The annual Lifestart Winter Ball is being held on Saturday 15th August at Le Montage in Lilyfield. It is hosted by former Olympian and world kayaking champion Shelley Oates-Wilding, who is now in high demand on the celebrity speaking circuit. Entertainment is by the sensational ‘Oh Boy - the Buddy Holly Show’, one of Australia’s premier show bands. Featuring appearances by a host of singers ranging from Dion (’They Call Me The Wanderer’) to Richie Valens to Roy Orbison, this show will have you laughing and dancing till midnight. Auction and raffle items for the evening will range from a signed AC/DC guitar to several short-stay resort holidays around Sydney to a NSW SpeedBlitz Blues cricket bat signed by the 2007/08 Pura Cup Champions. There will also be a wine tasting courtesy of the Charity Wine Shop and Molly’s Cradle Wines. The evening features a three course meal and aperitifs and tickets are $190.
For bookings go to Showbiz or visit our Events page for more details.

Wilson HTM Foundation has made a significant investment in the siblings program being run through the Lifestart Hornsby Branch. As stated by Siblings Australia, siblings can often be overlooked in the treatment of children with special needs, which can lead to feelings of isolation. If this continues, children can become vulnerable to a range of emotional and mental health problems. However, if siblings are acknowledged and connected to sources of support, they are likely to become more resilient. For further information on the Lifestart Hornsby Siblings Program phone 9144 7605.

Special Disability Trusts were introduced by the Commonwealth Government in 2006 to allow private financial provision for the current or future accommodation and care of a family member with a severe disability, without being affected by social security rules on means testing or gifting. To encourage greater take up, from 1 July 2009 the Government will extend the capital gains tax main residence exemption to include a residence that is owned by a Special Disability Trust and used by the relevant beneficiary as their main residence. In addition any unexpended income of a Special Disability Trust will now be taxed at the beneficiary’s personal income tax rates, rather than the highest marginal tax rate, starting from the 2008-09 financial year. The Australian Government is reviewing all recommendations from the Senate Committee, including broadening eligibility to make it easier for people to establish Special Disability Trusts.

More information on these measures is contained in the Fact Sheets available online at: www.fahcsia.gov.au.