Breakaway Inc. is a community respite house supporting people with disabilities and their families in the Redcliffe, Caboolture and Pine Rivers areas.

In April 1989, a group of 40 (mostly parents) met at Woody Point Special School to discuss the need for respite. A Resource Officer from the Department of Family Services was present to advise the meeting what options for respite were presently available. There was considerable discussion of the problems associated with these options in relation to the needs of families with a member with a disability.

The consensus of opinion was that the largest single issue was that of Quality Care.

The need was for a respite service which valued the family unit along with the person with a disability and which was both geographically and financially accessible. Furthermore, it must be flexible enough to meet individual needs and allow families control over the ways in which the service operated.

A core group of eight people was formed and with the assistance of the Parents and Citizens Association of Woody Point Special School, surveys were distributed to ascertain the respite needs of people with disabilities and their families. On the results of these surveys, the resounding decision was that, overwhelmingly, most surveyed wanted a house in the community offering overnight respite.

On the 29th November, 1989, a public meeting resolved to become incorporated as Breakaway Inc., to apply for sanction under the Collections Act and form a Management Committee. Application was made for a grant from the Housing Accommodation Assistance Scheme to buy a house and renovate it for wheelchair access. This grant was finally received in Mid 1990 and the house at 16 Buckingham Street, Margate, was purchased.

After much negotiation, recurrent joint Commonwealth/State funding was granted for staff and some operational costs. In late 1991, the first Coordinator was employed.

Breakaway was officially opened in February 1992 by Mr Tom Burns, Deputy Premier and Minister for Housing and Local Government.

Breakaway has grown from that group of parents, very inexperienced in lobbying, but with vision of the quality of life necessary for their families. Many generous people have given of their time, energy, care and professional experience to work towards a common goal and shared responsibility. It has taken a lot of determination and hard work, but the results are certainly worthwhile.

Quality Care is still an issue for Breakaway - the input of the guests and families is valued and very necessary for the continued quality of the service.