Arcadia Sport and Recreation

Today, on National Agriculture Day, we want to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary dedication of Victoria’s farmers. It has been a tough season, but you continue to deliver for all of us and that’s nothing short of remarkable.

📈 Victoria’s agriculture sector is booming: our exports recently hit $20 billion, and the gross value of agricultural production is above $20 billion.

🚜 Behind those numbers are over 21,000 farm businesses, managing around 11 million hectares. That’s roughly half of our state.

🥩 Even in difficult conditions, our producers are innovating and delivering with meat exports up by 27.6% in the last year alone.

👩‍🌾 And it’s not just about numbers. These farms sustain rural communities: more than 150,000 Victorians are employed across farming and food processing.

We know it’s been challenging from variable seasons to rising input costs, but your resilience, grit and leadership are what keep Victoria’s agricultural heart beating. You are essential: feeding our communities, supporting regional economies, and helping Victoria maintain its position as Australia’s top food and fibre exporter.

To every Victorian farmer: today we celebrate and thank you. 🌱💚

🚨 NDIS Update: STA Is Now STR 🚨

Short Term Accommodation (STA) has officially been renamed Short Term Respite (STR).

What STR Really Is:

“Short term respite gives you time apart from your usual care arrangements. It also gives your primary informal supports a chance for a short break.”

It’s not for building new skills — its main purpose is respite, not recreation.

STR funding comes from your Core budget and must align with your NDIS plan.

Who Qualifies:

You’re eligible if you “live with, or get daily drop-in support from, your primary informal supports” for more than ~6 hours/day.

STR is not for those in Supported Independent Living or with Individualised Living Options.

For under-18s, STR is only funded “in limited circumstances when the child’s disability support needs are beyond what is typical for their age.”

Limits & Use:

Most participants can access up to 28 days/year, max 14 days at a time.

STR covers standard accommodation and needed support, but not holiday-style extras: “You can’t use short term respite funding to go on a holiday … airfares … tickets or entry fees … are not NDIS supports.”

Travel to and from the accommodation is generally not funded under STR.

What You Should Do:

Confirm STR is listed in your NDIS plan as a Core support line.

Talk to your planner or support coordinator to make sure your booking follows NDIA’s rules.

Use itemised invoices for accommodation and support so everything aligns with the guideline.

Bottom Line: STR is not a “holiday fund” — it’s a carefully defined break for informal carers and structured support. Know the rules, use it properly.



Short term respite https://www.ndis.gov.au/understanding/families-and-carers/how-we-can-help-carers/short-term-respite?

Short term respite | NDIS Short term respite gives you time apart from your usual care arrangements. It also gives your primary informal supports, a chance for a short break so they can continue in their caring role.

Join us for Unplug24 tomorrow by staying off social media for 24 hours.

Help raise awareness and funds to prevent sexual extortion and su***de, register here:

Register for 2025 Unplug 24 | SmackTalk Register as an INDIVIDUAL for Unplug24 Join us for Unplug24 to raise awareness and funds to help prevent sexual extortion and su***de. Show your support by registering as an INDIVIDUAL for the challenge to stay off social media for 24 hours on 24 October 2025. Register as an INDIVIDUAL for Unplug24....

It’s Invisible Disabilities Week (19–25 October)! 🌻

Around 80–85% of people with a disability have one that isn’t visible. These include neurological, cognitive, sensory, mental health, and chronic conditions that aren’t always immediately apparent.

Not all disabilities are visible — but a little understanding and kindness can go a long way in making everyone feel seen and supported.

“Back in my day, kids didn’t have ADHD.”

No, they had it.
They just weren’t diagnosed.
They were called lazy.
Told to “focus harder.”
Punished for fidgeting.
Shamed for not fitting into a box their brains were never designed for.

They were the kids who couldn’t sit still in class.
Who got in trouble for talking too much or daydreaming too often.
The ones who grew up thinking something was wrong with them
when really, no one understood what was going on inside.

Those kids became adults who still struggle to feel “enough.”
Who overthink everything.
Who mask their symptoms to blend in.
Who still carry the weight of being misunderstood their whole lives.

So no… ADHD isn’t new.
Awareness is.
And that’s what changes everything.

October is ADHD Awareness Month
and it’s not about excuses.
It’s about understanding.

Because the more we know, the more our kids will grow up seen instead of shamed.

Author unknown.

Kicks Off at 10am with ☕ 🚚 pulling up soon after! Start your Monday's with fun and dance!

Big V Div 1 Women 2025 GRAND FINAL

WPBA STEELERS Div 1 Women v Craigieburn GRAND FINAL

Thank you to the team and club sponsors:
CJ Castle Care & Support
Habit Care by CJ Castle Care & Support
Ritchies Supermarkets & Liquor
Bendigo Community Bank Hastings
Frankston, Mornington & Westernport Ford
Arcadia Sport and Recreation
Eramosa Physiotherapy
Hoop City Carrum Downs
Beretta's Langwarrin Hotel

Also we would like to thank the following:
Tash Warren (TashWarrenPhotography)
BTV Australia
Big V Basketball
Western Port Basketball
Somerville Recreation Centre
Victorian Junior Basketball League
just to name a few.

Together we fight, united we stand,
Taking our basketball across this great land.
We uphold our values on and off the court,
Steelers always together for our Western Port.



https://youtu.be/ceTzf-aCpA0