Author: Mary Marsh

Myhorizon announces Wayne Clarke as its new Chair

Local disability services provider, Myhorizon, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Wayne Clarke as the new Chair of its Board of Directors.

Dr Clarke joined the Board in March 2012 and has held the position of Vice President over the last 2 years, and recently succeeded Louise Dudley as President and Chairman.

Victoria Knight, HBE employee at Myhorizon, and Dr Wayne Clarke, newly appointed President and Chair of the Board.

Spending much of his early career as a Speech therapist, Dr Clarke has worked with people with disability for many years and completing a PhD in the speech of cerebral palsy children has given him a strong understanding of working with people with disability. Dr Clarke has also worked for a number of non-profit organisations in executive roles, more recently for the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney, and Mental Illness Fellowship of Qld through which he has gained a strong sense of the importance of community values.

 “My view of disability and the role of organisations like Myhorizon is to try and prevent the disabling aspects of disability so that people can grow and lead a positive life and look for education, employment and other services.

“The wider community may not be aware just how many people there are with disability. We need to try to bring them out to be active members of our community and promote a general acceptance by everybody. They all need support in one way or another and as a community I believe we all have a responsibility to support them.” Said Dr Clarke.

It’s a timely message leading up to International Day of People with Disability, celebrated on 3 December. This is a United Nations sanctioned day that promotes inclusivity and celebrates the achievements and contributions of people with disability. It is an opportunity for our community to make positive changes to the lives of 4.3 million Australians living with disability.

A strong example of this year’s theme of empowering people with disability, is the collaboration and job ownership displayed by the HBE team at Myhorizon. Victoria Knight (pictured with Dr Wayne Clarke) is one of many employees who says she enjoys working at Myhorizon because she likes to come and get her jobs done and be with her friends. Myhorizon’s HBE employees work on a variety of mailing and packaging contracts for well-known businesses in the local area such as Sirromet Winery, as well as other businesses requiring similar services.

In addition to the mailing and packaging services offered by Myhorizon at their newly built Centre on Runnymede Road, Capalaba (next to Indigiscapes), they also provide a range of high quality services, all designed to support the ongoing needs of people with disability.

“The investment that has been made in Myhorizon’s new facilities and services is not just about preparing for the launch of NDIS next year, but also about having a modern facility that can be used by everyone in the community.

“You have members of the community coming in here, you’ve got people with disabilities helping in the café, and providing services back into the community. The fact that there is a facility that can provide you a good cup of coffee and you know in doing that you are supporting the community effort, really is important.” Said Dr Clarke.

 For more information on Myhorizon’s full range of services, click here.

Fulfilling a Community Vision

Myhorizon proudly celebrates the official Grand Opening of their brand new purpose-built facility in the heart of Redland City.

From L-R: Raymond Walker; CEO of Myhorizon Joe Gamblin; Redland Council Mayor Karen Williams, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, the Governor of Queensland; Vice President of Myhorizon Louise Dudley with the official plaque presented to Myhorizon Community Centre.

It has been a rewarding journey for Myhorizon to proudly fulfil a community vision after many years, with the opening of their state-of-the-art Community Centre. The event was held on Friday 20 October 2017 at Capalaba, where His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland, officially opened the impressive new facility. 

Redland City Council Mayor Karen Williams also attended and spoke at the event, and was joined by approximately 200 attendees including local council representatives, government members, and Myhorizon clients and staff.

The multi-million dollar flagship centre on Runnymede Road, next to Indigiscapes, boasts a range of high quality services and purpose built facilities, all designed to support the ongoing needs of people with disabilities in the local community.

CEO of Myhorizon, Joe Gamblin thanked those in the community that supported and contributed to the magnificent community facility, including Redland City Council, Ian McDougall Trust and Redland Foundation.

“What we’ve created has made a real difference to the lives of hundreds of people with disabilities. It has been so rewarding to be able to build on the hard work of our founders and grow the organisation to where it is today, supporting thousands of clients across the state, with the help of so many wonderful people. This ceremony is a wonderful celebration of this rich history and the important work Myhorizon undertakes in the local and wider community” said Mr Gamblin.

Mayor Karen Williams also spoke to the values shared between Myhorizon and Redland City Council. “The Myhorizon community centre shows just what can be achieved when the community comes together, shares a common vision, and gets down and makes it happen. It’s an important, productive and valued community asset and is a true reflection of Myhorizon’s commitment to continuing its important work in the region and council’s support of such services” said Mayor Williams.

Myhorizon employs over 240 passionate staff members across 11 different centres (located from Wynnum through to Tweed Heads).  “Our amazing team actively works with 2000 people with disability, from the earliest stages of life through to adulthood” said Mr Gamblin.

Myhorizon’s specialty service areas include Support Coordination, Plan Management, Independent Living, Lifestyle services, Employment & Training and Social Enterprises, as well as Early Intervention services operating out of the new Ian McDougall Centre within the same new facility. This was named after the late Redlands philanthropist whose trust has supported a range of local causes. The Ian McDougall Trust made a $450,000 donation to the early Intervention Centre which is a fantastic place tailoring support to meet the needs of children with disability.

The new centre also doubles as an entertainment venue for public hire with modern event spaces and meeting rooms perfect for corporate meetings, community events, and weddings.  The centre’s new cafe The Bush Pantry is open to general public and offers great coffee, refreshments and light snacks, and takes advantage of the picturesque surroundings of Redlands’ Botanical Gardens.

To speak to the friendly staff at Myhorizon and learn how our services can support you, call us on 1300 MYHORIZON today.

Farewelling a legend

“We will miss you John,” was a common sentiment expressed by all in attendance at the send-off for outgoing Myhorizon Employment & Training Service Manager John White last Thursday.

During the morning tea event at Myhorizon’s new Capalaba Centre, CEO Joe Gamblin and Project Officer Lima Nawabi presented John with a number of gifts in front of more than 40 colleagues who had gathered to thank him for his leadership and dedication over the years.

Some supported employees who work for Myhorizon’s disability enterprise HBE were so overcome with emotion at the news of John’s departure they were unable to speak for crying, such was the impact he had made on their lives.

“It doesn’t take much to make a big difference to someone’s day,” John said. “It’s just taking the time to learn a little bit about someone to befriend them. Don’t focus on the disability; focus on the person”.

He leaves enormous shoes to fill.

Starting with Myhorizon’s Employment & Training service in May 1995 as a case manager, and then working his way up the ranks to the position of Service Manager, John has overseen the growth of the organisation’s Employment & Training division from a team of three to more than 40 staff members today.

Despite constantly changing government departments, disability legislation, guidelines, and funding models, John has weathered all storms to maintain a high level of customer service and excellent client job outcomes at Myhorizon Employment & Training for more than 18 years as its leader. During this time he has led his team to empower thousands of people with disability to find fulfilling work throughout South East Queensland.

John said he was motivated to stay with Myhorizon over the years because it had always been “a nice, friendly place to work with genuine people”. He said his team’s excellent performance was related to their genuine happiness in the workplace, which is the career achievement he is most proud of.

“We have a good reputation – you earn that; you don’t just get that given to you. It takes hard work,” John said. “My team enjoys what they do, we have fun, and they are proud of where they work. We look after one another here,” he said.

The happy and secure employment context John has facilitated for people of all abilities is reflected in the high retention rates of his staff and the excellent job outcome ratings of Myhorizon’s clients – Myhorizon Employment & Training has been awarded a five star quality rating by the Department.

All good things must come to an end though, and John is now looking forward to the next chapter in his life on the Sunshine Coast where he is moving to for a lifestyle change. Jean Jensen will now step up to carry on John’s legacy in the service manager role. No doubt his management motto “you’re only as good as the staff under you” will continue to inspire Myhorizon employees long into the future.

For more information about how Myhorizon’s Employment and Training service can support you please visit www.myhorizon.org.au or contact 1300 MYHORIZON.

Gymzoonasium is coming to Capalaba

Myhorizon’s Early Intervention Team will deliver a unique Gymzoonasium physical activity program from next week.

Kylee Honeyman, Manager of Myhorizon’s Ian McDougall Centre, said Gymzoonasium was all about getting kids involved in physical activity that is fun and inclusive.

“The idea is for young children to learn about their bodies by engaging in animal inspired movement that encourages and builds core strength, flexibility, and coordination”.

The program is unique to the Redlands and offers participants a range of benefits including improvements in well-being and gross motor skills, balance, and social skills development.

Gymzoonasium is being offered on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:15pm at Myhorizon’s Ian McDougall Centre within its Capalaba service hub for a cost of $7 per session.

For more information or to register, please phone Myhorizon’s Early Intervention Team on 07 3824 7007.

Myhorizon Events: NDIS for Kids

Myhorizon will be hosting a special information event with occupational therapy specialist and lecturer Dr. Adele Suda for parents in February.

The event to be held at Myhorizon’s newly minted Ian McDougall Centre for Early Intervention at Capalaba will cover topics related to early childhood intervention supports, the NDIS, and family-centred advocacy, support and direction.

When: Monday 28th February

Where: Myhorizon’s Ian McDougall Centre, 1-15A Runnymede Road, Capalaba Qld 4157

Time: 10am-12pm

RSVP: Please email Kylee Honeyman, Ian McDougall Centre Manager, on khoneyman@myhorizon.org.au to register your attendance.

More information about the speaker: 

Adele Suda is a Senior Occupational Therapist and Lecturer with over 20 years experience working with children, adolescents and families (B.App.Sc. OT; Grad Cert. Counselling; PhD Candidate).

She is registered with AHPRA and the Australian Occupational Therapy Association.

Her career has focused on working with neurological/cognitive impairments such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, ADD/ADHD, Learning Difficulties and Sensory Processing Disorder.

She is highly experienced in developing and implementing child/family centred evidence based interventions.

Adele has worked in a number of settings including Alice Springs with indigenous communities and Newcastle Child and Family Health Network. She owned and directed a private paediatric practice on the Gold Coast QLD for 10 years.

Adele’s passion and enthusiasm for working with children, adolescents and families, has developed through working as a clinician, lecturer at Southern Cross University and also as a researcher.

Adele is also the mother of a child with support needs and has advocated for him for over 10 years through school, community and service provision.

Adele is the founder and director of Caring About Families, and works in partnership with children and their family members to plan, set goals, and create a meaningful and purposeful life.

Adele is a Lecturer at Southern Cross University in the School of Health and Human Sciences where she teaches on the Occupational Therapy program. She is also a PhD candidate with the University of Sydney studying the perceptions of family well-being for families who have a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

She is also a committee member of Autism Gold Coast Inc., actively increasing awareness and support for those with ASD in the community.

Myhorizon’s new Capalaba Centre is open for business

Learn more about our vision for this landmark building project in the Our Redlands magazine feature story below:

Hugo gets special mention for Disability Action Week

Our Employment & Training client Hugo Southcott featured in the Wynnum Herald and also received a special mention from the editor for Disability Action Week. Read his inspiring story below:

 

Remote communities connecting up

Families of children with disability living in Emerald, Barcaldine, and Longreach are set to benefit from our Early Intervention service’s new telehealth delivery option.

Telehealth, the use of telecommunication techniques for the purpose of providing telemedicine, medical education, and health education over a distance, will allow Myhorizon to connect with communities needing disability support services that would otherwise miss out due to the prohibitively long distances they would need to travel to access traditional bricks and mortar providers.

Geraldine McKinnon, State Coordinator of Myhorizon’s Baby Bridges Early Intervention Therapy Programme, will visit Emerald on September 15 with Baby Bridges occupational therapist Adele Suda to talk to families about the program at our Children’s Therapy for Remote Communities Forum.

Fore more information or to register for the forum during Disability Action Week, read the full article in CQ News:

Lifestyle service opens at Wynnum

Myhorizon is excited to announce the opening of our first major facility at Wynnum. 

We will be taking over the lease to 29 Adam Street, most recently held by Wynnum Manly Leagues Bowls Club.

The new site will allow us to deliver our variety of Lifestyle service options, including cooking, gardening, and arts and crafts to families beyond Redland City.

Myhorizon CEO Joe Gamblin said the move will ensure that Myhorizon is able to keep pace with service demand in the lead up to the introduction of the NDIS in July 2018. 

“Demand for Myhorizon’s services certainly shows no sign of slowing. We are investing in our facilities accordingly,” Mr Gamblin said. 

“With a little TLC from painters, builders and landscapers to revitalise the main building and grounds this month, the new site should be ready to receive our first service users in August”.

ENDS

Myhorizon pilots new telehealth program for families in remote areas

Myhorizon will trial a new technology-assisted early childhood intervention support service for families in Longreach and Emerald.

Geraldine McKinnon, State Coordinator of Myhorizon’s Baby Bridges early childhood intervention program, said the new program would help young parents in remote areas access vital support services such as occupational therapy, Auslan, speech therapy, children’s yoga, picture exchange communication and physiotherapy that would otherwise be unavailable to them due to distance.

“Our Early Intervention service is constantly innovating to better support families of children with disability throughout Queensland,” Ms McKinnon said. “By harnessing phone and video technology we will now be able to extend the benefits of our Baby Bridges program to children and parents who can’t attend our service centres in person”.

Myhorizon CEO Joe Gamblin said the new program would contribute to Myhorizon’s vision to create equality of opportunity for people with disability throughout the state.

“The pilot program is a natural extension for our existing early intervention service and speaks to Myhorizon’s strong ability to respond to local community disability support needs across Queensland”.

A research collaboration with Southern Cross University’s School of Health and Human Sciences is also potentially in the offing, providing additional opportunities for the program to address the dearth of evidence-based research in the area of disability and wellbeing that will be critical to designing successful support programs under the NDIS.

For further details about the program please contact Geraldine McKinnon, Baby Bridges State Program Coordinator on 07 3824 7007 or gmckinnon@myhorizon.org.au.