Independent Living Support Association

04/09/2026

What a lovely way to end the week! Who doesn’t love a little bit of appreciation 😊

24/08/2026

CEO Leanne has been taking on the Daffodil Day Dip Challenge this month to raise money for cancer research. Leanne’s motivation for getting on board and taking the plunge is to honour her Aunty Ros who was taken by cancer on Daffodil Day 2005. She’s also doing this for her mum who survived cancer not once but twice. Almost 1 in 2 Australians are diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85 – so everyone is likely to know someone who is affected by this horrible disease. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, Leanne was able to raise $725! And if you think Leanne is doing it easy taking the plunge in Cairns, you’d be wrong! She’s doing all 4 dips in the chilly Sydney water.
Pictured is Leanne taking the plunge at Coogee Beach!
A fantastic effort for a cause that means so much! 🌼💛🌊

20/08/2026

Cairns Regional Council would like to hear from people with disability, their families, carers, support networks, and the wider community to help them better understand barriers people may experience whento accessing Council managed places, spaces, services, events and activities:
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The Cairns Regional Council is pleased to advise that the Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) survey is now open: Disability Access and Inclusion Plan | Have Your Say Cairns

We are seeking feedback from people with disability, their families, carers, support networks, and the wider community help us better understand barriers people may experience whento accessing Council managed places, spaces, services, events and activities. The information gathered will help inform Council's next Disability Access and Inclusion Plan and future focus areas.

The survey has been developed using the Social Model of Disability, which recognises that barriers within the environment can impact a person's ability to participate fully in community life. It is structured so people are asked questions that are relevant to the types of barriers they face, such as physical access, inclusion and belonging, or both.

We recognise that online surveys are not accessible or suitable for everyone. A simplified printable version is available on Council's Have Your Say page: Disability Access and Inclusion Plan | Have Your Say Cairns

Printed copies can also be collected from and returned to:

Council Chambers Customer Service, Cairns
Hambledon House Community Centre, Edmonton
Marlin Coast Neighbourhood Centre, Smithfield

To help us hear from as many people as possible, we would appreciate your support in sharing the survey link and promotional materials through your networks.


https://haveyoursay.cairns.qld.gov.au/disability-access-and-inclusion-plan

Participants and providers, please share the link on your pages !

Council is developing its next Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2027. Your feedback will help identify barriers that people face when accessing Council places.

19/08/2026

Yesterday, ILSA’s NDIS Team had the pleasure of attending the Cairns Disability Expo!

It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with people living with disability, families, carers and local service providers while learning more about the valuable supports available throughout the Cairns region.

Pictured is Deb, ILSA’s NDIS Team Leader, proudly representing our team.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat. We loved connecting with our wonderful community!

19/08/2026

Back in March, the ILSA Mackay office hosted a Grapevine “SafeTalk” Su***de Prevention Training. It had such positive feedback, they are running it again and opening it up to anyone interested.



Where: 4/36 Wood St, Mackay – ILSA Office

When: 38 August – 8.30 – 11.30

Cost: FREE!

Details: https://grapevinegroup.org.au/



Please email Beth Swanerton, Service Manager on [email protected] to secure your spot.

help save lives through su***de awareness Turning conversations into life-saving connections We have proudly trained 7,000+ individuals in su***de prevention training in the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions. What We Do Book Training Who We Are About Grapevine Group Association Inc. Grapevine Gr...

24/07/2026

Beth, Danni and Rhian joined the Mackay Red Rose Rally on Thursday 23 July to honour the lives we have lost to domestic and family violence. It was a powerful reminder that we must unite in our commitment against DFV.

Mackay has several local services supporting those affected by DFV

https://www.mackaywomensservices.org.au/

https://brokenballerina-inc.com.au/

https://domesticviolence.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/The-Purple-Book-Mackay-Edition-20.pdf

16/07/2026

🏃‍♂️Well done to our ILSA team!

It is great to see so many of our staff taking part in the Cairns Marathon last Sunday and representing ILSA in our local community.

Congratulations to everyone who participated, and thank you for getting involved. We hope you all had a fantastic day!

Well done, everyone!👏

09/07/2026

Beth and Danni were recently Guest Speakers for students completing their Certificate III in Individual Support through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) offered through Community Solutions Mackay. It was an interactive session where we talked about all the different ways that support workers support NDIS participants, the rewards and challenges of being a support worker and what students can expect during student placements. There were some excellent questions asked and it was so great to be a small part of setting the students up for success in their future workplaces.

For anyone interested in SQW - https://communitysolutions.org.au/job-seekers/skilling-queenslanders-for-work/

29/06/2026

We are incredibly proud of Idrissa for achieving one of his personal goals this year. Through his hard work and dedication at Green Care, he has saved enough money to purchase a new sofa to help support his back pain and improve his comfort at home.

Idrissa has shown outstanding determination and commitment, not only by reaching this goal but also by excelling in the Green Care gardening program, where he has already progressed to the next level.

Congratulations, Idrissa! Your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to your wellbeing are truly inspiring. We look forward to seeing all that you continue to achieve.

12/06/2026

🌟 Support Worker Spotlight: Alec 🌟

At ILSA, we believe in empowering people to live with independence, choice, and confidence through consistent and person-centred support.

Today, we’re proud to recognise Alec, a dedicated support worker who continues to make a positive impact through his commitment, reliability, and strong communication and organisational skills. Alec plays an important role in supporting both clients and the wider team, helping to ensure supports are delivered in a steady and professional way.

We’re grateful to have Alec as part of the team. He is a valued contributor who helps strengthen the quality of support we provide every day, and we appreciate the consistency and care he brings to his work.