Supported by the Cooloola Local Area Coordinators a number of ordinary community members met to discuss unmet needs within the Cooloola Shire. From this meeting a small number of interested people began meeting to discuss possibilities. Their dedication, community involvement and concern for individuals and families who experience disability drew them together and led them to the development of a
vision for a new exciting respite service for the Cooloola Shire. They became the Steering Committee for Bravo and with the help of an auspice body-Mamre Association Inc applied for and were granted Disability Services Funding on the 13 April 2006. The involvement of Mamre is something to which this committee will always pay tribute. On 28 June 2007 Bravo became an Incorporated Association and became certified as an accredited, quality assured Disability Services organisation able to receive recurrent funding on 15 January 2008. The name for the service (Bravo Disability Support Network Inc) originated from the steering committees willingness to Be Brave and Go There. The key learnings from this time were the importance of taking up opportunities as presented, building a strong foundation, and being clear about Bravo’s vision and values. Bravo is committed to working respectively with individuals and families to support them to live their lives to the full and to
• plan and work in partnership with individuals and families to tailor individual
support options in a manner that meets their needs and is appropriate to their lifestyle and well being
• enable family members and enduring friends to continue in their caring and other life roles, and
• achieve the best possible outcomes for all. The organisation is further enhanced by the commitment of the staff which has led to a positive community regard for Bravo. Initially Bravo service was geographically confined to the Cooloola Shire but now has geographic boundaries which encompass the Sunshine Coast (incl Gympie) and Wide Bay areas.
