About

With 150 years+ of experience between us, HEDSS success lies in our approach and how we value staff. If they’re happy, so are our participants.

The HEDSS story

Every individual has a story to tell – and so does every NDIS service provider. It’s what makes us all unique.

Our organisation was set up in 2020 by disability support veterans Gavin Dimery and Amie Burns. Having managed in the social sector for decades, they felt privatisation made the industry more about the funding that came with participants and less about an individual’s needs. So, encouraged by their clients and families, HEDSS was born.

We’re a registered
NDIS disability services provider supporting the Hunter Region, including Maitland, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.

Amie Burns

Director

0402 633 029

amie.burns@hedss.com.au

“I love supporting people to reach goals and live their best life.”

Amie brings enthusiasm and over 12 years of experience as a disability support worker and team leader to her operational director role. She enjoys working with people with disabilities and the people who care for them. She begins by asking people what they want and then problem-solves until they can come to an agreement.

Amie is: Enthusiastic, supportive, trustworthy, honest, loyal

Interests: Spending time with her partner and their 3 dogs, wine and cheese tasting and listening to podcasts

Favourite quote: “The way to get started is the quit talking and begin doing.”

Gavin Dimery

Director | CEO

0493 223 194

gavin.dimery@hedss.com.au

“I enjoy trying to get the best out of people.”

Gavin has worked in the disability industry for over 25 years, 20 in management. He enjoys delivering services to people with disabilities, building relationships and helping staff develop their skills. He always takes the time to listen and explain things clearly, and brings knowledge, experience and humour to his work.

Gavin is: Loyal, passionate, talkative, distracted, interested

Interests: Sport, AFL, frisbee, running, bush walks, swimming and reading

Favourite quote: “The definition of stupidity is to continue to do the same thing and expect different results.”

Kasie Farmer

Team Leader

“I enjoy helping others and seeing them improve skills and have fun.”

Kasie has been working in disability support for over 10 years, starting out in Community Support in Sydney. She brings a fun but professional approach to supporting our clients and enables them to have the best quality of life and experiences. She’s trained in many areas, including Epilum, seizures, tube feeding, catheter care and first aid.

Kasie is: Fun, tenacious, bubbly, honest, thoughtful

Interests: Listening and dancing to music, cooking, gardening, playing monopoly, and hanging with her two boys and frenchie (Frank)

Favourite quote: “Don’t let the man get you down.”

Tom Woods

Day Program Coordinator

“It’s important to me that people are happy and supported.”

Before joining HEDSS, Tom worked as a delivery driver and in the construction industry, but he wanted to do something where he would make a difference. He loves people and enjoys hearing about their lives and experiences. His role involves supporting participants to reach their goals – and he always gives individual attention and care.

Tom is: Positive, outgoing, vivacious, motivated, sarcastic

Interests: Golf, gaming, sport, movies, weather and bird watching

Favourite quote: “Being normal is boring.”

Melissa Griffiths

Administration

“I want to be a part of positive industry change and growth.”

Disability is Melissa’s passion, having both a sibling and son with disabilities. Before joining HEDSS, she worked as a residential support worker for five years in a high/complex needs aged disability home. She’s also a Kindship host for the Hunter region, organising meetups for parents/carers of children or relatives with a disability.

Melissa is: Passionate, dedicated, friendly, humorous, sociable

Interests: Being with her family, baking, helping her son create train vlogs, talking with her daughter, camping, playing with her puppy dog

Favourite quote: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

Brydie Miner

Disability Support Worker

“I bring laughter, caring and support to the business.”

Brydie began her support journey looking after her own grandparents. She then moved into home care and community. She has Cert 3 in Individual Support, Cert 2 in Community Services and Cert 3 in Business Administration. She has over five years of experience in homecare, community and group home (supported independent living).

Brydie is: Kind, empathetic, funny, dopey, chatty

Interests: Spending time with her grandparents, chilling with her pets, and horse riding

Favourite quote: “It costs nothing to be kind.”

Lewie the lab

Therapy dog

“I love pats and hanging out with participants.”

Still a puppy, Lewie is at the beginning of his therapy dog training. He goes to work with his mum, Kirston, every day and spends a lot of time napping and supervising staff at our SIL home. His favourite treats are Chunkies, his favourite toy is his Kong Knot Teddy, and his best trick is making food disappear very quickly! He’s a good boy.

Lewie is: Cute, smart, chocolaty, gentle, calm

Interests: Eating and snuggling

Favourite quote: “Woof!”

Our mission

We provide safe, reliable, and flexible support services to NDIS participants so they can live their best independent lives. We do this by providing our staff with a positive, supportive work environment where they’re highly trained and well paid. When our people are happy and rewarded, our clients flourish.

Our vision

To increase the availability of quality, person-centred NDIS support services and supported independent living in the Maitland and Newcastle area.

Establish an industry not for profit
More supported independent living properties
Offer respite/supported holiday care in fully accessible properties
Set up a day centre with practical support facilities and a coffee club
Build a digital disability support community

Our values

What we stand for and believe in as an organisation

Make it happen

Whatever supports people want and need, we do our best to deliver them.

Build trust

We’re transparent, never overpromise, and know our role. People can rely on us.

Be inclusive

We treat people equally and fairly and celebrate everyone’s life and abilities.

Bring enthusiasm

We approach our work with positivity, humour and eagerness, building rapport.

Set boundaries

While we’re flexible, we set clear boundaries to ensure safety and best practice.

Deliver better

We care about our work, clients and staff. We train, pay well and push for industry change.

Happy client

We’ve worked closely with HEDSS supporting participants associated with both our organisations. The professionalism I’ve seen from their staff exemplifies their core ethical beliefs. Their leadership group clearly understands participant needs, and their support staff seamlessly follows this through as part of their role. Working alongside HEDSS not only promotes positive outcomes for participants but for all stakeholders.

— Leigh Walker | Unlock my Potential

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