ABOUT ORANA INCORPORATED

Orana Incorporated's business and manufacturing operations are strategically located across metropolitan and country regions of South Australia, giving them the ability to:

• Offer an extensive range of services to local and interstate businesses
• Offer a variety of employment and training options to people with disabilities

Orana’s accommodation and respite services are accessible in several metropolitan and country regions of South Australia.

As a not-for-profit organisation, Orana values the support and funding assistance received from members, supporters and from the wider community. Such support plays a vital role in the ongoing provision of Orana’s services and in the creation of opportunities for people with disabilities.

MY INVOLVEMENT WITH ORANA

I rang them after hearing about it through Cathy Jackson from Orana Incorporated. I emailed cathy and asked how they were doing in relation to their promotional needs.

They have been around for 60 years, yet I'd never heard of them. So I thught, if I could get the word out to a few more people who might care it's such a great place and a great cause.

After my inital interest they approached me in regards to becoming an Ambassador of their organisation and asked if I would be interested? I like to help where I can it's not something I need to be asked. Why my Dad passed away I decided to get off my ass and help wherever I'm needed.

My life is good now, but there are those for whom life is not so easy. I guess the question is why not? They love music, to dance and sing and I love to sing and play. Voila! There we are a great team.

MUSIC MEET & GREETS

The sound checks give our people with disabilities a special treat to meet somebody they admire and listen to. The first sound check we went to was Troy Cassar-Daley’s at Norwood Live. We did a meet and greet with Troy first and then he did his sound check which included him singing a couple of songs and then afterwards we did a photo session with him. He then signed some picture cards for each person and they were so happy and overwhelmed. We then put an article in our Oranability newsletter. This also helps Orana raise our profile.

The second sound check we went to was Ian Moss. After he had done his sound check he came over to meet and greet with everybody and we had the photos taken. He also signed a guitar for us to auction off. We had a bit of a chat with him and then we all left. Again this was at Norwood Live.

The third sound check was Jon Stevens. He came over beforehand and did a meet and greet and photo session and then asked me what song I would like to hear. I asked for “Hot Chilli Woman” and after he had done the sound check he played that and asked us all to come up the front so we danced to it and the employees were once again overwhelmed. You saw them dance when you were here. They put everything into it and have a really wonderful time.

These sound checks give our people something to look forward to and something to make them feel good. Orana gets to raise its profile as these people have high profiles.