April 2026
April Update
We’re already 25% of the way through 2026, that flew by! Welcome to Autumn, this month we’ve got some big upgrades behind the scenes, new support workers joining the group and an update on our footy tipping comp. I hope you enjoy 💜
Do you have something you would like shared with our community? Submit requests for this newsletter by emailing Saskia via info@thecompaniongroup.org
Contents:
💙Introducing: ShiftCare
😷Health and Wellness Update
👋Welcome Ash and Guillan
🏈Footy Tipping Competition
❌Public Holiday Office Closures
🥀ANZAC Day Services
🐰Geelong Easter Fest
🍙Geelong Japanese Festival
🕊️MCEscher: Master of Illusion
🏃♀️Geelong Half Marathon
🦆The Great Barwon Heads Duck Race
Introducing Shift Care
In the spirit of continuous improvement, we’re excited to announce that we will be trying new software behind the scenes. Introducing Shift Care, an all in one rostering platform for support providers.
What’s new?
Client Profiles - Providing staff with easy access to critical information to provide consistent and accurate support.
Progress Notes - Built into the rostering platform. Please Note: on this software, staff will be required to submit their progress note prior to clocking out. This should take around 10 minutes at most and must occur at the end of the shift.
Digital Medication Management - This is an area we are currently working on and will be rolling it out at a later date. This will cut down on the paperwork and allow for quicker responses to changes in medication.
Easier Report Writing - Shift Care provides a lot of data on shifts, goals, and progress notes allowing for quick and detailed report writing.
Much more behind the scenes!
Nothing else is changing, this is just something that will make our lives easier by freeing up administration time so we can spend it on what matters more: quality person-centred support.
While we roll out this platform, please be patient with us. We’re all learning something new and it might take us a bit longer to do things.
Health and Wellness Update
It seems flu season has come early this year! Our apologies to anyone who experienced a disruption in your supports due to a staff member becoming unwell this past month. We saw a surge of illness in March for both clients and workers, so I’d like to remind everyone of our sickness policy.
For staff: Please do not come to work sick. It’s mentioned in both the NDIS code of conduct and TCG code of conduct. Do the right thing and call on-call if you’re not feeling 100%.
For clients/participants: Please tell us if you are feeling unwell. It’s a requirement of our service agreement. We will work with you to either continue to provide supports in a safe way, or re-schedule your support to when you’re feeling well again.
TCG Footy Tipping 2026 Competition!
The season has officially begun with 23 current competitors and it’s still anyone’s game!
Coming in first (20pts): Tez and Jules, Bont, Bowie1410, KittyKatKaz, and pdawgz.
Coming in second (19pts): Pietrovic, OscarABrown01, and KirstKatz
Coming in third (18pts): GreggyP, Mayaaaa, SaintsLover, RocketRod64, and Hachie.
It’s still not too late to join in on the fun:
How to join:
Go to iTipFooty and register a user account if you don't already have one.
Login with your user account (or create a new account) and click the 'JOIN COMP' button.
Enter Comp # 132123 and Password Companion2026
Click 'Join Comp'
You’re now ready to enter your tips!
Introducing Ash and Guillan
In March we welcomed two new support workers to the roster, introducing Guillan and Ash!
Both support workers come to us on excellent recommendation and with stacks of experience in the support industry.
Ash’s favourite thing about being a support worker is being inclusive and focusing on experience and enjoyment! Her interests include her two children, her Jack Russell Shorty, camping, reading, and skateboarding. Ash holds a certificate 4 in home and community care, first aid qualifications, and has been working in the industry for 15 years.
Guillan loves helping clients achieve their goals and making sure they feel supported. Building a long term relationship based on trust and positive energy. She enjoys being creative and trying out new hobbies with clients. Guillan holds a certificate 3 in individual support and has been in the industry for 7 years in various roles.
Please make them feel welcome!
Public Holiday Closures
Please be advised that the office will be closed on the following dates this month:
Friday 3rd of April (Good Friday)
Monday 6th of April (Easter Monday)
Please contact the out of hours number if you need any help during that time.
ANZAC Day Services
ANZAC Day is a National Day of Remembrance to honour the courage and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who served and lost their lives in the First World War in the name of freedom and democracy.
May we never forget their bravery and dedication.
Lest we forget.
4:15am - Johnstone Park Pre-Dawn Service
The Geelong RSL will host a pre-dawn commemorative service at the Geelong Peace Memorial in Johnstone Park.
11:00am - Geelong March and Service
Commencing from the corner of Yarra Street and Malop Street at 11:00am. The March travels along Malop Street to conclude in Johnstone Park, a commemorative Service follows at approximately 11:45am.
When: 25 April 2026, 04:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: Johnstone Park - Wadawurrung Country, Gheringhap Street, Geelong
Cost: This is a free event
Please Note: There are also services being held at Lara, Portarlington, Drysdale, Ocean Grove, Norlane, Eastern Beach, Barwon Heads, Leopold and at the Boer War Memorial Park.
Geelong Easter Fest
Days of fun for the whole family this Easter!
Loads of free activities for the kids including Easter Egg Hunts, meet the Easter Bunny, carnival rides and games, food trucks, animal farm, market stalls, Easter Bonnet Parade and roving entertainers.
When: Daily from 03 April 2026 to 06 April 2026
Where: Geelong Racecourse - Wadawurrung Country, Breakwater Road, Breakwater
Cost: Entry ticket is $5 (or $7.50 on the day). Optional extras include $15 for the egg hunt and ride tickets ranging from $3 to $15.
Geelong Japanese Festival
Experience the vibrant heart of Japan at the Geelong Showgrounds! The 2026 festival brings together a dynamic mix of traditional culture and modern excitement.
Main Stage: Powerful Taiko drumming, elegant Koto music, traditional dance, and disciplined Martial Arts demonstrations, culminating in our high-energy Cosplay Contest.
Workshops and Exhibits: Get hands-on with Kimono fitting, Calligraphy, and Origami, or admire the intricate Railway models, Bonsai, and Ikebana displays.
Market and Food: Browse unique Japanese products and stalls before indulging in authentic Japanese street food, beverages, and treats like Fairy Floss.
Join us for a day of discovery, community, and the chance to win big in our Grand Raffle!
When: 18 April 2026, 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Where: Geelong Showgrounds - Wadawurrung Country, 79 Breakwater Rd, Breakwater
Cost: Free
MCEscher: Master of Illusion
A warm invitation to join Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Geelong members for the next in our monthly lectures.
Ann Harbers, this month’s lecturer, is touring from the UK. She is experienced in Art History, specialising in French, Russian and Dutch art. Her topic on Escher’s mastery of illusion reveals that he was inspired by mathematics.
You are invited to stay afterwards to meet the lecturer and to enjoy refreshments in a casual atmosphere, engaging with members in congenial and convivial conversations.
When: 15 April 2026, 05:45 PM - 07:00 PM
Where: Geelong West Town Hall - Wadawurrung Country, 153 Pakington Street, Geelong West
Cost: $30
Geelong Half Marathon
The Geelong Half Marathon and 5-kilometre runs are staged to encourage people to be active and to raise funds for the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.
When: 12 April 2026, 07:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Where: Barwon River - Wadawurrung Country, Barrabool Road, Belmont under the James Harrison Bridge
Cost: $32-$90 depending on the length of the run and concession, see link for details.
The Great Barwon River Duck Race
The Great Barwon River Duck Race will take place on Easter Saturday (April 4th) starting from the Barwon Heads Bridge around 1 pm.
If you indicate support for a local primary school when purchasing a ticket, they will receive proceeds from the purchase.
Funds raised will go to local community groups and primary schools. Primary Schools will receive $5 for each duck they sell!
If you’re attending on the day, keep an eye out for The Companion Duck! 🦆
When: 04 April 2026, 12:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Where: Barwon River Bridge - Wadawurrung Country, William Buckley Bridge, Bridge Rd, Barwon Heads
Cost: Free, or $10 per duck to enter the race
