It takes a diverse group of people to provide the many types of disability and youth supports we offer at MADEC. In this series, we chat with our staff about their roles and spotlight some of the friendly faces in our team! For our seventh instalment, we had a chat with our new Disability Services Manager, Edmund McMahon.
What does your role as Disability Services Manager involve?
My role involves tasks that some might consider fairly mundane, such as ensuring our NDIS services meet legislative requirements and quality standards. There’s also a significant focus on risk management. However, one of my favourite aspects of the role is what’s known as practice leadership. This allows me to engage directly with clients and their families to explore how we can best provide support. Another highlight is working alongside my colleagues. The people in the disability and broader community sector are some of the most remarkable individuals I’ve ever met, and I feel humbled by them on a daily basis.
What experience do you bring to the role and to MADEC?
I’ve worked in the sector for several years now. I was managing a disability service even before the NDIS was introduced. While there was value in group funding at the time, I also appreciate that people now have an entitlement to their own funding, which wasn’t the case back then. Beyond that, I’ve worked as a youth coordinator in South East Logan, Queensland—which, despite the name, was more rural than urban. I’ve also managed Aged Care CHSP services, run community centres, worked in Positive Behaviour Support, and managed disability services under the NDIS.
One of the most important things I bring to the role, though, is the understanding that you never stop learning. Every day offers something new, and the people you work with often teach you more than you could ever give back.
What do you love about the work that you do?
The opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life—whether that’s a client or a colleague. If we can’t support and uplift each other, then what’s the point of the work we do?
What motivated you to work in the disability support sector?
Like many people, I fell into it rather than planning it from the start. I have a child who was born with a disability, which required some significant life changes at the time. I’m also a religious person, and I believe I’ve ended up exactly where I’m meant to be.
What is one thing people might not know about you?
I’m a life member of the mighty South Sydney Rabbitohs—carn the Bunnies!
Interested in a career at MADEC?
Check out the available positions below or head to SEEK.com.au to join a passionate, dedicated, and capable team. We encourage people of all ages and abilities to apply, as we are interested in creating more career opportunities for persons with a disability.
