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History of Lifestyle Connections

This booklet outlines the proud local history of our disability support Service as we celebrate 25 years of operation in 2018

This booklet outlines the proud local history of our disability support Service as we celebrate 25 years of operation in 2018

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practices. In 2006 feedback forms were introduced, and in 2007 we<br />

had our first external audit and became Quality Assured. We began<br />

annual Service User Surveys, with the results, all good and heartwarming<br />

to date, presented at our Annual General Meetings.<br />

At the end <strong>of</strong> the<br />

lease at Martyn Street<br />

in 2004, as the rent<br />

was to increase and<br />

we were expanding,<br />

we shifted to a house<br />

nearby at 439 Draper<br />

St (corner <strong>of</strong> Grove<br />

and Draper Streets)<br />

for the next 6 years. A<br />

grant from the Reef Casino Benefit Fund enabled purchase <strong>of</strong> some<br />

much-needed new <strong>of</strong>fice furniture! The next modernisation occurred<br />

in 2005 when Leisure <strong>Connections</strong> converted its accounting system<br />

from manual to computer. At that stage, most Committee members<br />

knew little about computers, and the conversion caused a lot <strong>of</strong><br />

headaches.<br />

Also in the latter years <strong>of</strong> this decade, the State Disability Services Act<br />

2006 replaced the 1992 Act, and other government legislation meant<br />

Leisure <strong>Connections</strong> had to increase the age level <strong>of</strong> our target group<br />

from the original 16 school age, to 18 years <strong>of</strong> age. We also had the<br />

opportunity to expand the Service through the Queensland Disability<br />

Services ‘Day Services Cell’. Funds received gave us the opportunity to<br />

increase staffing, and for the first time to start meeting the needs <strong>of</strong><br />

our growing waiting list.<br />

We ended this decade supporting our full capacity <strong>of</strong> 30 people at one<br />

time, and during 2007 had supported 31 individuals in 64 activities.<br />

Katie Britt had replaced Tony Willett as Coordinator in 2006 and then<br />

as our Service Manager (a new title) in 2007, with a new position<br />

10

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