After 18 incredible years of unwavering commitment and dedication, the time has come for us to bid farewell to our cherished colleague and friend, Rosemary Nolan. Rosemary’s journey at Solve-TAD has been nothing short of inspiring, as she has touched countless lives and made an immeasurable impact on our organization and the community we serve.

Throughout her tenure, Rosemary has taken on various roles, including CEO, COO, Business Manager, and many more. In each of these positions, she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication and passion for our mission, driving Solve-TAD forward and making it the successful organisation it is today.

Her leadership, warmth, and genuine care for every member of the Solve-TAD family have left an indelible mark on our hearts. As we face her departure, we can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss. However, we also recognize the incredible legacy she leaves behind and the positive impact she has had on so many lives.

As Rosemary embarks on her next adventure, we want to express our immense gratitude for her years of service, her inspiring leadership, and her genuine care for each and every one of us. She has not only been an integral part of our team but has also become a dear friend to many of us.

We will miss her greatly, but we know that she will continue to make a difference wherever she goes. And while her presence at Solve-TAD will be deeply missed, we are confident that the foundation she has laid and the values she has instilled in our organization will endure.

18 years of success – Written by Rosemary Nolan

Back in 2005, I joined Solve, thinking it would be a stepping-stone back into the workforce. Having heard about Solve from my father who was a dedicated ‘TADVIC’ volunteer at the time, I was thrilled to work with such a passionate and dedicated team of staff, volunteers and clients who came together to solve complex problems and provide life-changing solutions.

Over my 18 years at Solve, I have witnessed tremendous growth and change. Before the NDIS rollout, our model was relatively simple, and we were block granted by the State Government to deliver cost-free solutions to people with disabilities. However, we have now transformed into a larger and busier team, servicing two states in the highly competitive NDIS marketplace.

The launch of the NDIS in 2013 brought about a huge change, challenging Solve to “grow up” and stand on our own two feet by replacing the State Government grant with revenue from selling our unique solutions. While this change was difficult for many, including our volunteer members, we came together as a team, offering mentoring and support to each other to make the transition successful. We also had to grow our team to cover the business functions necessary to survive a competitive marketplace loaded with red tape. Nevertheless, through it all, our shared vision and purpose of changing the lives of people living with disability through custom Assistive Technology has remained steadfast.

Key Achievements:

In 2019, we had the privilege of successfully applying for a $4 million Sport and Recreation grant (over 3 years) from the NDIA on behalf of TAD Australia. As the leader of the consortium of 6 state-based organisations, Solve-TAD has been responsible for overseeing the staged rollout of our My Active Life program to 18 regions around Australia.

In 2020, I was promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer after having served as Acting CEO on several occasions. It was an exciting opportunity to lead the team for the next 12 months, especially as we adapted and pivoted our operations to function throughout lengthy COVID-19 lockdowns. While the pandemic created challenges, it brought our team together against a common foe!

During the pandemic, we oversaw the move of Solve Disability Solutions to a multipurpose facility in Abbotsford, which houses a dedicated Cycling Centre and a Maker Space where volunteers can work together to build customised equipment, including the Freedom Wheels Bikes.

In 2021, I was part of a working group that oversaw the merger of Solve Disability Solutions (Victoria) and TAD (NSW). This merger was founded on the premise that our two organisations are stronger together, particularly in the national landscape of the NDIS.

As Solve-TAD moves forward with the new brand name Freedom Solutions Australia and a new CEO, Scott Miller, I will be finishing up with my role of Chief Operating Officer on Thursday April 6th. I am confident that Solve-TAD is now in a great place to address the challenges that the NDIS and the world continue to throw at us.

I want to express my gratitude to everyone for their friendship and support throughout my time here. Solve-TAD has been an enormous part of mine and my family’s lives, and I will miss being part of this amazing team. I am excited about the new opportunities that lie ahead, and I invite you to watch this space!

As we move forward, we will strive to continue Rosemary’s legacy by remaining dedicated to our mission of providing life-changing assistive technology solutions for Australians living with disabilities. Her unwavering commitment to our cause will always serve as an inspiration for us to keep making a difference in the lives of those we serve.