History

ParaQuad Tasmania is the leading, trusted voice for people living with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and physical disability in our state. We provide information, referral, peer support, access information, advocacy, educational and sporting programs – and we’ve been doing this for more than 35 years. We also operate accessible accommodation, Glenn Moore Units, and PQ Tasmania Healthcare Supplies. We’re committed to providing people with physical disability independence, through improved choices, strong partnerships, community engagement and education opportunities.

Membership of ParaQuad Tasmania is open to people with SCI and other physical disability, their families, friends and carers. ParaQuad Tasmania is a not-for-profit organisation. Our programs and activities are supported by grants and funding from the Tasmanian Government and MAIB. If you or someone you know has a SCI or physical disability, contact us today to find out how we can help.

Our Vision & Mission

Our vision: 

Focused on ability.

Our mission:

Empowering the lives of Tasmanians with Spinal Cord Injury and physical disability by ensuring equality of access and opportunities to participate.

Governance

ParaQuad Tas. is governed by a volunteer Committee of Management, made up predominantly of people living with Spinal Cord Injury and physical disability.

ParaQuad Association of Tasmania Inc. Constitution adopted 28th November 2024

ParaQuad Tasmania Annual Report 2024 2025 & Financial Report

Strategic Plan 2026 to 2029

Policies

ParaQuad Tasmania has a comprehensive and robust suite of policies and procedures. Management periodically review and evaluate effectiveness of current systems, policies and procedures; and a bi-annual document review cycle is in place.

Commitment to Child Safety

ParaQuad Tasmania is committed to the safety of all children. We have zero tolerance of child abuse, which is reflected in our robust policies and procedures. All staff and volunteers conduct themselves in a manner which is consistent with safeguarding children practices.

We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for child abuse and discrimination. Children and young people’s rights, relationships, identity and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or who are impacted by our work. All staff, volunteers, contractors and clients are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which is consistent with the Tasmanian Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework.

ParaQuad Tasmania is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information which the organisation collects, holds and administers.

The organisation has adopted the following guidelines in relation to the collection and handling of personal information:

  • ParaQuad Tasmania is committed to protecting the privacy of personal information it collects, holds and administers
  • ParaQuad Tasmania is committed to compliance with all applicable laws and privacy principles
  • The information must be collected for a lawful purpose. It must also be directly related to ParaQuad Tasmania activities and necessary for that purpose
  • The information will be collected directly from the individual unless otherwise consented. Parents and guardians may give consent to minors
  • The person must be informed that the information is being collected, why it is being collected and who will be storing and using it. ParaQuad Tasmania will also inform on how the
    information can be seen and corrected
  • ParaQuad Tasmania will ensure that the information is relevant, accurate, up-to-date, and not excessive. The information will not unreasonably intrude into personal affairs
  • Determine, where unsolicited personal information is received, whether the personal information could have been collected in the usual way. If it could have, it will be treated normally. If the information could not have been obtained in the usual way, it must be destroyed or de-identified as soon as practicable and that individual, whose personal information has been destroyed, will be notified about the receipt by ParaQuad Tasmania and the destruction of their personal information.

In accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2018, this statement outlines the steps that ParaQuad Tasmania
has taken, and is continuing to take, to assess and reduce risks of modern slavery within our business, our
supply chain and our plans for review and improvement.

Modern slavery is a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude,
forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a
person’s liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain.

ParaQuad Tasmania recognises that it has a responsibility under the Modern Slavery Act to take a strong
approach to reject any forms of modern slavery. We are committed to promoting ethical business practices
and policies that protect workers from being abused and exploited, both in our own business and our supply
chain. ParaQuad Tasmania is committed to limiting the risk of modern slavery occurring in our business,
ensuring there is transparency in our business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout
our supply chain.

ParaQuad Tasmania is committed to operating legally (in accordance with applicable legislation and regulation), properly (in accordance with organisational policy and procedures), and ethically (in accordance with recognised ethical principles). The organisation requires its employees (this includes any Committee member, officer, employee, volunteer, contractor or agent) to observe high standards of business and personal ethics in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities. ParaQuad Tasmania encourages, protects and supports the responsible reporting of incidents of fraud, corrupt conduct, questionable accounting or auditing matters.

Our whistleblower policy and procedure details processes and communication pathways for employees, and suppliers, to disclose misconduct in our business and supply chain without recrimination.

Committee of Management

Alysse Gavlik

Chairperson

Jim Busby

Vice Chairperson

Robert Fraser

Treasurer & Public Officer

Heidi Kiely

Committee Member

Hannah Clark

Committee Member

Trish Bennett

Committee Member

Tammy Milne

Committee Member