Congratulations to Our September 2025 LeadAbility Graduates

We are delighted to congratulate our September 2025 LeadAbility Graduates and welcome them into the LeadAbility Community of Practice.

The cohort came together on Wednesday 10 December 2025 at City West Lotteries House for their Final Experience Day and Graduation, marking the completion of their three-month LeadAbility Course.

Final Experience Day and Community Projects

During the day, our Participants proudly showcased their Community Projects, which were created and developed over the course of the program with the support of their Community Project Mentors.  Each Project addresses real barriers faced by people living with disability and demonstrates the cohort’s ability to translate learning into practical, inclusive solutions.

The Projects included:

• Dynamic Disabilities WA | an initiative that raises awareness and understanding of dynamic and hidden disabilities by sharing lived experience stories and making invisible disabilities seen and heard
• Project Awesome | a digital concept designed to reduce social isolation by connecting people with disability to inclusive social, sporting and community groups
• Shop Without Barriers | promotes more inclusive supermarket design, enabling people of all abilities to shop independently, comfortably and with confidence

Our sincere thanks to Priya Cooper OAM (Signature 2022), Erin Marshall (LeadAbility 2015, Rising 2023) and Ghylene Palmer (Rising 2024) for their guidance in shaping these Projects and for generously giving their time over the last three months.

Graduation Ceremony

With the Project presentations complete, the cohort was then joined by family, friends, Mentors, Managers and special guests for the Graduation Ceremony.

We were honoured to be joined by the Honourable Hannah Beazley MLA, Minister for Disability Services, whose presence added a real sense of occasion to the event. It was wonderful to have the Minister celebrate alongside Participants, recognising their achievements and reinforcing the importance of strong, inclusive leadership across the disability sector. We are grateful for her ongoing support of LeadAbility and her continued commitment to developing leadership capability for people living with disability, those who care for or support them, and individuals working within the sector.

During the ceremony, our CEO Candy Choo reflected on the cohort’s journey and shared how remarkable it was to see Participants grow in confidence and capability over the course of the program. She highlighted the Community Projects as a clear demonstration of how the cohort puts leadership into action, translating learning into meaningful, real-world impact.

A highlight of the Graduation, other than seeing the proud and happy faces of our Graduates as they came forward to receive their certificates, was the Valedictory address delivered by Peta Baer, CEO of the Newman Community Centre and Deputy President of the Shire of East Pilbara. Elected by her peers as Valedictorian,  Peta reflected on the impact of the Course and encouraged the cohort to trust their leadership capabilities, claim their seat at the table, and continue leading with confidence and purpose.

We extend our sincere thanks to Minister Beazley and the Department of Communities for their continued support of the LeadAbility Course and Community of Practice.

Congratulations to our September 2025 LeadAbility Graduates! We look forward to following your journeys and the positive impact you will continue to create.