Distinctive Options

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

28/05/2026

Living independently means managing household chores with confidence.

Since moving into supported accommodation with Distinctive Options, Yvette has been developing daily skills around the home, including that all important floor clean!!

If you're looking for support to live more independently at home, or in a new home, contact our friendly accommodation team. We'll be able to discuss a whole range of options based on your unique needs.

🤳 Call: 9740 7100.

We would love to support you in the next chapter of your life :) 🏠

25/05/2026

Eddie from Distinctive Options Bendigo was keen to share his latest project with Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan.

Eddie described how he built his unique bird feeder and the way in which birds get to the food -they drink water from the teapot and eat seed from the cup! Clever!

Jacinta was delighted to hear that Eddie loves the friendships he's made at Huntly Men's Shed as much as he enjoys working on his woodwork projects. It's a treasured activity made all the easier with support from his trusted support worker Heiner.

To chat directly with our Bendigo team call us on:
🤳 (03) 8798 0108
https://www.distinctiveoptions.com.au

19/05/2026

Breakfast celebration at Distinctive Options Bendigo!

Our Bendigo participants dedicated weeks of planning and preparation to hold a Mother's day Breakfast with a difference. 💖

Mums, grandparents, sisters, carers and friends were treated to a delicious selection of pancakes and scones alongside hot and cold beverages of their choice. ☕🥞🥤

It was a wonderful opportunity to come together and acknowledge the ongoing care, love and support provided by our mums and mother figures.

To top it all off, everyone was invited to take part in a studio photoshoot, creating lasting memories of the day. 📷

If you're looking for a service provider that prioritises connection and community, contact us to learn more.

🤳 (03) 9740 7100
🌐 www.distinctiveoptions.com.au

15/05/2026

🍓🍊Banksia Fine Foods Tastings at The Brew Crew Cafe 🍊🍓

Next time you're in bustling Bairnsdale, take a moment to sample Banksia Fine Foods at The Brew Crew Cafe.

"Every Thursday from 10:00–12:00pm we showcase one or two of our delicious jams, chutneys, relishes, or sauces."

"This week we highlighted our delicious Wild Berry Apple Jam and our Paddington's Marmalade. 🧸"

Stop for coffee, meet the staff, have a taste, and discover your new favourite! 💛

📍 155 Nicholson St Bairnsdale.
🕗 9-3 Mon-Fri
🤳 (03) 5152 1222

11/05/2026

As part of her Pathways to Employment program with Distinctive Options, Sammy attends a weekly work experience placement at the bakery at Williamson's Foodworks in Gisborne.

Sammy enjoys being part of the team and is developing valuable skills in back-of-house hospitality, including helping prepare cheese and bacon rolls and pizzas.

Through this experience, she is building confidence, independence, and practical workplace skills in a supportive environment.

A big thank you to Foodworks Gisborne for providing Sammy with this opportunity and for supporting inclusive employment pathways within our community.

If your business is interested in hosting work experience placements for our participants, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact Tobi Kelly, Pathways to Employment Lead:
📩 [email protected]
🤳 9740 7100.

01/05/2026

Need a break from the office? ☕🌿

Come hang out in our courtyard — grab a coffee, bring your laptop, and catch up with your work mates in the fresh air.

Jane and Tobi from Distinctive Options' Supported Employment and Pathways team did just that - and loved the change of environment to bring fresh new ideas 'to the table!'

Pop in, find a spot, and make your next meeting a little less “office” and a lot more enjoyable.

See you soon 👋
The Do Food Truck
📍50 McDougall Rd, Sunbury.
🕗7.30am-3.00pm Mon-Fri.
🤳Ph: 0456 659 397

27/04/2026

Keen to have a say?

We thought we'd share this call out from The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

If you're keen to learn more, or would like to contribute to Victoria's State Disability Plan and the Victorian Autism Plan for 2027-2031, please see link below.

https://engage.vic.gov.au/disabilityplan

There you'll find helpful videos, information on upcoming public forums and further contact details.

We want to understand what matters most to people with disability, carers, friends and allies.

24/04/2026

This week’s proposed NDIS reforms have created a lot of discussion, questions and understandable uncertainty across the community.

We know announcements like this can feel unsettling for participants, families and carers. That is why our CEO, Andre Carvalho, has recorded a short video to share some reflections as more detail is yet to become clear.

We will continue to listen, support, advocate and communicate with our community as things progress.

You can watch Andre’s video below, and read his full letter to our community here: https://www.distinctiveoptions.com.au/about-us/latest-news

21/04/2026

Good Friday Appeal THANK YOU!

It was a big day of gratitude for the Sunbury R&R Network at Distinctive Options !

The group visited our wonderful local business sponsors in Sunbury to present certificates of appreciation and say thank you for their generous prize donations.
Together, we raised $1,165.10 for the Good Friday Appeal — community spirit at its best 💛

A shout out to all of the following generous supporters below:

Whitehorn's Gourmet Butchery
People.
Make Up by KJ
Daniels Donuts
Raine & Horne Sunbury
Itahlia Restaurant
Kaysam Hair and Beauty
NewsXpress Sunbury
BigHatAustralia
Reading Cinemas Sunbury
Happy Olive Tree
Xpress Train Cafe
Mystically Made
Office Today Sunbury
TerryWhite Chemmart Sunbury