‘Hearts the size of Australia’: New community support hub opens

A mother and son team who are proud members of the Wailwan People, have opened their own disability support hub in Toowoomba with a focus on celebrating Indigenous culture.

Inclusion has always been at the forefront of Donna and Jesse Lander’s mind so when an opportunity arose to open their own disability support organisation, the mother and son made the jump.

The owners of Lander Support celebrated the grand opening of their new office and community hub on Ruthven Street at the weekend.

Celebrating the opening of their new disability support hub and office are Jesse and Donna Lander at Lander Support. Picture: Rhylea Millar

Ancestors of the Wailwan People from Central Western NSW, the pair are passionate about celebrating Aboriginal culture with 70 per cent of their participants being Indigenous.

As part of the site renovations, the Lander family created a feature wall mural to demonstrate their connection with the land.

“We’re a family run business and we’ve all got hearts the size of Australia,” Ms Lander said.

“Once you’re part of Lander Support, you’re not just a staff member or a participant, you’re part of the family.

“My daughter Paige and I painted this wall and included our native Australian animals as they are a huge part of the Indigenous culture – for us, our totem is the goanna.”

Celebrating the opening of their new disability support hub and office are Jesse and Donna Lander at Lander Support. Picture: Rhylea Millar

Offering a large schedule of activities and events for participants and the wider community, the mother and son team said they wanted to provide an inclusive space for people to feel safe and be themselves.

Operating from Toowoomba to Charleville and the surrounds, the team of support workers are also available to travel out to participants.

The hub at 180 Ruthven St was formerly the home of Red Edge Resources, Aussie Platinum Steel Buildings and the Solar Power Store.