What we do

BUSHkids Dalby has a strong focus on team work and family centered services.  Goal setting with parent and child helps to ensure that the needs of the family are considered above all else.

• We offer a wide range of group programs –

• Prep readiness groups both for children in Prep and those preparing for entry.  The group is run by the OT and SLP with a focus on the language and motor skills required for commencing formal schooling
• PAL (Phonological Awareness for Literacy).  This group is targeted at students aged between 7.5 – 14 years with mild to severe phonological awareness/processing difficulties associated with reading and spelling.  It is run by either the OT or SLP at the centre
• UQELF (Early Literacy Fundamentals) is designed for students in year 1 or early year 2 to help book fundamental literacy skills.  This group is run by either the OT or SLP at the centre
• Fun Friends & FRIENDS for Life – A children’s group program for anxiety prevention
• PALS  Social Skills program -  for children to learn how to play and socialise
• Triple P & Stepping Stones – parenting group programs
• Fine Motor Groups.  This is run by the OT either in the centre or within schools and focuses on the foundational motor skills required as children progress through the grades.  These are the obvious skills such as pencil and scissor grip as well as the less obvious skills such as maintaining posture at their desk, organising their belongings , opening lunch packets and tying shoelaces

• We offer individual therapies for psychology, occupational therapy and speech pathology based on the requirements of the child and family

• We work with schools, day cares, early learning centres, child care, family groups and other services to assist families in whatever area of need they may have

For further information contact the Dalby Centre

Our Staff

Julie Rathmell – Family Health Support Worker

Julie has been with BUSHkids in Dalby since October 2002 and during this time has supported families in a range of ways.  She provides parents with parenting support through the Triple P program and ‘taking care of yourself groups’.  Julie also offers support to children at the centre or in their education settings with groups such as PAL, Fun Friends, Body Think, Friends for Life, Special Play Time.  These groups focus on topics such as self esteem, anxiety, social skills and strong bonds with parents.  Julie also provides wonderful administrative support that keeps Dalby centre running smoothly.

Chelsea O’Brien – Occupational Therapist (OT)

Chelsea has been with BUSHkids in Dalby since October 2009 after studying teaching and occupational therapy at university.  She has a great interest in working with children on underlying skills to support their daily occupations of student, child, sibling etc!  Chelsea offers both individual and group sessions depending on the child and family’s goals.

Joshua Dodd – Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

Joshua has been with BUSHkids in Dalby since 2006.  Joshua has a strong interest in equipping families with the skills to continue supporting their child’s speech and language development long after his involvement with them.  As Joshua is originally from New South Wales, Origin time is tense in the Dalby office!!

Eleanor Glover - Psychologist

The role of the psychologist at BUSHkids is to support children and families when anxiety, behavioural difficulties, social or emotional stressors impact on a child and family’s daily life.  Lots of children leave BUSHkids with their life skills tool bag even more full of strategies thanks to psychology support!

Useful links for parents

Visit our Links to Other Health Services page for information about services available in your area and Queensland-wide.

Dalby

Bush Children’s Dalby is located in the town’s business centre, handy to boutique shops, coffee shops and medical facilities.  Dalby is just 211 kilometres north west of Brisbane and is at the crossroads to Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Roma, Mundubbera and Goondiwindi. 

Dalby’s population of 12,000 with a further 5,000 in the surrounding Western Downs region enjoy the mix of quiet farming life and vibrant activity.

Dalby and the surrounding Western Downs region is at the centre of coal and natural gas reserves which are essential for the power generation industry in South East Queensland.  The region is well known for its rich agricultural land, growing crops such as cotton, wheat, sorghum, barley, sunflowers, chickpeas, mung beans and corn as well as the production of lamb, beef and pork.  In recent times there has been some diversification into the fish, hemp and native flower markets.

There is much to do in the Dalby region (www.dalby.info).  Some ideas include:

• Jimbour House – The township of Jimbour derives its name from the Aboriginal name for fertile pasture.  The heritage listed Jimbour House boasts formal gardens and its French classic sandstone homestead which was built in 1875.  Also on the property is a station store build in approx 1865, a quaint chapel and a water tower also dating back to the 1860’s.  A display of memorabilia dating back to the early 1800’s is now housed in the old Bull Stalls and Stables.
• Bunya Mountains – A pristine rainforest featuring ancient bunya pines whose seed cones develop over 18 months and fall to the ground annually.  The cones are round and weigh up to 10kg and contain 120 nuts in individual shells.  The nuts can be roasted in an open fire and are delicious!  Take a stroll through the Bunya Forest Gallery and Tearoom, sit back in the picnic area and view the King Parrots, Crimson Rosellas, Currawongs and wallabies or enjoy the lovely cuisine at Cider Gum Cafe.
• Lake Broadwater – Lake Broadwater Conservation Park is perfect for the bird watcher, walker, picnic lover, camper or water skier!  This is the only naturally occurring water body of this type on the Darling Downs with the lake covering approx 350ha when full.  A perfect breeding ground for waterfowl you will be sure to see; ducks, moorhens, grebes, cormorants, darters, herons, swans, stilts, jabirus and brolgas.  Great camping facilities make this the perfect place to visit on your Dalby adventures!
• Jondaryan Woolshed and Station – The oldest woolshed in Queensland, Jondaryan Woolshed is a working museum of pioneering rural life.  See demonstrations of sheep shearing, blacksmithing, damper making or take a ride in a horse drawn wagon!