Early Life and Move to Queensland

Originally from the Scarborough Beach area of Western Australia, Glenda Lavery spent her early adult years travelling throughout the state and living in remote communities including Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Carnarvon, Port Hedland and Pemberton. In 2002, she made the big move across the country to Far North Queensland with her three young children, a tent, a picnic table, and a trusty Ford. Her children are now grown, and Glenda continues to call Queensland home. This diverse background gives her a deep understanding of regional and remote communities and the unique needs of families living there.

Career in Disability and Community Work

Glenda has more than 15 years of experience supporting vulnerable children and people with disability across Far North Queensland. Her work has focused on empowerment, always walking alongside individuals and their support networks to promote independence and quality of life. She is known for her respectful, person-centred, trauma-informed approach that builds on people’s strengths. With skills in advocacy, coaching, and modelling, Glenda supports individuals, families and services to build capacity, improve outcomes, and create environments where people can truly thrive.

NDIS Work and Practice Leadership

For the past eight years, Glenda has worked in Cairns alongside NDIS participants and Child Safety services, supporting both children and adults. She began as a support worker, specialising in Autism, and gradually expanded into the broader disability sector. Over the last three years, she has provided case management and practice leadership for children with disability living in residential care. Glenda incorporates her knowledge of childhood and adult development and uses a trauma-informed lens in every aspect of her work. Her real-world insight helps guide families and services through complex support environments.

Education, Interest, and Volunteering

Glenda holds an Advanced Diploma of Arts (Psychology/Law) from James Cook University and a Mini MBA from the Australian Institute of Management. Outside of work, she has a lifelong love of animals and has cared for cats, dogs, birds, fish, turtles and even a snake. She currently shares her life with a two-year-old “big puppy” named Brumby (a Bull Arab x Catahoula x Border Collie). Glenda has volunteered with the Australian Army Cadets for over 15 years, mentoring young people and helping them build self-confidence, resilience, and life skills as they transition into adulthood.