News – Current
Join before 30 June and you might win!
Thursday 16th May, 2013:
Amaze Membership – for individuals/families, educators and professionals – offers a range of valuable benefits including: Access to the specialist Amaze Library Subscription to the quarterly “Spectrum” magazine Discounts on Amaze events including the biennial conference – VAC Discounts on professional development/training For individuals/families – access to 3 free family counselling sessions Regular member offers...
DisabilityCare to cover ‘most’ individuals with ASD
Tuesday 14th May, 2013:
As the Barwon region gets ready to launch the National Disability Insurance Scheme (now DisabilityCare Australia) on 1 July, more detail about the scheme is gradually becoming available. On 11 May, Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin, was reported in The Age confirming that DisabilityCare Australia will cover ‘most’ individuals with ASD and will cover...
A Still Jacket – movie screening
Monday 6th May, 2013:
As part of The Human Rights Arts & Film Festival (HRAFF) around Australia, the movie ‘A Still Jacket’ about a young man with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the special relationship he has with his carer, will be screened on Sunday 19 May. The movie is in German with English subtitles and will be showing at...
Melbourne WAAD Event in Pictures
Wednesday 1st May, 2013:
World Autism Awareness Day was celebrated all around the world on or around 2 April. This day is a very important one for the ASD community, building better awareness of the condition among the general population and showing just how many people are affected by it. It also has the benefit of bringing people together...
Andrew Payne Runs for Oscars 100
Friday 19th April, 2013:
Andrew Payne has been inspired by his son Oscar to run and raise funds for ASD. He is entering the North Face 100, a gruelling 100km race across rugged terrain, taking place on 18-19 May. Check out the course. Andrew tells us: “Our son Oscar was diagnosed with Autism in early 2011 thanks to the...
A Sea of Blue…
Friday 12th April, 2013:
Melbourne turned into a sea of blue on Sunday as thousands of people walked to show their support of individuals with ASD. “The turnout was more than we could have hoped for,” says Murray Dawson-Smith, CEO. “Our community is a force to be reckoned with. Around 55,000 individuals in Victoria have Autism Spectrum Disorder and...
The New Entertainment Book has arrived
Thursday 11th April, 2013:
The Entertainment Book 2013-2014 is now available from Amaze with all the usual great deals as well as a range of new ones. The Entertainment Book contains offers, vouchers, discounts and a range of promotions worth more than $15,000 – and the book still costs just $65. You will get your money back in just...
George Calombaris and Tom Gleisner Help Us Celebrate WAAD
Thursday 4th April, 2013:
MasterChef Judge and top Melbourne chef, George Calombaris, and well-known comedian Tom Gleisner are both joining us for the World Autism Awareness Day walk and carnival this Sunday afternoon. “I’m happy to help out,” says George. “Autism Spectrum Disorder is a condition that affects over 55,000 Victorians and around a quarter of a million Australians,...
Amaze Billboard Looks Down on Elizabeth Street
Tuesday 2nd April, 2013:
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Independent Outdoor Media (IOM) Amaze has its first billboard, promoting awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder! The billboard is positioned on Elizabeth Street in the CBD, facing towards Victoria Market. “This is something that a not-for-profit like Amaze could not hope to do without assistance”, says Murray Dawson-Smith, Amaze CEO....
Melbourne Skyline Turns Blue for Autism Awareness
Sunday 31st March, 2013:
We are delighted to have the support of a number of major Melbourne icons for this year’s ‘Light it up blue’ campaign to create awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Thank you to the wonderful team at Federation Square who are supporting autism awareness for the fourth year. Fed Square will be lit up blue from 2...
‘One Day’ Heavy Metal Autism Benefit – 31 March
Monday 25th March, 2013:
Bands Frankenbok, Dreadnaught, King Parrot, Heaven the Axe, Bronson, Wolfpack, Don Fernando and The Charge, are all on the lineup at the Evelyn Hotel in Fiztroy on Sunday 31 March. They will be rocking out for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sure to get you raging, this benefit has been organised by passionate ASD supporter and metal...
Help Light It Up Blue in your street! Free blue globes…
Tuesday 19th March, 2013:
Thanks to the generosity of Bunnings Warehouse (Hawthorn) and Philips Lighting, we have 500 blue light globes to give away to the first 500 people to take advantage of this wonderful offer! The “Light It Up Blue” campaign for autism awareness is taking shape with the Melbourne skyline turning blue for the first week in...
The Giants were Amazing!
Thursday 14th March, 2013:
Congratulations to all this year’s Giants of the Bay participants on their achievement last Saturday in Australia’s longest open water swim. It was great to see many swimmers from Victoria as well as swimmers from New South Wales and overseas – Malaysia and the Netherlands, which indicates a growing respect for this event. Organisers Grant...
Bake for Amaze!
Tuesday 12th March, 2013:
Looking for a way to fundraise for ASD awareness? We have the perfect solution – puzzle piece cookies! We now have a “Puzzle Piece Cookie Kit”, which includes a puzzle piece cutter, a simple and delicious recipe and some suggestions as to how to go about your fundraising activity. With World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD)...
World Autism Awareness Day Will Bring Thousands of People Together to Highlight this Growing Disability
Thursday 7th March, 2013:
Melbourne’s World Autism Awareness Day celebration on Sunday 7 April is expected to draw over 5000 people to raise awareness for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Amaze (Autism Victoria) is hosting the event for the 4th year with an awareness walk along South-bank in Melbourne’s CBD being the main feature of the day. The walk starts at...
NDIS Forum – Thurs 14 March, 1-4pm – free for members
Wednesday 6th March, 2013:
The Autism Case Consultant Practitioner Program (NWMR) is proud to present ‘The NDIS Forum’. It will take place on Thursday 14 March from 1 to 4pm at the Yarraville Club, 135 Stephen Street, Yarraville. (This is a 15 minute drive from Flinders Street Station via the Westgate Bridge and parking is available , or a...
Sensory-Friendly Movies – 16 and 17 March
Wednesday 6th March, 2013:
Village Cinemas will be showing a Sensory-Friendly Movie screening of “ParaNorman” on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March at 11am (see details below) at: Airport West Fountain Gate Knox Southland Note: sessions are no longer available at Century City Walk, Glen Waverley. Book tickets online Click here - then click on the orange “Buy Tickets” logo, choose your...
Government funds Autism Cooperative Research Centre
Monday 25th February, 2013:
Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, announced government funding of $31 million over 8 years to establish the new ‘Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Living with Autism Spectrum Disorders’. This will be supplemented by a further $70M from commercial partners. La Trobe University’s Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) is a key player in 2 of the...
John Van Wisse and Tobias Frenz are Swimming in Giants of the Bay
Friday 22nd February, 2013:
We are very excited to report that well known Aussie swimmer, John Van Wisse, and international swimmer Tobias Frenz, will both be swimming in the Giants of the Bay Race swim marathon on Saturday March 9. We also welcome back the Monash University ‘Tritones’ who are currently leading the fundraising tally for Amaze, and the...