The Imagine More podcast

In this episode, the final one of this season, Karen Caldwell and Cameron Zellner share how they have spent years crafting and safeguarding a meaningful week for Cameron – grounded in his vision, interests and growing independence.

Cameron is a competitive rower, keen photographer, digital storyteller, house sitter and gluten-free baker living an active, connected life in Canberra. In their presentation, Karen and Cameron share the practical steps they have taken – from identifying interests and developing a vision statement to building a Circle of Support – and reflect on the ongoing work of managing the NDIS, maintaining documentation and gradually handing over responsibility.

You can watch Karen and Cameron's presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you'll also find

• all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2025
• resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability
• events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who has been the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Sheree Henley – founder of The Good Life Builders and mum of Isaac – shares how, after trying eleven service providers without finding reliable quality support, she and her husband David set up Isaac's Band Pty Ltd: a family-owned, family-governed "Service for One."

Sheree explains what a Service for One is, how it differs from a microboard, and how the model addresses the specific risks Isaac faces – from gaps in support and health system vulnerability to social isolation and long-term planning. She also shares the practical steps involved in setting one up and reflects on how it has transformed life for Isaac and her family.

You can watch Sheree’s presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you’ll also find:

• all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2025
• resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability
• events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Stacey Bell, a Wills and Estates lawyer, turns her attention to the practical side of what happens after we're gone, and what we can do right now to make life easier for the people we appoint as executors.

Stacey walks through the full range of executor duties, from planning a funeral and locating the will to applying for probate, managing tax obligations and communicating with beneficiaries. She explains what makes a good executor, how to choose the right person, and why the conversations and letters we leave behind can be just as important as the legal documents themselves.

You can watch Stacey's presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you'll also find:

• all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2025
• resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability
• events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Linda Hughes – disability advocate and proud mum of Jacob, a 31-year-old toastmaster, homeowner, beer-maker and lover of modern art, Melbourne and cricket – shares what she has learned from years of grappling with the question that keeps so many parents awake at 2am: what happens when I'm gone?

Through three pivotal moments in Jacob's life, Linda covers:

• Vision
• circles of support
• keeping Jacob safe in the health system
• and how he came to live in his own home.

She reflects honestly on what is still a work in progress and offers practical starting points for families at any stage of planning.

You can watch Linda's presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you'll also find

• all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2025
• resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability
• events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Libby Ellis – Individualised Living Program Manager at Mable and sister of Matthew, who has a significant disability and lives in his own home in Hobart – offers a perspective on safeguarding the future that is rarely heard: the sibling's view.

Drawing on 25 years in the disability sector and many conversations with brothers and sisters across the country, Libby explores four things that help make space for siblings:

• pride and inclusion
• understanding that a sibling is not a parent
• building networks of support
• and breaking the silence early. She also reflects honestly on the gaps in her own family's planning.

You can watch Libby's presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you'll also find

• all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2025
• resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability
• events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life.

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Rebecca Altaffer – sibling of the late Mena Ward and daughter of disability advocates Margaret and the late Jeremy Ward – explores what it means to pass on not just the what of planning, but the how.

Rebecca grew up in a family that held Circles of Support in their living room across two decades. Drawing on that experience, she shares three key actions: inviting people in, supporting decision making so the person with disability builds their voice and making a plan and acting on it.

Her message to other siblings is: You're already thinking about the future, even if it doesn't look that way.

You can watch Rebecca's presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you’ll also find

· all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2024

· resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability

· events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Sarah Faulkner, Project Lead for the Neighbourhood Circles Project in Adelaide, makes the case that neighbourhood connection is one of our most powerful – and most overlooked – safeguards for people with disability.

Sarah addresses three questions:

• why neighbourhood belonging matters
• what prevents people with disability from connecting
• how families and supporters can become active bridge builders.

Through stories, Sarah shows what's possible when someone intentionally walks alongside a person and helps them get their foot in the door. She also shares a practical three-step framework for bridge builders.

You can watch Sarah's presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you'll also find

· all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2024

· resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability

· events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Jan Kruger – Executive Director of Imagine More and mother of Jack – shares the employment journey her family has built for Jack since his teenage years, and the strategies they've put in place to safeguard it long term.

Jan traces Jack's work history from a lawn-mowing business at fourteen to his current role as a receptionist at UniLodge, where he works five days a week on an award wage.

She shares the principles behind their approach – Customised Employment, Social Role Valorisation, and high-quality job support – and the practical steps taken to ensure Jack's employment is protected when the family can no longer be there.

You can watch Jan's presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you'll also find

· all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2024

· resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability

· events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Helen Neale, Project Lead for the Discover Micro Enterprise project at the Community Living Project in South Australia, makes the case that a micro enterprise isn't just employment – it's one of our most powerful safeguards for people with disability.

Drawing on her experience as Tom's mother – whose lawn business, Ground Control by Major Tom, has run for seven and a half years – Helen explains why micro enterprise works and how to protect it. The centrepiece is the Enterprise Management Group: a small team of trusted people who share responsibility for sustaining and growing the business, so its future doesn't rest on any one person.

You can watch Helen's presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you'll also find

· all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2024

· resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability

· events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.

In this episode, Kim Roots, Executive Officer of Side By Side Advocacy, explores what supported decision making truly requires – not just tools and techniques, but time, trust and a deep knowledge of the person.

Through three case studies, Kim shows what this looks like in practice:

• Robert, whose rapid speech was often dismissed, but who had very clear views about his life
• Rebecca, whose behaviour made sense once her history was understood, and
• Ralph, whose advocate chose to treat his internet relationship as real rather than overrule his judgement.

You can watch Kim's presentation on our website.

Click here to read the transcript of this episode. Please note that the transcript provided may contain occasional errors.

On our website, you'll also find

· all the presentations from our Safeguarding the Future conference in 2024

· resources about safeguarding, planning and building good lives for people with disability

· events related to topics relevant to people with disability and their families seeking to enjoy a typical life

Many thanks to Osher Marks, who is the voice of this season of the Imagine More podcast.