Bowen Skill Builders

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

08/12/2025

🎄 Closed for Christmas 🎅

Well we picked the wrong time of year to do it, but Pedro and I will be digging into the final upgrades to complete the centre Dec/Jan 🥵….

Exciting things happening early next year- make sure you’re following our page to keep updated.

07/12/2025

Tomorrow is the last session for the year.
AM - art. Make whatever you like… Christmas Cards, acrylic painting, cup art, tie dye and more… one catch… all art must be taken with you tomorrow (so tie dye needs to set at home).

See you at 📍 19 Brisbane St

07/12/2025

If you’re ever scrolling Netflix looking for something powerful to watch, check out Crip Camp (terrible name, I know 😬).

I’ve just watched it for the second time, and it’s honestly one of the most respectful, motivating and inspiring documentaries I’ve seen.

It tells the story of a group of young people wirh disabilities who built a community, found their voice, and went on to drive a movement that forced the US government to implement major civil rights protections against disability discrimination.

The advocacy and principles shown in the film went on to influence disability rights movements around the world — including the development of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which now underpins disability rights in many countries.

There is a brief and uncomfortable section showing the stark contrast of institutional life at the time, but it’s only a small part of an otherwise incredibly uplifting and important documentary.

Highly recommend. 💛

On the heels of Woodstock, a group of teen campers are inspired to join the fight for disability civil rights. This spirited look at grassroots activism is e...

03/12/2025

It’s our second last session before we close for Christmas and the final leg of our building renovations…. What’s on…
Am- Cooking- Mango Chicken and Rice and Rocky Road YUM!
Pm- Games
📍 19 Brisbane St.
Come and try’s FREE for NDIS participants… OK to bring your own Support Worker 🙂