Advocacy WA named top regional disability support group in the country

Advocacy WA has capped off 2023 by winning the Excellence in Regional and Remote Support award at the National Disability Awards.

The organisation had a busy night as it was also named a finalist in the Excellence in Service Quality category and was highly commended for the Inclusive Communities award.

Advocacy WA chief executive Stuart Schonell said the award was a testament to his staff.

“It’s amazing to win, I mean this is a national award,” he said.

“It’s really a testament to our staff and the work they put in, both in individual advocacy for the people who live in Bunbury and throughout the South West, but also our project staff who are travelling every day to all the different towns throughout the South West.”

Advocacy WA is the South West’s primary advocacy group for people with a disability and is one of the few organisations in the country to offer advocacy to all types of disability.

Mr Schonell said it was a shock to win the award, so much so they almost didn’t make it to the night.

“No way we were expecting to win,” he said.

“It was a complete surprise and we probably wouldn’t have even gone over to Melbourne other than the Executive Leaders Conference was on at the same time.

“So it was a surprise and absolutely thrilling. Both Jethro Hepton, our chair, and I, both having disabilities, were there in attendance and it was just so amazing. It was an amazing night and it was an amazing feeling.”

Mr Schonell said his organisation was doing good for its clients and that was why it was nominated.

“We have an incredible success rate in the 90 per cents for getting our clients what they asked for,” he said.

“Whether that might be something in in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal because of an NDIS decision or whether that might be because they’ve been trying to get access to the Disability Support Pension or whether that might be something around tenancy.

“Our clients know that we will fight tooth and nail for them and their rights and often often we’re finding the top legal firms.

“We’re fighting these big players and we’re normally winning and I think that’s why clients like us so much.”