Hitting all the right notes.

Stuart was born blind. Following a series of operations to remove some congenital cataracts when he was 2 years old, Stuart had some sight restored. More treatments were needed as he grew older and fortunately, he now has enough vision to find his way around.

Stuart learned to read Braille and play the piano by ear at a boarding school for blind and visually impaired children in Sydney. He decided to return to beautiful Northern NSW as soon as school finished – as this is where his heart is truly able to sing.

Stuart has a natural musical gift and loves singing. He takes every opportunity to express his talents. Stuart leads the church congregation in chorus; is often asked to perform at events and sings his much anticipated own version of the song ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ at the annual House With No Steps Christmas Party.

Stuart started working at House With No Steps (HWNS) in 1978. Apart from a short break, he has been a valued employee ever since. “House With No Steps has been a great learning curve in teaching me work skills and taking on new responsibilities. Knowing that I can go to work each day and do a job gives me a great sense of being able to achieve something”, says Stuart.

Our picturesque Summerland House project in Alstonville employs 87 people with varying disabilities across a range of agricultural and tourism businesses. Stuart has filled many valuable roles at Summerland House over the years, including working at our Avocado and Macadamia farm, Fruit Packing Shed, Wholesale Nursery and in the main reception area. Today though, he is most well known for his guided tours of the site.

Stuart is extremely passionate about HWNS and his knowledge of our history makes him the perfect tour guide.

“What I enjoy most is showing visitors our different business services and introducing them to the supported employees”, says Stuart.

Stuart has also recently been appointed maestro and independent caretaker of Watts Cottage Museum,
conducting informative talks about our history and founder Lionel Watts. Watts Cottage was the original Farm House on the Alstonville property. This historic landmark has been magnificently restored and now acts as the Historic Museum and Visitors Information Centre.

The news of his new appointment was music to Stuart’s ears. “I really enjoy working with the public and telling
them about what we do to heighten their awareness of the disability sector as this is very important.”
Stuart has made many friends at HWNS. The staff and supported employees are a great source of support to each other and they often socialise. “I see them beyond being workmates but friends. I find that people here have great qualities and much to give”, Stuart tells us.

House With No Steps prides itself on striking the right balance in the services we provide to create a
successful outcome for all our clients. Ensuring that people with disabilities feel valued is the number one
priority in everything we do.

HWNS founder Lionel Watts contracted polio in 1956, which left him with quadriplegia. He told us,
“When I began my own rehabilitation, I found there were many misconceptions about people with
disabilities – that ‘they couldn’t do it’. House With No Steps began, based on the belief that people with
disabilities ‘could do it’. We also tried to convey the importance to all individuals of a sense of being
needed and loved. To find love and acceptance is a struggle for so called ‘normal’ people, and it is very
much harder for those who are a little bit different – maybe with a disability.”

House With No Steps is still striving to ensure people with any kind of disability feel needed and loved.
As a supporter of House With No Steps, you too help fulfil this powerful need, thank you.

Stuart passionately declares, “I feel by supporting House with No Steps you are giving people with a
disability a quality of life that they otherwise wouldn’t have if they weren’t occupied.”

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