OUR STORY
GET TO KNOW US A LITTLE BETTER
Wongan Community Care.
Where it all began...
Wongan Community Care (Previously Yallambee), a social welfare organisation, began in 2000 with Wendy Kelly seeking support for locally based education services for country families caring for a child with a disability. A special needs children's group and a respite group were formed, and a special needs school was opened using the Uniting Church Hall as the base. When the number of children reached 13, the Yallambee building was built in town. The group sought and received funding from the Department of Social Security through a wheat fundraising drive, which contributed $58,000. The land was crown reserve and vested in the Wongan-Ballidu Shire Council.
Over the years, Yallambee has taken on a broader role in the community, working with people with disabilities or disadvantaged individuals. In 2000, a strategic plan was developed, which has led to over 13 worthwhile community projects, including a skate park, families project, plough back project, awesome arts project, homework classes, and school holiday projects and the Wongan Hills Therapy Group project.
Wongan Hills Therapy Group.
Where we are now...
The Wongan Hills Therapy Group was initially created in 2012 by a group of Heydi DeWaal and Susie Maquire, two local Mum’s who had children with special needs and were eager to create a better understanding of how they might support their children by providing local therapy-based programmes and activities. Since then, the organisation has expanded in terms of its membership, established a fruitful community collaboration with Wongan Community Care, and has gone from strength to strength, today offering a variety of services to families of children who have special needs.
OUR VISION
All children have an equal chance to belong, grow and thrive in their community.
OUR MISSION
To help disadvantaged, delayed and disabled children to attain their potential and to be well-integrated into family, school & community life through services, programs, resources and connections. We aim to narrow both the rural gap of services and opportunities as well as the humanitarian gap that these children face.
Our Core Values
CONNECTION
To create deep and meaningful connections with the children and their families, volunteers and service providers.
INCLUSIVITY
To foster an inclusive community that welcomes everyone.
COLLABORATION
To collaborate with allied organisations and existing services in ways that allows the sharing of knowledge, skills and resources in order to benefit a wider range of children from across the Wheatbelt.
KINDNESS
To foster kindness and acceptance to all.
INTEGRITY
To do our best in the face of adversity, limited resources and challenges
MEET THE TEAM
Jaime Hanson
Wongan Community Care Coordinator
Jules Anderton
Wongan Hills Therapy Group Coordinator
Helen Clemesha
Tiny Seeds Resource Library Coordinator
Trish McNamara
Therapy Fun Session Facilitaor
