The Compass Story
The Compass Institute Inc. is an award-winning For-Purpose organisation, dedicated to providing support for people with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. At Compass, we believe in the extraordinary potential of human beings and are driven to create a world where EVERYONE can have the opportunity to create the life of their choice.
Many people implicitly associate disability with liability, and then assume that passive welfare is the solution. Our philosophy is to take an asset-based approach. We focus on unlocking each individuals’ unique potential through rich and meaningful learning and personal development programs, skills-based training and a multitude of vocational opportunities through Compass’ wide range of social enterprises.
IT FEELS GOOD TO BE SEEN
Celebrating 20 years of supporting people with disabilities to thrive.
Our Enterprises
Compass Connections Café in Nambour offers a full breakfast and lunch menu, along with tasty treats all made in-house with LOVE and served with a smile and lots of laughs by our amazing team of Trainees and café staff! Compass Connections Café Maroochydore is centrally located in Baden Powell Street and offers a full breakfast and lunch menu, along with tasty treats all made in-house with LOVE and served with a smile and lots of laughs by our amazing team of Trainees and café staff! Located in the picturesque Maroochy Bushland Botanical Gardens, Compass Garden Café offers an oasis of relaxation accompanied by coffee, tea, milkshakes and the warmth of our Trainees and team. Be sure to try Deharn’s famous home-made scones! Located at Compass Farm, Harvest Kitchen is a commercial-style kitchen that offers catering services to the Farm and also produces a wide range of beautiful home-made condiments including jams, chutneys, pickles, sauces and flavoured salts, which are sold to the public as speciality hampers. Produce can also be found in our Garden Café and Wabi Sabi Creations. Located in the heart of Nambour at C-Square, Wabi Sabi Creations is a unique store selling hand-crafted creations made by Compass Trainees from across our many campuses – from pottery, to woodwork, paintings, hampers and more – you won’t be disappointed! Rakes and Panes is a property maintenance service that covers lawn and garden maintenance along with window cleaning. Our Trainees, along with Compass Farm Trainer Jack, are only too happy to service your residential or commercial property for you at competitive rates and of course – always with a smile!
News and Stories
This year, Compass was nominated in the Community Achievement Awards for the DSS Law Community Group of the Year Award. Compass was among the four finalist for this award. Recently a group of Compass trainees spent the day at Mooloolaba beach learning about beach safety. The trainees enjoyed the experience and definitely learned a lot that will help them be safe over the summer months in particular. A huge thank you to the Surf Lifesaving team of volunteers who guided them through the activities!!!… Compass was proud to play a small role in the opening of the new Palmwoods Piccabeen Green. A great example of collaboration between local Government and Community. Congratulations to Cr Jenny McKay as the key advocate of this place making project. Congratulations also to Michelle & the Compass Farm Art trainees for the amazing hand…Compass Community Achievement Award 2018 Finalist
Farm learns beach safety
Palmwoods Town Centre Grand Opening