COMPASS BEGAN LIFE IN 1992 AS A REAL GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY ORGANISATION

Formerly known as the Aikido Institute, we provided unique Alternative Education programmes to youth at risk in local secondary and primary schools during the day while running traditional martial arts classes in Aikido to children, youth and adults five nights a week and Saturday mornings.

The schedule was extremely taxing for the small number of poorly paid staff and volunteers however, without one cent of government funding, over 7,000 school students accessed and benefited from an evergrowing range of specialist programmes. To this day our community reaps the benefit of that very considerable intervention.

In 2000 the Institute received funding from the Department of Sport & Recreation to conduct Strategic Planning Workshops and construct a strategic plan to guide our growth. One of the key recommendations was the development of a Disability Service to support young people in their transition from secondary school to life in their community.

Our CEO had studied and trained in New Zealand through the 1980′s and had experienced a service model that was both developmental and transitional. Compass uniquely weaved this model with a core of traditional martial art philosphy and set about creating innovative policies and procedures where quality of service is deeply embedded in the service at every level.

Our Post-school service commenced in 2003 with 3 trainees and one staff member. The service has experienced approximately 90% per annum growth. In 2003 the service was awarded Outstanding Service Provider and was runner up in Innovative Programmes. The same year we also were chosen by Backyard Blitz to receive a garden makeover as a result of our strong community focus. In 2005 four trainees jointly won the Junior Citizen of the Year award at Australia Day celebrations, again because of the contribution our service makes to the community. Currently we have over 50 trainees and over 20 staff across three centres on the Sunshine Coast (the Caloundra centre opened in 2007, and the Compass Farm opened in 2010). A fourth centre was opened in Gympie on 5th February 2013 with 4 trainees and 2 staff members.