps your brain feel safe?”

✨ Support neurodivergent children
For autistic and ADHD children, or those with sensory differences or unique learning styles, understanding their brain can be empowering.

These books support the message:

💛 “Your brain is different and your differences bring strengths.”

✨ Create connection
The magic of these books is the conversations they create. Reading together gives children the opportunity to feel seen, heard and understood.

At The Waratah Centre, we love resources that encourage curiosity, self-awareness and confidence, because when children understand their brains, they can learn how to support them 🌱🧠

📚 A wonderful resource for homes, classrooms, therapy spaces and health settings.

23/08/2026

Meet Carlene — The Waratah Centre's first Nurse Practitioner (Mental Health) 🌺

Carlene has worked in our rural community for many years, both as a nurse and as a credentialed Nurse Practitioner (Mental Health).

At TWC, she'll predominantly work with our adult population, offering thoughtful, therapeutic support tailored to you.

Her scope includes psychotherapy, structured problem-solving, medication discussions, diagnostic clarification, and holistic wellness guidance — with a neurodiversity-affirming approach woven through all of it.

You don't need a referral to see Carlene. Out-of-pocket costs apply, with discounted fees for DSP and Health Care Card holders.

The first step is completing our online Expression of Interest form, contact admin.

✉️ [email protected]

22/08/2026

🌿 Our Vision at The Waratah Centre 🌿

At The Waratah Centre, we believe healthcare should see the whole person.

Our vision is to create a safe, inclusive and empowering space where every individual feels heard, understood and supported on their unique health journey.

We are passionate about providing neurodivergent-affirming, trauma-informed care that celebrates individuality and helps people build resilience, improve wellbeing and thrive.

Because true health isn’t about becoming someone else — it’s about being supported to become the healthiest version of yourself. 🌱

✨ Welcome to The Waratah Centre — where care is personalised and centred around you.

21/08/2026

📚 Books to support your child’s big feelings, big questions & growing minds 💛

Sometimes the right book can open a door to conversations that are difficult to start.

At The Waratah Centre, we’ve put together a selection of books that parents can purchase to help support their children with things like:

🧠 Understanding emotions & big feelings
🌱 Building confidence and self-esteem
💬 Communication & emotional expression
🧩 ADHD & Autism
😴 Sleep & bedtime routines
🫶 Anxiety, worries & emotional regulation
👨‍👩‍👧 Understanding relationships and connection
🌈 Learning to understand and celebrate what makes them unique

These resources can be a wonderful way to reinforce the strategies your child is learning in therapy and at home — giving parents and children a shared language to talk, learn and grow together.

📖 Ask our team about the books available at The Waratah Centre and which resources may be best suited to you and your child.

Because sometimes, a good book is more than a story — it can be a starting point for connection. 💛

21/08/2026

☀️ Update from Hayley🌞
We are continuing our journey in WA this week, finishing our time on the coast and heading inland. The last six weeks have been spent fishing, snorkeling and exploring remote beaches.
We’ve met some extraordinary people along the way- a big shout out to ‘John’ who joined us for an evening of guitar around the campsite. He told excellent stories; captivating. ⛵️ 🎸
We’ve seen whales, orcas, dolphins, sharks and all sorts of colorful fish. The on-land creatures are pretty friendly too- emus visiting me everyday whilst I have my online meetings. They are not frightened by us at all- just wandering in to stare in my eyes before meandering on their way.
The next six weeks will see our family switch beaches for red dust, as we head inland to search for different kind of treasure- swapping a fishing rod for a gold detector and pan. We don’t imagine we’ll strike it rich, but the treasure hunting is the actual treasure!!!
Its felt like such good timing for our family to be together. It’s given us the opportunity to really pause and reset our nervous systems; getting into a different rhythm that doesn’t march to the beat of a clock. We’ve been staying up late and sleeping in; playing until sunset and watching the stars.
And whilst this rhythm might indeed change when we get home, we hope we can hold onto the feelings of being together in flow for as long as we can.
Another big thank you to the Waratah Centre team who have supported our family to step out this Winter to reset; we can’t be more grateful.

21/08/2026

You should see the collection of awesome rocks, sticks, shells, feathers and sea glass that we are currently hauling around WA….
H
🐚 🪨 🪶 🌼 💜

21/08/2026

Sharing as a resource for our young people 🩷💛