The Story Behind Headway ABI Australia
As one of the first Australian NDIS providers to offer transitional housing, we are a not-for-profit that leads in providing specialised care for individuals living with an ABI. We are a proud community of experts, offering families industry leading support and rehabilitation services.
38+ YEARS
of outstanding support and services provided to Gold Coast residents living with an ABI or disability.
90+
dedicated members of staff committed to offering specialised support.
A Range
of houses with experienced team leaders and the latest home modifications.
The Headway butterfly symbolises
hope and the transformative journey of our
participants. It represents metamorphosis
and a new way of living post-ABI. The circle
within the wings illustrates brain waves,
highlighting our focus on neurological
rehabilitation and growth.
The Headway butterfly
symbolises hope and the
transformative journey of
our participants. It
represents metamorphosis
and a new way of living
post-ABI. The circle within
the wings illustrates brain
waves, highlighting our
focus on neurological
rehabilitation and growth.
Our History
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The earliest beginnings of Headway involved a determined group of women who initiated fundraising efforts for Headway ABI—the Lady Mayoress led the fundraising. All those involved recognised the need to support community members managing an ABI and how increased availability to care was desperately needed. Those fundraising efforts led to purchasing our first house on High St in Southport. This home provided a vital space for families caring for loved ones with an ABI, offering much-needed support and guidance.
For 15 years, the Southport home was Headway's hub for community guidance and support. Our mission was to keep individuals with ABI out of hospitals and provide families with the resources needed for comfortable and dignified rehabilitation. The focus was on day respite care and community participation as we gradually acquired a few modest accommodation spaces.
A beautiful home in Parkwood was generously donated to us, becoming a vibrant centre for a range of social and community activities. Creative tasks such as painting, crafting mosaics, and singing were encouraged as forms of motor skill development and therapy. We would also enjoy trivia nights, Melbourne Cup days, fishing trips, golfing, and Christmas celebrations on the Parkwood lawn. Our celebrations were a time for families to come together and share a meal, usually ending with a carol singalong.
An important milestone in our history was acquiring the Millar House, designed to provide transitional accommodation for individuals with high support needs. This facility offered rehabilitation services to those unable to return home after hospital discharge. Equipped with a swimming pool and hoist for access, the Millar House allowed participants to stay for up to three years before transitioning back to family homes or other supported accommodation.
Around mid-2010, our team transitioned from Parkwood to the state-of-the-art Wings facility in Molendinar. Under the leadership of Scott Painter, our Senior Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Wings has become one of Australia’s premier physical therapy and rehabilitation centres. The facility focuses on gentle, low-impact methods for ABI physical therapy, providing cutting-edge care and support to our participants.
We then acquired our Homestead, a stunning respite acreage in Bahrs Scrub. This 7-bedroom, 4-bathroom property spans over 8,000m², providing a comfortable and serene space for participants to stay as long as needed. Surrounded by peace, quiet, and nature, the Homestead features a dam and expansive areas for exploration, creating a tranquil environment and a supportive place to live and recover.
Our team proudly continues the legacy of our founders. What began as a grassroots effort in response to a lack of available support has now grown into an organisation with a range of homes and 90+ staff. We remain committed to providing dignified living spaces and the best possible rehabilitation care for individuals with an ABI.