Sunshine Butterflies was founded in 2010 when Leanne Walsh and her husband, Damiens’ journey began with the birth of their son Curtis in 1995, born 13 weeks premature with Cerebral Palsy. Through Leanne’s experience, passion and dedication, the Sunshine Butterflies vision and ethos to provide a better future for people with disabilities began. Leanne created Sunshine Butterflies with a mission to empower families by providing a supportive and inclusive ‘family’ environment while filling the current gaps in the disability support service industry. The charity now enables individuals living with disability and their families to achieve their goals for a happy, fulfilled life through various supports, services and programs. Leanne and the vibrant Sunshine Butterflies team provide a range of innovative and unique programs and services to support individuals and their families every step of the way when living with disability. Sunshine Butterflies social and recreational programs and activities include; music, drama, art, cooking, woodwork, singing and theatre, gardening and environmental activities and animal care which members, their families and friends all love and enjoy. Sunshine Butterflies have given people living with disability a sense of purpose and encourages skills development while creating an incredible sense of community connection. Through Leanne’s experience, passion and dedication, the Sunshine Butterflies vision and ethos is to provide a better future for people with disabilities and to empower families by providing a supportive and inclusive butterfly ‘family’ to achieve their goals for a happy, fulfilled life. The vibrant Sunshine Butterflies team provide a range of boutique and unique services, programs, supports and resources which includes job creation, recreation and education. Sunshine Butterflies is located at the fabulous ‘Our Backyard’ facility in the Noosa Countryside town of Cooroibah and is the new hub for participants, carers, families and members of the community to work together to create a space and place to flourish alongside each other. Our Backyard is now complete with a variety of accessible features including a Swimming Pool, Tree House, Community Gardens, Activity Hub, Family Central Facility, Respite House, Outdoor Learning Kitchen, Early Intervention Space and a Farm Stable. ‘Our Backyard’ is also home to numerous friendly Therapy Animals that include; Cows, a Goat, several Sheep, Jimmy the Donkey, Ducks, Chickens, Geese, Guinea Fowls, a family of Peacocks, 2 miniature ponies, a Horse, 3 dogs and Rosie the cat. These furry and feathered friends share the paddocks and stable yards and help us deliver our unique Animal Enrichment Sessions and ‘Farmability’ animal care programs to individuals living with disability. Sunshine Butterflies is non-government funded and relies on the generosity of community grants, donations and sponsorship to maintain their community facility and provide support, programs and activities for people living with disability. Donations are warmly welcomed and go directly to Sunshine Butterflies core purpose, to support individuals living with disability and their families to live a happy and fulfilled life.