Paper Cranes Children's Foundation

29/01/2026

Parent Advisory Group & Ongoing Involvement

🌿 We’re building Wattle Cottage for families with families.🌿
Following our first meeting on Saturday 21st February, we aim to form a Parents’ Voices Leadership Council to work alongside the PCCF Board.

This group will help ensure:
✔ Transparency and inclusion
✔ Families’ voices are heard and respected
✔ Innovation and co-design are at the heart of what we do
✔ Parents can advocate and lobby for much-needed change — together
The group will meet regularly, with a parent representative attending board meetings.
👉 Can’t attend the meeting but still want to be involved?
• Book a visit to Wattle Cottage
• Email us with questions
• Connect in a way that works for your family

📅 First meeting: Sat 21 Feb | 🕙 10am
📧 RSVP via email enquiries@pccf.org.au | 📞 Phone calls welcome
https://www.pccf.org.au/support

29/01/2026

The importance of supporting your child’s voice and independence as they grow.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GCJTLdZEx/

I’m non-speaking. But do you want to know what helped me understand that my voice matters?

It wasn’t one big moment.
And it didn’t start when everyone else thought I was “ready”.

For me, it began early, when my mother started involving me in decisions about my own life.

She asked what I wanted.
What I thought.

She gave me choices.
About simple everyday things.

Even when it was inconvenient.
Even when it took more time.

But often parents of children with disability are told, gently or firmly, that their child is “too young”, “too fragile”, or “not ready” to be involved in decisions about their life.

But readiness is not something children reach on their own.
It develops through experience.
And often, through allowing your child to make mistakes.

As a parent this can feel deeply uncomfortable.

Especially when you are already carrying the responsibility of protecting your child in a world that is not always kind or accessible.

Sometimes stepping in is necessary.
But when protection becomes automatic, over time it can quietly limit growth.

Because my mother trusted me early.
Because she involved me before the world thought I was “ready”, I grew into an adult who knows her voice matters.

This belief doesn’t suddenly appear in adolescence or adulthood.
It’s formed much earlier.

When adults choose to wait rather than assume.
When communication—even when slower or different—is recognised as valid.
When children are invited into decisions, even when it would be quicker for adults to decide alone.

This is where it begins, right now.

📖 Read Marlena’s full story ‘Handing Back the Steering Wheel’ on the Belongside Families website:
https://belongsidefamilies.org.au/story/handing-back-the-steering-wheel/

27/01/2026

Why This Matters

Families caring for children with high and complex medical needs and profound physical disabilities often navigate multiple systems, services, and responsibilities — and too often, they do so without enough opportunities to pause, be heard, or feel supported as a whole family.

At Paper Cranes, when we speak about complex needs, we are referring specifically to complex medical care, progressive and life-limiting conditions, and significant physical disabilities, children whose needs are medically intensive and often accompanied by a shorter or uncertain life expectancy.

Wattle Cottage has been thoughtfully designed as an independent, specialist respite and wellness space that considers not only children, but also parents, siblings, and caregivers. Its purpose is to complement existing supports by creating space for rest, connection, and wellbeing, shaped by the real, lived experiences of families.

Before opening our doors, we believe it’s essential to listen.

This meeting is a call to parents who are:
• Raising children with high and complex medical needs and complex physical disabilities
• Caring for children with a shorter life expectancy due to progressive or life-debilitating conditions
• Navigating challenging or uncertain medical diagnoses
• Bereaved parents who wish to be involved in shaping meaningful change

On Saturday 21 February, we’re inviting families to come together to:
✨ See how Wattle Cottage is taking shape
✨ Meet the founders, partners, and other families
✨ Share what has helped, what hasn’t, and what feels missing
✨ Contribute to the co-design of future respite and family support options

This session is about learning together, understanding lived experience, and ensuring Wattle Cottage reflects what families genuinely need, not assumptions.

📅 Saturday 21 February
🕙 10:00am

👉 RSVP or get in touch in the way that works best for you:

📧 Email: enquiries@pccf.org.au
📞 Phone: 07 3803 6972 | 0448 525 935
🌐 Website: https://www.pccf.org.au/support

If attending in person isn’t possible, there are other ways to be involved:
• Arrange a visit to Wattle Cottage
• Email us with questions or feedback
• Connect in a way that feels comfortable for your family

Your voice matters — and it helps shape support that is thoughtful, respectful, and grounded in real experience.

25/01/2026

🇦🇺 Australia Day at Paper Cranes Children’s Foundation 🇦🇺

Today, we reflect on what it truly means to be Australian, community, compassion, resilience, and looking out for one another.

At Paper Cranes, Australia Day is about standing alongside children and families facing extraordinary challenges, and recognising the strength, love, and courage they show every single day.

We acknowledge that this day holds different meanings for different people, and we honour the voices, histories, and lived experiences that shape our shared community.

As we look forward, we remain committed to creating spaces of care, inclusion, and belonging — where families are heard, supported, and never alone.

Today, and every day, we stand for kindness, understanding, and whatever it takes to support those who need us most.

💛

20/01/2026

The wedding of the year indeed. Beautiful celebration under challenging circumstances 💛
Amazing work and thank you Logan Hospital's paediatric palliative care team .
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ep7DTHPuY/

15/01/2026

Join Natalie from Childrens Nursing QLD for a practical discussion on toileting and continence needs of children with disability.

Join us for our May NAPA Connects online event on: P*e, Poo and Progress
Natalie Gentile from Children’s Nursing QLD will lead a practical discussion on toileting and continence needs of children with disability.

Date: Tuesday 19 May, 7.00pm AEST
Free Tickets and details here -> https://bit.ly/4597isM

31/12/2025

As 2025 draws to a close, we take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress made over the past 12 months.

From building meaningful relationships and forging new connections, to supporting the families who trust us every day, none of this happens without you.

It truly takes a village. To our dedicated staff who pour their heart and soul into their work, our board, our volunteers, and every person who has supported us along the way , thank you.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited for what’s to come. Keep an eye out, because we have some amazing things in the works.

Please remember over this festive season to think of us when you have your empties!!!

29/12/2025

Christmas came with a BIG bounce!

Just in time for the New Year!

Logan is now home to the largest wheelchair-accessible trampoline, proudly installed at Wattle Cottage

Want to come try it out? Reach out via private message, call or email, we’d love to welcome you in.

Big shout out to all those that made this dream possible to make Wattle Cottage that home away from home for those that need it the most:

Greenbank Services Club
Lionsatspringwood
Cook Medical
Double Tap Plumbing & Drainage - for coming to the rescue yet again!
All-in play for the innovation, prompt production and smooth installation

24/12/2025

Sharing the love and gratitude with our friends at EquusTerra for helping with honouring this beautiful wish to Tania. Amazing work of

23/12/2025

Our annual Christmas team party was a fantastic day all round, filled with laughter, great company, and the chance to celebrate together. It was wonderful to have our team joined by members of the board, along with the ever-lovely Margaret and Brian.

We are incredibly grateful for the support shown throughout 2025. Looking ahead to 2026, there is so much to be excited about, with renovations at Wattle Cottage hopefully nearing completion and the prospect of opening our doors earlier than expected.

As part of our yearly tradition, we took time to acknowledge excellence and sincerely thank our staff, volunteers, and families for everything they contribute.

And a huge shout-out to Santa, who braved the Queensland heat to visit not only our team, but also some of the beautiful children we support. A special thank you as well to the lovely Kony, who baked Christmas cookies for our families - a truly thoughtful touch.

22/12/2025

The holiday season can be a busy and overwhelming time of year for families.

If you know a loved one who may need a little extra support during this period, please know that Paper Cranes is here for you , 24/7.

While routines and services often change over the holidays, everyday needs don't take a break. With busier shops, full calendars and added end of year pressures, extra support can make a real difference.

If you or someone you care about could use assistance over the holiday period, please reach out, we're always here to help.