To contact us:

Phone:  51277166  

1800 452 452 

Fax: 51272880

Postal Address:                 

PO Box 34 

Yarragon  3823

E-mail: hwABI@bigpond.net.au

The brain is the power house of our being -

it is who we are – it governs what we do,

how we feel, what we say

and how we react to different situations. 

  Headway Gippsland Inc.

Caring for people with acquired brain injury and their families.

About Us

A brief history of Headway Gippsland.

In July 1981 a public meeting was held in Melbourne for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their families. 

The meeting was instigated by Pamela Threlfel, a social worker from Yooralla who was concerned about the number of people with ABI not receiving the services they needed.  A Support Group was formed in Melbourne, followed shortly after by a Mutual Support Group in Morwell. 

The Gippsland Group consisted of both individuals with ABI and Carers.  The group continued to meet on a regular basis to identify the unmet needs of their members.  Group members have been tireless in the fight to have ABI recognised as a specific disability with specific needs, and to have these needs met by government and generic services.

In 1985 the group applied for funding from the Department of Youth Sport & Recreation to provide a drop in centre for young people with ABI.  The program operated two days per week and provided activities and social options for individuals with ABI, as well as respite for their family carers.  This small amount of funding was supported by fund raising activities, donations from service clubs and support from Headway Victoria, which enabled the program to continue for several years. 

Other short-term projects were also provided during this period with the support of Headway Victoria.  The Community Options Program enabled service gaps to be identified in the health system for people with ABI, and  also supported the continuation of the social group meetings.

Headway Gippsland became Incorporated in 1993. Funding was received from the Commonwealth to implement an Individual Support Service two days per week, and State Government funding allowed a Social Support Program to operate one day per week.

Since incorporation Headway Gippsland has operated under a Committee of Management and the service provision has increased to provide 5 Social Support Programs across Gippsland, a weekend respite program, a full time Individual Support Service, and brokerage services.

A Care for Caregivers Program was provided in 1995. This program provided information and assistance that would encourage and empower Carers in their caring roles.   Headway Gippsland now supports 4 carers groups throughout Gippsland.