U-choose expands with new Echuca office

By Lua Ikenasio

Mar 20, 2025

Not even the rain could dampen the spirits of the U-Choose team as they gathered outside their new office for an official opening ceremony.

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The ceremony was lead by U-Choose development manager Jack Powell before Uncle Rick performed a smoking ceremony.

U-Choose support workers and clients and key community representatives celebrated the milestone alongside the U-Choose staff.

U-Choose development manager Jack Powell and Uncle Rick opened the ceremony. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

U-Choose managing director Amanda Simmonds said the new office will give them much needed space.

“I’m flabbergasted at how quick it’s grown, it’s crazy but it’s great,” she said.

“We moved into the Heygarth office and we became too big again so we found this, which we are very lucky.

“We’ve put our main office staff here and created a program hub on Heygarth St.”

After working for another disability service, Ms Simmonds said she saw a gap in community access and engagement for clients and so she started U-choose in 2021 to fill the need.

The business began in Ms Simmonds home with only 10 clients and has now grown to around 180 clients and 55 staff throughout Campaspe as well as Shepparton, Bendigo and Deniliquin.

U-choose clients and staff happily participated in the smoking ceremony. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

With more space now, the service provider has also been able to expand the number of programs they can offer from only two to now seven.

Programs now include a film and photography group, holistic fitness program, hospitality and cooking skills, build and weld program, social circle night, arts and crafts program, school holidays program and the popular mystery bus tours.

Ayesha Calleja brought her baby, Furiosa, along to the event for her first smoking ceremony. Photo by Lua Ikenasio

Ms Simmonds said the business is now looking into incorporating aged care into their services.

“Aged care is one of the zones we’re stemming towards,” she said.

“There’s nowhere for them to go during the day... so we’ve created programs (for) those in aged care to come in and stay for the day and meet other people.

“We’re going for our aged care license and are now in the midst of waiting for our registration... which will accumulate more clientele.”

The new office located at 21 McMillan Rd, Echuca will operate as the main office, while the space on 52 Heygarth St will be home to the clients program hub.

For more information on U-Choose and the services they provide, visit: https://u-choose.com.au