An Unforgettable Adventure: The Snowy Winter Wonderland this past winter!

Imagine the thrill of gliding down snow-covered slopes with the wind in your hair and the excitement of conquering the peaks., experienced by Uconnex Community adventurers.

Members of the uconnex community in this year's Snow trip.

At Mount Buller, located in the heart of Victoria's Alpine region, the Uconnex Community experienced the joys of snow through this unforgettable trip. As this journey made our year, we wanted to share the experience of exploring the unforgettable adventures and incredible memories that were made that day. With our dedication to enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities, we played a pivotal role in making this trip a reality. Our commitment to providing personalised support and tailoring experiences to the unique needs of each participant was brought to life in a snowy, white wonderland!

SNOWY ADVENTURES AT MOUNT BULLER

A stop at the foot of Mt Buller to hold hands to reach the snowy mountain

When the start of winter came along, the Uconnex community knew it marked the most awaited event of this year. To make the dreams of our participants a reality in a safe environment, we chose Mount Buller, which has been recognized as a disability-friendly destination, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. We encouraged safe play for everyone with the hard work and care of our service providers who joined us on the trip. With their extensive experience working with individuals of varying abilities, we were able to encourage the excitement and ensure their needs were still being met.

From the start, our day at Mount Buller was filled with exciting activities. From walking through the crunchy yet soft snow, enjoying the views and food, and even building snowmen, there was something for everyone. The breath-taking views of snow-capped mountains and the crisp mountain air made every moment memorable for our participants, who couldn’t resist capturing the moment for themselves!

THE UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY

Every trip has its own difficulties, but we overcome them together.

Before embarking on our snow adventure, our team was hard at work to plan the trip and coordinate details. We worked closely with each participant and their service providers to understand their specific requirements, preferences, and any necessary accommodations. At this stage, we could already see the excitement on their faces, and we have to say, we couldn’t help but smile ourselves too. Now, we were all set and ready for our adventure at Mount Buller, and what better way to relive it than to share the story?

1. TO THE TOP!

Checking the remaining people on the bus and gathering everyone at the foot of the mountain.

To begin the day, Uconnex arranged accessible transportation, ensuring that all participants could travel comfortably and safely to Mount Buller. Our accommodations were carefully selected to meet accessibility standards, ensuring that everyone had a comfortable and enjoyable journey. Meeting at the early crack of dawn, our support workers and participants took in the views of the sunset over the peaceful, scenic views till we were at our next stop.

2. GETTING IN GEAR

Members took advantage of the opportunity to equip necessary equipment for the trip

Other members need help from our support workers

Mount Buller’s snow-capped ranges meant we had to get in proper attire to ensure the safety of our participants. After getting in proper gear and checking that we were physically ready for the day, the Uconnex team had to take this opportunity to indulge in some of the famous cafes surrounding the area. From the steaming, comforting goodness of a cup of hot chocolate or some much needed caffeine, to the delicious spread of breakfast foods, everyone took their time to enjoy the food in the chilly weather. Taking this time to soak in the moment, anyone could see that there was excitement in the air to finally get to the top to see what we came

for – snow!

3. SNOW, SLEDGES, AND SNOWMEN

The first group was included in the Toboggan game

Denial* felt excited because he could enjoy the cold feeling of falling snow. He smiled brightly but inside he felt cold.

Ms. Sarah* was riding a toboggan while posing V" sign with the members, it felt really chill

(*) Members' names have been changed to protect personal information

This is Emmy's* first time playing toboggan, so she's a bit nervous

(*) Members' names have been changed to protect personal information

Jimmy* and Tom* had a great laugh at their memorable toboggan ride

(*) Members' names have been changed to protect personal information

Experience the unique feeling of going halfway up a snowy mountain together

After admiring the view at the top, and finally rejoicing about reaching the snow, it was time for the much-awaited activities. The beauty of Mount Buller is that it offers an inclusive experience for all by providing activities friendly to NDIS participants like sledging, instead of skiing. Hopping on a sled and gliding down the gentle slopes, our participants felt the rush of cold air against their face. For those who preferred to avoid that, they kept busy making snowmen, having snowball fights, and creating snow angels in true winter fashion. To top it off, some even got the opportunity to set up the company flag and a small camp to get the full view from the best spot of the mountain.

4. BACK TO REALITY

Tired of playing all day, everyone returned to the dining area to replenish their energy

Because the group has many members, there must be a queue to receive food.

The whole group prepares to return home after a trip full of memorable moments.

Like all dreams must come to an end, this trip had to come to a close. As we packed up, there were some sad faces, but everyone couldn’t deny that this trip, although short, had been nothing but magical. With the morning’s excitement having turned into the evening’s joyful tiredness, everyone soaked in the feel of Mount Buller one last time as they headed down to the city, where they stopped for a quick dinner on the way. Our participants recalled having great fun, taken pictures, and felt empowered through their ability to take part in different activities.

The NDIS is a lifeline for many Australians living with disabilities, and our trip to Mount Buller is a testament to the transformative power of this support system. It allowed individuals to experience the joy of adventure and the freedom of exploring new horizons, regardless of their physical abilities, in a safe, controlled environment where they were surrounded by professionals and their loved ones. With the Uconnex support workers and team’s dedication to the NDIS's commitment to inclusion, we were able to create cherished memories in the snow-covered paradise of Mount Buller.

The bus has returned to the daily work of the Uconnex community. Hope to have the opportunity to return next year for snowfall.

If you're a NDIS participant considering an adventure like this or want to be a part of an unforgettable and memorable experience, don't hesitate to reach out to us and be a part of our community, where we are committed to making every dream a reality.

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Please contact Uconnex Community Services to reach more of our activities in the upcoming events.

☎️ Hotline: 1800-865-106

📮 Email: support@uconnex.com.au

We always support the community with the following services:

👉 Supported Independent Living

👉 Dementia Care

👉 In-home Support

👉 Support Coordination ( Level 2 and Level 3 )

👉 Community Nursing Care

👉 Access To the NDIS

👉 Day Programs and Holiday Programs

👉 Interpreting and Translation

👉 Access Community

👉 High Intensive Care

👉 Community Participation

👉 Domestic Assistance

We are always with you!