About DAISI

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Our History

In 1992 a group of community members saw the need for the provision of information and resources for people with disability, to be able to access services and understand the system that they were operating in. This group started an organisation called Disability Information Service Incorporated (DISInc) which was incorporated as an association in NSW on 9 March 1992, in Lismore NSW.

Over the next seven years DISInc provided much needed support to their members and realised that the same gap in provision of information and resources existed for the seniors in our community. On 6 January 1999 the organisation changed to Disability & Aged Information Service Incorporated (DAISI), providing services under State and Federal Government funding for the disability and aged sectors.

DAISI provided for the community of the Far North Coast of NSW through connection, information, resources and support for people with disability and the aged.  This support extended to their families, carers and providers.  DAISI has shared through one to one interaction, newsletters, fact sheets, website, interagencies, and freecall info number. We have shared our knowledge and expertise with youth, Grandcarers, homeless people, the disadvantaged and providers of services.

Ballina became the base for DAISI in 2012, and after a number of addresses, now operates from our current premises at The Boulevard.

DAISI continues to provide sector support to Commonwealth Home Support Programme providers through My Aged Care, and More Good Days Community of Practice. We also continue to provide information and resources through NSW Government funding for building knowledge, capacity and inclusion for community members around disability and accessing services. With the roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2017 DAISI made the decision to change to a Company Limited by Guarantee to be able to provide services outside of NSW.

As DAISI Services Limited, registered as a company on 24 July 2017, NDIS services started in Northern NSW and expanded into South East Queensland in 2018.

The move to NDIS was challenging and needed foresight and planning; and our Board of Directors and CEO rose to the challenge. As a registered NDIS Provider for Support Coordination and Plan Management, DAISI quickly became a sought-after provider, and workplace. In 2019 plans were made to expand into Therapy Services under NDIS, and in 2020 offered assessments and behaviour management.  This led to DAISI opening a new office in East Lismore to cater to this service, and the future of Therapy Services that will be offered outside of NDIS.  Sadly, as for many businesses in Lismore in February 2022, DAISI’s office was flooded and has not been able to be reopened. A new venture providing mobile counselling services was developed and is in the process of being implemented.

We are excited about where DAISI is heading and look forward to being able to continue building strong communities

Our Values

Trust and accountability

Establishing trust by being honest, open and transparent by doing what we say, in every relationship, and by ensuring we take ownership for our actions and decisions.

Individualised practice

Being responsive to the needs of individuals and ensuring the person is at the centre of decision-making.

Sustainability

Ensuring all we endeavour to do is cost-effective and sustainable, giving value for money to our customers.

Capacity building

Developing capacity of our community and our people; by providing information and support and listening to ideas.

Meet the team

 

DAISI Services Limited is registered as an Australian public company (620 147 435), limited by guarantee under the Corporations Act 2001. It has a democratic voting and governance system based on elected voluntary members representing the membership. The core duty of the Board is to govern DAISI in accordance with the Act. It is ultimately responsible for DAISI’s operation.

DAISI Board

Raymond Chesher

Chairperson

Marie Dudgeon

Director / Principal Authority

Murray Parr

Director

Lynne Ryan

Director

Sarah McClure

Director

DAISI Staff

Joanne Mclean

Chief Executive Officer

Renee Jarret

Finance Officer

Lori Kelly

Operations Officer

Janelle Monaghan

Practice Leader / Support Coordinator

Samantha Jones

Practice Leader / Support Coordinator

Stefanie Simpson

Provisional Psychologist

Pauline Bourke

CHSP Program Coordinator

Sue Hetherington

Grandcarer Project Officer / Volunteer

Mary Felton

DAISI Administration Officer Trainee / Plan Management

Alison Rathborne

Plan Management

Alanna Schultz

Support Coordinator

Anja Wedemeyer

Support Coordinator

Brianna Rossi

Support Coordinator

Isaac Reed

Support Coordinator / Sole Trader Information Sessions

Tracey Adams

Support Coordinator

Paul Mamone

Support Coordinator / Counsellor

Leah Louise

Support Coordinator

Melissa Wakefield

Support Coordinator

Tayla Livingston

Support Coordinator

Heike Mebold

Clinical Psychologist / Senior Clinician

Key Documents

 

The DAISI Strategic Plan sets the current key priorities and guides the work of the organisation over the next three years. It is available here for your reference. Also available, are DAISI’s most recent Annual Reports. These report on DAISI’s activities and performance: