About us
Byron Respite has embodied the philosophy of person-centred care long before it became a buzzword. People are at the core of everything we do.
Our Purpose
At Byron Respite, our purpose is to Enrich the Living and Ageing Experience. Guided by our values of Celebrating Life, Integrity, Connection, Creativity, Being Present, we strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the people we support.
Our Impact
(Click the expand arrows
to view the report at full screen.) Leadership
Byron Shire Respite Service’s leadership team is a dedicated, professional, and highly experienced group of individuals. This diverse team guides our operations and client care, continually innovating and evolving our strategies and capabilities to meet the growing demands for client care across the region.
Peter Devine
Chief Executive Officer
Karen Harborow
Care Manager
Emma White
Senior Care Coordinator
Courtney Will
Care Coordinator
Jemima Janda
Finance & Operations Coordinator
Rakhshi Momtazian
Centre Facilitator & Day Outings
Sonya Will
Centre Facilitator
Skye Ray
Centre Facilitator, WH&S Officer
Our Board
Byron Respite’s Board sets the strategic direction of the organisation, oversees key decisions on planning and resource allocation, ensures diligent financial management, and upholds legal compliance.
Directors, elected annually in November, bring diverse skills and experience in health, NDIS, communications, marketing, IT, governance, finance, legal, insurance, human resources, Indigenous, and LGBTIQA+ issues. We value our dedicated Directors and continually seek new additions to our Board to strengthen our association.
our purpose why - we are here
Our service not only to support people to remain in their own homes, by providing respite for carers, social interaction,
transport and but is best described by our organisation’s integral values of:
our purpose statement
On May 27th 2021, Byron Respite’s Management Committee, staff and volunteers gathered together for the first ever Vision Planning Day.
There were several goals for this day; team building, professional development
and gathering together for a common purpose, to define a new Mission Statement and our values. Byron Respite, which is fortunate to be comprised of many
long-term staff, have been living and delivering service based on underlying values and a shared mission. After eight hours of intense workshops, meditation and fun activities we gathered a wealth of content about.
What we do? Why we do what we do? How do we do what we do? & most importantly, Why do we do what we do?
After our Vision Planning Day, our President, Hanne Brown and General Manager Peter, then compiled all the findings and consulted with staff and the Management Committee. As a collective we agreed on a new Mission Statement and Values.
Our journey
1991
In August of 1991, Michael Scarrabelotti and the Commonwealth Government’s Department of Social Services and Colin Munro established , Byron Shire Respite Day Care Service. Delivering Service in Ocean Shores.
1996
The service was now providing support to the townships of Ocean Shores, Brunswick Heads, Mullumbimby and Byron Bay. Its day program opened 3 days per week and support workers were employed to work at the day program as well as assisting people to access the community and attend medical appointments
2001
In 2001, the Brunswick Valley Community Centre opened and Day Respite Services begin being delivered in the new fit-for-purpose Centre. After a few successful years, the organisation was renamed Byron Shire Respite Service Inc. and the service extended to the Ballina and Lismore Shires. In-home support was now provided to clients and families in addition to the centre-based program.
2004
In July 2004, The newly named service begins to provide specific services to people living with Dementia and their carers. This would begin the service down a positive service deliver path that would shape the organisation for years to come.
2009
In 2009, local comedian, Mandy Nolan conducted the first comedy workshops with for older people at Byron Shire Respite Service. It culminated with as comedy show in a cabaret MC’d by Mandy Nolan.
2021
The service, with the help of a few successful grant applications and the support of the Management Committee, began its Digital Transformation and Change Management Process. Both would equip the service to gain major efficiencies and prepare for the upcoming Aged Care Reforms.
2020
2020 was a year of external and internal changes. In July 2020, after nearly 30 years of Service, Colin Munro, Co-Founder and long time Service Manager retired.
2019
In 2019 Barbara Chambers, who commenced as Care Manager in May of 2008, retired. Barbara was pivotal in embedding person-centred care and co-founded the Challenging Behaviours Program.
2015
Between 2015 and 2018 there were significant changes to the national landscape of aged care and disability supports. In 2015 the nation wide Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) was introduced. Byron Shire Respite Service adjusted very well to changes in legislation and continued to provide its person-centred care.
2010
In 2010 Hannah Grace began volunteering at the centre and still brings support and joy to both clients and staff every Tuesday
2022
Due to the COVID pandemic restrictions and two flood events, Centre Services were shutdown for 18 weeks across the year. Despite these shutdowns, the service continued to provide service in the community. When the big flood event happened in March 2022, 100% of staff were seriously flood effected and the service utilised its financial reserves to pay all staff for the time directly after flood, despite being able to work. We are very proud of this.
2023
A dream came true. The service expanded and established another Centre Based Service in the Ballina region, reaching a whole new cohort of Carers and Clients. The service also includes an Aboriginal Elders Day.
2024 & beyond!
Our vision for 2024? To continue supporting and enjoying the company of our fabulous clients and carers.
Our Partners
Meals
Brunswick Valley
Meals on Wheels
Transport
Tweed, Byron, & Ballina Community Transport
Premises
Byron & Ballina Shire Councils
Staff Support
Mullumbimby Psychology
Byron Shire
Dementia Friends
Policies
Byron Shire Respite Service practices “good governance” and aligns its policies with Aged Care Quality Standards (Standard 8, Organisational Governance).
We have 25 detailed policies ensuring compliant and safe service delivery for clients and a supportive environment for staff and volunteers.
Our policies cover areas such as Corporate Governance, Regulatory Compliance, Continuous Improvement, Risk Management, Safe Environments, Client Review, Privacy and Confidentiality, Complaints and Feedback, Support Planning & Delivery, Abuse and Neglect, and Food Safety.
These policies are reviewed annually to reflect changes in legislation and best practices in the aged care and disability sectors.
Policies include (but not limited to) Corporate Governance, Regulatory Compliance, Continuous Improvement, Risk Management, Safe Environments, Client Review, Privacy and Confidentiality, Complaints and Client Feedback, Behavioral Support, Abuse and Neglect and Food Safety. All policies are managed and reviewed by our Compliance Officer, distributed/shared through SharePoint to staff members and regular education and training sessions are conducted with all members of our team.
