Dianne Mandeville
Dianne is the mother of 2 adult children. Her eldest child, Robbie, who is now 39 years old, has a wide range of complex disabilities. Despite the ongoing challenges, Dianne has always been proactive in supporting him to live an active and inclusive life in his community. She has been self-managing all of Robbie’s supports since 2009, firstly with State Government funding, then with the NDIS.
Dianne’s career began upon graduation from the University of Queensland. She worked as a Secondary School English and Music teacher for over 30 years. She made the move into the Disability Sector in 2009 and worked throughout Queensland with Pave the Way, Mamre, and Bespoke Lifestyles. She retired for four and a half years, and then returned to work in July 2025 as a facilitator with Community Resource Unit (CRU).
When not working, Dianne enjoys travelling, camping, art and pottery classes, singing in a choir, playing mahjong, and meeting up with friends.
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Robbie’s housing journey
Dianne Mandeville will share an overview of her family’s housing journey over the past 20 years in their efforts to secure a suitable home for her son, Robbie, who is now 39 years old.
Dianne has always aimed for Robbie to live as fulfilling and independent a life as possible, despite his significant support needs. She recognises the importance of planning for the future, especially for the time when she will no longer be there to provide the support he requires.
Robbie’s housing journey has involved many twists and turns over the years, ultimately leading to an intergenerational housing arrangement designed to ensure his present and future well-being.