Distinctive Options

17/06/2026

☕🎀Biggest Morning Tea 🎀☕

It was a wonderful day at Sunbury Group’s Biggest Morning Tea held at the Memorial Hall! ☕

A huge thank you to everyone who came along and supported the event. We had a fantastic spread featuring high tea boxes, fresh scones, bliss balls and fruit cups — all beautifully prepared by our MasterChef program. 👩‍🍳🍓

Our delicious coffees were lovingly made by the Brew Buddies program ☕, and the entire event was proudly organised by participants and staff from our Rights & Responsibilities Network. 💛

We’re so proud of the teamwork, effort and community spirit that made the day such a success! Well done to everyone involved. 👏🏼

Donations are still being tallied, but it’s not too late to get involved. You can still support the Cancer Council by donating here:
https://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/BlairHayes/biggest-morning-tea-vic

16/06/2026

🎱🏆 We Have a Champion! 🏆🎱

Eddie is supported by Heiner from Distinctive Options’ Bendigo Independent Living Supports team to get involved in meaningful community activities. 💛

As you know Eddie’s favourite activity each week is attending the Huntly Men’s Shed, building skills, sharing knowledge, and connecting with others in the community. This week instead of the usual activities it was a pool competition.

After some fierce (and fun!) competition from other shed members, Eddie came out on top — what an achievement! 👏 A big congratulations to Eddie, who is feeling incredibly proud after becoming the pool table champion at the Huntly Men’s Shed! 💪

It’s fantastic to see Eddie building confidence, enjoying friendly competition, and being part of such a supportive community.

Well done, Eddie — champion effort! 🌟

12/06/2026

Yes Chef!

A huge thank you to our wonderful support staff, Head Chef Zak and Chefs Adele, Blair, Leesa and Brooke, for guiding and supporting our participants to create and serve at this week's magnificent fine dining event in Sunbury. 🍽

'Masterchef' participants ensured the night was a huge success, by serving up the delicious, belly-filling Italian feast, proudly sharing their creations with loved ones. From start to finish, it was a celebration of skill, teamwork and plenty of flavour.

Activities like this are only possible thanks to the significant planning and collaboration that take place behind the scenes—and we know the additional time and effort are well worth it.

By the smiles on everyone's faces, it's clear that this will be a night to remember for all involved. 😊


https://www.distinctiveoptions.com.au

10/06/2026

Buonissimo!!

Family and friends in the Sunbury region joined us for a very special evening as our 'MasterChef' participants took over the DO Kitchen for a showcase night to remember.

Guests were treated to a beautiful three-course dinner — and not just any dinner. Every dish was made completely from scratch.

We’re talking arancini to start, followed by pillowy gnocchi and chicken vesuvio, all finished with the pièce de résistance: sticky date pudding and chocolate ice cream. 🍨 Yum!!!!

The theme? A classic Italian dining experience. Warm, welcoming, and full of flavour — just like a night in a traditional trattoria.👨‍🍳

What made the night truly special was seeing our participants in action.

As well as cooking, they were plating, serving, welcoming guests, managing the floor, and keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.

Our “Compliments to the Chef” cards were filled with praise — from the quality of the food to the professionalism, teamwork and attention to detail shown throughout the night.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved. The growth, dedication and teamwork on display was something to be really proud of. You didn’t just serve a meal — you created an experience and a night to remember. 💛 ✨

If you're keen to learn more about our group activities for NDIS participants, you can phone us during business hours on (03) 9740 7100.

We'd love to hear from you!

09/06/2026

Sam enjoys taking photos but doesn't always have the opportunity to see herself in them!

As part of a travel training activity using public transport, Sam chose to visit ArtVo, which was an excellent decision. With guidance from Veronica, she was able to read the train timetable and determine the correct platform for both the train's arrival and departure.

After a change of train at Footscray to reach Southern Cross, the pair caught a tram to Southbank. From there it was a short walk to Artvo - an interactive 3D gallery that allows visitors to become part of the scene!

Sam was keen to share some action shots from the day, while expressing satisfaction at having travelled well on trains and trams through Melbourne.

05/06/2026

With Individualised Living Support, you get the personalised support you need, whether that's in the home, to attend an appointment or perhaps to maintain your health and fitness goals.

At Distinctive Options in Bendigo, Sam chose individualised support to enjoy some nature-based exercise in the historical Castlemaine Botanical Gardens.

While there, Sam wanted to see if he could find a tree that was four times his own width! Well, looks like he found one! 🌳

For more information on the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens, you can find their website here:

https://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Explore-the-shire/Castlemaine-Botanical-Gardens

03/06/2026

01/06/2026

💙 We’re supporting FightMND — and we need your help!

Participants from Distinctive Options in Sunbury are proudly raising funds to help Fight MND in the battle against the Beast that is Motor Neurone Disease.

MND is a devastating illness, and every contribution helps fund vital research and the push toward a cure.

If you’re able, please donate using the link below. Every dollar — big or small— truly makes a difference.

👉 Donate here:
https://support.fightmnd.org.au/fundraisers/distinctiveoptions/distinctive-options--fightmnd-fundraiser

Thank you for standing with us and supporting this important cause.
Together, we can make an impact.
— Distinctive Options Sunbury 💙

31/05/2026

As part of our earlier community update in April, Distinctive Options committed to continuing to advocate for the voices, experiences and concerns of the people and families we support as the proposed NDIS reforms progressed.

We have just lodged a submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026.

We know there is a lot of uncertainty and worry across the community right now, particularly for participants, families and carers who are trying to understand what these changes may mean for their future.

Our submission supports the need for stronger safeguards, better protections and action against fraud. However, we also believe people with disability and their families should not feel that they are carrying the burden of earlier system failures created by weak market regulation or inadequate safeguards during periods of rapid Scheme expansion.

Importantly, our submission raises concerns about the cumulative impact of the proposed reforms on participation, inclusion, independence and community connection for people with disability.

As our submission states: “A sustainable NDIS must be measured not only by what it costs, but also by what it prevents: isolation, crisis, family breakdown, avoidable hospitalisation and loss of independence.”

Thank you to the many participants, families, staff and community members who shared their experiences and perspectives with us.

Distinctive Options remains committed to advocating for balanced, evidence-informed reform that strengthens both the long-term sustainability of the NDIS and the human outcomes the Scheme was created to support.

29/05/2026

With Independent Living Support, you can receive assistance to access everyday activities you might otherwise miss out on, including essential weekly shopping.

Recently, Sam from Distinctive Options Sunbury discovered a range of popular fictional characters while visiting Highpoint Shopping Centre with her support worker Veronica.😀

Sam especially enjoyed taking photos with the Japanese character Stitch to share with her family and friends. 📸

Moments like these are more than just a fun day out — they create opportunities to build confidence, connect with the community, develop social skills, and make meaningful memories with others. 🌈


https://www.distinctiveoptions.com.au