Today's FSG Australia grew from the efforts of a small, determined and passionate group of parents who wanted a better deal for their children.
In the late 1970's, families caring for a child with a disability living on the Gold Coast might as well have been in the outback, for all the services and supports that existed. Parents meeting incidentally in schools, playgroups and the Brisbane based Intellectual Handicap Service/Central Assessment Clinic, began to ask questions:
Why do we have to travel to Brisbane for specialists, therapy and support?
Why can't I get a clear diagnosis for my child?
We're exhausted - how can we get a break and know our children are well cared for?
How can I manage the needs of my other children, and my partner?
They began to gather in lounge rooms, around kitchen tables and in school car parks and their voices got stronger, as did their determination.
Under the leadership of Kay McInnes and with the assistance of other parents, they worked towards incorporation of their not-for-profit group - the Gold Coast Family Support Group for Handicapped Children Inc (est. 1979).
While the language of those times clashes with today's ethos; the values and sentiments of these foundation members has remained at the heart of what we do.
What is this word respite?
The concept of respite at the time was almost unknown. Some parents received support from family, but due to the fairly mobile Gold Coast population, many new communities were springing up, and many families were isolated. The group determined that a priority would be a respite house that was a 'home away from home' for children; a welcoming place where parents felt confident to leave their children, knowing they would be safe and well-cared for.
The name for the children's respite house was to be "Orana" - an indigenous word meaning 'welcome'. In 1984, the very first Orana House was located at West Burleigh. In 1986, Orana found a new home at Olsen Ave, Labrador. In 2004, Orana moved into its new 'purpose built' premises at 45B Olsen Ave, Labrador. The old cottage was reborn as Encompass Resource Centre - a parent and family drop-in centre offering counselling, information, children's activities, peer support and groups - upholding the spirit of our original mandate.
Growth
The following milestones in service development and structure illustrate the journey undertaken by FSGA following the foundation years. In many ways this parallels the broader changes in policy, funding and community values throughout this period (1992 onwards):
Commonwealth Respite for Carers (CRC) Program - (funded 1992) - allowed us to develop a number of flexible respite responses including in-home and community-based options.
Child Care Program (1993) - Support and training for the child care industry sector promoting and facilitating the inclusion of children with a disability.
Respite Hotline (1994) - Responding to unpredicted needs for respite and support services. A 24-hour response facilitated by trained operators outside business hours and on weekends and public holidays, 365 days per year.
Project 300 and institutional Reform (1996-) - The beginnings of individualised packaged care models. These initiatives were the foundations of two major FSGA program umbrellas: enVision (mental health services) and My Home My Life (supporting people with a disability to lead valued, inclusive lives in their community of choice).
Post School Services (Enrich) 1998 - Originally called Moving Ahead, the Post School Services Program commenced in April 2007, essentially for people with a disability 18 years+. It provides individually funded goal-based programs supporting transition from school to an adult lifestyle.
National Respite for Carers Program (1997-2005_67" value="" />) - South Coast Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre.
Child Safety Program (1997) - FSGA begins development as a specialist agency for children with a disability and/or extreme and complex needs who require specialist foster care and residential placements.
Lakeview Centre (1999) - A community respite hub for adults with a disability, who participate in centre based activities and experiences, through goal orientated, person-centred planning processes.
South Brisbane Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre (2002) - FSGA is approached to auspice the established centre in Brisbane - a focal point for Respite and Information Services for carers in the South Brisbane Region.
Encompass Resource Centre (2003) - Continued the trend towards FSGA-funded initiatives that began with camps in the early days. ERC was established at the 'old' Orana in the Labrador precinct and quickly became a meeting place and hub for many FSGA funded and unfunded initiatives.
FSGA's Employment Agency and Registered Training Organisation - In 2005, FSG recognised the increasing need for a reliable source skilled staff who not only had industry qualifications but 'right' values. Today, FSGA is a registered training organisation offering Certificate III in Disability Studies and our employment agency ensures staff not only for our programs but for many other agencies in the community through brokerage.
In 2007, GSFSG Inc became the NFP Company Limited by guarantee, FSG Australia.
Today
FSG Australia currently manages 312 programs including 212 individually funded budgets from the State and Commonwealth funding sources, with an annual turnover of $31M.
Every month, approximately 2,500 people receive a service from FSG Australia. We have a 30 year history of developing and delivering innovative services which reflect the need for flexibility that is vital in supporting our diverse client groups.
