At Stronger Together Foundation, we’re committed to raising awareness about disability, inclusion, and the importance of supporting families in our community. Recently, our CEO, Ellen Kulbicki, joined Rosh on the Busy Mums Radio Show (Alive 96.5) to share her journey, experiences, and the work we’re doing in the Hills and beyond.
Here’s a recap of their conversation.
Meet Ellen
Rosh: Hi everyone, I’m here with Ellen Kulbicki. She’s the CEO of Stronger Together Foundation, a local Hills girl raising her two children. Ellen is an endorsed educational and developmental psychologist who has worked in early intervention for over 17 years. She was even awarded the Hills Shire 2024 Citizen of the Year for her impact in the disability space. Welcome to the Busy Mums Radio Show, Ellen.
Ellen: Thank you, Rosh.
Early Life and Career
Rosh: Where did you study?
Ellen: I grew up in the Hills, went to Crestwood High and then Tara. Later, I studied psychology at the University of Western Sydney and went on to complete a Master’s in Educational and Developmental Psychology.
Rosh: Why early childhood?
Ellen: Early childhood lays the foundation for everything. So much happens in those years, and it’s when we can make the biggest impact on independence and future opportunities. That’s where my passion lies.
Balancing Work and Family
Rosh: You’re a mum too. How do you manage it all?
Ellen: Honestly, I don’t know if I do! It’s about balancing priorities—sometimes family needs more energy, sometimes work does. You lean on your support network, and often you just get through it and only later realise how hectic it was.
Impact in the Community
Rosh: Tell us about how your work has impacted the community.
Ellen: One of our biggest initiatives is the Stronger Together Conference. This year was our fourth annual event, held in August at the Visy Dior in Norwest. It’s a day-long conference bringing together parents, carers, and people with lived experience of disability.
There are tears, laughter, and a real sense of connection. Families often feel isolated, so this space helps reduce that and improve wellbeing. Alongside the conference, we run an exhibition of local service providers—and even market stalls by people with disability. This year, for the first time, we also held a Talent Showcase featuring children with disability. It was an incredible way to end the day.
Support for Families
Rosh: What supports are available for families in the community?
Ellen: There are formal supports—speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology—and informal ones, like supported playgroups and peer networks. At Stronger Together, we provide many of these services, always with the community in mind.
Gaps and Challenges
Rosh: Are there still gaps in support?
Ellen: Absolutely. Families rely heavily on the NDIS, but eligibility changes and delays mean there’s often a gap between noticing concerns and getting funded support. For families without financial means, this is a big challenge.
Achievements and What’s Next
Rosh: What has been the highlight of your career?
Ellen: The conference is always a highlight, but I’m also excited about new initiatives like our upcoming siblings camp. And while we’re a small team of around 25, the impact is growing every year.
Rosh: Any plans for next year?
Ellen: Bigger and better! But it all relies on funding and community support. The more we can raise, the more we can do—bigger conferences, more programs, more opportunities. If you’d like to support us, whether through donations or attending our events, I’d love to hear from you.
Final Words
Rosh: Thank you so much, Ellen. It’s fantastic to hear about your work and achievements.
Ellen: Thank you for having me, Rosh.
📻 You can catch the full conversation on Busy Mums Radio Show (Alive 96.5). https://omny.fm/shows/the-busy-mums-radio-show/the-busy-mums-radio-show-27-9-2025
💙 And if you’d like to support Stronger Together’s work in the Hills, find out how Support Us – Stronger Together Foundation
