BUSHkids Annual Report 2022-23

Allied Health Our teams provide much-needed Allied Health (AH) services for children up to 13 years of age. BUSHkids AH is our longest-standing service and is delivered from Mount Isa, Emerald, Bundaberg, Dalby and Warwick. The majority of our staff in this service live in the communities in which they work, with services being supplemented by telepractice. BUSHkids has supported rural families through fires, droughts, floods, and the pandemic, ensuring all children achieve their potential regardless of where they live. BUSHkids AH receives partial funding from the Queensland Government (Queensland Health and Department of Education). As BUSHkids is committed to providing services in regional, rural, and remote locations, this funding is supplemented through fundraising and donations.

“As a parent we have to learn to trust other people with our kids too. Playgroup has been great for that. Over the years I’ve had to learn to adapt to all of my children’s needs. They are all very different. BUSHkids has been there through it all right beside me with any support or knowledge that I have needed. I am not actually sure what my parenting journey would have looked like without them. I know I wouldn’t have been as knowledgeable. Their support has meant a lot during tough times for our family. It’s an organisation that has had a huge impact on my life.” Emma’s younger daughter Isabella, who is six, recently completed PALS, Alert and had OT support from BUSHkids. “I met Miss Julie and Koala Jack at kindy. He taught us how to be nice and be kind to each other and how to take deep breaths and feel better when we get sad and how to care about each other’s feelings”. Emma’s daughter Mahlee, 3, was very shy when she first started at BUSHkids Playgroup, keeping her head down and preferring to be close to her mum. She didn’t like to engage with anyone or anything, turning away if anyone tried to speak to her. We have observed that over time Mahlee has begun to socialise at Playgroup, with people outside her family, ensuring her Mum, her safe base, is never far away. Understanding Mahlee’s needs at Playgroup and to take it at her pace has meant her confidence has grown. Emilie, Emma’s eldest child, also visits the BUSHkids playgroup whenever she is home staying with her mum and she brings her own child, Emma’s grandchild Ace, making three generations of BUSHkids supported mothers and four generations of BUSHkids children. “We all love our BUSHkids Wednesdays,” adds Emma. “It’s a great morning out, seeing other people and learning more about parenting, talking to other parents. And when the kids are full on or if I ever need anything, I can always ask. BUSHkids has been the biggest influence and support I’ve had as a parent. They were there to support my mum and now are there for my daughter. Right from when I was a child. It was always a happy day when BUSHkids came to town.”

R: Emma Mills and her family represent the sometimes many generations of BUSHkids support.

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Annual Report 2022–23