Minister Beazley Announces LeadAbility Funding Grant

Today, the Honourable Hannah Beazley MLA, Minister for Disability Services, announced that the Department of Communities funding for Leadership WA’s LeadAbility Course will continue into 2026, with a grant of $230,000.

In her statement, Minister Beazley said:

“The Cook Government is proud to support Leadership WA in its efforts to empower Western Australians living with disability and those working in the sector.”

Now in its eleventh year, LeadAbility continues to thrive thanks to the generous support of the Department of Communities. Established in partnership with the Department and designed in collaboration with sector leaders, the Course provides a fully supported entry-level leadership development opportunity for people living with disability, those who care for or support them, and individuals working within the sector.

Reflecting on the Course’s impact, Minister Beazley remarked:

“For more than a decade, LeadAbility has been giving people with disability and workers in the sector the opportunity to harness their talent, abilities and expertise on the path to becoming confident and effective leaders.”

To date, more than 272 Western Australian leaders have graduated from the Course, with many progressing to other Leadership WA Programs, including the Signature and Rising Leadership Programs.

Leadership WA CEO, Candy Choo, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support that has been integral to the Course’s success:

“We would like to thank Minister Beazley, the Cook Government, and all our expert speakers, presenters and Mentors for their vision and enduring support. Leadership WA is proud to continue working with the WA Government to deliver this impactful Course, strengthening skills and capabilities in the disability sector. Over more than a decade, we have witnessed many Participants discover their leadership passion and go on to become influential change makers in WA.”

We acknowledge with appreciation our LeadAbility Course Program Manager, Leanda Syme, whose vision was integral to the Course’s creation and who has delivered it since its inception.

We also wish to thank the numerous WA leaders who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to support the LeadAbility cohorts and the Leadership WA team. Our warmest thanks go to the LeadAbility Reference Group members, Community Project Mentors and guest speakers who have shared their insights, guidance, and inspiration over the years and continue to support the Course into the future.

Leadership WA expresses our sincere gratitude to the Cook Government, Hon. Hannah Beazley MLA, Mike Rowe, Director General of the Department of Communities and the team at the Department of Communities for their shared commitment to our vision of courageous leadership shaping a better WA.