INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT AUSTRALIA
Building Futures Through Inclusive Employment
In November 2025, The Bridge joined the CoAct network to deliver the Australian Government’s new disability employment program, Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA), across the Monash region. With services established in Doveton, Narre Warren, Pakenham, Emerald and Koo Wee Rup, The Bridge expanded its capacity to support people with disability to achieve meaningful employment outcomes within their local communities.
SPECIALIST DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION
From Historic Foundations to Future Homes
The Bridge has expanded its Independent Living services with the opening of three new Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) homes in Noble Park. The development includes two Improved Liveability homes and one High Physical Support home with Onsite Overnight Assistance (OOA), providing modern, accessible housing that supports independence, safety and choice.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Quality Beyond Compliance
At The Bridge, quality is more than meeting standards. It is about creating safe, respectful and meaningful experiences that help people achieve their goals. This year, we continued to strengthen our commitment to quality by investing in the systems, people and practices that place participants at the centre of everything we do.
NEW WEBSITE
More Than a New Look
This year, The Bridge launched a new website designed to make it easier for people to find information, access support and connect with our services. As The Bridge has grown and evolved, we recognised the need for a digital experience that better reflects who we are today and the diverse communities we support.
“I’ve enjoyed living, travelling and working with The Bridge. It’s given me the chance to try new things, meet new people and enjoy new experiences.”
Matt, The Bridge participant
“The Bridge provides the platform for Emily to learn at her own pace. She is very happy there, and the routine has helped give her confidence while reducing her anxiety.”
Tom, Emily’s father
Inclusive Employment Australia
Building Futures Through Inclusive Employment
In November 2025, The Bridge joined the CoAct network to deliver the Australian Government’s new disability employment program, Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA), across the Monash region. With services established in Doveton, Narre Warren, Pakenham, Emerald and Koo Wee Rup, The Bridge expanded its capacity to support people with disability to achieve meaningful employment outcomes within their local communities.
Replacing Disability Employment Services (DES), Inclusive Employment Australia represents a significant shift towards more personalised employment support. Delivered in partnership with CoAct Connect, Australia’s largest network of not-for-profit employment services providers, the program provides greater choice and control for jobseekers while helping employers create more inclusive workplaces. Through tailored support, participants can build skills, prepare for work, connect with employers and work towards sustainable employment outcomes.
The introduction of Inclusive Employment Australia marked an important milestone for The Bridge’s employment services, strengthening the organisation’s ability to support more people with disability across Melbourne’s south east and helping create greater access to meaningful employment opportunities.
Reflecting on the new partnership, Chief Operating Officer, David Kazakoff said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as a preferred provider for Inclusive Employment Australia in the Monash region. This aligns perfectly with The Bridge’s strategy to expand our disability employment services, furthering our commitment to empowering individuals through employment opportunities. This partnership allows us to deepen our impact and continue to build a more accessible future for all.”
SPECIALIST DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION
From Historic Foundations to Future Homes
The Bridge has expanded its Independent Living services with the opening of three new Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) homes in the Southeast. The development includes two Improved Liveability homes and one High Physical Support home with Onsite Overnight Assistance (OOA), providing modern, accessible housing that supports independence, safety and choice.
Located close to public transport, local services, parks and community facilities, the homes offer residents the opportunity to live in a connected and inclusive community.
Although newly developed, the SDA homes in Noble Park are built on a site deeply connected to The Bridge’s history. Home to the original Urimbirra Day Training Centre in the 1970s, the redevelopment represents both an investment in the future and a continuation of The Bridge’s long-standing commitment to supporting people with disability. The site’s connection to the organisation’s heritage is further reflected in the street name, which honours Frank Gould, a founding committee member and former President of The Bridge.
In early 2026, the first resident moved into their new home and quickly settled into their surroundings. As more people explore the opportunity to call Noble Park home, The Bridge looks forward to welcoming additional residents into a community built around independence, connection and belonging.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Quality Beyond Compliance
At The Bridge, quality is more than meeting standards. It is about creating safe, respectful and meaningful experiences that help people achieve their goals. This year, we continued to strengthen our commitment to quality by investing in the systems, people and practices that place participants at the centre of everything we do.
As a registered NDIS provider, The Bridge undergoes regular assessments against the NDIS Practice Standards to ensure our services remain safe, consistent and person-centred. During our most recent NDIS audit, an independent auditor reviewed our governance, quality systems, workforce practices and participant experiences. The Bridge met all requirements, with the auditor highlighting strong governance, well-integrated quality systems and a clear commitment to continuous improvement.
Importantly, participants and families shared overwhelmingly positive feedback during the audit process. Themes of trust, continuity of support and strong relationships with staff were consistently highlighted, reinforcing the importance of the work happening across our organisation every day.
We know quality starts with listening. Through participant surveys, intake feedback, family engagement and other feedback mechanisms, we continue to seek opportunities to learn and improve. Combined with ongoing staff development and a culture of continuous improvement, this helps ensure The Bridge remains responsive, accountable and focused on delivering high-quality supports.
New Website
More Than a New Look
This year, The Bridge launched a new website designed to make it easier for people to find information, access support and connect with our services. As The Bridge has grown and evolved, we recognised the need for a digital experience that better reflects who we are today and the diverse communities we support.
Built with accessibility and inclusion at its core, the new website features improved navigation, clearer service information, built-in accessibility tools, Google Translate functionality and a mobile-friendly design. These enhancements help remove barriers and create a more welcoming online experience for participants, families, carers, staff, referrers and the wider community.
A key focus of the redesign was making it simpler for people to find the right information at the right time. Whether exploring accommodation, employment, community supports or resources, users can more easily navigate the website and connect with the services they need.
More than a digital refresh, the new website strengthens how we engage with our community and supports our vision of a connected society. It provides a foundation for future growth while ensuring access to information, support and opportunity remains simple, inclusive and available to everyone.
Matt’s Story
Living, Working & Thriving
For Matt, The Bridge is more than a service provider. It is a community that supports him to pursue his goals, build independence and enjoy new experiences.
Matt is a qualified horticulturalist and a valued member of The Bridge Works Mow & Mend team, where he combines his passion for plant and garden care with meaningful employment. Through the social enterprise, Matt helps maintain outdoor spaces while contributing to a business that creates employment opportunities for people with disability.
Outside of work, Matt makes the most of opportunities to connect, explore and build new experiences through The Bridge’s recreation and leisure program (Getaways). In 2026, he joined an interstate holiday to Byron Bay, visiting iconic destinations including Cape Byron Lighthouse, Minyon Falls and Crystal Castle, while enjoying time at local beaches, markets and attractions. Like all Getaways experiences, the trip provided opportunities for adventure, friendship and greater independence in a supported environment.
The year also marked an exciting personal milestone, with Matt becoming the first resident to move into The Bridge’s new Specialist Disability Accommodation home in Noble Park. Settling into his new home has been an important step towards greater independence, as he embraces the opportunity to live more independently while remaining connected to the support, friendships and opportunities that are important to him. Matt’s journey reflects the impact of a connected and holistic approach to support, where employment, community participation and independent living come together to help people live the life they choose.
“I’ve enjoyed living, travelling and working with The Bridge.”
Matt
Emily’s Story
Growing Confidence, Embracing Opportunities
Emily joined The Bridge’s Greensborough Hub in 2022 after finishing school. When she first arrived, she struggled with confidence and often found it difficult to focus on tasks for extended periods. With support, Emily has developed into a confident young woman who embraces new opportunities as she continues to build her independence.
Today, Emily actively participates in the job skills building program (Your Job Now), as well as the Day Program and volunteers at both the Thomastown Neighbourhood House and at Epworth Hospital. Through these experiences, she has completed certificate programs, developed new skills and gained valuable experience in community and workplace settings. Her positive attitude and willingness to try new things have helped her make the most of every opportunity.
For Emily’s family, one of the biggest changes has been seeing her become more confident, independent and comfortable in her daily routine. As her father, Tom, explains, “The Bridge provides the platform for Emily to learn at her own pace. She is very happy there, and the routine has helped give her confidence while reducing her anxiety.”
Emily is now working towards her employment goals and hopes to secure supported or open employment in the future. With her strong work ethic, caring nature and positive outlook, she continues to build the skills and confidence needed to achieve her aspirations.
Improving Access Through Language Inclusion
In 2025-26, The Bridge took another step towards making information more accessible for the diverse communities we serve by translating a selection of key brochures and service materials into multiple languages.
Supporting Choice and Control Through The Voice
The Voice is a participant-led advocacy group based at The Bridge’s Greensborough Hub, providing people with a platform to share feedback, raise concerns and contribute ideas about the supports, activities and opportunities available through the service.
Shaping the Future Together
At The Bridge, the voices of participants, families and carers play an important role in shaping how we deliver services. Our Community Voice Advisory Group (CVAG) provides a dedicated forum for people to share their experiences, ideas and feedback, helping ensure the perspectives of those we support remain at the centre of decision-making.
Language Inclusion
Improving Access Through Language Inclusion
In 2025-26, The Bridge took another step towards making information more accessible for the diverse communities we serve by translating a selection of key brochures and service materials into multiple languages.
The initiative was driven by a commitment to reducing barriers to information and ensuring more people can access information about supports and services available through The Bridge. Across our service regions, many participants, families and carers come from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, making access to translated information an important part of creating an inclusive experience.
Key publications were translated into Punjabi, Vietnamese, Hazaragi, Simplified Chinese and Sinhalese, helping ensure information is available in formats that better meet the needs of our communities.
The translated brochures are available across The Bridge locations and are also used at community events, expos and information sessions. By providing information in a range of languages, The Bridge is helping more people connect with services, ask questions and make informed decisions about the supports available to them.
The Voice
Supporting Choice and Control Through The Voice
The Voice is a participant-led advocacy group based at The Bridge’s Greensborough Hub, providing people with a platform to share feedback, raise concerns and contribute ideas about the supports, activities and opportunities available through the service.
Designed to build confidence, self-advocacy and decision-making skills, The Voice brings together participant representatives, support workers and the broader hub community to ensure participant voices are heard. Each month, members meet with management to discuss priorities, suggest improvements and explore new ideas that can enhance the participant experience.
Throughout the year, The Voice has helped shape a range of events and initiatives across the centre, including Footy Day, Easter celebrations, Melbourne Cup activities and International Day of People with Disability events. The group’s impact was particularly evident in a participant-led cross-site event that brought together more than 100 participants and staff from northern and southern locations, creating new opportunities for connection, friendship and community.
By creating meaningful opportunities for participants to influence decisions and shape their environment, The Voice reinforces The Bridge’s commitment to choice, control and person-centred support. It also helps participants develop valuable leadership, communication and self-advocacy skills while contributing to positive change within their community.
Community Voice Advisory Group
Shaping the Future Together
At The Bridge, the voices of participants, families and carers play an important role in shaping how we deliver services. Our Community Voice Advisory Group (CVAG) provides a dedicated forum for people to share their experiences, ideas and feedback, helping ensure the perspectives of those we support remain at the centre of decision-making.
Working closely with The Bridge’s Quality and Client Experience Team, CVAG members provide valuable insights on service delivery, participant experiences and organisational priorities. Their feedback helps identify opportunities for improvement, informs future planning and supports our commitment to delivering high-quality, person-centred services.
Throughout the year, the group has contributed to conversations about how we can strengthen connections, improve experiences and better meet the needs of our community. By creating meaningful opportunities for people to be heard, CVAG helps ensure The Bridge continues to listen, learn and evolve.
Interested in getting involved?
If you’d like to have your say and help shape the future of The Bridge, we’d love to hear from you. Contact the Quality and Client Experience Team at quality@thebridgeinc.org.au to learn more about joining the Community Voice Advisory Group.
Employment Consultant
Ashleigh Pollock
Support Worker
Kirsty Roberts
Health & Safety Manager
Tomas-Jay Clark
Quality & Client Experience Manager
Karen Matthews
Length of Service and Outstanding Achievements
At our Annual General Meeting we recognise our employees through Service Awards and Outstanding Achievement Awards for those who consistently go ‘above and beyond’, every day. At the 2025 Annual General Meeting we presented the following awards:
Recognition of Service Awards:
Outstanding Achievement Awards:
Outstanding Team
The Bridge Cleaning Crew
Finance Team
Outstanding Team Player
Melissa Leeman
Outstanding Customer Service
Denise McPhee
Rose McCue
Outstanding Commitment to Culture
Erica Williams
Outstanding Commitment to Safety
Casey Pilcher
Outstanding Leadership
Belinda Hines
Outstanding Emerging Leader
Rhiannon Harris-Campbell
Savith Agastinoge
Volunteer Acknowledgement
We acknowledge and thank all our wonderful volunteers listed below, who contribute so much to The Bridge and the people we support. All our volunteers have such a unique story to tell and we are so grateful that you share your time, skills and heart with us daily. The impact you have on our participants is profound!
- Pooja Shamrao Chalannavar
- Lowana Gill
- Manjusha Ramachandran
- Theresa Painter
- Santa Dutta
- Roslyn Rogers
- Peter Smith
- Peter De Fontenay
- Michael De Grieve
- Lucy Majstorovic
- Linda Scopel
- Karen Winter
- Julia Oo
- Henny Castricum
- Helen Missos
- Hamida Muradian
- Ansu Lata
CVAG Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge our Client Voice Advisory Group (CVAG) for their invaluable advice on The Bridge’s services and support, which helps us plan for the future:
- Lucky Lamprell
- Kathy Angus
- Richard Barrow
- Wayne Witham
Siân Slade
Chair
David Mallinson
Treasurer
Sally Bennett
Director
Bernadette Doyle
Director
Sanjay Gund
Director
Tanya O’Connor
Director
Board Committees
- Finance, Audit, Investment & Risk Committee
- Quality & Client Experience Committee
- Nominations, Remuneration & People Committee
- CoAct Committee
Funders
The Bridge is grateful for the support of the following organisations through grants and funding received for various services and projects.
![Logo: purple circle with "I [heart] ndis", text "Registered NDIS Provider"](https://thebridgeinc.org.au/wp-content/smush-webp/2026/10/Group-431.png.webp)
Acknowledgement of Community Support and Partners
- AAMTECH
- ACAP
- About A Dog
- ACE Wire Works
- Adelaide University
- AFL Community Ticketing
- Agnova Technologies
- ALG
- All Health Training
- Aluminium Industries
- Banyule Council
- BlockTexx
- Blue Lotus College
- Brotherhood of St Laurence
- Bundoora Dog Walking
- Bundoora Farm
- Bunnings Cranbourne
- Bunnings Eltham
- Bunnings Narre Warren
- Bunnings Pakenham
- Cardinia Life
- Cardinia Shire Council
- Casey Basketball Association
- Chisholm
- City of Casey
- City of Greater Dandenong
- CoAct
- Dandenong Community Learning Centre
- Edendale Farm
- Epping Salvation Army
- Epworth
- eWater Group
- Family Life
- Federation University
- Find a Penny Foundation
- Flex Tools
- Frankston City Council
- Fun Box
- Genesis Gym Berwick
- Grand Prix
- Greenworks
- Greyhound Adoption Program
- Greyhound Racing Victoria – The Great Chase
- Griefline
- Grill’d Casey Central
- Grill’d Fountain Gate
- Holmesglen Institute
- Imagine Re-volution
- Insulcut Services Pty Ltd
- ITW Polymers & Fluids
- Lanterns Viet Kitchen
- Lifesaving First Aid Australia
- Little Green Panda
- Livanova
- Mark Ritchies
- Melbourne University
- Monash City Council
- Myuna Farm
- Narre Warren Op Shop
- National Disability Services
- Oasis Leisure Centre
- Our Village – Clayton
- Reading Cinema (Dandenong)
- Recargo
- Rhubarb Organics
- RMIT
- Rod Catteral
- Royal Canin
- RSEA Safety
- Sailability Albert Park
- Sailability Lysterfield Sailing Club
- Signet
- Sightseeing Tours Australia
- Soap Aid
- Sonic Healthcare
- Southern Masters Cycling Club
- Springvale Toy Library
- Square
- Sustainable Salons
- Swinburne University
- Thomastown Neighbourhood House
- Total Tools
- Unicharm
- United Metal Recycling
- Uniting Church, Narre Warren North
- Victoria University
- Visy
- Von Pace
- Warner Institute
- Who Gives A Crap
- Woollahra Group
- YMCA Macleod
2025 – 2026 Finance Overview
See how we’ve managed our resources to support our work and impact.