NDIS Networking Event October 2025: Highlights, Attendees & Insights

NDIS Networking Event October 2025: Highlights, Attendees & Insights

I seem to keep forgetting to get a photo

There comes a moment when you realise you’re getting older. When I rocked up to an event I had to attend on the second Tuesday of the month (this week) and there was no one there, I wondered a lot of different things — until I checked my emails for a cancellation, but instead found a reminder to RSVP for next week’s meeting.

But wait… THIS is the second Tuesday, right?! The 7th… nope.

So I had asked Kiersten to run our usual NDIS networking meeting, but I thought it was last week during the school holidays — which is why I couldn’t attend. It very slowly sunk in that this was, in fact, the first Tuesday — which is when I run our usual networking event — and that means that OMG… it is on now.

Once I realised, I made a snap decision to head over to Helensvale — even though I was late — and I’m really glad I did. Some of the connections made felt like they were meant to happen. Yeah, a bit hippy, but true.

When I arrived, the meeting was more than halfway through. Big thanks to Kiersten from Atlas Therapy & Coaching for actually knowing the date, stepping up, and running the event in my stead—everything went off without a hitch (except my brain).

One of my favourite things is when it’s not just me asking the questions. That’s when the really good stuff happens — tangents, unexpected insights, different perspectives.

I love listening to what others are curious about, especially when it’s someone further along in their business journey.

Not only do I get the answer to their question, but I get to muse on the thinking behind it: Why did they ask that? What sparked it?

For me — and I guess this is just how my mind works — I often find myself mulling over these conversations for weeks after they happen. These things can be pivotal points for my own internal mental tangents.

A part I love about this industry is I can write shit like this and know someone will be like “oh, me too” lol.

Who Was There & What They Do

Atlas Therapy & Coaching – Kiersten

With 20+ years of experience in child development and early intervention, Kiersten Jerrett is the founder of Atlas Therapy and Coaching. A certified play therapist, behaviour support practitioner, and parent coach, Kiersten blends evidence-based techniques with a truly holistic, neuro-affirming approach.

At the heart of her work are three values: connection, curiosity, and growth. Kiersten works closely with parents, educators, and allied health professionals to create emotionally safe, regulated environments where children aged 2–12 can thrive — socially, emotionally, and developmentally.

VisualCare – Alexandra Duncan

Visualcare is a comprehensive care management platform built to simplify the complex world of NDIS, Home Care Packages, and Support at Home services. Designed for providers, it offers features like intelligent rostering, automated billing, mobile worker tools, and real-time compliance tracking—so teams can reduce admin and focus on delivering quality care.

With improved visibility and streamlined operations, Visualcare empowers organisations to scale confidently. If you're looking to reduce paperwork chaos and improve service delivery, request a demo with Alexandra Duncan on 0479 116 045 or email aduncan@visualcare.com.au

Spicy Coordination – Melissa Venville

Spicy Coordination is a Gold Coast-based support coordination business with a motto that says it all: “Inclusivity with a kick.” Drawing on lived experience and deep respect for neurodivergence and a belief that being different isn’t a deficit — it’s a superpower.

Melissa created Spicy to challenge the clinical, transactional feel that too often defines disability support.

Specialising in complex needs, Spicy works alongside participants, hospitals, allied health, and housing providers to build practical, person-centred plans. With fearless advocacy, detailed report-writing, and a refusal to let people fall through the cracks, Spicy makes sure participants aren’t just supported—they’re understood and empowered.

Dependable Care DRPS – Kerry Kelly

Founded by Joanne Tomada, Dependable Care DRPS is a family-owned provider of disability and mental health supports with over 42 years of experience. Now operating across Queensland and Victoria, the organisation delivers forensic and high-needs care, SIL, shared housing, respite, support coordination, community nursing, allied health, and plan management.

What sets DRPS apart is its holistic, person-centred approach and tight-knit team structure. With Joanne and her children leading operations across two states, the service remains grounded in family values and committed to delivering care you can truly depend on.

Thrive365 – Ebony Hurley

Thrive365 is on a mission to redefine what “home” means for people with disability. Founded in 2017, the organisation offers Supported Independent Living (SIL) and NDIS accommodation across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, delivering responsive, person-centred care with a deep focus on independence and connection.

With skilled teams supported by health liaisons and nurses, Thrive365 ensures every participant’s cultural, personal, and health needs are met with compassion and consistency. They don’t just provide housing—they create thriving, empowering environments tailored to the individual.

Care @ Home Mobile Physio – Jarrad Borland

Jarrad Borland leads Care @ Home Mobile Physio, delivering person-centred physiotherapy and exercise physiology tailored to each individual’s goals. Whether supporting someone with disability, chronic pain, or mobility challenges, his team builds plans rooted in holistic health and independence.

With a background in sport and adaptive fitness, Jarrad focuses on functional movement, pain management, and mental wellbeing. His 4-pillar approach — holistic assessment, rapport, education, and inclusion — ensures every client is supported with empathy, clarity, and purpose.

Dayana – Get Picked Up

Get Picked Up is a specialised NDIS transport service focused on providing safe, reliable, and on-time travel for participants across Australia and Tasmania. With an On-Time Guarantee, participants and coordinators can enjoy peace of mind, knowing punctuality is at the heart of what we do.

Services are pre-booked, flexible, and backed by 24/7 real human customer support. Extra assistance is available for door-to-door help, and direct, accurate invoicing makes life easier for coordinators and plan managers. Trusted by families and support teams alike, Get Picked Up is transport you can rely on.

Unify Disability Services – Debra Whiteoak

Debra Whiteoak is a Provisional Psychologist and Behaviour Support Practitioner at Unify Disability Services. With deep lived experience supporting family members with disability, Debra brings compassion, insight, and integrity to every aspect of her work.

Unify’s approach is person-centred and outcome-focused, supporting participants through allied health, BSP, support coordination, and counselling services. With an emphasis on understanding the whole person, Debra is committed to delivering practical, strengths-based strategies that make a lasting difference.

Krystle-Lee from Connecting2Care.

Krystle-Lee is a Connector from Connecting2care who partners with Mind and Memory Services, a psychiatry clinic, to deliver NDIS supports, from Access Requests, SIL and SDA, to community and complex care, all with clinical oversight. Community is the seed, and when we connect and share bread, we grow together. We look forward to connecting, collaborating and building community.

Jase – Slim Gym / FrieNDIS Inclusive Fitness & Social

Jase is the founder of Slim Gym and its inclusive offshoot, FrieNDIS — a social-fitness initiative designed to bring people together through movement, community, and fun. What started as a personal training service has grown into something bigger: a mobile, accessible, multi-pronged program that includes group boxing, ABC (agility, balance, coordination) circuits, craft nights, games days, and holiday programs for people with disability across SE QLD.

He also runs DiscoAbility — themed disco nights where community meets music, connection, and safe, inclusive fun. Whether it’s an anime party, 80s throwback, or Halloween special, DiscoAbility has become a regular highlight on the calendar for participants, families, and providers alike. Jase’s mission? To build real friendships, not just paid support — and to bring social back to “community participation.”

Why These NDIS Networking Events Matter

I never really do things for just one reason — there’s always multiple angles. When I first started running these NDIS Networking events, I didn’t even realise there were so many other networking events out there already. Inside a gym, I knew how to get clients: just be known by everyone. I was the PT who said g’day and smiled (to everyone) — because those things matter. You never know where someone’s at, and I figured I’d just do something similar outside the gym to get known.

That was nearly two years ago now. Time flies.

These events do take effort on my end, but I keep getting reminded why I do it — partly because I genuinely learn so much from all the different providers I meet. And I hope others who attend walk away with the same kind of insight. None of us are an island, and we gain value from interacting with intelligent, empathetic, inspirational, and genuinely good people.

I didn’t come into this industry with a plan. I fell into it — like a lot of us do — either by accident or because 'we had to'. There are so many moving parts in this space. So many unique puzzle pieces. Eventually, I realised I needed to find the ones that fit me, too (lol, especially now that I’ve learned I’m “spicy” for real).

And I think that’s a big part of it. Just like some of my clients learn through play — especially things they might’ve missed in earlier developmental stages — I learn through these interactions. The stuff that can’t be taught in a course. It’s in the real stories, the off-topic tangents, the thoughtful questions, and even the funny or scary moments we all bring into the room. That’s the kind of learning that sticks.

Next Event: Eagleby, November 4

Circle this in your diary:

Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Location: Eagleby Neighbourhood Centre

Time: 10-12

If you're an NDIS provider, allied health, coordinator, or just someone who cares about broadening the support network—come along, bring cards, ask questions, and let’s continue building this together.