The 2003 MDS Day of Celebration was a great event, reflecting the success and growth of Macarthur Disability Services over the past year. The event was held at Koshigaya Park. The fantastic crowd that attended the day was entertained with a wealth of local talent; including local hip hop entertainers, Picton High School performers, Drumarama Workshop, classical guitarist Jeff Tooth, and the Signing Choir. MDS was pleased to have the Mayor of Campbelltown, Councillor Brenton Banfield declare the Official Opening of MDS Day.

MDS Day of Celebration has become a key component of letting the community know about MDS and how people with disabilities contribute to their community. The Day involves all staff and service users and this year received active support from Campbelltown Council.

MDS Day was a great opportunity for all service users to participate in their local community with Becoming A Worker course participants giving a splendid demonstration of their Tai-Chi skills. Other service users were able to display their art and craft abilities as well as interacting with local identities such as C91.3 radio staff and the Paddle Pop lion. Approximately 300 people enjoyed a fun day at Koshigaya Park on 16th of October 2003.

Every year, the Prime Minister's Office holds the Employer of the Year Awards. These awards are a way of recognising and promoting employers that employ people with a disability across Australia. This year, Macarthur Personnel nominated 2 employers, these being GEM Engines based at Moorebank and Hyde Park Inn based in the city. Both employers have had a long-standing relationship with Macarthur Personnel and both employers currently have a significant number of our clients with a disability working with them.

Despite hundreds of nominations from around the country being submitted for the awards, Hyde Park Inn were short-listed and Gem Engines were finalists in the NSW medium sized employers category.

GEM Engines Victoria won the medium size employer of the year award. Both employers and Macarthur Personnel were invited to attend the Awards ceremony held in October at Parliament House, Canberra.

Gem Engines took Darrin Scibberas and Hyde Park Inn took Maxine Donnelly to the ceremony, both are MP consumers placed with these employers recently. Both Maxine and Darrin enjoyed the awards ceremony which came with a 3 course meal and overnight stay in Canberra.

Here we are at the end of another busy year. And what a year! MDS Day, the Black Tie Ball, Jazz Under the Stars, new programs, being Accredited and lots of fun and work. A special thanks to all the staff and service users who helped with these activities and programs. We couldn't have managed without you.

I would also like to thank the Board for their hard work and welcome their return for another year. Frank Lauterbach and Vicki Jellic were unable to continue on the Board this year due to increased work commitments. Thank you very much for your work and assistance over the past year.

The MDS Office will be closed from the 23rd December, 2003 until the 5th January 2004.
In an emergency you can contact Macarthur Personnel on 041 443 0642.

I hope all staff, Board, service users and their families have a peaceful and happy time over the festive season. Come back refreshed because I am pretty sure that we have another big year coming.

To add to the good news, Paul Wakeling invited Nunnari to preside over the official opening of his new Mitsubishi dealership. To his great surprise, Nunnari was presented with a new Mitsubishi Magna wagon. "They took it upon themselves to sponsor me with a car and I can't express my appreciation enough."

Paul is now back in training and focused on possibly one of the biggest events of his career. "Next year is all about Athens. For me to make my finals and to give me every opportunity to win a medal."

Check out the Official Paul Nunnari Website.

The Macarthur Disability Services Wheelchair 400 metre Handicap was one of many races of the 2003 Campbelltown City Council Fisher's Ghost Pro Am Meet. The event was a huge success, attracting a number of world-class wheelchair paralympians including the high profile Louise Sauvage.

Yen Tran finished first in 58.73 seconds, followed by Ron Gibson placing second, and Angie Ballard coming third. The total prize pool was $500. Congratulations and thanks to the winners and all participants, for making the event such a success.

The support from all at MDS has been pushing us to achieve a number of long-term goals including the funding of an extra full-time support worker. Welcome Marcus Klein. We look forward to a busy year ahead and your continued input and support.

As always the longest serving member of our staff, David Lemon (right), has put together some wonderful work training and support throughout the year, giving consumers a large range of opportunities. David shows great commitment in his work.

1. You have the right to complain.
2. You will not be in trouble for complaining.
3. Get the problem clear in your own mind. You may need to get someone to help you to do this.
4. Try to talk to the person you have the problem with, if you feel you can. Take someone with you if you want.
5. See if the problem gets better after you talk.
6. It might be a good idea to write the problem down and how it could be fixed. Ask a staff person, the Manager or your advocate for help with this.
7. You can also speak to the General Manager, Anne Thorn, to help you get the problem fixed.
8. If this doesn't fix the problem ask to talk to a member of the Board of Directors. Rhonda McCaw - 4621 8400.
9. If you think a crime has been committed you should call your local police station.