Be Informed.
What’s new at estara, plus stories, updates and disability sector news you should know.
Celebrating Our Community: Reflecting on 2025 in Mount Gambier
In February, estara staff, clients, members, friends and families came together in Mount Gambier to celebrate the year that was, and to kick off 2026. Check out the photos here.
A message from our CEO
Hear the latest from our CEO on strategy, community highlights and what’s next for estara.
Be part of new brain training research
Our friends at Adelaide & Flinders Uni are trialling a new cognitive training program for people with spinal cord injury using the NeuroOrb gaming system, and they are looking for participants to join the study.
Fuel subsidy doubled for country South Australians travelling for healthcare
Fuel subsidy doubled for country South Australians travelling for healthcare.
estara welcomes Lived Experience Director to the Board
We’re thrilled to introduce Terry Tenove, our newest Lived Experience Board Director, whose voice, insight, and leadership will play a pivotal role to continue shaping estara’s future.
Everything you need to know about the South Australian Transport Subsidy Scheme (SATSS).
We recently received an update from the South Australian Government on their Transport Subsidy Scheme – here’s how it works and what support you can access.
🦩 Pink Flamingo Community Raises $1,500!
The spirit of generosity, community and fun was on full display at West Beach on Saturday 20 December, as supporters gathered for the annual Pink Flamingo Swim/Walk/Roll, proudly raising $1,500 to support people living with spinal cord injury.
That’s a wrap! Celebrating 2025.
estara would like to thank all of our members, clients and staff who came along to celebrate 2025 at our end of year events over the last few weeks. Check out some photos from around the state!
2025/26 Inclusive Beach Days Update
estara’s Glenelg Inclusive Beach Days, delivered with City of Holdfast Bay, are a valued community event. Following consultation, a difficult decision has been made to postpone the program until early 2027.
Your voice matters – 2025 Client Survey results
In September, we invited estara clients to share honest feedback through our annual Client Survey. Thank you to everyone who took part. Hearing directly from you helps us understand what’s working well and what we can do better.
Client Story: Driving with a spinal cord injury - Delvin’s story
"I’m really grateful to have estara in my life. Without them, I wouldn’t be living the life I have now." – Delvin
estara talks to Leith Forrest on 5AA
Listen to Lloyd Townsend (OT and Clinical Lead) and Graham O’Neil (Peer Support Mentor) talk to 5AA’s Leith Forrest about all things estara, spinal cord injury and their own personal stories.
Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week 2025 Week wrap-up: connection, learning and community
A wrap up of what we got up to during International Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week 2025.
Back to Basics: The unsung heroes of spinal cord injury health - bladder, bowel & skin
When we talk about spinal cord injury (SCI), conversations often focus on mobility, independence, or assistive technology. But some of the most impactful, and often most private challenges, are those that affect bowel, bladder, and skin health.
Virtual Reality Treatment for Neuropathic Pain
At estara, we’ve been using Virtual Reality to support our clients experiencing neuropathic pain associated with Spinal Cord and other injury. The technology has received a lot of interest – here’s how we are using it and what our clients have told us about their experience.
Caring for your shoulders after Spinal Cord Injury
Shoulder pain can be a common and frustrating issue for many people living with spinal cord injury (SCI). There are some really simple things you can do to maintain your shoulder health and maintain your independence.
Accessible Travel with Spinal Cord Injury – lessons from 23 years on the road
In this blog post we talk to Scott, one of estara’s Support Coordinators. A wheelchair user for 23 years, Scott has had a long association with travel for both leisure and professional purposes. He has travelled weekly as a sports competitor, run an accessible travel business and advised both national and State Governments, with his wife, on how to make experiences more accessible for people living with a disability.
Preventing falls during transfers for people with Spinal Cord Injury
This year’s Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Awareness Week theme is all about fall prevention. We know that falls can lead to SCI, but our team here at estara is really focussed on preventing falls for our clients after SCI. These most often happen during transfers - getting from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to toilet, in and out of the car, and so on. These are everyday movements, but they’re also some of the most common times when falls can happen.
Announcing estara’s new Chief Executive Officer
We’re excited to share an important milestone: the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Nicole Sykes, who will be joining the organisation on the Monday 22 September.
Media enquiries
Journalists and media outlets can contact estara to learn more about our initiatives, partnerships and our social impact.