The Wondering Wattle

31/08/2026

Wednesday 2 September, 2026
[ONE DAY ONLY]

The Wondering Wattle office will be closed on Wednesday 2 September as our team comes together to support each other and farewell our much-loved colleague and friend, Clare.

For anyone that may have missed the more recent update, Clare very sadly passed away last week following an extremely aggressive terminal illness. She was the most extraordinary Support Coordinator, and human, and we miss her dearly.

Your Support Coordinator will be in touch with you to discuss communication pathways and arrangements should you require support on the day.

Thank you for your understanding and compassion as our team takes this time together.

💛

The Wondering Wattle Team

26/08/2026

It is with the deepest sadness that we share the news of the passing of our adored Clare, Support Coordinator (Paediatrics) on Monday, 24th August, following a devastatingly aggressive illness.

Green was Clare’s favourite colour; fitting for its symbolism of calm and balance, safety and permission. That truly was our Clare.

Clare joined The Wondering Wattle as Support Coordinator (Paediatrics) after a fortuitous Christmas catch-up, when an enduring friendship evolved, quite perfectly, into her joining the team in December 2024.

She was so excited to put her Development Education studies into meaningful practice and to support families in the enormous and important role of guiding and raising their children with disability. She excelled beyond even her wildest imaginings of what might be possible.

For those whose children and teens had the privilege of being supported by Clare, you will know of her fierce commitment to upholding the rights of children with disability and her unwavering belief in the deservedness of belonging for everyone. She especially championed the rights of children with disabilities, as students, to genuinely equitable access to education.

Clare was not only an exceptional Support Coordinator. She was an adored colleague, a trusted confidante, a generous strategist and a deeply treasured friend.

In honour of Clare’s fierce love for her own three children, aged 13, 16 and 18, the GoFundMe originally established to support Clare through her illness, will now contribute to a lasting trust-fund legacy for each of them. Clare worried deeply about not being able to provide the financial stability she had planned and hoped for their futures. Anyone wishing to contribute to that legacy may do so here:

https://gofund.me/01feed21f

We will miss Clare more than all the stars in the sky could ever know. We will carry her influence forward in our work and always remember her wise counsel when it comes to children and capacity building: that “less is often best”, and that "therapy should never mean children missing out on play, joy or the purity of childhood".

💚

23/07/2026

One of the hardest parts of this work is saying no.

Every week, families reach out to us looking for support. We know how overwhelming it can be to navigate the NDIS, find the right people, and feel heard when things are difficult.

But one thing I've always been committed to is ensuring that the people we support receive the time, attention, advocacy and care they deserve.

For that reason, The Wondering Wattle will not be taking on any new participants until at least November 2026.

We never like to say no. However, we also never want to overcommit ourselves, particularly when supporting humans who deserve our full focus and genuine care.

This decision allows our team to continue showing up for the participants and families who have already entrusted us with their journey, without compromising the quality of support they receive.

To our participants, families, providers, and community - thank you for your trust. It is a privilege to walk alongside you.

We'll review our capacity again at the end of October and will provide an update when our books reopen.

With gratitude,

Meryl 💛

14/07/2026

🥾 Walking a Mile for South Australians experiencing homelessness 🥾

On Friday 7 August, our Founder and Director, Meryl, will be taking part in Hutt St Centre's Walk a Mile in My Boots.

National data shows that people with disability experiencing homelessness often require more intensive and longer-term assistance to achieve a safe and lasting housing outcome.

At The Wondering Wattle, we support a number of people with disability who are experiencing, or are at serious risk of, homelessness. Finding and sustaining a safe, stable home can be made even harder by inaccessible housing, discrimination, limited support options and systems that are difficult to navigate.

Meryl will be walking in recognition of the people we support and every human who deserves safety, dignity, connection and a place to call home.

Fancy joining her for an early-morning walk? Let Meryl know so she can keep an eye out for you!

💛 Together, we can help humans find safety, dignity, belonging and the opportunity to thrive.

This National Homelessness Week, I’ll be walking a mile or more a day to raise funds for more than 7,000 people experiencing homelessness in South Australia. All funds go to Hutt St Centre who provides a hearty meal, hot shower and essential support in a safe, welcoming space for people experienci...

12/07/2026

Happy Birthday to our magnificent, wonderful, Sarah! 💛🌿

Your warmth, kindness, quiet wisdom and unwavering care for the humans we support (and the humans you work alongside) are gifts that don’t go unnoticed. You have championed those who deserve to have their voices and choices heard.

You bring calm, compassion and authenticity to everything you do, and we’re so lucky to have you as part of our TWW crew.

We hope today reminds you how deeply valued and appreciated you are, not just for the work you do, but for the person you are.

💛

12/06/2026

Hannah Diviney's Senate Inquiry Submission:

👌On point
✊Powerful
👏Candid
🫶Truly remarkable

Gift yourself 12mins to watch and perhaps share with any nay-sayer's who insist that the 'new' direction of the NDIS reforms are appropriate.

Thank you to Hannah, and all the other 4000+ individuals and organisations who took the time to share your stories, concerns and experiences.

EVEry voice, on EVERY platform, in EVERY way matters.

💛

Video description: Hannah Diviney speaks in the NDIS Senate Hearing...

10/06/2026

The Wondering Wattle is committed to Support Coordination that is practical, trauma-informed and human-rights driven and values-led.

Support coordination *should*:

🌿 help you understand your options
🌿 protect your choice and control.
🌿 prioritise what matters most to you
🌿 safeguard you from incompetence and exploitation
🌿 turn your NDIS funds into meaningful connections

Why? Because every person is a deserving human with relationships, rights, hopes, risks, preferences, fears, strengths and stories.

If you're bumbling along and not feeling meaningfully supported, then reach out - we'd love to see how we might come alongside and help you to thrive, too.

E: [email protected]
P: 1300 WONDER (966 337)

💛

06/06/2026

Remember that song by Stevie Wonder - 🎶 Isn’t she lovely… 🎶

Well, today we’re celebrating our very own Raechel, who is truly all kinds of lovely:

💛 Justice-driven
💛 Deeply considered
💛 Comfortig
💛 Strategic
💛 Brave and curious

Raechel is the kind of lovely you want in your corner in the sunshine AND the storms.

And all this is exactly what Raechel brings to The Wondering Wattle: strength, wisdom and heart in equal measure. She is considerate, thoughtful and deeply values-led, showing up for participants, families and our team with clarity, care and fierce commitment.

Happy Birthday, to our lovely Raechel. We hope your day is as lovely as you are. 🌿

03/06/2026

👏 Saban Bros

📣 "Policy sets the signal and Government sets the tone"

📣"Policy changes don't just affect budgets, they affect the way the communty thinks"

03/06/2026

That's FOUR THOUSAND people who are saying:

NO to the Bill

NO to removing choice

NO to compromising care

NO to monetising Australians who deserve to belong

NO to erosion of human rights for people with disabilities

NO to power over-lording by people who don't 'know best'

Follow along here to stay updated on the progression (and you can even read the submissions as they are uploaded) https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/NDISFutureGenBill

Whilst there's a ways to go and we are acutely aware that 'the devil is in the detail' when it comes to amendments, The Wondering Wattle team are quietly optomistic that, at the very least, parliament now knows what 'we' - voters, constituents, families, providers and participants - think**

💛

**there's an emoji or two we can think of 🤫 but we'll keep it professional (for now!)