July 2026

July Community Update

Happy Birthday to the Geelong Football Club! The club was first formed on the 18th of July 1859 at Victoria Hotel, meaning they are celebrating their 167th year. They are the second oldest AFL club with Melbourne being formed 2 months prior. I hope you enjoy this little update from us!

Do you have something you would like shared with our community? Submit requests for this newsletter by emailing Saskia via info@thecompaniongroup.org

Contents:

💲NDIS Pricing Arrangements 2026-2027
🙋State Disability Plan and Autism Plan Consultation 2026
💰Victorian Rego Rebate
👋Introducing Yvette, Janet and Shaynesha
🎶New Noise Music Program
☀️NAIDOC Week Sunrise Ceremony
📝2026-27 Community Grants Information Session
🎹Christmas in July Piano Bar Pop Up: for carers & loved ones living with dementia
🐕Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show
📰How Murdoch's Media Wields Power and Punishment

NDIS Pricing Schedule 2026-2027

Like clockwork, the NDIS Pricing Schedule has been released and came into effect from the 1st of July this year.

Please see a summary of the prices TCG frequently charge below:

Weekday Daytime $73.58 (per hour)
Weekday Evening $81.07 (per hour)
Saturday $103.54 (per hour)
Sunday $133.50 (per hour)
Public Holiday $163.46 (per hour)
Provider travel $1.02 (per km)
Sleepover $311.79 (per night)
Individual Skill Development $83.87 (per hour)

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to Matt in accounts for any quotes, questions or queries regarding our pricing:

Phone: 0432031511
Email: accounts@thecompaniongroup.org

State Disability Plan and Autism Plan Consultation 2026 - Final Call

A reminder that the consultation for the next State Disability Plan and the next Victorian Autism Plan closes at 5pm, Friday 17 July 2026.

To find out more, please visit the Engage Victoria webpage.

Give your feedback

The next plans will set out priorities and actions to make Victoria a more inclusive, accessible, and fair place for all. The Victorian Government wants to hear about: 

what is working well and what could be improved
priorities for the future 
ideas for the next plans.

Consultation for the next State Disability Plan and the next Victorian Autism Plan will happen at the same time. This way, the new autism plan will line up with the new State Disability Plan.

Who can take part

Anyone can take part in the consultation. The government particularly wants to hear from:

people with disability
Autistic people
families, carers and friends
advocates and allies
disabled people’s organisations
community organisations
local government.

How to take part

There are different ways to participate in the consultation. You can choose one or more of these options to have your say. You can: 

take part in an online survey 
share feedback and ideas on Engage Victoria 
send us an email with a voice or video recording to disabilityplan@dffh.vic.gov.au  
mail a picture, document or recording with your ideas to Office for Disability, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000.

Victorian Rego Rebate (20% off)

Victorian vehicle owners can now apply for 20% off their vehicle registration. Applications open on 1 June and close on 31 July 2026. The rebate applies to eligible vehicle registrations for the 2025–2026 financial year. You can apply using the Service Victoria app or website.

Before you apply you will need:

your vehicle registration number
your Victorian driver licence number or VicRoads customer number
your full name
your bank account details (BSB and account number) Payment will be made into your bank account.

Step 1: Create a Service Victoria Account

You must have a Service Victoria account before you can apply for the 20% off. You can create an account on:

the Service Victoria website
the Service Victoria app on your phone

To create an account:

Go to service.vic.gov.au/account
Enter your email address, given name(s) and family name
Follow the steps to enter the security code sent to your email
Create a 6-digit password to protect your account
Log in with your email and password

Have these details ready:

your registration number
your Victorian driver licence number or VicRoads customer number
your bank details

Step 2: Apply for 20% off your rego

After you create your account:

Open the Service Victoria app and tap ‘20% off your rego’, or visit service.vic.gov.au/rego-rebate
Tap ‘Get started’
Check if you can apply by selecting your vehicle type and entering your registration number
Enter your full name and Victorian driver licence number or VicRoads customer number.
Enter your bank details. The rebate will be paid into this account
Review your details and tap ‘Submit’ You will receive an email confirming we have received your application. If you have not yet paid your vehicle registration for 2025-26, your application will be reviewed after VicRoads processes your registration payment.

Need help?

Please let us know if you need a hand with this, we’d be happy to help. More resources including easy to read instructions, translations and fact sheets are available here: https://service.vic.gov.au/resources

Introducing Janet, Yvette and Shaynesha

It’s baby season here at TCG, so with multiple mums and dads away on parental leave and with the threat of the winter sickness on the horizon, we have hired Janet, Yvette and Shaynesha to join the group. Please make them feel welcome!

What is your favourite thing about being a support worker?

Janet: Supporting people to achieve their goals and dreams. Everyones goals are different so everyday is different. I learn from the clients and participants as well which is brilliant!

Yvette: Being a disability support worker is a rewarding industry, seeing clients gain confidence and develop new skills. Helping people live independently, making a positive difference in someone's life, helping people participate in their community, and helping clients feel safe, valued, and respected.

Shaynesha: What I enjoy most about being a support worker is having the opportunity to make a positive impact in someone's day, no matter how big or small. I love getting to know each person, supporting them to achieve their goals, and encouraging their independence and confidence.

What are your hobbies?

Janet: Baking, singing, music, animals (especially cute fluffy ones)

Yvette: Community engagement and helping others, singing in the church choir, volunteering, and community service. Building positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds. Community Involvement: Going to the gym/sports, watching movies, and spending time with family.

Shaynesha: In my free time I enjoy cooking, reading, creating art, listening to music, spending time with family or friends and exploring new places.

What is your experience?

Janet: 2016 studied for my Diploma in Community Services which has led me to discover how much helping people means to me. Janet has been working as a support worker since 2016.

Yvette:

Certificate III in Individual Support
2022 Certificate III in Business
2021 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
2021 Certificate II in Health Support Services
First Aid & CPR 2025 & CPR 2026
Manual Handling Training

Shaynesha:

Certificate III in individual support - 01/06/2025
Alcohol and other drugs skill set - 16/02/2026
Certificate III in commercial cookery - 22/06/2018
Certificate III in patisserie - 22/06/2018

Commenced work as a Support Worker in May 2024 and have gained experience across a variety of support settings, including community access, Supported Independent Living (SIL) accommodation, and complex care. I have provided support to both paediatric and adult clients with diverse needs throughout this time.

New Noise Music Program

Looking for an awesome creative outlet for young music lovers? New Noise is an inclusive music program in South Geelong designed specifically for NDIS participants aged 10–25.

Founded by Nathan Mossop, an industry veteran with 16+ years of music experience and 5+ years in disability support, New Noise helps young people build confidence, social connections, and independence through authentic band-style sessions.

What they do: Explore guitar, bass, drums, piano, vocals, and songwriting.
The Setup: 3-hour group sessions (4 participants max) billed at a 3:4 ratio for high-level support.
Who it's for: Self-managed and Plan-managed NDIS participants.
Location: South Geelong studio.

If you know a young person ready to rock, make friends, and try something new, click the button below to submit a referral or make an enquiry!

NAIDOC Week Sunrise Ceremony

Locals and visitors alike are invited to join Barwon Coast and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation for the 2026 NAIDOC Week Sunrise Celebration at Bukareeyoo, Barwon Heads.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, ’50 Years of Deadly’, celebrates five decades of honouring the strength, culture, leadership and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while recognising the generations who have continued to stand strong in culture, community and identity.

The Sunrise Celebration will take place on Monday, 6 July 2026, with arrival from 7.15am for a 7.30am start.

The event will include a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, didgeridoo performance and an opportunity for the community to come together on Wadawurrung Country to celebrate and reflect during NAIDOC Week.

Following the Sunrise Celebration, children and families are warmly invited to stay and take part in a special activity celebrating connection to Country and the plants and animals of Wadawurrung Sea Country.

Community members are encouraged to register so Barwon Coast can provide updates in the event of poor weather or any changes to the event.

Event details

Date: Monday, 6 July 2026
Time: 7.15am arrival for a 7.30am start
Location: Barwon Heads end of Bukareeyoo

2026-27 Community Grants Information Session

The information sessions will explain the 2026–27 Community Grants offered by the City, including purpose, key eligibility criteria, and what we will fund. You’ll have the opportunity to ask City officers questions.

The following Grants will be explained: