History
Our Story
The first known holiday supported by The Disability Trust staff was circa 2005 when the residents of our Helena supported living facility went to the Gold Coast. For some of the residents, it was their first ever holiday.
Under the banner of The Disability Trust’s Sport & Recreation Services, Trusted Travel ran a modest program providing mostly individualised supports for people who required care away from home. It became evident quickly that supporting people on holidays presented a massive opportunity and a decision was made at an executive level that Trusted Travel needed its own brand and its own dedicated staff.
With Trusted Travel growing bigger and bigger throughout 2017 and 2018 there was a sudden need for the very first dedicated Trusted Travel Consultant on board. Kelly took on the role of Trusted Travel Project Officer. At the time she hit social media to express her excitement for the new role.
“I’ve been successful in obtaining the position of Project Officer for Trusted Travel… Trusted Travel arrange holidays for people with a disability and their families! I start on Monday and can’t wait to hit the ground running. Over the moon is an understatement!”
New Caledonia and Vanuatu, here we come! The group packed their bags, got their passports ready and left Australia for the very first time. 9 days sailing the South Pacific isn't a bad way to holiday! #TrustedTravelGoesGlobal
Where else would our first international ground tour be than Bali, Indonesia. Staying in Kuta, soaking up the sun and surf of Kuta and Seminyak, we've been back every 2 years since! Like every good Australian tour group, Bali is at the top of the list.
After 2 continuous years of service, the team celebrated a big milestone - We took our 100th client on a holiday. It was only up from here!
Kelly couldn't do it all herself, so Sean was hired to develop the systems that would turn Trusted Travel into a powerhouse. Sean, who now manages Trusted Travel, was hired as the Business and Systems Coordinator, to look after all things back end.
Now things are really ramping up! We have too many holidays and too many travellers for 1 consultant. Enter, Jenni! Jen's background was in employment services for young adults with disabilities. She joined the team in September 2019 and hit the ground running, doubling the coordination staff and doubling the good times to be had with Trusted Travel.
Right at the finish line of 2022, we took our 500th client on holiday! What an incredible achievement!
We had this trip planned since 2019, that's 4 years in the making. It's quite the feat to get 15 people to the U.S. for 13 days but we did it! 24,000km, 9 travellers, 4 staff, 2 theme parks and 1 very happy group of travellers!