Our Mission to “strengthen choice and life opportunities in an open and inclusive community” remains at the heart of our daily work. In the 2024 financial year, we have ensured we can continue to meet our mission in the long term by:

• Focusing on our workforce to ensure they are supported, skilled, engaged, and happy
• Engaging more effectively with our participants, communities, and supporters
• Implementing and achieving agreed performance targets against the strategic plan
• Growing our services and increasing our footprint across the region
• Integrating our services to provide better opportunities for our participants and workforce
• Continuing to address and meet the needs of funders and regulatory bodies
• Delivering a positive financial position enabling us to invest in our people, services and indeed the future.

Yumba Bimbi is pleased to report a robust financial performance for the 2024 financial year. Financial stability and resilience have been central to our NDIS transformation strategy. We have prioritised significant reinvestment in our organisational capacity, aiming to translate the benefits of prudent financial management into enhanced services for our participants. Our continued commitment to business efficiency and information security has led to significant investments in new technology systems which strengthens data security, streamlines operations, and improves decision-making.


Another focus through the year has been a review of the organisation’s visual identity and digital communication strategy. This review was aligned closely with the International Guidelines for Inclusive Design. By prioritising inclusive design, Yumba Bimbi has been able to achieve greater accessibility and an improved, user-friendly digital experience. We launched our inaugural Gala in the Garden in August 2023 with the objective to advocate for “changing the landscape” of disability employment and creating more accessible and inclusive work environments. With disability advocate and comedian Wayne Herbert as our guest speaker, and the charismatic Koi Boys entertaining attendees well into the evening, the Gala proved to be a wonderful success.


With a strategic goal to be an employer of choice, we continue to be strong advocates for the employment and training of people with disability. Results of the Yumba Bimbi 2023 Diversity Survey revealed that 33% of our workforce and Board identify as a person living with a disability.


The inaugural Living Our Values Award was introduced in Quarter 2. The award recognises the contributions of our employees and board members who demonstrate excellence in their service which strongly aligns with the vision, mission and values of Yumba Bimbi. The 2023 Living our Values Award recipient was Fleur Ormond who has worked with Yumba Bimbi for close to 17 years as a Support Worker, Senior Support Worker and more recently, the Coordinator of rostering. Fleur embodies the ‘the YB way’, and this honour is well deserved.

In September 2023 Yumba Bimbi was announced as the winner of the Central Highlands Business Excellence Awards – Business of the Year. This award is a wonderful recognition of the work of our organisation and the high professional standard we hold ourselves to. Receiving this accolade validates the organisation’s commitment to our customers, operational excellence, financial sustainability, and social impact. Our commitment to quality has regularly been tested through external auditing against the NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators. We are particularly proud of our long history of full conformance. This year was no exception with a final report detailing full conformance against all indicators with 5 Best Practice results in the areas of Support Planning, Human Resource Management, Quality Management, Risk Management and Emergency and Disaster Management.


The result reaffirms that Yumba Bimbi is a high-quality organisation and is testament to the commitment and dedication of our workforce and Board to it values and mission. Yumba Bimbi has for many years, been in a situation where our capital infrastructure can no longer effectively accommodate our business needs and is a barrier to the expansion of services and future growth. As the financial year ended, we celebrated the actualisation of a long-term strategic goal – the purchase of a block of land located at 89 Esmond. This exciting milestone marks the beginning of a new era as we work toward the realisation of new building development which will consolidate the organisation’s services currently held between Anakie St, Theresa St, Opal St and other community venues.


With suitable infrastructure to accommodate service provision needs now and into the future, it is envisaged that the new community hub will also become a venue with social impact benefiting the people of our community and region.I have often said that our people are our most valuable asset, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each and every team member who has contributed to the success of Yumba Bimbi this year. The depth and breadth of skills and experience together with a shared and united vision has reinforced performance and enhanced our mission to strengthen choice and life opportunities for people with a disability in an open and inclusive community.


Organisations like Yumba Bimbi require strong governance of its Board. I would like to thank the Board Chair Renee Barlow, Treasurer Simone Parker and all other Board members for their unwavering strategic leadership over the past year. A strong and united vision for the future together with an absolute commitment to ensuring that Yumba Bimbi has the capability to continue to thrive in delivering on its mission and vision.

Particularly I’d like to acknowledge outgoing Board Members, Lyn Brown, Carmel Marshall and Brad Stallard and express our deepest gratitude for your invaluable contributions to our organisation over many years of service. Your dedication, wisdom, and steadfast commitment have been instrumental in shaping our success. Your legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to achieve our mission. I’d like to acknowledge the Senior Leadership Team who have worked at pace to ensure the goals of our strategic and operational plans are achieved. Our diverse skills set, professional experience and collegial spirit works in great synergy. I am deeply thankful for their ongoing dedication and determination to realise organisational success.


I extend our deepest gratitude to our Partners, donors and supporters. Your commitment and generosity have been instrumental in making a significant impact on Yumba Bimbi Support Services. As Yumba Bimbi moves into it’s 25th year, we look forward to continuing to serve our customers and community, optimising our ultimate goal to strengthen choice and life opportunities in an open and inclusive community.

Walkers Club – Monday 6.45am to 8.45am

This program is a for people who love exploring the outdoors while staying active. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just starting out, this club offers a chance to meet like-minded individuals, enjoy scenic routes, and improve your health. Walkers Club is all about embracing nature, fostering friendships, and stepping into a healthier lifestyle one stride at a time!

Line Dancing – Monday 9.00am to 12.00pm

This program provides opportunities for participants to learn specific dance techniques to help skills, confidence, and mobility. Participants will learn different dance styles which will be show cased mid and end of year. This program was designed to support growth for self-expression and self-awareness. Yee-haw!

Journalism Club – Monday 1:00pm 3:00pm

The Journalism Club is a dynamic space where members can explore their creativity through social media, podcasting, and storytelling. By learning communication and social skills, participants gain confidence, build connections, and amplify their voices. Whether sharing personal stories, reporting on community events, or creating engaging content, this club empowers individuals to shine in the digital media landscape while fostering inclusion and collaboration.

Creative Minds: Tuesday 9.00am to 12.00pm

Like all our sessions, this program is designed around participants’ goals and interests. Creative Minds offers a variety of art mediums, making it a fun and social way to express creativity. Participants will build diverse skills, connect with others, and stay engaged in their community. Activities include cultural exploration, sculpture, woodwork, science and nature studies, event planning, upcycling and recycling projects, material and textile creations, and more.

Science Club – Tuesday 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Is a place for curious minds to explore, experiment, and discover the wonders of the world around us. Through hands-on activities, exciting experiments, and engaging discussions, members dive into various scientific fields while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It’s a fun and interactive way to learn, connect with others, and fuel a lifelong passion for science!

Mixed Bag Fun – Wednesday 10am to 12pm

This program will have changes every 4- 6 weeks! You’ll be kept on your toes. You’ll do yoga, sewing, gardening, woodwork, volunteering/job searching and many more different activities all embracing the idea is to “create a positive and life-long impact on adult learning through the use of insightful, practical and comprehensive materials on topics that matter the most”.

Fitness/Swimming – Wednesday 1pm to 3pm

This program focuses on promoting physical well-being. Participants will enjoy high-quality exercises tailored to meet individual needs. Physical movement is essential for everyone, helping to build strength, improve flexibility, boost stamina, and enhance mental functioning. The program also offers the opportunity to participate in seasonal swimming. It’s a fun, social, and inclusive way to stay active and healthy!

Social Club – Wednesday 4pm to 7pm

Social Club – This program is all about building connections and having fun! It’s a welcoming space where members can meet new people, share experiences, and participate in exciting activities. From group outings to themed events, the club offers plenty of opportunities to socialise, make friends, and enjoy a sense of community.

Baking – Thursday 9am to 12pm

Participants will develop baking skills, which will include handling equipment, creating sweet and savoury desserts, baking techniques and kitchen safety. Participants are also encouraged to create their own desserts as part of their outcome, this helps with autonomy, decision making, creativity and self-satisfaction. Over the last year, participants completed catering opportunities, submitted entries to local shows and fundraisers.

Women’s Club – Thursday 1pm to 3pm

The Women’s Group will offer arrange of topics focusing on Women’s issues, health, relationship, services, and rights. The setting is a safe place where all our participants feel comfortable and connected. The Women’s group will provide support, tips and tools that will assist them in everyday life, developing social and communication skills, creating community connections, and ultimately achieving goals.

Mindfulness Matters – Friday 9am to 11am

Mindfulness Matters session is designed for individuals who would like to gain self-awareness to manage issues, achieving goals, and more. Mindfulness Matters is a safe and trusting space where one can open up and share their inner most thoughts toother participants. It is a supportive way of confronting your issues and gaining strategies to becoming a better version of you. This program is delivered to provide a more in depth understanding of oneself and capabilities, and thus being the best version of you!

Hearty and Healthy – Friday 11am to 2pm

Health is wealth they say. We bring you a rejuvenised cooking program where participants will learn general cooking skills and techniques, which are essential in achieving independence and confidence. Participants will also learn kitchen safety and cleaning in the kitchen. We will experience different recipes and cuisines from around the world. All that is HEARTY and HEALTHY.

Social Saturday is held monthly (9am – 3pm)

cial Saturdays have been developed to allow for more social outings and community access. Once a month we will be hosting a Social Saturday Out and About – this will allow for participants to head out of town to places such as Theresa Creek Dam, Capella Cultural Centre, Springsure Mountains. This will generally be a 9am – 3pm day, to allow for maximum enjoyment!

Yumba Bimbi Support Services have been working on something special and are thrilled to unveil our brand refresh. We have given our visual identity a makeover, designed to better reflect who we are and how we serve our community. Our refreshed brand ensures that our services remain accessible and inclusive, supporting our  purpose to help individuals live their best lives.

You will notice our updated logo, which still carries the familiar Yumba Bimbi initials and circular shapes, but with a fresh modern twist. Alongside our brand refresh Yumba Bimbi have launched a new website designed with accessibility at its core. The site is easy to navigate, with clear text and a layout that is simple to use. These enhancements ensure that all visitors, regardless of ability can easily navigate the site and access the information they need. 

Our updated brand and new website are here to make your experience with us even better. Whether you are looking for support services or want to learn more about what we do, everything is designed with you in mind. 

“I am excited to see how our brand refresh highlights our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. Being part of a team that’s so focused on empowering others makes my work more meaningful. This update reinforces our purpose and drives us to continue making a positive impact on peoples lives” – said Juliette McCorley – General Manager of Operations.

This new chapter reflects our passion and commitment to the community, and we’re eager to share it with you. The team at Yumba Bimbi look forward to furthering our mission of supporting individuals in achieving their goals and living fulfilling lives as active members of their community.

Explore our new look, we would like to hear your thoughts and feedback.

Recently, I was at a supermarket self serve checkout. I scanned my items and paid, grateful to be on my way quickly. As I turned to leave, I noticed the man next to me (who happened to use a wheelchair) was experiencing difficulty in navigating the shop’s checkout. The touch screen scanning device, and EFTPOS machine were set too high and not within his reach. The bagging area, too, was impractical and not accommodating to his physical needs. Whilst the shop assistant was more than helpful in assisting with the transaction, I couldn’t help but think a few adjustments at one self-serve terminal would make a world of difference to both the customer and the business.

Accessible shops with clear aisles, lowered displays, and accessible payment terminals ensure a dignified and independent shopping experience. This translates directly to increased economic participation – as people with physical disabilities form a significant consumer base across our nation. Navigating a shop, community space or workplace shouldn’t be a hurdle, but a seamless experience. Yet for many Australians with disabilities, this remains an aspiration. 

Accessibility is not just a legal requirement under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, but a cornerstone of an inclusive community. Accessibility unlocks potential, fuels economic participation and consumerism, and sends a clear message: everyone belongs and has a role to play in community. I am very proud that Yumba Bimbi is focused on improving accessibility to our facilities. At our Anakie Street office, we are installing automated doors and creating a reception area that improves access for all people. At our Hub office we are modifying the height of our reception desk to ensure all people may engage with our team members eye to eye to converse, sign documents or make transactions. 

Building a truly inclusive society requires a collective effort. We believe governments must enforce accessibility regulations, while businesses like ours should embrace it as an opportunity. By creating accessible spaces, we break down barriers, unlock potential, and send a powerful message of inclusion.

Hayley, from Sydney, joined Yumba Bimbi 5 weeks ago and is now completing her 16-week placement with us. She loves working in regional areas, enjoys the strong sense of community, and appreciates the work-life balance smaller communities offer. Hayley plans to pursue a career in a regional town, focusing on mental health.

When asked about her experience at Yumba Bimbi, Hayley emphasised the supportive, inclusive, and positive work environment. 

“Everyone is happy to help each other. I feel comfortable asking questions, and people are genuinely passionate about what they do. They care deeply for the participants and know them well. That’s beautiful.”