Bowen Skill Builders

31/01/2026

These are brilliant. If you are a person with a disability (any ability), or you know, love or support someone in Bowen or surrounds who does…. Please consider going to these. It’s so lovely see focus on friendships, connection and support. Support workers from all services/independent’s, parent, friends and siblings are welcome to bring their clients or loved one. Check it out 🤩

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18HkPjiPXP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

👋Join us for the 1st 'Provider Group Catch-up' for 2026.

23/01/2026

As teachers start preparing for the new year, and thinking how they can support children with challenging behaviour… here’s a little clip to consider 😉. Make sure you follow her, she has awesome content 🤩

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BjNjwgadv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

21/01/2026

❤️

18/01/2026

Whoop!!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩 let’s go!!!
Make sure you encourage people to attend these, I want heaps more CRU workshops here- and their content is A++++++ for anyone with an interest in Children, Education and Disability

If you’re an NDIS participant (or parent) who has behaviour support as a goal, please consider using your NDIS to pay…. But also, at $30 it’s affordable, and if affordability is a barrier, select the $10 option.

These guys really are the OGs at workshops, and Ann Greer is a wonderful presenter- I spoke to her at lengths to get her to Mackay for my previous charity, but Covid and restrictions put an end to that.

Highly encourage teachers aids and schools, disability services and anyone with a genuine interest in supporting people with challenging behaviours to attend. Lots of videos of Ann in action online if you’d like a preview.

Diamonds from Mackay, let me know if you need a bed for the night 😌

Responding Well to People with 'Challenging Behaviour' and its Messages workshop in Bowen!

Join Community Resource Unit (CRU) and Ann Greer as she presents her full-day workshop on Thursday 12 March at the Bowen Neighbourhood Centre.

The workshop will help you understand what lies behind what we label as ‘challenging behaviour’ and how we can respond in positive and effective ways.

This workshop is for family members of people with disability, workers, teachers and professionals. Registrations are essential.

Register now at: https://events.humanitix.com/responding-well-to-people-with-challenging-behaviour

26/12/2025

26/12/2025

Sharing this again because I just stumbled on it…
This is my whole vibe. We can be friendly, we may be friends if we are there anyway even if we arent paid to- but paid supports shouldnt be the main source of companionship.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1DETy2sAYq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💭 I’m dreaming of the day I see an ad for a support worker or service provider with a tagline like: "We're your worker, not your paid friend; and we work to help you make real friends."

🚫 No photos of one obviously disabled person with one worker out for freakin’ coffee on their website or socials.

🌟 Reviews showcase success stories like "I'm now membership officer of my local beekeeping society thanks to my worker's help."

🎉 Another review: "Met my Fiance at pub choir, all thanks to my worker's support."

🍔 And maybe: "I’m hosting a monthly neighborhood BBQ with new friends from my street, thanks to my worker's assistance."

💭 Sigh. Dreaming dreaming dreaming.

Pic desc: beach and cliff at Walkers Beach near Gerringong NSW with lots of puffy floaty dreamy clouds in the sky.

26/12/2025

On the back of my last post…. This is what happens in other areas… imagine seeing services advertise for SW like this……. Or just group interests. Then they have a team and variety…

This is where I hope we get to…

📍Robina - 10hrs a week, 3 days a week. Mondays-Thursdays

I’m helping my client find a new support worker to work along side me. She’s 23, autistic and experiences anxiety around routine changes and getting out of the house. She thrives with someone who is calm, patient and gently encouraging.

This would suit a support worker who is:

🌿 In their 20s

🌿 Someone who enjoys books, gaming, or cosy indoor hobbies- She connects really well over shared interests

🌿 Active and enjoys getting out for walks, small adventures, or just moving the body

🌿 Bubbly and warm, but not overly high-energy

🌿 A steady, positive role model

About the role:

• Focus on building routine, confidence, and independence

• Supporting her to get out of the house and try new things at her pace

• Low support needs- mainly companionship, social support, planning and gentle encouragement to try new things and meet new people.

• Reliability, kindness and patience are essential

• Ideally someone who is happy to form a genuine connection- help her build her own genuine friendships

If you or someone you know might be a good fit, please send me a message and I can share more details.

((Service withheld because this is just an example)).

+++++ wow, maybe too wordy, but wow. 🤩

This is the norm for some services in other areas. Could we do this in Bowen? Would it work? Let me know in comments below.

26/12/2025

I love this awesome idea- it’s a great Segway into something I’ve been telling my clients for years…. but what if we could choose our supports by the skills of the support worker, instead of availability of the service?

I’m not sure this happens in Bowen 🤷‍♀️ what do you think? Like, I recently spoke to a SW working for a wonderful service here who loves fishing. His service didn’t even know. He does something that isn’t lighting him up, and was thinking about leaving. I suggested he tell his service because it would be a loss to them if he left.

I met someone whose goal was to go fishing, and his service takes him to Airlie Beach shopping weekly instead 🥱. I asked if he was happy- he wasn’t, but he felt he had no choice because apparently he was told to “use your funding or lose it” 🥺. How’s about find a SW that can do what he wants, maybe? 🤷‍♀️😢.

I know there will be challenges with rostering, but I wonder how much better job fulfilment people would have if they were doing/teaching something they loved rather than supporting someone to roam around the community trying to find stuff to do.

If you’re an independent wanting to make a mark for yourself, let us know what your skills/interests/passions are in your bio.

🏈 🏓 🏸 🏏 fitness/games
⛹️‍♀️🚴‍♀️ 🏌️‍♀️🎣 outdoors
🧘‍♂️🎬♟️ lifestyle
🍪🥟 cooking
🎨🫟 art/craft/sewing
🎭🎪 drama - learn to hula-hoop / juggle

I bet some of you are already doing cool stuff you love already- feel free to give a shout out to your support worker, and let us know how they are helping you do exactly what you want- what extraordinary stuff are you doing, or have you done?

I’d love if you could tag your service, so they can get the recognition they deserve too 🥰🥰🥰

Weekend musings- I hope you had a fab holiday break, and I hope this inspires someone to think beyond what already IS happening what could be possible.

You can find me at Grow & Evolve Whitsundays 19 Brisbane St in the new year if you want me to help you get creative, value for money, capacity building and engaging supports to do what lights you up.

21/12/2025

Bowen is so small…. Schools (primary, im looking at you).… how easy could this be?

Challenges….
Weekdays- Ed Qld can’t release many staff on normal school days
Weekends - Teachers/Staff might not go in their own time.
Solution? - Training on Pupil Free Days 🕺💃

Common Ed Qld (regional)…. You can do it 🤩

Or - keep your eyes peeled for CRU - Community Resource Unit Ltd. Training with Ann Greer (yikes, im so excited) in MARCH at the Neighbourhood Centre—- everyone interested (parents and disability workers too) block out Thursday 12th March in your diary ✨

Look in comments for Ann Greer videos

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1GZhBZBS1R/?mibextid=wwXIfr

20/12/2025

Sometimes the best move isn’t working harder — it’s joining forces.

I’ve always believed the greatest impact comes from collaboration. Early on, it was clear there was strong support for BSB across the disability community, but one organisation in particular truly aligned with my values and vision.

After many conversations with Ang, we realised we shared the same ideas, challenges, and hopes for what more could be done in Bowen — and that’s when the lightbulb moment happened 💡

✨ I’m so excited to share that Grow & Evolve Whitsundays is moving to 19 Brisbane St, and I’ll be working alongside Ang with a shared goal of serving Bowen.

By combining our strengths, we can focus on what matters most — supporting families. From young participants, to carers, siblings, and school holiday programs, we’re on the same page and ready to expand.

This collaboration allows us to move faster, think bigger, and create meaningful impact where it’s needed most.

We’re stronger together.

From 1 February, you’ll find G&E in their new location. Existing Bowen Skill Builders participants are warmly welcome back, and anyone looking for fun, connection, and community for young-at-heart adult NDIS participants are invited to drop in and see us 💛

20/12/2025

✨excited is an understatement ✨

17/12/2025

Understanding functions of behaviour is so important to helping a person who is using behaviour to express themselves. They look very different to someone who can spot the difference. Please don’t ignore a melt-down, they need someone to connect and co-regulate 🤍

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16hqNJ9kuv/?mibextid=wwXIfr