KKCS Quarterly Update
As you are all aware the new model for aged care services, Support at Home, commenced on Nov 1st.
A significant amount of change has been required in the business back end and we are extremely appreciative of your patience whilst we make these changes which are governed by the Department. It is a learning exercise for both staff and consumers but please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
An important change to note is the requirement to provide 48hrs notice for cancellation a service otherwise you will be charged for the service. Please remember you can leave a message on the office number, 40043105, over the weekend if something changes and you need to cancel a Monday service – 4pm Saturday will be the cut off.
The aged care team is also having a mini restructure as I (Kerri) am retiring on December 10th.
Stacey Halton will step up to my role and many of you will have spoken to Stacey over the years as she has been managing our support workers. Kate Warner will be the new Team Leader for Support Workers and next newsletter she will introduce herself. I have been proud to lead our team over the last 4 years but it is now time to start new adventures.
Remember your safety over summer is vital – drink plenty of water and keep moving so you stay strong and reduce the likelihood of falls. The Allied Health team have several group classes to help build your strength so speak top your Coordinator if you are interested.
We are in the process of improving our feedback processes so you may receive a satisfactions survey or a survey about the external contractors before Christmas. Your feedback is vital to our services and with the biggest change seen in the aged care industry we need your help to assist us continue to provide quality services to meet your care needs. I have always appreciated direct calls to discuss your concerns or to provide positive feedback about a staff member so thank you. This process will not change under Stacey’s leadership.
As I sign off I wish you and your families and joyous and safe Christmas.
Kerri Wagner
Business Unit Manager
Service Update: The KKCS Allied Health team is currently maintaining short waitlists and accepting new referrals across all services, with immediate capacity available for both Podiatry and Speech Pathology. Our group programs will continue running until 17th December 2025, before pausing for the holiday break and returning the week of the 5th January 2026.
Recognition: Support Coordinator, Naomi Blayden nominated for the Cessnock Business Chambers Customer Service Awards
Plus READ MORE about our Student Placement Program this Quarter.
The past three months have been a period of strong growth, connection, and celebration across Hunter Commercial Services. Here’s a look at some of our key highlights:
New Contracts Secured
We’re excited to announce that our teams have successfully secured three new Cleaning Contracts and two new Grounds Maintenance Contracts. These wins reflect the ongoing trust our clients place in our quality service, professionalism, and commitment to inclusive employment.
Celebrating Long Service
We celebrated 2 of our crew members 10 year anniversaries this quarter as well as some 5,7,and 8 year anniversaries. November brings 25 years for our Lead supervisor, and 38 years for one of our crew members
‘Be A Mate’ Safety BBQ
In October, we hosted our ‘Be A Mate’ Safety BBQ, which brought together over 30 staff, along with our CEO, Board Members, and Dan Repacholi MP. The event was a fantastic opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of checking in with each other and ensuring that we all stay safe—both at work and in life. Thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a success.
Plus READ MORE about our successful ‘Demo Day’ even
Odyssey Home Modifications specialises in delivering high-quality, innovative construction services and support products designed to help elderly and disabled individuals live safely and comfortably in their own homes. Whether it’s the installation of grab rails or a complete bathroom renovation, we work with a trusted network of approved suppliers and builders to provide the best solutions for your everyday needs.
Our comprehensive services include Building Consultation, Certification, Project Management, Plumbing, and Electrical work.
Odyssey is currently at capacity, and referrals for our CHSP clients are temporarily closed. We will reopen referrals on 1 December 2025. Please note that from this date, client contributions will apply to all CHSP clients — 15% for local clients and 20% for statewide clients.
Odyssey continually strives to engage with the community and build meaningful partnerships through a variety of initiatives. Earlier this year, we participated in our local community’s Book Week by joining the “Reading in the Streets” event for local schools. More recently, on October 15, 2025, we attended the Hunter Aged Care and Disability Expo held at the Hunter Racecourse.
Lastly Congratulations to Odyssey Service Manager, Kareem Ibrahim for being a finalist for the Cessnock Service Awards.
Congratulations on 22 years Elana.
We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our incredible Service Director, Elana Lawrence, on achieving a remarkable 22 years of dedicated service with KKCS. Throughout the years, Elana has led with compassion, integrity, and unwavering commitment, shaping our service into the warm and nurturing environment it is today. Her passion for supporting children, families, and staff has made a lasting difference in so many lives. On behalf of all staff and families, we offer our deepest thanks and appreciation for Elana’s years of hard work, guidance, and care, her impact is truly immeasurable, and we are so grateful to celebrate this wonderful milestone with her. To honour this wonderful milestone, the staff came together for a special gathering filled with laughter, memories, and heartfelt gratitude, celebrating Elana’s incredible contribution to our community and the positive legacy she continues to build every day.
2026 Enrolments Now Open!
We are excited to announce that enrolments for 2026 are now open! We warmly invite all families to secure their child’s place by completing the enrolment process through our online portal. Simply scan the QR code provided or call us on (02) 4936 2030 for assistance or further information. We look forward to welcoming both new and returning families for another wonderful year of learning, growth, and fun at our service!
Christmas Holiday Hours
Our upcoming Vacation Care period is just around the corner! Please note that we will be closed from Monday, 22nd December until Friday, 2nd January, and will reopen on Monday, 5th January with a jam-packed, fun-filled School Holiday Program to kick off the new year. Exciting details about our program will be shared soon, so keep an eye on your emails for all the updates and activity information. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for a fantastic start to 2026!
On Wednesday, 5th November, our Kurri OOSH service completed its Assessment and Rating visit conducted by a representative from the Department of Education. During the visit, the assessor observed our staff and children in action, reviewed our practices and procedures, and carefully checked all our documentation. These visits are carried out by the Department regularly — sometimes planned and sometimes at random — to ensure high-quality care and compliance. It was a wonderful opportunity for our team to showcase the dedication and effort our educators put in each and every day, from planning engaging activities to maintaining safety, supporting medical needs, and managing transportation. We are so proud of our team and the hard work they do to provide the best possible care for all our children.
The KKCS Study Hub has had an exceptional year, supporting more than 80 students across university, TAFE, high school, and alternative pathways. Our team has been busy helping learners explore tertiary options, strengthen academic skills, and build confidence as they prepare for their next steps. In October alone, the Hub recorded an impressive 145 student uses—highlighting the growing demand for accessible, personalised academic support in our region.
Alongside our work with tertiary students, we also delivered specialised HSC study sessions for Year 12, helping students finish school with clarity, direction, and the skills needed for future study success.
We’re also proud to share that Study Hub team members Emily Woodbury and Heather Kruzins have been nominated for Outstanding Community Engagement in the Cessnock Business Chamber’s 2025 Customer Service Awards—recognition of the enormous support they provide to students and the wider community.
This quarter, we also welcomed Renee Bell as our new Academic Support Officer. With extensive experience and a passion for student learning, Renee works Tuesday to Friday, supporting students through one-on-one sessions and group workshops. From essay writing and referencing to research skills and academic planning, Renee helps make the pressures of study more manageable. Registered students can book sessions via the Hub Intranet.
Later this month, we’re hosting an Academic Writing Workshop, focusing on tone, TEEL structure, clear expression, referencing, and academic formatting—one of many practical skill-building opportunities available to Study Hub members.
As we look toward 2026, we invite all students planning to continue their studies—whether at university, TAFE, or through another pathway—to join our growing Study Hub community. Our team is here to provide personalised academic support, goal setting, and practical guidance every step of the way.
Register now to stay connected and access support for your next chapter
Kurri Kurri Gymnastics Centre marked a major milestone this quarter, celebrating its 40th birthday with a special community event and the grand opening of its upgraded facilities. Current and former gymnasts, families, and coaches joined the celebrations, officiated by Clayton Barr MP and Mayor Daniel Watton.
The Centre’s improvements—modern bathrooms, new air conditioning, and the exciting addition of an Olympic trampoline—represent a significant step forward for the club. Over four decades, thousands of young athletes have passed through the gym’s doors, building skills, confidence, and lifelong connections. Many have returned as coaches, volunteers, or proud parents, continuing the legacy that makes this community so special.
Our athletes also showcased their talent at the recent State Championships, bringing home outstanding results across multiple levels:
Eamon – 1st place team (combined clubs)
Amy – Level 3 Flips Overall Champion
Leah – Level 6 Flips Overall Champion
Flips – 2nd place team
Lilly – Level 5 Vault Champion
Indie – Level 5 Overall 3rd place
Level 4 team – 2nd place
Level 6 team – 2nd place
In wider community news, Will Doran, our Youth and Community Services Manager, has been nominated for induction into the NSW Youth Work Hall of Fame—a testament to his leadership and impact supporting young people across the region.
As we approach Christmas, The Centre team is working to prepare 100 hampers for young people and families in need. With generous support from community partners—including Cessnock High School Interact, Weston Worker’s Club, and Mount View High School’s Year 12 fundraiser—we’re well on our way. Donations of non-perishable food are welcome at our main office reception. For more information, please contact Taylah Gollan on 4004 3100.
For details on gymnastics programs from early childhood to young adulthood, visit: https://www.kkcs.org.au/the-centre-kurri-kurri
Our team of youth workers and youth case-workers assist young people and their families who live in the Cessnock Local Government Area.
We provide advocacy and case-work support, both individually to young people and also to family units in the form of family capacity building.
We provide information advice and referrals to other agencies, counselling at some local schools, court support at the Cessnock Children’s Court and educational programs within the local schools.
From the People, Safety and Quality Team
KKCS is proud to be enhancing the quality, safety, and accessibility of our services. We’re evolving our systems and processes to make information clearer, easier to understand, and more inclusive for everyone. A key focus is on developing more Easy Read content, created in collaboration with people with disability, to ensure accessibility remains at the heart of everything we do.
We’re also celebrating our dedicated team, with several staff reaching major service milestones — including 25 years of service with Hunter Commercial Services. Their commitment to our mission helps us continue delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients and communities.
Finally, our teams have been actively participating in safety and wellbeing initiatives, such as the Safe to Speak Survey and Safety Awareness Month, to strengthen our workplace culture and ensure KKCS remains a safe, supportive environment for all.
I See You Moment: Living Our Safety Culture
At the recent KKCS Spring Fair, one moment perfectly captured what “safety culture” truly means in action.
While volunteering at the event, Tegan Baker wasn’t there in her usual role as our Health, Safety and Wellbeing Officer, she was simply lending a hand with setup, as were many others. Yet even outside of work, her commitment to safety shone through. From making sure paths were clear for vehicles, to checking lifting practices, ensuring enough hands were available, and taking faulty equipment out of use, Tegan quietly looked out for everyone’s wellbeing, staff, volunteers, and stallholders alike.
That’s safety leadership in its truest form. It’s a reminder that safety isn’t just part of a job description, it’s part of who we are as a community. Because when each of us takes responsibility for keeping one another safe, we all thrive.
Thank you, Tegan, for setting the standard and showing what it means to live our values every day.
Kurri Kurri Community Festival
We held the Kurri Kurri Community Festival on 18 October at our new venue, Margaret Johns Park. This year’s theme was “Connecting the Community,” which aligns beautifully with our new KKCS branding, Connecting to Care. Our aim was to bring together the community, local businesses, and service providers for a fun, family-friendly day and we achieved exactly that.
The event featured around 40 stalls and food trucks, jumping castles, and performances from local groups. A highlight of the day was a special routine from our very own KKCS Gymnastics Team. We were also thrilled to welcome the Kurri Fire Truck and VRA Kurri, who demonstrated how their rescue tools are used during a vehicle extraction.
We received fantastic feedback from everyone involved and saw a wonderful turnout from the community. We look forward to hosting this event again at our successful new venue in 2026.
A big thank you to our KKCS volunteers: Dash (MC), Will, Ange, Shay, Emily, Heather, Eloise, Taylah, Casey, Tegan, Grace, Kathryn, Sue, Shay, Naomi, Karoline, and Steve.
We’d also like to make a special mention of our sponsors Orica, Beyond Bank, Weston Workers Club, O’Neills Tyre & Autocare Kurri, and Alfabs. Their generous support made this event possible. And a special thanks to Davina for organising all the performance groups.
