Your stories are important to us and to the community. When life is great, or when life is tough, all experiences are an opportunity to share who you are and to connect with other people. By sharing our stories, we can celebrate where we are today, where we’ve come from, and inspire other people to do the same.
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DEfend Choice in Disability Employment
20 September 2023
The Australian Government will soon review the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission, including employment services and opportunities for people living with disability. Around 16,000 people living with disabilities work as Supported Employees across Australia. Working in Supported Employment makes a significant difference in the lives of people with disability – engaging in work helps […]
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“Expression” Exhibition at Cardinia Cultural Centre
19 September 2023
The OC Art Space provides a welcoming, encouraging environment for participants to learn creative forms of self-expression. Living with intellectual and developmental disabilities can feel isolating, especially when your natural type of communication isn’t widely understood. That’s why support staff Renate and Val have worked to build a strong foundation at OC Connections for participants […]
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Tim & Bart’s All-Access AFL Trip to Echuca
2 August 2023
In July, two residents from our Oakleigh Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) made the trip up to Echuca to participate in a game of footy with Moama Rockets! Tim and Bart are members of the Mazenod Panthers in Glen Waverly, an all-abilities football club that goes up against teams from around Victoria. They woke up bright […]
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Zane’s Short-Term Accommodation Story
22 July 2023
Meet Zane, a regular resident of our Short-Term Accommodation (STA) house located in Oakleigh. Since the start of the year, Zane has become a pillar of the STA community. He’s got a vibrant personality and adores the regular staff and participants at our STA house. He’s even been spreading the word and getting his mates […]
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27th Annual Charity Golf Day
17 July 2023
On Monday 10th July, we held our Annual Charity Golf Day at the Metropolitan Golf Club. This is one of our largest fundraisers, and we couldn’t have done it without the efforts of the organising committee, our volunteers, business partners and sponsors. The prestigious Metropolitan has been supporting OC Connections for 27 years – their […]
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14 June 2023
On Friday 2nd June, we had our annual OC Connections Dinner Dance! This year’s theme was Bright and Bold, and attendees delivered standout looks with lots of gold, glitter and florals. Dressed in our fancy outfits, participants enjoyed a two-course meal at Merrimu Receptions. A big thank you to the attentive and friendly staff; the […]
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OC’s Partnership with First Nations Traffic Management
7 June 2023
From doubling their order to spreading the good word about social procurement, First Nations Traffic Management has backed OC Connections Enterprises from the beginning. Lionel and Peter, directors of the 100% Indigenous company, have encouraged many organisations in the traffic control industry to go green by purchasing our Eco T Top Bollards, made from recycled […]
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New Developments in the Participant Reference Group (PRG) Initiative at OC Connections
30 May 2023
OC Connections recently made some positive updates to its Participant Reference Group (PRG) initiative. This revitalised program empowers participants to directly influence service improvements by sharing their feedback with the OC Connections Board.
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Autism Spectrum Disorder: What’s Changed and Why?
1 May 2023
Trigger Warning: This blog article includes outdated language to identify key moments in history and briefly mentions the affiliations of Hans Asperger. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? Think about our brains as computer operating systems. The norm, neurotypical, is Apple. Autism, and neurodiversity, is Android. Neither are better or worse, simply different. Both are […]
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