Aware Group

06/08/2026

We're calling on the Australian Government to halt the passage of its controversial National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Amendment Bill until significant concerns around process, accountability and the impact of the reforms are addressed.

Our President and 7 Commissioners are jointly urging the government to slow down the pace of reform and take a more considered approach to modifying the scheme in a way that protects and promotes human rights.

Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess: 'With so many people and organisations across the government and disability sectors raising serious concerns, the Australian Government must hit pause on the passage of this Bill and undertake a much more considered and consultative approach to reforming the NDIS.’

Read the media release: https://loom.ly/eZXIJ48

02/08/2026

📢 Make Sure the Pilbara Counts! 🧡💚

On Tuesday, 11 August, every person counted in the 2026 Census helps shape the future of our community.

At AWARE, we know how important local services are for individuals and families across the Pilbara. Census data plays a vital role in showing governments what our region truly needs.

📊 The more people who complete the Census, the more accurate the data.

That data helps determine:
✅ Funding for health, disability and mental health services
✅ Education and early intervention programs
✅ Community support services
✅ Housing and infrastructure planning
✅ Recreational facilities and local projects
✅ Future investment in our region

If people don't participate, our community can appear smaller than it really is. That can mean less funding, fewer services, and missed opportunities for the Pilbara.

Whether you've lived here your whole life or you're working up here, if you're in the Pilbara on Census night, make sure you're counted.

Together, we can help ensure our region receives the support, services and investment it deserves.

💚 Every person counts. Every response matters. Every voice helps shape the future of our community.

22/07/2026

📱 AusAlert National Test Coming Soon 📱

On Monday 27 July at 12:00 pm (AWST), many mobile phones across Australia will receive an AusAlert practice message as part of a national test of Australia's new emergency warning system.

📱Your phone may make a loud siren sound🚨, even if it is on silent.
✅ This is only a practice.
✅ It is not an emergency.
✅ The test is designed to help keep people informed and safe during real emergencies.

We know unexpected sounds can be unsettling for some people. To help prepare, we've attached an easy-read Social Story that explains what to expect before, during and after the test.

Helpful strategies include:
🎧 Wearing headphones
👂 Covering your ears
🌬️ Taking deep breaths
🙋 Asking a support person for help

The practice test will be over quickly, and everything will return to normal afterwards.

Image Description (Alt Text):
A combined AusAlert information and social story graphic. The top section features the Australian Government and AusAlert logos on a blue-to-purple gradient background. Large text reads: "The AusAlert national test, Monday 27 July 2026." Supporting text explains that AusAlert is a new national warning system that will send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices. A photograph of a hand holding a mobile phone appears on the right. Four icons underneath explain that people may receive a test message, phones will make a loud sound, only compatible mobile devices will receive the test, and people should follow instructions.
The lower section is an easy-read social story presented in nine illustrated panels. The panels explain that at 12:00 pm on Monday 27 July, an AusAlert practice will occur. The story shows a mobile phone making a loud alert sound and explains that the alert is only a practice and not an emergency. It advises that many phones will make the same sound for approximately 10 seconds and that the sound may be unexpected. Strategies for managing the noise include wearing headphones, covering ears, taking deep breaths, and asking for help. Additional panels show a supportive adult being present, the activity ending and routines returning to normal, and a reminder that the practice helps people prepare for emergencies. A message along the bottom reads: "AusAlert helps keep everyone safe. Thank you for being prepared!" with AWARE branding included in the footer.

01/07/2026

💙 July is Disability Pride Month

Every July, we celebrate Disability Pride Month. It’s a time to raise awareness, celebrate people with disability, and encourage everyone to be proud of who they are.

The Disability Pride Flag has special colours, and each one has a meaning:

* 💚 Green – Invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
* 💙 Blue – Mental health conditions
* 🤍 White – Sensory disabilities
* 💛 Yellow – Neurodiversity and developmental disabilities
* ❤️ Red – Physical disabilities

The diagonal line represents breaking through the barriers that people with disability face every day.

The black background remembers those who have lost their lives because of ableism, violence, neglect, su***de, illness, and other causes.

Ideas how can you help?

* Listen to people with disability and value their experiences.
* Speak up if you see someone being bullied, harassed, or treated unfairly.
* Don’t make assumptions about what someone can or can’t do.
* Ask respectful questions if you’re unsure, and be willing to learn.

23/06/2026

✨ Exciting Things Are Happening... ✨

You may have noticed a little bit of activity happening around the AWARE Centre lately... 👀

Well, we're excited to finally share that work has begun on our brand new Outdoor Inclusive Sensory Space! 🌿💙🌈

This project has been a dream of ours for a very long time. It's a true labour of love, created with our community in mind and designed to provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive space for children, families and individuals of all abilities to enjoy.

A huge shout-out and heartfelt thank you goes to AIM Construction Group WA for their incredible support. From day one, they have jumped in head first and are already making amazing progress on bringing this vision to life. We simply couldn't do this without them. 🙌

We would also like to thank Kevin Michel MLA for his ongoing support, encouragement and belief in AWARE's vision. Having champions in our corner who understand the importance of inclusive spaces for our community means the world to us.

This project has also been made possible through funding received from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Grant Program. We are incredibly grateful for their investment in helping us create a space that will benefit local families for years to come.

Seeing this project move from an idea we've held close to our hearts into something tangible is incredibly exciting and, honestly, a little emotional too. ❤️

We're only at the beginning, but we cannot wait to share the journey with you all and show you how this space transforms over the coming months.

Watch this space... big things are coming! 😍✨

22/06/2026

💙💛💚 A Heartfelt Thank You to Paraburdoo Tidy Towns 💚💛💙

On behalf of the AWARE Group, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the incredible team at Paraburdoo Tidy Towns for their generous support throughout the Tidy Towns project.

Your commitment to creating a stronger, more connected community is truly inspiring, and we are honoured to have been part of such a meaningful initiative.

Through your fundraising efforts and community spirit, you are helping make a real difference for local families living with autism, disability and additional needs.

Thank you for thinking of AWARE and for helping us continue supporting the families who need it most. ❤️

🧡 A MASSIVE THANK YOU, PARABURDOO! 🧡

​Our Tidy Town mission has been an incredible ride, and we’re feeling so much love for this community!

✨ Before we drop all the epic event photos, we have to shout out the legends who made it happen. 👇

​🙏 To Our Partners:

RioTinto: Thank you for your generous grant! You’ve helped us turn our vision into reality and bring our community closer together. 🤝

Ashburton Aboriginal Corporation: Your support is everything to us. Thank you for walking this path with us. 👣

​💖 Raising Change for The Aware Group:

Together, we’re making a real difference for families living with autism and disabilities.
A huge high-five to the local businesses who hosted our bins:

​Byblos | Coles Express | Karingal | Mobecrete | Munda Murra | Paraburdoo Bowls Club 🥤♻️

​🌱 To Our Little Legends Paraburdoo Primary School, you guys are absolute HEROES! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️

Thanks for the epic "Seed Bomb Masterclass."

Those verge-bombing legends truly helped our town bloom! 💣🌼

​📜 To Our History Team:

Thank you for bringing our local stories to life at the Pump Track. Knowing our history makes our future shine brighter! 🏛️✨

​Home is wherever I'm with you, Paraburdoo—from our family to yours! 🧡

10/06/2026

WA teachers will be taught how to better support children with higher needs amid rising rates of disability diagnoses, after a report found public schools needed to do more.

STORY: https://ab.co/4g5HtA0

The state government has committed $16 million over the next four years for a professional learning hub that will include mandatory inductions for special needs education assistants and disability modules for graduate teachers.

"We have more children with complex needs. We know that more children are in the system with a diagnosis of disability," Education Minister Sabine Winton said.

A group of parents of children with disabilities says that while any focus on training is good, there is an urgent need for laws to change, too.

WA is the only state in the nation with a provision that allows a principal to deny enrolment to a student if a school does not have an "appropriate educational program", which the review found could be "a barrier for students with disability to enrol at their local school".

Do you have experience navigating the WA education with a child with disabilities? Or are you a teacher experienced in educating children with disabilities at a public school? We'd like to hear from you for a story we are working on. Let us know below 👇💬 Or get in contact with us via Messenger 📩: https://bit.ly/messageABCPerth

02/06/2026

Underpinned by Trauma theory, this training will provide participants with the background knowledge and skills to teach Protective Behaviours to children with additional needs, aged up to 12 years.

This free workshop is for the whole community-Teachers, Educators, Carers and parents.

Workshop Content:

The Trauma of Child Abuse

Grooming in Sexual Abuse

Protective Behaviours Activities

Saturday 6 June

12:30pm to 3pm (please arrive 10 minutes early)

Held in the ASC Room (After School Care Room) - Nintirri Early Learning Centre 9 South Rd - See Signage
Book via the link below
https://www.nintirri.org.au/community-events/protective-behaviours-for-additional-needs-saturday-6-june-1230pm-to-3pm/

30/05/2026

⚽All Abilities Soccer is Coming to Tom Price! ⚽

AWARE Group is excited to partner with Tom Price Soccer Club - TPSC and Football Futures Foundation to bring a free Come & Try All Abilities Soccer session to our community.

This inclusive program is designed for children with disability, developmental delays, and other barriers that may make accessing mainstream football more challenging. It’s all about having fun, building confidence, making friends, and enjoying the game in a supportive environment.

📅 Sunday 31 May
⏰ 11:15am – 12:30pm
📍 Clem Thompson Pavilion, Stadium Road, Tom Price
💲 FREE EVENT

⚽ Mini Ballers (2–6 years)
⚽ i-League (6–12 years)

We encourage families to come along, meet the team, and see what all abilities soccer is all about.

A big thank you to Football Futures Foundation and Tom Price Soccer Club for helping create more inclusive opportunities for children in our region.

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to register or contact Mick on 0415 678 669 for more information.

⚽

25/05/2026

☕ Carers Coffee & Chat

Are you a carer in our community?

Whether you’re supporting someone with disability, caring for an ageing loved one, or helping someone through illness, this is for you 💛

Join us for a relaxed Coffee & Chat this Friday morning. It’s a chance to connect with others, share experiences, and take a well-deserved moment for yourself.

📅 Friday 5th June
⏰ 9:00am – 10:30am
📍 Kez's Place, Ashburton Ave, Paraburdoo

No registration required, no formal agenda just good conversation, support, and coffee on us ☕

If you know someone who is caring for others, please share this and encourage them to come along. You are not alone, and your role matters.