In this engaging episode of Moonee Valley Voices, Matthew Galea chats with Natalie Piscopo, founder and director of StellaFortis Consulting (formerly VCJ Recruitment) and Disability Network Coordinator at CoCo Support Services. Natalie shares her inspiring personal and professional journey, discusses the critical importance of quality recruitment in allied health and disability sectors, and offers practical insights into navigating the complexities of the NDIS.

Discover Natalie's unique approach to building genuine relationships in business, her passion for supporting local communities, and valuable tips on selecting the right disability support providers. Natalie also discusses recent NDIS funding changes and their impact on service delivery.

*Important Note:* Since recording this episode, Natalie's recruitment business has rebranded from VCJ Recruitment to StellaFortis Consulting. Visit https://www.stellafortis.com.au/ or follow @stellafortisconsulting https://www.instagram.com/stellafortisconsulting on Instagram.

*Chapter Markers:*
- 00:00:09 - Introduction and Welcome
- 00:00:56 - Natalie’s Background and Career Journey
- 00:04:13 - Transition to Allied Health and Disability Recruitment
- 00:06:00 - Working with Local Moonee Valley Businesses
- 00:07:07 - Navigating NDIS Challenges and Provider Shortages
- 00:09:29 - Tips on Finding Reputable NDIS Providers
- 00:12:09 - Recommended Local Disability Support Services
- 00:15:18 - In-demand Allied Health Roles (Speech Pathology & OT)
- 00:16:42 - Moving Back to Moonee Valley Community
- 00:18:36 - Growing a Business and Recruitment Strategies
- 00:22:33 - Adapting to NDIS Changes (October 2024)
- 00:27:38 - Importance of Personality Matching in Recruitment
- 00:30:13 - Quick-fire Moonee Valley Favourites (Cafés, Restaurants, Sports Clubs)
- 00:32:05 - Where to Connect with Natalie

*Enjoy the episode and don't forget to subscribe to Moonee Valley Voices!*

In this episode of Moonee Valley Voices, host Matthew Galea sits down with Samantha Byrne, a proud local who has been elected onto the local council three times.

Together, we discussed growing up in Moonee Valley, her eventual interest in local government and how council elections have changed across COVID and beyond.

We explore the complexities of the Victorian Government’s Activity Centres Program and the community feedback she has received.

Sam offers her personal perspective (not Council-endorsed) on the challenges ahead, including how increased housing density might strain local infrastructure like schools, parks, and sporting clubs.

Plus, we wrap up with Sam’s favourite local haunts for coffee, dinner, and a peaceful stroll.

Whether you’re a resident concerned about planning changes or simply love hearing from the people shaping our community, this is an episode not to miss.

DISCLAIMER: Samantha Byrne appeared on the Moonee Valley Voices podcast in a personal capacity. The views that she expressed on the podcast are not Council-endorsed and are not reflective of the opinions of Moonee Valley City Council or her fellow Councillors. Any queries about Moonee Valley City Council matters can be directly addressed with Council or Councillors via phone, email or online forms.

How do you build a thriving business network in Moonee Valley?

In this episode of Moonee Valley Voices, we sit down with Jordan Leask, a highly experienced commercial leader, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Business Essendon—a network dedicated to helping local business owners connect, collaborate, and grow.

Jordan shares his journey from corporate sales and partnerships in sports and entertainment to launching a business consultancy and creating a relationship-first business network for the North-West Melbourne region.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why networking isn’t just about transactions—but relationships
✅ How Business Essendon is creating new opportunities for local business owners
✅ The biggest B2B opportunities in Moonee Valley right now
✅ Lessons from Jordan’s career at Etihad Stadium, Essendon Football Club & TIXSTAR
✅ How to approach networking strategically to get real business results

If you’re a business owner looking to expand your network, gain insights from an industry leader, and discover new ways to grow, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧

📢 Listen Now & Connect with Business Essendon: https://businessessendon.com.au/
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-essendon
@businessendon on Instagram
📩 info@businessessendon.com.au

🔔 Subscribe for more stories from Moonee Valley’s business leaders!

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