This past year, we've had our gaze firmly set on possibility: moving from 'the now' to the 'what could be'.
It has seen us grow but not just for growth's sake. It has been a time of embracing new ideas, deepening our expertise and expanding our reach to new Members in Western Sydney and other regions too.
Our whole reason for being is our Members (that's a given) and this is why we were so happy this year to put the essence of what we believe and how we act into words. We developed our Charter of Rights with you as our promise.
It's the foundation of our values and is our starting point for every decision in how we continue to grow, innovate and serve you. Simply put, this means you can expect:
We will listen without judgement, provide unconditional support and advocate with genuine compassion.
Because every Member deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness and should lead the way.
We are committed to delivering safe, high-quality supports that truly reflect your choices, your life and your goals.
Because we value our Members' wellbeing and your right to manage risks, explore possibilities and live autonomously on your own terms.
We know that trust is earned - and privacy, respect and transparency will underpin everything we do and try for.
You have the right to be informed, to have your information protected and to be part of an organisation that values you and fundamental human rights.
The complete Charter of Rights is available for review on our website.
The following pages are a record of our efforts and a celebration of how far we've come to reach the horizons that continue to beckon to all of us.
Living My Way acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
As a Member-led organisation, our purpose is clear: to support people with disability to live their life, their way. This vision has remained our anchor in a disability sector changing through funding reforms, workforce pressures and growing complexity of the NDIS.
This year's Annual Report theme reflects both our Members' and Living My Way's journey over the past 12 months. Together, with curiosity and care, the organisation has stepped into new opportunities, tested ideas, faced challenges and acted on what we have learned.
We have focused on productivity and long-term sustainability; streamlining operations, investing in systems and expanding our Employ Your Own (EYO) service.
I'd like to thank Mark Turley, who stepped down from the CEO role in May 2025 after four years of steady leadership. Joining during the 2021 COVID lockdown, Mark guided the organisation through a period of transition, culture development and genuine care for our Members. We wish Mark every success in his next chapter. A CEO search process is underway at the time of writing.
We welcomed two new non-executive directors: Peter Kearney and Eliza McEwin. Both bring a range of governance and leadership experience, with Eliza's lived disability experience and Peter's extensive accounting capability of particular note in sustaining Board diversity.
The Board continued to enhance governance standards, upgrade frameworks, revise policies and reinforce accountability to the people we serve.
Insights from our annual member survey guide improvements in communication, support worker services and plan management. We always encourage Members to share feedback so we ensure Living My Way remains adaptive and we promise to listen carefully, respond meaningfully and codesign better solutions with our community.
Our priorities for the coming year are clear: grow the reach of EYO service into new areas, invest in digital tools and systems and build partnerships that aligns with our purpose. On behalf of the Board, I thank our Members for your ongoing support and engagement.
To all of our employees, including our Support Workers, Board and Management team: thank you for your commitment to Living My Way's purpose and Members, your compassion, professionalism and hard work. The Board appreciates your generous efforts as do our Members.
Huw Thomas, Chair
In May, we farewelled CEO Mark Turley. As Interim CEO, it's now my pleasure to report on what has been an incredible year of positive change and growth for Living My Way.
Our Members are always our reason for being. Your stories remind us of what really matters to you and drive everything we do. We're always grateful for your input that continues to shape new and better ways we can serve you.
This year, we've focused on making things simpler, more accessible and more respectful of the diverse lives our Members lead, that also included a brand refresh.
We also asked ourselves: "How can we become more helpful to our Members and make Living My Way easier for everyone to access?" The answer came through a series of initiatives.
We reimagined our Employ Your Own (EYO) service. Becoming an employer is a powerful decision and we wanted to make it easier for all our Members.
We also opened our doors in Western Sydney, extending our services to a new community and letting them know there is an alternative choice in how they get support. As the new kid in town, we've learned that building trust takes time but persistence, presence and staying true to our values are key.
Based on Member feedback and aligned with our values, we refreshed our branding to make Living My Way easier to understand and recognise.
We want to thank Mark Turley for his leadership since joining Living My Way in 2021. Mark led with compassion and kindness and helped lay the foundation for many of the improvements we're building on today.
Our strong financial position and year-on-year revenue growth exceeding 10%, has enabled us to weather the NDIA funding pressures and continue to strengthen the organisation through the investments in systems, people and services.
We remain focused on sustainable growth through expanding into new areas and teaming up with key partners while staying true to our values.
There's so much to be excited about in the year to come. We'll keep asking ourselves: "How can we do better, listen more, and work together better?"
Progress can't happen without the dedication
and energy of a team like ours. To our Members, employees including our Support Workers, Board and partners - thank you for your trust, commitment, and belief in what we're building together.
We've made great strides with heart and purpose... and we're just getting started.
Brooke Anthony
Interim Chief Executive Officer
July 2024
August 2024
October 2024
November 2024
December 2024
February 2025
March 2025
May 2025
June 2025
Kane was 27 when he fell three and half stories from a balcony. It was a moment that changed everything.
In the beginning, they weren't sure whether he would recover or wake up from the coma. He spent 10 months in hospital slowly re-learning everything like walking and talking: he focused everything on getting back to everyday life. His mum Karen has been by his side cheering him every step of the way.
It's been nearly two years since the injury with an incredible recovery.
These two short videos tell just a part of their huge story but we know you'll love what we love: Kane's amazing determination, the love and support of his mum, and the way he's worked toward his goals with the support of his team including Mia, one of our Support Coordinators.
As his Support Coordinator Mia said, "Kane's progress has been amazing. He's hit every goal he set."
You can see these videos (and more) on our YouTube channel too.
"...the thing I'm most proud of is never giving up on myself. As hard as it might have been, my family never gave up on me (either)." Kane
"It was all tough from beginning to end. I knew that he had it in him to keep going." Karen (Mum)
STOP PRESS: Kane is now on his way back to work in the construction industry.
Aden loves all things health and fitness. A regular at CM Wellness, he loves his workouts.
CM Wellness approaches health and fitness holistically including mental health, wellbeing, diet and breath work. A Member and Surf Lifesaver at North Cronulla Club for over 15 years, Aden has achieved his Bronze Medallion. Love your work Aiden!
See the Employ Your Own (EYO) Support Worker Service explainer video here.
This year, Kenneth took on a big adventure - a military-style boot camp that's part of the Junior Leader Program run by Veteran Mentors. His family applauded as they saw his confidence growing. Aaron, his Support Coordinator (and former member Royal Australian Navy), thought it could be a great fit. Kenneth embraced every part of the program, from taking on physical challenges to forming new friendships.
We're excited to see what's next!
Our suite of services are designed to give Members the supports they need to live their life, their way.
This year, we expanded our Living My Way Support Worker Services to include High Intensity Daily Personal Activities, ensuring Members who need more complex personalised support can access it safely and respectfully.
We also enhanced our legacy service, Employ Your Own Support Worker model.
Supporting you to directly employ your chosen Support Workers, giving you greater choice and control.
Assisting you to participate in social and community activities that you want to be part of.
Assisting you with daily personal activities provided in your home so that you can live independently and safely in your own environment.
Providing support to enable your complex care needs to be delivered safely and respectfully.
Helping you make the most of your NDIS Plan by connecting you with the right supports to reach your goals.
Giving you peace of mind that your NDIS funding is managed efficiently and hassle-free.
To provide greater clarity about what we offer, we created new service icons as part of our brand refresh.
This also included a revised colour palette with more accessible combinations and a clearer, easier-to-read logo - making it simpler for Members to see and understand the services available to them.
In the beginning, our founding Members stood up for something they believed in: that everyone should have the right to manage their own care, choose who supports them and how that support is delivered.
After 34 years, those same principles are still at the heart of Living My Way through our unique Employ Your Own (EYO) Support Worker service.
Many Members have told us that before joining EYO they felt stuck in a system with very little choice and control - with no say in who entered their homes and into their lives, Support Workers not showing up and no way to manage better outcomes to suit their lifestyles and choices.
Over the past year, we have strengthened our EYO model by adding new resources and practical guides to help build Member confidence in becoming an employer. As part of this, we completed a full end-to-end review of the service - simplifying steps, improving the onboarding process, and reducing risk for Members, Support Workers, and Living My Way.
Our ongoing partnership with icare has further strengthened our EYO service. Over the past two years, we've welcomed 43 new icare Members, marking significant growth.
With added support from our new partnership with Source HR, more Members can confidently step into the role of employer and experience the everyday difference EYO can bring.
EYO has always been at the heart of our story. These enhancements and increased support will ensure more Members can discover the difference it can bring to their life every day.
To make it easier for participants to understand EYO and the difference it can make, we also developed a new EYO Explainer Video.
"We're there every step of the way. It's not the Member doing everything on their own." John Fawcett, Executive Manager Operations
Surveys are all about gaining a better understanding of what we're doing well and what we can do better, and this year was no exception. Each year we reach out to all of our team to hear their feedback. It's encouraging to see how much progress we've made over the last 12 months.
Sometimes organisational values can sit above real experience. What we were really heartened to hear was that the same words were coming up in the experience of both our Support Workers and head office team - that aligned with our values.
What does that mean for our Members? It means our team feels supported, confident, and happy in their role, knowing that they can get more information and resources whenever they need it.
This directly flows through to so many aspects of Members' experience of support, including increased reliability, commitment and good feelings.
The better we run, the happier our people are, which puts us in a great position to keep attracting team members that align with our values. And getting stronger as we move out into bigger and better things in the coming year.
This is one of the best statistics for any purpose-led organisation.
Get to know more about our team.
Sarah is a Clinical Advisor for LMW and Registered Nurse, providing Member advice and support to help ensure safe, high-quality care for our Members. Sarah supports complex care planning, health management and clinical assessments.
Now, Sarah shares her story in her own words.
"I've always been passionate about healthcare. I worked as a nurse in both mental health and intensive care but what really drew me to disability work was the opportunity to build deep, ongoing connections. I love visiting Members in their homes, and I get excited about doing their health assessments so I can really understand their support needs. There can be a real disconnect between disability and healthcare and sometimes we discover things that weren't in any reports (This means Sarah's nursing background helps her spot clinical gaps others might miss - giving Members more personalised care). One of the Members I supported was going through a very tough time: her health had started to decline quickly, and she was in a lot of discomfort. She didn't want anyone taking away her choice or independence. It was like watching someone move through the stages of grief: she was coming to terms with the fact that she couldn't manage everything on her own anymore (This is a common reaction for all of us... fear and resistance can impede acceptance and trust.) At first, she had a number of providers involved, which was difficult to navigate. We had to figure out how to work together while still respecting her choices. A beautiful moment came when I was able to step in and support her with a clinical procedure. She was in pain and didn't have the right support in place. The hospital hadn't arranged any follow up, so I went to her home and stayed with her, working with the paramedics to make sure everything could be handled there, just as she wanted. She was very clear: she did not want to go back into hospital. At the end of it all, she said thank you. This was huge. It told me that, in that moment, I'd earnt her trust as we had supported her to remain in the comfort of her own home, just as she wanted. This is one of the real sweet spots in my work - I knew she'd let her barriers down."
Trust can take time to build, but it changes everything -support becomes more personal, more effective, and more in tune with what really matters to the person.
Cathy Watts' first career was as a businesswoman and florist and it naturally led her to where she was always meant to bloom. Right here with us! The disability sector and floristry are both heartfelt jobs, bringing beauty and joy. Cathy tells the story...
"When I sold my floristry business to make the move to disability, I realized there were many skills I'd be taking with me. Skills like building rapport and helping people make choices to find exactly what's right for them. These things came in especially handy when the NDIS was first introduced. Someone described those early days of NDIS as 'flying a plane without landing gear yet'. It was a tumultuous time but the rewards were obvious from the start. I'll never forget a lady who said that her first NDIS plan felt like winning Lotto. She wanted to be independent and was thankful for every single thing. Sometimes this work can be really heavy when we have to keep pushing for what our Members want and need. This means advocating with MPs and always lots and lots of time on the phone. It's especially hard when we can't offer more support simply because the decision is out of our control. What motivates me is being able to be there alongside people who rely on us, telling them "Look, we'll get through this." And then we do. I think that's what keeps me going. It's hearing a parent say, "I'm ready to find independent living for my child," and guiding them, that is meaningful. They discover things about themselves, just like anyone would when given the space to grow. Here at Living My Way, it's a grassroots approach. We can be flexible in how we do things. Receiving the Milena Morrow Award has been humbling. I met Milena once - she was very very genuine, warm, and caring. She was lovely.
Cathy, Service Coordination Manager
Thanks Cathy for the impact you make every day.
Started study to become a teacher
Floristry career for 15 years
Supported friend whose child had disability
Volunteering in disability sector
Permanent disability work gig
Community Management Degree + Masters
91% Member satisfaction... we're grateful!
Every year, we check in with our Members to better understand how our services are supporting them. We are always grateful for the time Members take to share their experiences of working with us.
This year's Member survey provided encouraging signs of progress and valuable insights around areas we should keep working on. A huge 75% of respondents have been with us for at least 3 years.
We are super happy with this result because it shows we have made great gains with our improvements on collaboration across our services and teams.
Our Support Coordinators were especially recognised for their kindness, professionalism, and expertise. This feedback that means a lot to our team.
It's our way of keeping in touch and up to date. We are always open to ideas and stories to share with our community.
We know advice and support from Source HR makes a huge difference to increase our Member's confidence as an employer.
This year our Members have also clearly told us where we need to focus over the next 12 months.
We'll be looking closely at how we can further improve in these three key areas:
We know there's more to do as we keep building on this momentum.
Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing regions in NSW. It's bursting with life, colour and people from every corner of the world. Some of our Members already lived and worked there and we decided it would be a perfect place to test a new location.
Western Sydney was already well served by many disability service providers and we were virtually unknowns in the area. But we also knew we had something unique to offer.
So we packed up our vision and purpose and with high hopes, headed west to set up a little homebase in Seven Hills.
Our priority was to get out and about to expos and community events and meet the community. We wanted to connect with as many people as we could to learn about them and their current support, hear their stories and introduce our differences.
We loved the energy and openness of the community when for example, we sponsored Western Sydney Wanderers All Abilities event. We stood under the bright floodlights of CommBank Stadium alongside our Members cheering on the Western Sydney Wanderers and it felt like we were already part of something bigger.
We didn't win that night - we were just a flick of the foot from tasting victory - but we definitely felt we were in the right place.
The Blacktown Council Disability forums brought more connections. Hearing firsthand what mattered most gave us new insights into the challenges and opportunities in the West. These experiences confirmed our original belief that we had something of great value to offer: new ideas, new options, fresh perspectives for Member independence.
Despite our efforts however, the Member growth we hoped for didn't come and towards the end of the financial year, we made the decision to end this pilot and close our Seven Hills hub. While this chapter ended sooner than planned, it was not without value. We built relationships, tested our approach in a competitive environment and learnt important lessons that will guide how we reach new communities in the future. Of course, we are still serving our Members who live in Western Sydney and we'll actively maintain the connections we've already built there.
We can't wait to see where it takes us.
"Our best efforts don't always yield what was first hoped for - but often lead to learnings for better outcomes." Joanna
FY25 was the start of our new business strategy. It is a strategy for sustainability, resilience and growth, all guided by our core principles.
To enable people with disability to live their life their way.
People with disability empowered to have a voice and achieve their life goals.
We treat others with the same care and empathy we desire for ourselves.
We work together to reach our best potential.
We are there for each other and those who need us most.
Build a strong connection with our Members / Participants
Attract and retain skilled individuals for the long term
Support business sustainability and continuous improvements
Sustain commitment from our funders
Collaborate through strategic partnerships and relationships
Our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) , each brings their unique expertise to the table, which includes experiences in the disability, aged care and child care sectors.
Interim Chief, Executive Officer
"We have the chance to have a positive impact in the lives of the people we help. Our team is the cornerstone of our success."
Executive Manager Operations
"I'm proud to work for an organisation that puts our Members at the heart of our decision making and everything we do. Our unique services allow us to support our Members and participants to live their life, their way."
Executive Manager Finance, IT and Assets
"Our Members want reliable quality service. Our strong financial health gives us the opportunity to reinvest in our services enabling long-term sustainability of support for our Members."
Executive Manager Quality, Risk and Training
"We are continuously improving to deliver Members the quality services and supports they deserve."
Interim Executive Manager People and Culture
"Our values inspire our team to deliver unwavering support and prioritise our Members."
Executive Manager Marketing, Brand & Communications
"Marketing has built strength through change, turning challenges into opportunities and growing with confidence in our purpose."
"Working on improvements to our EYO service was a highlight and I also cherished our involvement in the Western Sydney Wanderers All Abilities event - a true celebration of inclusion and a chance to connect with Members and supporters on my home turf."
Mark Turley, Former CEO
Our revenue has continued to grow in line with historical trends, reflecting the strength of our financial foundations. This growth has been driven by a significant uplift in non-NDIS Member services, which highlights the success of our diversification strategy. Importantly, this growth has more than offset the decline in NDIS funding levels, ensuring we remain well-positioned to deliver sustainable services into the future.
Total revenue grew by 11.5% year-on-year, continuing the strong upward trend of recent years.
Growth was underpinned by significant expansion in non-NDIS Member services, with icare revenue almost doubling (+89%) to $5.3m.
While NDIS revenue declined by 4.2% to $13.5m, this was more than offset by gains from icare and State Government funding streams.
NDIS remains the largest single source of income (65.3% of FY25 revenue), but icare now represents 25.9%.
State Government contributions also grew by 13.4%, adding to the balanced and resilient funding base.
| Revenue | FY2025 $ | FY2024 $ | Change | FY2025 Distribution |
| Funds from NDIS | 13,500,544 | 14,096,725 | 4.2% | 65.3% |
| Funds from other funding sources | 5,353,133 | 2,832,088 | 89.0% | 25.9% |
| Funds from State Government | 1,834,559 | 1,618,329 | 13.4% | 8.9% |
| 20,688,236 | 18,547,142 | 11.5% | 100.0% |
In a world of growing complexity and opportunity, Living My Way is proud to be guided by a Board with deep expertise across advocacy, law, finance, technology, strategy, governance, and marketing.
Chair: 2023-2025
Director: 2018-2023
Director of Finance, Risk and Audit Committee and Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committees
After developing his career at a global consulting firm, Huw led the scaling of several service-based businesses, including founding his own consulting practice.
"Our goal is to ensure Living My Way remains a leader in sustainably delivering Member centred services and outcomes."
Vice Chair: 2021-2025
Director: 2019-2021
Director of the Finance Risk & Audit Committee
Peter is a consultant specialising in risk management and compliance, with over 35 years experience.
"Our Board of professionals brings a mix of lived experiences with the expertise to guide and govern the organisation into the future."
Director: 2017-2025
Chair: 2021-2023
Director, Governance Nominations & Remunerations Committee
Peter's impressive career in marketing and management spans two decades.
"I was inspired to support our mission after seeing the positive impact of self-managed in-home care during my mother's battle with Parkinson's disease."
Director: 2022-2025
Chair, Finance Risk & Audit Committee
Sarah believes in purpose-driven work that aligns personal values with the organisation's mission. With a legal background, Sarah excels in navigating regulatory complexities to drive impactful change.
"A deep-rooted tree can survive a storm."
Director: 2014-2025
Ken, a founding Member of LMW, plays a pivotal role on our Board with his understanding of disability and as a valued advisor and sounding board.
"I've never been accused of being polished. I say it like it is."
Director: 2022-2025
Chair of Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee
Suzanne, a disability advocate for 33 years, and founding CEO of the Australian Network on Disability, where she champions collaboration to address the unique challenges of people with disability.
"We're all in this together."
Director: 2025
Peter has a long history of commitment to the disability and mental health sectors, having dedicated over 11 years as a Board member of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
"I have a passion to help people in need, especially those with disabilities."
Director: 2025
Eliza, a pharmacist by background, with extensive governance and financial expertise, draws on her lived experience with significant visual and hearing impairments. She is driven by a passion for meaningful change and the power of teamwork.
"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much."
Get to know more about our Board here.
We remember and honour Member, Andrew Grant, an artist whose choices in life are a lasting contribution. Andrew developed his artistic career in his late 20s, following a diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy, channeling his experiences into his art.
He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts and sold many of his paintings, including a solo exhibition. Andrew's passion for art remained, and after receiving assistive technology in the form of a new upper limb, he was able to continue his work.
Andrew reflected that "Most of the figure paintings were inspired by this loss of identity and the emotional toll that you experience with transitioning into a physical disability. I wanted to expose people to that emotional toll - the solitude, frustration, and angst."
His powerful collection survives his passing and will continue to inform important conversations around identity, disability, resilience, and the human experience.
Lives are precious. We remember and honour the lives of our Members and dear friends who have passed. Though they are no longer with us, their impact and strength continue to inspire us all in our efforts to bring change.
Martha is feisty and passionate, unafraid to speak openly about her life with a disability. Her candid honesty breaks through what is often left unspoken, daring the world to think about disability in a different way.
In her first book, In Pursuit of Normal, Martha warmly invites readers into her laughter-filled, adventurous life.
Martha was also once a part of the Living My Way Team working as a Support Coordinator.
Martha enjoys life with her husband, Andrew, and their dog Bronte, living at the foot of the Blue Mountains in Western Sydney. You can purchase her book here.
"There's a lot of different stories in the book that I hope people enjoy. Because my life has been about embracing challenges and finding ways to live to the fullest which I'm proud of. I want to show the world that having a disability doesn't have to define you or limit your potential. If I can do it, then I truly believe anyone can." Martha Siede, Author
Read what other Members have been writing too...
This year, our social media has overflowed with stories from our Members and community. Here are just some of our favourite highlights.
Follow us to stay connected and join the ongoing story we can make together.
Instagram: @lvngmywy
Facebook: @lvngmywy
"Yippee! We reached 1,000 followers on Instagram but we always want more." View post.
"Meet Member Gerry and his wife, Rose! After Gerry's diagnosis of Muscular Dystrophy (MD), they wanted to find the best care solution for their family. Rose and Gerry share how they navigate life together and especially how the Employ Your Own Support Worker model has helped them with the freedom to choose their Support Workers." View post.
"Member Emily and fellow artist Maddie performed their hit, award winning show 'Em and Maddie Solve Your Problems' at the Sydney Fringe Festival. With plenty of laughs and heart, the show celebrated joy and friendship." View post.
"Meet Ken, one of our founding Members and also a current Board Member. Ken takes us back to the 80s sharing his first ever stairclimbing wheelchair. It wasn't just practical it helped open the door to a fun and vibrant social life that Ken enjoyed every minute of." View post.
"Joanna and Swita attended the Ready Set Connect in Bathurst. They had a great time connecting with a new community and sharing the benefits of our EYO service with both existing and new Members, with lots more visits to come." View post.
"Meet Jill, one of our Support Coordination Members who needed a little more support around home to help make life a little easier! We introduced a new cleaner for Jill who was super pleased and told us "Now I feel house proud once again. I just want to say thank you!" View post.
"We wanted to connect with more of the Western Sydney community so we partnered with the Western Sydney Wanderers for the All Abilities Recognition Football Round at Commbank Stadium. Together with Members and our team we celebrated a special day and took to the field in a special half time Wander Lap." View post.
"When we first met Support Coordination Member Niki, she was looking for a new NDIS Plan to support her goals. Together, we worked with her to secure the right plan, and now she's planning experiences that matter to her - like visiting the theatre, travelling interstate, and one day returning to her homeland in Greece." View post.
"Meet our former CEO Mark, with our Business Development Lead Swita who together recognised International Day of People with Disability. Mark and Swita both spoke from the heart sharing what this day really means to our team." View post.
We always say "we are stronger together" and this list proves it. Thank you everyone for your magnificent support, generosity and belief over the past year.
We couldn't have done it without you.
Thank you to the organisations who are financially supporting our Members:
We would also like to thank the organisations below, who we have listed in alphabetical order.
And finally, we thank all the service providers who have continuously supported us over the years.
Brand story expression, design and production: onlyhuman.com.au
Living My Way - Supporting people to live their life, their way.
Phone: (02) 8525 4000
Email: [email protected]
livingmyway.org.au