Case Study: Empowerment2Be
Location: Australind
Creating Impact from the Harvey Region
Empowerment2Be is helping shape a more inclusive future across Western Australia and Australia, supporting young people with disability and neurodiversity to transition into meaningful employment, education and community life.
Founded by Kerry Morrison, the business grew from both professional experience and lived insight. A proud Aboriginal woman, social worker and lecturer at Curtin University and Edith Cowan University, Kerry established Empowerment2Be after researching the experiences of autistic young people transitioning from school into adulthood and identifying major gaps in support systems.
What started as part-time work alongside other professional roles has grown into a respected consultancy and support service working with individuals, families, schools, Aboriginal organisations, businesses and government agencies across the state.
A Different Approach
What makes Empowerment2Be different is its practical, relationship-based and culturally safe approach.
Rather than focusing only on assessments and reports, Kerry works directly alongside young people and families to build confidence, identify strengths and create realistic pathways into employment, independence and community participation.
Programs are tailored to each individual, particularly those who may struggle in traditional education or employment settings, and combine professional expertise with lived experience, yarning and strengths-based support.
Kerry’s work with Aboriginal communities across regional, rural and remote Western Australia has become a key part of the business, helping organisations better understand inclusion, cultural safety and community connection.
Australia wide Impact from Australind
From offices in Australind, Empowerment successfully delivers services and creates impact across the entire country.
From the Harvey Region, Kerry works with individuals, schools, organisations and communities throughout the South West, Wheatbelt, Pilbara, Kimberley, Goldfields and interstate, demonstrating how regionally based businesses can successfully deliver specialised services on a nationwide level.
Kerry has intentionally built Empowerment2Be from the Harvey Region, drawn to Australind by the natural beauty of the Derbal Elaap (Leschenault Estuary) and the strong sense of community the area provides. The proximity to Busselton Margaret River Airport is also a benefit of the location, as it supports travel across the country, allowing Empowerment2Be to remain regionally grounded while delivering services more broadly.
Alongside workshops, consulting and training, Empowerment2Be also runs regular free “Walk and Talk” community sessions along the Leschenault Estuary in Australind, helping create safe and welcoming opportunities for connection and conversation.
“Our work is about creating real pathways, strengthening connection, and supporting young people to build meaningful futures in their communities.” – Kerry Morrison, Director
Community Leadership & Recognition
In addition to leading Empowerment2Be, Kerry serves as a Care Plan Review Panel Member with the Department of Communities WA and has volunteered as a Breastfeeding Counsellor and Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association since 2007, supporting mothers through phone, email and face-to-face counselling.
Her contribution to the community was recognised in 2022 when she received a Shire of Harvey Community Appreciation Award for her volunteer advocacy and support work across the region.
Kerry’s work has been recognised through scholarships to present at the Indigenous Allied Health Australia Conference in 2023 and 2024, alongside a growing contribution to conferences, publications and community advocacy across Western Australia. Her presentations have covered topics including neurodiversity, disability employment pathways, anti-racism, culturally safe practice and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and students.
Kerry has also presented at major events including the Asia Pacific Autism Conference, People with Disability WA State Conference and ANZSWWER Symposium, while continuing to contribute to research and publications focused on inclusion, empowerment and social justice.
Looking Ahead
Future plans for Empowerment2Be include expanding workshops, facilitation and support services across Western Australia and interstate, while continuing to advocate for more inclusive and culturally safe communities. This includes delivering training for schools, organisations and community groups, increasing keynote speaking opportunities, developing strengths-based programs for young people with disability and neurodiversity, and building partnerships that improve access to support services in regional and rural areas.
Empowerment2Be also aims to continue growing community initiatives, mentoring opportunities and professional development programs that strengthen connection, wellbeing and empowerment across the communities it supports.
