Mow Your Own Future

11/06/2026

Alex is holding down the fort for a few weeks while Brodie is on holidays.

As it’s just Alex and his support they will get through less jobs each day. They will try their very best not to miss people
But if your rrrgular day changes a bit
Or suddenly the mowing team arrives unexpected I’ve booked in the regular jobs as much as possible on the regular days but they may have to move things around to make it easier for Alex to to assist them.

Please be patient

If you have any questions please just message us

Thank you

Regards

Zoe

03/06/2026

So grateful for all the skills they are learning.

03/06/2026

Running a bit behind today
Something always happens when I mow

29/05/2026

Creating a business for Brodie as a meaningful post school options plan
Didn’t just happen.
It started with Harley his brother mowing one lawn and him passing that job down to Brodie. Brodie had watched his brother and helped out with some of the odd jobs when Harley was mowing and we developed the goal from there. We learnt brodie had the physical capability to do the job so we worked with him to build his skills in other areas of the task and we determined that he liked doing the job and enjoyed being physical and out and about.
The whole family would mow lawns on the weekend when Brodie was still at school building from just family to out mowing the lawns of friends and their families. We started to get a feel for how much mowing Brodie enjoyed and could manage and we believed he was capable.
The business rolled out when brodie finished school and it did mean one of Brodies parents at the time had to leave work and run the mowing.
It was tough financially however Brodie didn’t even have any NDIS when he first left school.
That relationship broke down and I was a sole parent again for a while and I didn’t have the financial capacity to leave work and mow lawns.
So we hired an NDIS support worker to take Brodie to his mowing jobs and to support the day to mowing and whipper sniping. I took on all the admin
Publicly, bookings, invoices, customer relations and we started small
Just two jobs twice a week to start
And we slowly grew the business up again.
We took on another person to mow
And then that grew to three mowers
But has dropped back down to two.
We’ve sometimes struggled to find the right workers
But currently have a wonderful team. With our original support worker still assisting one day a week.
Brodie is high support needs, he is non speaking and has high behaviour challenges. His only other option post school would have a day options full time.
Any formal supported employment didn’t give the option for 1:1 support, participants were required to work independently and Brodie is unable to work without 1:1 supervision and support.
We created a future for him
That is supported by his NDIS plan
If brodie wasn’t mowing
He would still require 1:1 support for those hours
It just we are utilising that support to have a purpose.

27/05/2026

26/05/2026

My name is Zoe Sandell. I’m the mother and legal guardian of Brodie Lunn, a 27‑year‑old non‑speaking, profoundly Autistic man. I share guardianship with my wife, Amy Hocking.

I’m writing this because the new NDIS power under s 34A allows the Minister to cut funding from any support category by legislative instrument, with no review rights. The first cut is already locked in: Social and Community Participation, starting 1 October 2026.

For most people, that might sound like a technical change.
For Brodie, it is life‑changing in the worst possible way.

Brodie uses his Social & Community Participation funding to run a small micro‑business with his friend Alex — Mow Your Own Future. With support workers, they mow lawns three days a week in their community. It gives Brodie purpose, routine, pride, physical activity, social connection, and a meaningful life outside the “babysitting‑style” day programs he attends on the other two days.

If this funding is cut, Brodie loses:

His micro‑business

His community connections

His only meaningful weekly activity

His skill development

His emotional regulation and stability

His identity and sense of purpose

We have spent years building a life where Brodie is included, valued, and engaged.
These changes risk taking all of that away.

I am speaking out because Brodie cannot.
And because every person with profound disability deserves more than passive care — they deserve a life with meaning, connection, and dignity.

If you care about Autistic adults, disability rights, or the future of the NDIS, please pay attention to what s 34A means. This isn’t just policy. It affects real people, real families, and real lives.

Make a submission to the Senate Committee at https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/NDISFutureGenBill and here's an easy template guide on how to do that athttps://www.selfmanagerhub.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SMH-Senate-submission-and-MP-letter-template-May-2026.pdf and here are some more unofficial Q&Ashttps://www.selfmanagerhub.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NDIS-Bill-Workshop-Answers-Self-Manager-Hub-May-2026.pdf

26/05/2026

The upcoming proposed NDIS legislative changes pose significant risks to Social and Community Participation funding, along with several other concerning reforms that may negatively impact the lives of people with disabilities. For Brodie and Alex, Social and Community Participation funding is what enables them to mow lawns, contribute to their community, and engage in meaningful, supported employment. Their supports are paid through this funding line, and any reduction or removal would directly threaten their ability to work, participate, and remain connected to their community. This is not simply about “going out for coffee”—it is about protecting two boys’ right to purposeful, valued roles in their community. We are asking people to sign the petition and contact their local MP to ensure these changes do not proceed, as they would have serious and harmful consequences for individuals who rely on this funding to live full, engaged, and meaningful lives.

e-petitions

25/05/2026

It’s a bit wet this week but the guys are keen and on the road
Book now

06/05/2026

Hey all
I’m not an admin
I’m just a mum making an opportunity for my son
I know I miss bookings and I make mistakes
I fit the bookings and the invoicing around life and my work.
Thank you for your patience and if we miss you please just send a message and we will rectify it as soon as we can.
Thanks
Zoe