Buddies Community Access Network (C.A.N) is a local organisation, established in 2017, providing NDIS Core Support services in and around the Ballarat area.

Buddies C.A.N operates differently to other disability providers. We understand that in life, not everyone is suited to each other. We take the time to carefully pair the right ‘Buddie’ to our participants, in order to achieve the best outcome with their NDIS goals.

Our Vision

We strive to create a community where having a disability does not define or restrict a person and people living with disability can achieve whatever they wish.

Our Mission

Buddies C.A.N are here to provide the innovative change needed in disability support services. We give the people we work with, a voice, a choice and an opportunity to be heard. We are all about bringing people with disability back into the community, but this time on their own terms.

Our Values

Compassion – we are genuinely interested in our participants’ needs.
Accessibility – we have a strong focus on creating and providing accessible services.
eNable – we are driven by the belief that with our support, our participants can achieve their goals and live as ordinary life as possible.

Our History

Our founding director, Kim Tempany has over 30 years of experience, working in the mental health and disability field. In 2016, as the NDIS rolled out in Victoria, Kim felt that she could utilise this experience and skill to fill gaps in areas of support within the local community.

When Buddies C.A.N was first established in 2017, we were small provider assisting with cleaning and gardening. From this initial support, we found that relationships were being built between our Buddies and participants, leading to more services being requested.

Fast-forward 12 months and our team made 609 Otway Street South, Canadian the Buddies Hub. Putting down roots was purely participant lead, after the issue was raised in a Buddies Brainstorming Session. Participants expressed concerns that they had funding for support but nowhere to go.

The Hub is now the centre point for all of our Buddies C.A.N ’s operations, whilst also offering centre-based activities for participants to build their own community in in a supportive, social and friendly environment.

Today, Buddies C.A.N is a family-run organisation. Kim as our Director, eldest daughter, Emily as our Assistant Director, youngest daughter, Jessica as the Finance and Administration Manager and husband, Rob also part of the team. Because of this, joining Buddies C.A.N really is like you're becoming part of the family!

Buddies C.A.N would like to acknowledge the Wadawurrung People as the traditional custodians of the land of which we work. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We aim to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone.