Last Thursday, the team at the Compass Connection Cafe, Nambour, hosted the launch of the “See Me” Campaign Compass T-Shirt with the support of Todd Widdicombe and Sami Muirhead from 92.7 Mix FM.

“This inaugural Compass T-shirt was a collaborative design between Compass Caboolture Trainees and our greater Compass Team,” said Compass Institute’s Sandra Brodie. 

“Working together as a team we delved into what it means to be seen and how it feels. With homage to our roots in Japanese martial arts, the origami bird design lends itself to the freedom that comes when you are recognised for your unique abilities and not seen for your circumstance,” she said. 

“The colours represent the individuality of all humans with a special nod in a gold thread representing the one in five individuals that live with a disability. We are so pleased with the final design. It is meaningful and also very wearable.”

The unveiling of the T-shirts comes hot on the heels of the Compass Institute’s 20th birthday celebration on the 31st of March and the launch of a photographic exhibition of Compass Trainees, shot by Sunshine Coast photographer, Lauren Biggs.

“We are enormously proud of the photographic exhibition ‘See The Able Not the Label’, which has been developed as an invitation to create an understanding of belonging,” Sandra explained. “These images have been sensitively and beautifully captured by Lauren and they offer an opportunity for people to see what we see; stars shining brightly when they are given a platform to flourish.

“The eight people selected in this campaign are a diverse group of individuals with a range of interests, aspirations and capabilities. They also all have a disability.”

The “See Me” exhibition is currently on display at the Compass Connections Cafe and the goal is that it will be available for viewing at different locations around the Sunshine Coast over the coming months. Proceeds from T-Shirt sales will go towards Compass’ Multimedia program and you can purchase the T-shirts and learn more about the campaign at www.seeme.org.au Profiles of the featured Trainees will be published in the Gazette in future editions.