BUSHkids Annual Report 2022-23

Patron’s visit to Toowong In August we were delighted to welcome our patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young ac psm , to our new teleBUSHkids Centre, Babimim Jharr. Her Excellency toured the new centre, chatted with staff and got to see first-hand how our telepractice therapy sessions are conducted with kids and families online. During her visit, Her Excellency planted a Lemon Myrtle tree as a lasting memento of her visit.

The Governor had a briefing from staff, including Megan (R) and Kaitlin (far R) on the work being done out of the new centre.

WATCH bit.ly/3QPgUAO

CEO Carlton and Chair Neil flank the Governor and the new Lemon Myrtle tree.

Research and raising awareness

The myGOALS-4-Kids Study BUSHkids has been collaborating with The University of Queensland Children’s Motor Control Research Collaboration on the my GOALS-4-Kids Study , which is research to develop a child-led goal-setting App to help children engage in therapy. The research has involved collaboration with BUSHkids therapists to identify the most common types of goals that children seek help with. A second study worked with children, parents and BUSHkids therapists to design an interactive iPad App that kids can use to select and monitor their goals. The App includes fun cartoon characters who ask key questions and help children to monitor their own progress. The study is being led by Aisling Ryan (PhD Candidate and Occupational Therapist), Associate Professor Leanne Johnston (Physio- therapist), Associate Professor Laura Miller (Occupational Therapist) and Dr Peter Worthy (Information Technology and Electrical Engineering).

Research into and raising awareness of the impact and practice of supporting children and families in regional, rural and remote locations remains a key focus at BUSHkids. We continue contributing to research across a range of universities and organisations. These research projects include early stages of a multi-perspective study into the impact of children’s not-for-profit services in rural and remote Queensland being led by a multi disciplinary team of University of Queensland (UQ) researchers. BUSHkids is a community partner in a range of research projects.

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Annual Report 2022–23