What we believe
ABOUT ASCENT
Ascent has a proud 60 year history of providing disability services across New England. We specialise in individual, ethical and effective support for people with disability and their families and carers.
We strive to offer choice, create opportunities and develop lifelong skills for adults and young people with disability in our community. Our comprehensive range of services is underpinned by research and compassion, within the defined quality framework that comes with being a registered NDIS provider.
Our Mission
We provide quality support for people with disability, to enable the pursuit of their goals and aspirations.
Our Participants
We support people with disability who are funded under the NDIS.
Our Guiding Principles
Our History
In June 1955 several Armidale families who had children with developmental disabilities, established a school for their children known as the Armidale Handicapped Children’s Centre. The Organisation later became the Armidale branch of the Sub Normal Children’s Welfare Association which was renamed the Challenge Foundation in 1983.
The Ascent Group Australia Limited was established in 2007 and remains the official entity of the Organisation today.
Our services have evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of people with disability in our community and embrace shifts in the way they are supported.
Today our services include adult activity support, employment, housing and supported living.
We maintain a strong focus on empowering people to develop skills that will help them take control of their lives and pursue their goals and aspirations.
We provide quality support under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and are a registered provider.
Our Board
Will Warrick
Will Warrick joined the Board in 2013 and has held the position of Chair since 2022.
Will was a Qualified Chartered Accountant (1985 – 2011) and holds a Bachelor degree in Financial Administration. Will has a strong community interest through membership with Rotary and the Rural Fire Service.
Brian McRae
Brian McRae joined the Board in 2011. Brian has lived family experience with disability. Before retiring and returning to Armidale Brian practised as a veterinarian and had a successful career as a Rural Business Manager. Brian maintains a strong community interest through membership with Rotary.
Huntly Gordon
Huntly Gordon has been a member of the Board since 1995 and served as Chair from 2006 to 2022. Huntly has a background in Law and for many years, with his wife Cath, owned and ran the family grazing property at Ben Lomond. In recent years they have retired to live in Armidale. Their son Alisdair is supported by the Ascent Group.
Jenny Bailey
Jenny Bailey Joined the Board in 2016. Jenny has long been involved in supporting local community activities and has worked in the service of many community organisations in the region. Jenny was a elected the Armidale Dumaresq Council in 2012 to 2016, where she served in the roles of Councillor and Deputy Mayor.
Anthony Fox
Anthony Fox joined the Board in 2020. Anthony is the Principal of Fox Legal, the Armidale based firm specialising in commercial, corporate, family and social matters, with a successful career, as a legal professional, spanning over 40 years. Anthony has a active interest in local community activities being President of the Armidale Chamber of Commerce/Business New England from 2018 - 2021 and is a member of the Committee of Management of New England North West Legal Services.
Penny Lamaro
Penny Lamaro joined the Board in 2023. Penny is currently the Manager of Armidale Women’s Shelter and has active interest in social issues including employment, youth and family work, where she discovered she had a strong desire to help disadvantaged people.
Our Leadership Team
Peter Westbrook
Peter Westbrook Peter has a passion for providing great support services for people with disability to achieve the best outcomes in their life. He was appointed to the position of CEO in July 2014 to provide the leadership for ASCENT to transition into the NDIS and continue the strong tradition of being the support provider of first choice in the New England Region. Peter has extensive Executive Management experience gained over 30 years working in Senior positions with prominent Disability Organisations. He has also worked in Public administration and small business. Peter has an outstanding record in delivering strategic change with project outcomes that satisfy customer’s requirements.
Michelle Cooper
Michelle Cooper joined Ascent in April 2010 as the Finance and Corporate Services Manager. Prior to this, she was the Finance Manager for another local not-for-profit. Michelle has extensive experience in Commonwealth Government, working for the Australian Bureau of Statistics for 11 years, and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations for 4 years. At the ABS, Michelle was the Assistant Director for Corporate Planning before moving to the International Trade in Services section. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Graduate Diploma in Financial Management from the University of New England, a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, and is a Member of CPA Australia.
- 13 Myrtle Dr, Armidale NSW 2350
- (02) 6776 8977
- info@ascentgroup.org.au
- The Ascent Group
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