After working in employment services for five years, supporting people with disabilities and those with obstacles to finding and maintaining employment, Louise made the switch to NDIS land, first becoming a Local Area Coordinator in 2016 and then becoming the Service Area Manager of the Local Area Coordinators with Baptcare for the North, North East, and East of Tasmania. 

In 2018 she made the move to Melbourne where she worked as a NDIS Support Coordinator for two different providers while living and working through covid-19 lockdowns. This work inspired Louise to start her own business and in October 2021 SPIKE Connection was born. 

Although first supporting participants with Support Coordination funding, after moving back to Tasmania in March of 2022, Louise realised the need for appropriately trained Psychosocial Recovery Coaches and moved into that area also.

The goal for SPIKE Connections is to support every one of the individuals they support along their NDIS journey and empower them to seek the supports they need to live their best lives. Being independent and inclusive is our aim, that is why we support all age ranges and people with differing abilities.

Peter has been living with limb loss for over 50 years. He has over 20 years’ experience working within the disability sector. Peter has qualifications in management, marketing and community services. He is the current CEO for the Tasmanian Amputee Society Inc.

Peter has experience in Disability Employment, experience with the Disabled Australian Apprenticeship Scheme and the “On the job” Peer support mentoring and coaching scheme. Peter has worked for NDIS as a planner and NDIS partner in the community working as LAC partner “On review team” for Baptcare. Peter is retired and works as a volunteer with other community organisations.

Wendy is a retired teacher and has been an amputee since the age of five. Her condition was caused by a below-knee, congenital bone disorder. She has lived with a prosthetic leg for more than 60 years and understands the challenges that come with it at every stage of life. Wendy enjoys opportunities for helping with Peer Support, talking with new or prospective amputees about problem solving and moving forward with life challenges.

Wendy’s work as a Support Teacher for 15 years, has broadened her experience and knowledge in supporting and advocating for students with disability and their families.

She has also played an active role in her community, representing the Tasmanian Amputee Society on the City of Launceston Access Advisory Committee. There, she worked to improve accessibility, addressing issues like disabled parking and wheelchair access to businesses and events across Northern Tasmania. 

Wendy enjoys gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.

I am a below knee amputee and lost my lower right leg to cancer in 1996. I became a member of the Tasmanian Amputee Society so that I could use my knowledge to help and assist other amputees. I am currently a member of the Board in the role of second Vice President, and I continue to be an active Peer Support Volunteer.

As the husband of an amputee, Mark has firsthand experience supporting his partner and fellow director, Wendy, in addressing accessibility challenges. 

Mark also holds a degree in Psychology and has worked in the Mental Health, Disability and Aged Care sectors, giving him a deeper understanding of the emotional and practical support needed in these areas.

Now retired from his gardening business, Mark actively supports the work of the Tasmanian Amputee Society and its social activities. He is also available to provide peer support to families and networks assisting amputees.

Elicia has a Social Work degree and has dedicated her career to helping others reach their potential. Elicia worked in Disability Employment services for 3 years where she advocated and created employment opportunities for people based on their strengths.

Elicia currently works as a Mentor at an Apprentice Connect Provider with apprentices, trainees and employers. She has helped people overcome a variety of challenges including supporting those with disability in accessing additional support to successfully complete. As an eternal optimist and passionate advocate, she loves to create opportunities and support others to succeed.

Anton brings more than 30 years of international experience in Prosthetics and Orthotics to the Tasmanian Amputee Society and is a very strong advocate for peer support.

He has undertaken work in the public, private and military sectors. He started his journey with Orthotics and Prosthetics back in 1989, completing his National Diploma in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics. He went on to complete his ‘Baccalaureus-Technologiae’ Degree in Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics in 2007.

He has five years of clinical and technical experience as a Technical Advisor with Ottobock and has regularly volunteered with the Service and Repair Team during the FESPIC Games for Disabled Sports.
Anton is immensely passionate in “Walking the walk” with new amputees, educating and motivating individuals across geographical and cultural borders.

Generating success is a key motivator for Anton and he is personally rewarded when participants can walk again with a big and satisfied smile.

• Current Senior Physiotherapist at In Balance specialising in Amputations, Spinal and Neurological conditions
• Health and Wellbeing Coach Healthy Business Performance Group Feb 2016 to Aug 2017
• Senior Physiotherapist Disability Assessment and Advisory Team
• Manager of NDIS transition for St Giles Tasmania
• Physiotherapist Royal Perth Hospital and its rehab campus – vascular, trauma, amputations, neurological injuries

Daniel has been assisting Amputees for 15 years. Daniel’s background in acute and life-long complex rehabilitation has skilled him to assist people to develop efficient and effective movement patterns, especially relevant for people with disabilities as they face the challenges of ageing. Daniel and his wife Emily are the proud parents of an intelligent but cheeky girl and look forward to raising her with a focus on community and sustainability.

I am the founder of the Tasmanian Amputee Society, a double below knee amputee and its president for 9 years.

I became an amputee at the age of 17 as a result of a Road Traffic Accident. At that time, our limbs were made at the Repatriation Centre RALAC in Davey Street Hobart. The service then known Australia wide as the Artificial Limb Scheme, was funded within the department of Veterans’ Affairs, (DVA).

In 1994 the Federal Government Department of Health took over the service from the DVA. All amputees were concerned about their provision of future limbs and the ongoing funding to provide this service. With the support of the State Government myself and Bob McArthur contacted the then 550 known amputees within our state requesting their attendance at the inaugural meeting in the hope of forming an amputee support organisation for Tasmania.

This meeting was held at the John L Grove Centre in Howick St. Launceston on 19th March 1994. The consensus of those in attending the meeting was to form the Amputee Support organisation, later to become known as the Tasmanian Amputee Society, (TAS) a name proposed by Angela FotherIngham.

Bob McArthur was elected as president, me as Auditor and Kerry undertook Treasurer/Secretary. Later that year TAS was accepted as an incorporated body by the Department of Corporate Affairs becoming TAS Inc.

Within our term of administration, we were instrumental in getting the best deal per capita of the Federal Funding for our state. We encouraged our state government to purchase the Cad Cam System which was at that time the cutting edge of technology in the casting for artificial limb and prosthetic devices. 

We fought hard to get equal access to premises, improvements to the TT line disability berths and in holding events such as The Great Northern Wheelchair Challenge.  In February 1995 we organised a meeting in Sydney of many state organisations representing the then estimated 50,000 amputees within Australia. A national organisation was formed and named Amputees United of Australia Inc.  It has been a privilege to have been involved in the organisation’s development along with the strong and devoted support of other amputees, developing a better life for those with amputation or limb loss.

Along with Kerry Whittle and Bob MacArthur I was one of the original people responsible for setting up the Amputee Society of Tasmania. I became the initial treasurer in 1994 and played a role in finalising the legal requirements of setting up the “Not for profit” incorporated organisation.

Our aim was to specifically support and promote the interests of amputees in Tasmania. In later years, I became the auditor of TAS through my accounting business Mike Gibson and Associates.

When I retired, I went into partnership with my son in law, daughter and wife Judy, to operate our farm business “MG Farm Produce”, growing potatoes for Coles. The family has grown and packed potatoes for over 20 years and we supply Coles with about 1500 tonnes of potatoes every year.

I am still involved with the Tasmanian Amputee Society, providing advice around company law, compliance and the regulatory requirements of business operation.