Company Profile

Successful Employment Solutions that Recognise and Value Employers and People with a Disability

That Every Person with a Disability be Accepted, Empowered and have the Opportunity to make a Valued Contribution to Society through Employment

1. Equality and Equal Opportunity

   We value that people with a disability should have the same rights and conditions as everyone else. DES / WK believe that people with a disability have the right to expect a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.

2. Acceptance and Inclusion

   DES / WK believe that participation in paid work allows people to have a valued role in society by reducing stigma through increased economic and social independence.

3. Empowerment and Personal Choice

   We support and respect people’s individual decision making and choices that affect their life and career goals.

4. Focus on Abilities

   DES looks at what people can do, not what they can’t. We focus on their strengths, skills and personal attributes to gain employment.

1. Professionalism and Integrity

   DES Board and staff demonstrate a positive attitude and values base in order to support people with a disability to achieve their goals. Our Board and staff are dedicated to ensuring DES reputation is highly regarded in the community.

2. Continuous Improvement

   DES is committed to providing a quality service. We encourage feedback in order to evaluate and improve our service to all stakeholders. We are committed to upholding the Principles and Objectives of the Disability Services Act.

3. Co-operative Relationships

   DES realise that we do not operate in isolation. Other stakeholders play an integral part in assisting people to achieve their goals. Exchange of knowledge, resources and skills is invaluable to the operation of our business.

Chair Mr Roger Millroy

Roger is currently Manager - Far North QLD Rural Division of General Practice and previously gained skills over a decade with Skill360 Australia (formerly Cairns Region Group Training) in management and facilitator roles in both training and employment. Roger contributes project management skills, vocational training expertise and employment knowledge in the Australian Apprenticeship system aligning to DES's objectives. Roger has put strategies in place to successfully up skill disabled jobseekers in many training programs with employment outcomes. He has also previously worked in retail management roles with national retailers and has a good knowledge of employment issues in the retail environment. He has qualifications in Workplace Training, Project Management, Frontline and Retail Management, Workplace Health and Safety and Quality Assurance. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Vice Chair

Mr Bob Paten

 Has over 20 years’ experience working in the Disability Field as a Disability Jobseeker Adviser (CES), Disability Officer (Centrelink) and as an Advocate (Rights in Action).

He has a strong interest in Employment Issues in Cairns and has previous involvement with the Cairns Council of Unions and the Far North Queensland Regional Economic Development Organisation. He is currently the local Social and Community Services Representative for Far North Queensland with the Australian Services Union.

Director

Ms Elizabeth Lewry

Elizabeth is a previous employee of DES, currently employed as a Community Resource Officer with Disability Services Queensland.  She is a mother of 2 adult sons and has 2 grand-daughters.  Elizabeth has a personal passion and dedication to be actively involved in the disability sector with a goal to achieving improved community inclusion and quality of life for people with a disability.

Director

Ms Sonja Anderson

Sonja Anderson BJ, BA, BSc (Environmental Studies), Grad Dip Hort

 Sonja Anderson, Media Manager in the Cairns Regional Council Marketing and Communication team, is a media specialist with a background in print, radio, online and multi-media journalism. Before working with local government Sonja ran a communication company aimed at serving the far north’s businesses and providing stories about the region’s many attributes to publications, radio and television networks and digital media houses around the globe. Previous to life as a media specialist, Sonja was both farmer and horticultural/environmental consultant involved in protecting and revegetating the rainforests of North Queensland. 

Director

Mark Ascione

Mr Robert Friskin