Honoured to Be Nominated: Tasmanian Disability Awards 2026

I am honoured to have been nominated for Training Provider of the Year at the 2026 Tasmanian Disability Awards.

This recognition means a great deal to me. For more than 25 years, my work in education, disability and behaviour support has been guided by a simple belief: people deserve support that recognises their strengths, protects their rights and helps them participate meaningfully in the lives they choose.

Through ConnectFirst™, I have had the privilege of supporting parents, carers, educators and Behaviour Support Practitioners to build practical, evidence-informed skills. Our training is designed to make learning accessible, relevant and grounded in the realities of everyday practice. It is not only about meeting requirements or building a portfolio. It is about developing the confidence, knowledge and reflective practice needed to make a genuine difference in the lives of people with disability.

Positive Behaviour Support is at its best when it is person-centred, trauma-aware and focused on quality of life. It asks us to look beyond behaviour itself and consider communication, relationships, environments, unmet needs, choice, inclusion and safety. The