Author: admin

Residents from the Mornington Peninsula can begin planning their Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) experience with the street-level detail and community celebrations now available to explore at gc2018.com/qbr

The baton will be at the Frankston Waterfront Festival the day before it comes to Sorrento and will travel over to Queenscliff to continue on the journey through the state.

Sorrento Park will be full of fun including activities and entertainment, free community morning tea followed by the official ceremony with the baton.

Mornington Peninsula Mayor Councillor Bryan Payne said we are excited to be hosting the Queens Baton Relay in the heart of Sorrento and having this momentous event mark the Mornington Peninsula.

“We encourage the local community to support our local batonbearers by cheering them on.

“This is a once in a lifetime event and something not to be missed!”.

After travelling an astonishing 288 days throughout the Commonwealth, the Queen’s Baton will arrive in Brisbane on 24 December, having shared the dream of Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (C2018) with over one third of the world’s population.

From Christmas Day until 24 January 2018, the Queen’s Baton will be shared with thousands of Australians at popular summertime events, iconic locations and children’s hospitals around the country.

From 25 January, the QBR will shift gears to a more traditional relay, where the Queen’s Baton will celebrate Australia Day, before continuing in the hands of approximately 3,800 batonbearers through every state and territory.

The Queen’s Baton will arrive on the Gold Coast for the XXI Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony on 4 April 2018, where His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will remove Her Majesty’s message from the Baton and read it aloud to declare the Games officially open.

Find out when and where the Baton will be in the Mornington Peninsula at gc2018.com/qbr

Australian television icon Daryl Somers will join Greg Hunt MP to launch the Minister’s 2018 500km Walk for Autism later this month.

Minister Hunt will be joined by Mr Somers, members of the Abacus Learning Centre, the Light up Autism Foundation and the local community, to begin the walk from Arthurs Seat Summit on the 29th of October at 8am.

Mr Somers praised Minister Hunt for again undertaking this walk, to raise awareness for children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as raising funds for Abacus and Light Up.

“I want to congratulate Greg for embarking on a third walk around his electorate,” Mr Somers said. “I am in awe of his fitness, stamina and fortitude to be able to complete the required 500km.”

“I have really enjoyed being part of the two previous events witnessing how the Minister warmly interacts with people along the way, discussing local and national issues of concern.”

“Linking the event with a worthy charity, this time Autism, is a brilliant idea and highlights his sense of community.”

Minister Hunt thanked Mr Somers for his support, saying: “Daryl has been a long-time supporter of my 500km walks and I’m incredibly appreciative of his dedication and commitment to supporting children with ASD.”

“I have always enjoyed our time on the road together and I can’t wait to get back on the road again.”

“I have seen firsthand the enormous difference that both Abacus and Light up Autism can make in a child’s life and to the lives of their families, which is why I am committed to supporting them.”

Despite suffering an injury meaning he will be unable to walk this year, Mr Somers said he was looking forward to helping launch this year’s walk.

“Regrettably I am unable to participate due to injury but I look forward to being to wish him well for the start of his remarkable journey.”

“Hope to see you there.”

Those wishing to attend the launch or walk with Greg during his eighteen day walk can register their interest by contacting his electorate office on 03 5977 9082 or by emailing greg.hunt.mp@aph.gov.au

HE’LL have blisters, sore shins and more than the odd cramp.

But when Greg Hunt finishes his 500km ‘Walk for Autism’ fundraiser, the Flinders Liberal MP will also be grinning from ear to ear.

Mr Hunt will be joined by AFL great Kevin Sheedy for part of the walk, which will raise money for autism educational assistance groups — Abacus Learning Centre and the Light up Autism Foundation.

“Both do tremendous work in this field and that’s why I will also be raising funds to support their invaluable work for children with autism and their families,” Mr Hunt said.

“Autism can range from mild to severe, and include difficulty in social interaction, restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour and impaired communication skills.

“Early schooling is when many of these traits are realised for the first time and proper education and early intervention is vital to improving educational outcomes for these children.”

Sheedy added: “Special people in life need special care and must always be given the opportunity to have happiness and wellbeing throughout the whole of their life.”

BONEO Primary School pupils had lots of fun preparing for the upcoming Light Up Fun Run 4 Autism. They threw coloured powder into the air to promote the event – from the Bay Trail Tootgarook (opposite Carmichael St) to the Rye foreshore playground.

Participants on the day will get the colour treatment as they pass four ‘colour stations’ over the leisurely three kilometre run/walk, from 10am-midday, Sunday 22 October. They will get together at the Rye foreshore playground afterwards to enjoy entertainment, rides and food.

Light Up Autism Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation that provides assistance to school-age children with autism.

McCRAE Lighthouse burst into a sea of light last Sunday 2 April to mark World Autism Day.

Organised by Bianca Appleford from Light Up Autism Foundation, over 300 people gathered to witness the illuminating of the lighthouse.

“This was a great team effort,” said Mrs Appleford.

“I’d like to thank McCrae and District Lions Club, Bendigo Bank (Rye, Rosebud and Dromana), Dromana Fire Brigade and Sorrento SES, and all our supporters that come out on the night.”

Light Up Autism Foundation was founded five years ago by Mrs Appleford after she saw first hand the need for assistance programs in primary schools.

The foundation funds ABA (applied behaviour analysis) programs in Boneo Primary School and Rye Primary School.

Mrs Appleford’s community contribution was recognised earlier this year, as she was awarded the 2017 Mornington Peninsula Shire’s “Citizen of the Year” award.

“It was a huge honour. I take great satisfaction in the results we have achieved to date with Light Up Autism Foundation.

“Most exciting has been that , due to the program we fund, we have had three kids graduate out of primary school and into the mainstream secondary system”.

The lighthouse was bathed in blue first, and then red, yellow, blue and green to represent the diversity and complexity of the autism spectrum, while singer Madison Bailey entertained the crowd with a rendition of True Colours.

Kids enjoyed activities including music, a jumping castle, and face painting.

The lighthouse stayed illuminated for the entire week.

Light Up Autism Foundation are planning a “colour run” on Sunday 22 October to continue funding their work.

For more information on Light Up Autism Foundation go to www.lightupautism.org.au

The new-look Dolphins will come up against VFL Premiers Port Melbourne this month in the inaugural Autism Helper Pre-Season Cup. The match will be an excellent opportunity for Frankston, who have been readmitted to the VFL, to test their list against one of the competition’s heavyweights while supporting the autism community in general and Light Up Autism in particular.

Light Up Autism’s creative convenor is Bianca Appleford (pictured), whose family has a long-time involvement with the Rye Football Club, and the organisation will join The Autism Helper and the Applied Creative’s LABpro in demonstrating their practical resources in support of children on the autism spectrum.

The Autism Helper Pre-Season Cup is on Saturday, March 24, at 2pm at Frankston City Oval and includes barbecues and a free community lunch, free footy clinics for the kids, pre-match and half-time entertainment, and an analysis by former Hawthorn champions Gary Buckenara and Gary Ayres on how the Dolphins are shaping up for 2018. Entry is free but patrons will be asked to make a gold coin donation to Light Up Autism.

Bianca Appleford established the Light Up Autism Foundation, was named Frankston’s 2017 Citizen of the Year and was given the honour of taking part in the Queen’s Baton Relay last month. Frankly Frankston Magazine’s Kate Sears talks to Bianca about her projects and passion.

Tell us a little background behind the reason for establishing the foundation.

The idea was to ensure the brightest possible future and total inclusion of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in mainstream schools by providing professional support and care. It is important for teachers to have strategies to effectively engage all students with equity in the learning process.

What does the foundation do?

In collaboration with the child’s school, the foundation funds and facilitates individualised Applied Behavioural Analysis programs within the student’s school setting. These therapeutic programs continue the work of the early intervention that children may have received prior to school.

How was your past year as Citizen of the Year?

It was a real privilege. I had the opportunity to speak with many different groups in our community and I hope that I was able to champion acceptance and understanding of ASD during this time.

What was it like being a part of the Queen’s Baton Relay?

It was an absolute thrill to participate knowing my community had selected me to do this on their behalf. That morning I was running for my community and holding in mind all the families and children that had inspired my work past, present and future.

MORNINGTON Peninsula’s Citizen of the Year Bianca Appleford established the Light Up Autism Foundation on the southern peninsula, providing opportunities for children with autism spectrum disorder to access intensive therapy at school for no cost to the families. The program is overseen by a psychologist and applied behaviour analysis (ABA) therapist, and run by skilled integration staff.

After discovering the importance of early intervention when her own son was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, Ms Appleford established the foundation to provide support for other families.

She said she hoped the award would help raise awareness of the importance of tailored therapy for children with ASD, and lift the profile of the Light Up Autism Foundation, which promotes ABA therapy as the most effective approach for improving the social, emotional and cognitive outcomes of children.

“I think there are lots of families on the peninsula who don’t get the help they need when it comes to the right therapy for their children, so I’d really like to see more awareness, more money for families that need it, and more programs available in mainstream schools,” she said.

Ms Appleford is hoping to run a pilot program that will see ABA therapy widely recognised as a way of building speech, social and learning skills, and offered statewide.

She would like to see business provide funding, and more training available for school staff. “My goal when I started the Light up Autism Foundation was to help children and families with ASD, but it’s great if this award raises the profile of therapy and helps it get to more families.”

BONEO Primary School Pupils (pic-tured) are ready to put their best foot forward to help raise funds for a program that is helping ensure the brightest posible future for children with autism. Light Up Autism Foundation is hosting a three-kilometre fun run this weekend to raise awarness and funds.

AUTISM crusader Bianca Jane Appleford has received an Order of Australia Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for “service to people living with autism”.

The Rye resident, who has an autistic son, was previously honoured by being named Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Citizen of the Year in 2017 and Queen’s Baton-bearer for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Ms Appleford founded Light-Up Autism Foundation in 2012 to introduce improved teaching aids into southern peninsula schools so students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and those with other learning difficulties, could more easily stay happy, and focused, in the mainstream system.

The foundation has since been granted charity status and has established successful in-school programs.

When her son was at Boneo Primary School Ms Appleford worked with the principal Gill Wright to establish a network of therapy and specialist teacher training programs to assist children emotionally and academically.

Her son, now in year 10, had been diagnosed as being on the spectrum at the end of kindergarten. Ms Appleford was determined to make his schooling as normal as possible with active intervention. She arranged for a therapist to work with him which led to a pilot program starting in 2012.

“Gill and I looked at different programs across the state to see which would be the most effective and sustainable financially,” she said.

This led to integration aides becoming available at the school to assist autistic children or others suffering various disabilities either in class or in the playground. Light-Up Autism Foundation was up and running.

The program has been expanded to assist primary and secondary school students at Rye, Rosebud, Dromana, Padua and Tyabb, as well as to after-school care groups and those on the NDIS.

Light-Up Autism Foundation advocates for 17 students on the peninsula with its programs assisting in their reading, writing and spelling, and also focuses on the emotional side of their education. Parents say it improves their children’s confidence and willingness to “have a go”.

“We look at what’s working for them,” Ms Appleford said. “Sometimes it’s about swapping one [type of] behaviour for another that’s working, and teaching that to them so it’s an easy new response.

“The students are now a lot more confident.”

Ms Appleford says she is “passionate” about her work and is grateful that the foundation is running so well.

She praised the Bendigo Bank for its $10,000-15,000 grants each year.

The foundation also raises money through the colourful Light-Up Fun Run 4 Autism; Flinders MP Greg Hunt’s annual 500km walk for autism, and from functions surrounding the lighting up of the McCrae lighthouse.