Hi, I’m Ellie, and I’m proud to be a resident of Project Independence. At 33, I’ve been living independently for over a year and a half after gaining my permanent residency. I’ve been with the ACT Government since 2010, working as an Executive Support Officer in the Department of Education. I’m passionate about my role and feel lucky to work with such a fantastic team. Outside of work, I’m a ten-pin bowler with the Wizards team, and I love supporting local sports, like the Canberra Cavalry Baseball Team and UC Canberra Capitals Basketball Team. Footy season is another highlight for me, and I enjoy taking part in tipping competitions. Spending quality time with my friends and family is also really important to me. One of the things I appreciate most about living at PI is the strong sense of community. I love sharing dinners and game nights with my fellow residents. I take great pride in keeping my unit and courtyard tidy, looking after my plants, and helping out with shared spaces like the kitchen and laundry. Living independently has taught me so many valuable life skills, from managing my support services to staying fit and healthy. One of my proudest moments was competing at the 2007 Special Olympics in Shanghai, where I won a Gold Medal in the 50M freestyle and a Silver in the Medley Relay. Family means everything to me. I love spending time with my niece and nephew, as well as my parents and the rest of my family, all of whom live in Canberra. My journey has been one of resilience, independence, and the strength of community, and I’m grateful for every step of it.
Hi, I'm Campbell! I have autism, and I've had a unique journey growing up in the Canberra area. I attended Chapman Primary School and later went to Woden School after considering Stromlo High. Today, I work in customer service at Canberra Light Rail, part of the public transport system. I enjoy helping people and being a part of such a vital service in my community. In my free time, I love hanging out with my friends - Jared, Liam, Courtaney, Jason, Sammie, and many others. Whether it's at home or out on adventures, I always look forward to spending time with them. I’m also a big fan of gaming, especially Minecraft, Mario games, and a little bit of Sonic. Beyond gaming, I enjoy getting creative by making books and posters, often using Word documents to bring my ideas to life. Living in Project Independence has been a great experience for me. One of my favorite things to do is cook for the residents every Wednesday - though I do miss it when I’m out of town. I also love having family and friends pop by to visit, which makes me feel connected and supported. It’s these little moments that truly make this place feel like home. I’ve always loved making people laugh, whether through jokes or sharing fun moments. I also enjoy showcasing my creativity, especially with my Minecraft builds, where I can get really imaginative. I decided to start independent living, and PI felt like the right place for me to take that step. It’s given me the independence I wanted, allowing me to have my own space where I can focus on my passions and grow as a young adult. A fun fact about me is that when I was a baby, my family lived overseas in Syria and Israel, and we visited 12 other countries before moving back to Australia. These experiences have shaped who I am today and influenced my worldview. Living at PI has greatly improved my quality of life. It has given me the chance to become more independent, with plenty of time to enjoy my space, my creativity, and the things I love. It’s made me feel more confident in my abilities to live and grow on my own, while still having a supportive environment around me.
My name is Liam, and I’ve lived in Canberra for the past 30 years, though I’m originally from Sydney. I went to Chisholm Primary School, Wanniassa High School (where I played on the school volleyball team), and Canberra College. Sport has always been a huge part of my life. I’ve had the honor of representing Australia twice at the Special Olympics. In 2013, I competed in the Asia Pacific Games in Newcastle and won a bronze medal, and in 2015, I competed at the World Summer Games in Los Angeles and earned a silver medal. I’m also passionate about volunteering and giving back to my community. I’ve volunteered with organisations like Canberra United Football Club and the Community Fire Unit (CFU), and I enjoy helping wherever I can. Family is everything to me, and I’m especially close to my two nephews, who absolutely adore me. In 2023, I moved into a new property with Project Independence, and it’s been such an amazing experience. The other residents are so supportive, and I’ve been able to make new friends and reconnect with old ones. Shari, the LIRC, is always there to lend a hand when needed, and her cooking is out of this world! Steve, the Operations Manager, is also incredibly helpful in finding the right answers when we need them. I’m grateful for all the support I’ve received and excited to continue growing and thriving in my new home and community here in Canberra.
Hi, I’m Hallam Young, but I’m often called Hal. I’m 34 years old, and I’m from Canberra and I live at Project Independence. My weekly routine is busy - and I love it that way! I work 6 hours a week at Malaganis Edwards & Johnson Lawyers (MEJ) in Canberra, and I also play with SCORE Raiders, an Inclusive NRL program. I train on Mondays and play games on weekends during the cooler months. I’ve been going to Hands on Art Studio in Griffith for art classes since I was in Year 10. These group classes are for people with disabilities, and they’ve become an important part of my life. I graduated from Marist College Canberra, where they supported me in completing Year 12 with a non-tertiary certificate. I’m also a member of the Stellar Experiences Crew, a disability support organisation based in Sydney that helps people with disabilities engage with the community and reach their potential. I’ve had many great adventures with them, and I’m excited they started in Canberra in 2021. Support workers from Stellar Experiences come to my home weekly to help with cleaning, laundry, shopping, and organizing my week. I also enjoy going out with them on social outings with a group of other people with disabilities - we have a lot of fun! I have a Level I & II in Horticulture, which I completed through the integrated learning program at CIT. I worked with LEAD, a Disability Support Employer, for 13 years in gardening before moving to MEJ. I’m passionate about sports. My favorite NRL teams are the Rabbitohs, Sharks, and Raiders, and I also support Carlton in AFL. I love watching tennis and cricket, too, and I’m always keeping up with the latest on cars. I love meeting new people and walking around Canberra. I’m good at catching buses (as long as I know the route), and I enjoy the light rail as well. I’m also really interested in roadworks around NSW and ACT, and I like to research all the details about them. I come from a big family - I have 2 brothers and 23 cousins on my dad’s side, plus 4 cousins on my mum’s side. I’m the eldest cousin in both families, and I love spending time with them. Living at Project Independence has been wonderful. My parents worked hard to help me move in, and I’m so glad I’m here. The other residents have become my good friends, and we support each other in life. We help each other out when needed. I also love that living in PI makes it easy for me to access buses and the light rail to get to the places I need. It’s only about 10 minutes from my parents’ home, which is great. Having my own space is important to me. I have a lovely courtyard, my own room, and a living area. I can keep my room door open if I want to, and that helps me connect with others in the house. I also really appreciate having Shari and her daughter as our live support team - it's like having a family here.
Hi! My name is Kimberley Adams and I have Down Syndrome. Although I have a disability, I don’t let it stop me doing the things I love to do, like dancing, acting, talking to people, and helping others where I can. I attended Primary and High School in the ACT and finished my Year 12 studies in Gympie, Queensland, I completed a number of courses at TAFE to Certificate Level 2 to help me to find work and I have worked in temporary positions in various offices, including the Department of Finance in Canberra. However, it can be very difficult to find employers who are willing to give people with a disability a go. I recently moved into my own home, but I am still supported by my parents, and I have a support worker paid for by the NDIS who has helped me on the path to independence by developing living skills such as the use of public transport. I am the Down Syndrome of Australia’s Health Ambassador for the ACT Region (where I live). In this capacity I meet with health professionals, Government Ministers and other groups to promote better communication with people who have a disability. I am a member of the ACT Government Health Disability Strategy Steering Committee, and I was recently invited to speak at a Speak Out Conference in Tasmania, advocating for people with a disability to be heard. I co-present an online webinar on “Staying Healthy”, which tries to show people with a disability how important it is to eat good food. Exercise is also very important to stay healthy. Swimming is one great way to exercise. When I was younger, I competed in swimming and ten pin bowling with Special Olympics and won many trophies and gold, silver and bronze medals. and I have previously won medals for swimming in Special Olympics Games. As a member of the ACT Down Syndrome’s Confident Speakers program, I was invited to speak at a Citizenship Ceremony in March 2019 with the then Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove. I love to write stories. I have always had an artistic flair and a strong desire to be an actress. I completed the practical components of a Certificate III in Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft and a two-year training course in Stage Performance in Queensland and have taken part in several local community stage productions, including solo dance performances. I have completed programs with Canberra’s Rebus Theatre group including three public stage performances in March 2021 which received excellent reviews and I am currently attending the Rebus Theatre FLAIR class each week. I have been a member of Bus Stop Films Inclusive Film Making Program for the past two years and was selected in 2022 for a speaking role in a short film called “Dungeons, Goblins and Broccoli”, which was selected for public showing at the Canberra Short Film Festival and was shown at an International Short Film Festival held in Brighton, England, in March 2024 and was highly commended at the St Kilda Film Festival in June 2024. I was also invited to be on a Panel for public discussion on inclusive film-making at the Short Film Festival. I completed the Bus Stop Films online “Short Film Script-Writing” program in 2023, which taught me a lot about how a story line develops. Our class has subsequently produced another Bus Stop Films short film, in which I have participated in both script-writing and acting roles. During the COVID pandemic I made a short video to reassure people with a disability that there was nothing to be afraid of in having a COVID vaccination, winning a $100 prize from the Department of Health. I also recently completed a short promotional video with Screencraft Australia for the Australian Government’s Disability Gateway and completed another promotional video for the upcoming ACT Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards. Another of my favourite activities is dancing and I belong to a dance group called Happy Beats which promotes dancing for people with intellectual disability. We have performed at several clubs in Canberra and each year we take part in the Sydney Salsa and Mambo Convention. I commenced learning to play the piano with my drama teacher James Warner in Queensland and we produced a fundraising CD of us playing together. Each track was an original composition of my own with James adding the accompaniment and more than 60 copies were distributed, raising over $500 for the group. Privately, I just love to relax and catch up with family and friends over a cup of coffee or lunch!
My name is Remy, and I was born with Down Syndrome. Although I've faced some challenges in life, I’ve always been a positive person. I believe that there are many different pathways to a bright future. I attended various schools in both Australia and the Philippines and graduated Year 12 at St Edmund's in Canberra. Currently, I work at Australian Parliament House as a Visitor Concierge Support Officer. In my role, I greet visitors, make them feel welcome, and ensure they have an enjoyable visit to Parliament House. In my free time, I have a few hobbies that keep me busy and active. I go to the gym twice a week and also take piano lessons weekly. I’ve always loved drama and have participated in musical productions in the past. One of my favorite pastimes is watching WWE wrestling, and my favorite superstar is Roman Reigns. I’m also a big supporter of AFL football and cheer for the Richmond Tigers. I was lucky enough to attend their winning premierships in both 2019 and 2020. On top of all this, I’ve even gone skydiving, jumping in both Canberra and Moruya! Living at Project Independence has given me a sense of independence that has made me feel more comfortable in my environment. I especially enjoy building friendships with the other residents. We all get along well, and I feel that being part of this supportive community is what makes where I live so special. One of the things I’m most proud of is how well I get along with others and how much fun we have together doing activities. I chose to live here because one of my friend's parents co-founded it, and I thought it was a beautiful thing to do. It felt like the right decision for me, and I’m really happy I made that choice. Since becoming a resident, my life has changed in so many positive ways. I’ve learned a lot, especially about working together as a team and helping each other when needed. Living here has helped me become more confident, independent, and connected to my community.
Hi, I’m Andrew, but I also go by Whitey. When I’m able to find work, I’m a house sitter, and I really enjoy it. The best part for me is being my own boss. When I get a job, I take on the tasks my clients ask of me and make sure they’re done right. One of my biggest passions is playing Dungeons & Dragons. It’s a great way for me to spend time outdoors with friends who understand me and enjoy my company. It also gives them the chance to learn more about who I am. Living in Harrison has been fantastic, especially because I’m close to the light rail, which makes it easy for me to get around Canberra. I also love reconnecting with people I’ve known from school or previous jobs - it’s been great catching up with them. As for my secret talent, I enjoy helping others, whether it's by listening to them or offering advice. I always let people decide if they want to take my advice, but I’m happy to lend a helping hand when needed.
My name is Jay, but I often get called Jay Jay by my friends. I was born in Sydney and then moved to Canberra with my mum, dad, and older sister Leteesha. When I was 6 years old, I moved to Melbourne with my mum, dad, and older sister and lived there until I was 18 years old. I then moved back to Canberra to live with my grandparents Melita and Doug, who took me into their care. I work at Lennock Volkswagen cleaning cars on Tuesdays and Fridays. I also do concreting with my sister’s partner whenever he has work to offer me. I like doing concreting because I get to see lots of people, socialise, and it's good exercise. The gym is where I spend a lot of my free time because I love staying fit and healthy, and it helps me keep a clear mind. I also like to spend time with my friends hanging out. I play soccer every Thursday night with my team, the Zesty Zingas, alongside one of my support workers, Dominik. I love living at Project Independence because I get to see and hang out with my friends all the time, and they always make me laugh. I get to have my own place to call home, and all my friends live here with me too. A fun fact about me that not many people know is that I like to create my own rap songs and record them. Something I’m proud of is that I always enjoy helping people, especially the elderly when I go to the chemist. I chose Project Independence because I was excited to have my own house and live independently. I was also excited to meet new friends who have now become my family. We are a close community. Living at Project Independence has changed my life in a positive way because I know that my future is safe here when my grandparents are no longer around. I have a lot of support from my Live-in Resident Coordinator, Shari, who is always here for me when I need help or just want to have a chat. The Operations Manager, Steve, is also always a phone call away if I need advice or want to chat about my day. The best part of living at Project Independence is all my friends, my sister Shari, and my niece Myla. We have so much fun together, especially when we have special events like our Christmas party or game nights. It feels like a big family living here. They are all my second family.
My name is Courtenay Smith, but I prefer to be called Courts. I’m 36 years old and was born in Wagga Wagga. I was raised in Cootamundra by my grandparents, Jim and Beth. I have lots of family in Canberra, so I’ve spent quite a bit of time here visiting them before moving to the area. I currently work at The Reindeers Retreat in Narrabundah and have been there since September 2024. I work every Thursday morning for three hours. It’s a great place to work because I get to socialise with customers and colleagues, which is great for my mental health. On Saturday mornings, I play Ten Pin bowling with my disability group. My team is called the Wizards. I love going to bowling because it’s a chance to catch up with my friends, and I enjoy the routine of it being every Saturday. When the Canberra Raiders play at our home ground, I love going to the games and supporting them to win. I also enjoy watching my team on TV when they’re not playing locally. On Sunday mornings, I play golf with the Special Olympics team. One week, we play at Pitch and Putt, and the next, we play at Duntroon. It can be hard work walking around the course, but it’s good exercise for me. Living at Project Independence has been amazing because it has given me the opportunity to make new friends and build on the ones I already have. We all get along like a big family. I have dinner with them every weeknight, and sometimes, on weekends, we organise activities or go out for dinner together. An interesting fact about me is that in 2013, I represented Australia at the Asia Pacific Games in Newcastle, NSW. I competed in Bocce and won two gold medals, one in singles and one in doubles. I’ve become even more independent since living at Project Independence. I drive myself to the footy, work, and other places with my friends. I’m also learning to be more patient and understanding that everyone copes with daily life in different ways.
