Celebrating 10 Years of Impact in the Disability Sector

This year marks a decade of Leadership WA’s LeadAbility Course, a leadership development opportunity aimed at creating courageous leaders within the Disability Sector.

On 19 November, we were delighted to welcome LeadAbility graduates, who become members of the Community of Practice upon completing the Course, Alumni and LeadAbility supporters to a special event, ‘Celebrating 10 years of the Impact of LeadAbility’. The occasion was generously sponsored by the Western Australian Department of Communities, which has also funded the course since its inception.

Guests enjoyed an afternoon of knowledge sharing, celebration and reflection, with attendees connecting and reconnecting with each other during this milestone event.

Leanda Syme, LeadAbility Course Manager and principal facilitator of the Course since its inception 10 years ago, welcomed guests to the celebration and introduced Trevor Stack, Goolamwiin, who kindly delivered a moving Welcome to Country.

In an opening address, Leanda reflected on her thoughts when she was originally asked to facilitate the Course by former Leadership WA CEO, Sue Van Leeuwin. Leanda also praised the themes of the original Course framework that have demonstrated lasting value, and highlighted key improvements made to the Course with the guidance of the LeadAbility Reference Group, participants, graduates and Leadership WA team.

Leanda thanked all supporters of the LeadAbility Course, applauded the consistently high calibre of the cohorts, and shared that something they all have in common is a desire to grow and make an impact. Leanda then recounted some of her personal highlights from the past 10 years.

The afternoon was packed with memorable insights, including an address from the Hon. Don Punch, Minister for Regional Development; Disability Services; Fisheries; Seniors and Ageing; Volunteering. The Minister expressed his thanks to those involved with the Course, recognised the achievements of our Community of Practice, shared what leadership meant to him, and highlighted the importance of good values.

Leadership WA’s CEO, Dominique Mecoy OAM, thanked everyone for their continued support of LeadAbility, reflected on some of the impactful Community Projects developed within the Course, praised the vision of Communities that allowed the creation of LeadAbility, and celebrated the inclusion of LeadAbility as part of the State Government’s ‘A Western Australia for Everyone: State Disability Strategy 2020-2030’.

Guests also enjoyed a panel session, expertly facilitated by Leadership WA’s Leadership Development Manager, Wendy Wilson.

The panel delved into the topic of ‘Disability and Intersectionality in Leadership’, including Clare Gibellini (LeadAbility 2019), Chair of the National Disability Research Partnership and Policy and Engagement Officer, Women with Disabilities Australia; Deggi Altangerel (LeadAbility 2023), Diversity Equity and Inclusion Practitioner, Aurecon; and Rahul Seth CA (LeadAbility 2019), Founder of Activate Mental Health, who shared their insights and experiences on the ways intersectionality shapes leadership.

During our Keynote Speaker session, Craig Hollywood, Australian of the Year Award winner and Founder of Short Back & Sidewalks, a free hair-cutting and grooming service for members of the community who are experiencing homelessness, inspired the room as he highlighted what they do is ‘much more than just a haircut’. Craig spoke about the impact of how a simple act of a haircut can create meaningful conversations with clients and create visibility for some of the most marginalised community members in Australia.

Craig explained the importance of positive connections and inclusion and shared how Short Back & Sidewalks began nearly 10 years ago, what inspired him to found it, and recounted the special moment that the first haircut of a man called Godfrey (who travelled over 40kms) took place in a car park in Perth CBD, thereby creating the first special connection as Godfrey shared his story of previously being a successful business owner in Darwin. The reception Short Back & Sidewalks received for their first haircut was significant and Godfrey was the first of over 10,000 positive connections that followed.

Leanda Syme concluded formalities with a fun and light-hearted reflection of 10 years of LeadAbility! The celebrations then officially got underway as guests enjoyed drinks and canapes as they reconnected with each other and made new friends.

The LeadAbility Course continues to grow and strengthen thanks to the ongoing support of our Community of Practice, Alumni and LeadAbility supporters – thank you for helping to create courageous leaders to shape a better WA.

Thank you to all our speakers who spoke during the afternoon and to the Department of Communities WA (Disability Services) for their generous and ongoing support of the LeadAbility Course, and for sponsoring this event.

Leadership WA also thanks the Hon. Don Punch for his attendance and for his congratulatory statement about the LeadAbility Course, which can be read here.

Discover more about LeadAbility and/or apply here.