The early days

In 1971, the Society for Multiply Disabled People of Tasmania was established due to the concerns of parents of children with severe disabilities who were worried about the lack of services available for their children as they grew older. A public meeting was organized in August 1971 by Trevor and Maureen Hodge, a couple from Burnie who were parents of two multiply handicapped children. The first meeting was well-attended, and after several more, a small committee was formed. 

 

The committee launched the Coastal Charity Queen Quest in 1972 as a means to raise funds. They invited entrants from the area between Wynyard and Devonport. The committee was encouraged by the wonderful response to the quest at the local level and thus expanded the quest statewide the following year. 

 

In 1973, Trevor Hodge became Multicap's first employee in the role of secretary-manager. After a dynamic fundraising effort, the committee was able to purchase multiple sites at West Mooreville Road between 1974 and 1978 to establish the Multicap Heights Centre (Westwood).

 

Growing through the 1970's and 80's

In 1975, the society purchased the first property that is now known as Panorama. The property was spread over 13 hectares. Later, in 1978, an adjoining 13-hectare property was bought. In 1981, a community support program was established. The construction of Panorama started in 1983 and cost more than $500,000.

 

Most of the society's services have been funded through the proceeds of Multicap’s quests, which were held between 1973 and 2000.

 

The Burnie Group Home, which was originally called Fairwinds, was the first group residence established by the parents and friends’ group. Later, the group homes in Ritchie Avenue and Simpson Street were purchased. Furthermore, houses were bought in Summerhill, a suburb of Launceston, and set up as group homes with the assistance of Caring Parents, a sub-committee of the society that still actively supports the two homes.

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Multicap Tasmania now and into the future

In 2014, the organization changed its name to Multicap Tasmania, while its founding principles and beliefs remain the same. Multicap Tasmania aims to utilize community opportunities to help individuals with disabilities achieve their full potential and improve their quality of life.

 

The organization offers a range of services to meet the needs of people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. These services are designed to be flexible and diverse in order to cater to the unique requirements of each person with a disability. By imparting skills and providing support, Multicap Tasmania enables individuals to participate fully in their community and express their independence, choices, and opinions.

 

Multicap Tasmania holds the belief that people with disabilities have the same rights as those without disabilities. They have the right to self-determination, including choosing a place of residence and employment, as well as the right to privacy, participation, and respect in the community.

 

The organization's services are based on the principles of normalization, which means that programs and support should be conducted in the community or in an environment as close as possible to cultural norms. Support should be provided with respect for the feelings, wishes, and dignity of people with disabilities.

 

Multicap Tasmania aims to promote a positive image of people with disabilities by providing a means of developing skills and maintaining current abilities while being respectful of the individual's age, health, requests, and choices.

 

Currently, Multicap Tasmania is a leading provider of disability services all over Tasmania. It operates a range of services from sites in Circular Head, Wynyard, Burnie, Ulverstone, Devonport, Launceston and Hobart, as well as providing services in the general community.

 

With the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Multicap Tasmania is well-positioned for sustained growth and to further enhance its reputation as a quality provider of disability support services.

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