The Knoll Studio

29/08/2026

A little something personal from us today…

Every now and then, something we create here at The Knoll ends up meaning far more than we could have imagined when we started it.

This is one of those stories.

It began last year with Belle’s dad, and something he asked me to help him create without Belle knowing.

It’s a very personal story for our family, so I’m going to hand this part over to Belle…

“Ten months ago, almost to the day, my dad died after a 13-month battle with an aggressive cancer.

We knew it was coming at some point, but when the end came, it happened very, very quickly, and that was something we weren’t really prepared for.

The night Dad called me to tell me the chemotherapy had stopped working, the cancer had spread, there was nothing else they could do and he only had days left, he asked to speak to Ryan.

When they hung up, I asked Ryan what they’d spoken about because it had seemed serious.

Ryan reluctantly told me they’d been keeping something from me.

Two months earlier, Dad had come up to the studio and recorded two videos with Ryan.

One was a message to be played at his funeral - a final goodbye, in his own words, to his family and friends.

The other was something different.

Ryan sat down and interviewed Dad about his life, his memories, the things that mattered to him and the stories he wanted his family to remember. Dad also left some personal messages for us.

Four days after that phone call, Dad passed away.

He was 66.

There would have been close to 200 people at his funeral.

We spoke about his achievements, his years of service as a paramedic, his football days and years of football coaching. We shared stories and remembered all the different parts of the person we’d known.

Then it came time for the photo tribute.

Except before the photos began, Dad appeared on the screen…

Nobody expected it.

People were stunned, in the best possible way.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

I remember looking over at my grandmother as she watched Dad on that screen, talking to all of us after he’d gone.

I’ll never forget the look on her face and what that meant to her.

I can’t really express how special it was to have that played for our family and his friends after he died.

We could hear his voice.

See his face and his expressions.

And rather than having other people say goodbye for him, Dad got to say the things he wanted to say himself.

It felt like one final touchpoint with him.

And I think there was something incredibly healing about that for all of us.

There is actually a bigger part to this story - and something else Dad and Ryan created together that I think will have an even bigger lasting impact on our family for generations to come.

But I’ll share that another time…

For now, I’m sharing this because experiencing Dad’s video made Ryan and I realise what an incredibly special thing this could be for other families too.

Because it certainly was for mine.

And Dad would be absolutely ‘chuffed’ - as he’d say - to know that something he and Ryan secretly created together might now become something meaningful for another family too.”

I don’t think either of us could have understood what these videos would eventually mean when Belle’s dad and I sat down together in the studio that day.

At the time, I was simply helping him create something he wanted to leave behind for his family.

But watching what it meant to Belle, her family, and everyone in that room at his funeral changed the way I thought about what we had created together.

Because there are some things a photograph simply can’t hold.

Someone’s voice.

The way they tell a story.

Their expressions. Their laugh.

The little things they remember that nobody else knows to ask about.

The things you don’t realise you’ll miss until you can’t ask them anymore.

So, quietly, this is something we’re going to begin creating for other families too.

A space for people to sit down and record the things they want the people they love to have - whether that’s a message for someday, the stories of a life well lived, or simply their voice and memories preserved for the generations who come after them.

It wasn’t something we ever planned to offer here, but it grew out of something deeply personal that Belle’s dad trusted me to create with him.

And after seeing what it has given our family, it feels like something worth sharing with others.

If what he and I created together can one day give another family even a little of what it has given ours, I think he’d be pretty ‘chuffed’ about that too.

Ryan 🤍

15/07/2026

One of the great things about the NDIS is that it's built around goals.

The thing is, those goals can sometimes be pretty broad. Things like building confidence, improving communication or becoming more independent. They're all great goals, but sometimes it's hard to know what that actually looks like from week to week.

That's what we've spent the last 20 years figuring out.

At The Knoll Studio, we don't start with the goal. We start with the person.

What are they interested in? What lights them up? What have they always wanted to have a go at?

From there, we build real projects around those interests.

That might be making a documentary, recording an album, producing a podcast, learning photography, interviewing people, performing on stage, or even starting a small business.

Now those big goals suddenly become real.

Instead of just saying we're working on confidence, we're working towards releasing a song. Instead of saying we're building communication skills, we're preparing to interview someone on camera. Instead of talking about independence, we're building something that belongs to them and that they're genuinely proud of.

Every week there's another step. Another milestone. Another win.

For us, support isn't about filling in time. It's about helping people discover a sense of purpose and giving them something meaningful to work towards.

Because when people have purpose, everything else starts to grow from there.

Now for the shameless engagement bit... 😄

Apparently Facebook likes it when people comment, so I'm going to play the game...

If you had six months to learn or create absolutely anything, what would it be?

It doesn't have to be artistic. It could be starting a business, making a film, writing a book, restoring an old car, travelling, or finally having a crack at something you've always wanted to do.

I'd genuinely love to hear your answer.

The Knoll Studio.
The Art of Support.

14/07/2026

I've been thinking about this a lot lately.

When someone walks through the doors of The Knoll Studio, I'm actually not thinking about their diagnosis.

I'm wondering...

What excites this person?

What are they naturally curious about?

What could they become if someone gave that curiosity room to grow?

Because I've learnt that confidence doesn't usually come first.

Purpose does.

When someone discovers something they genuinely care about, everything else starts to move.

Communication has a reason.

Planning has a purpose.

Relationships happen naturally.

Confidence grows because it's attached to something that matters.

That's why I don't spend my time looking for limitations.

I spend my time looking for the spark.

The thing that makes someone lean forward instead of pull away.

Because I honestly believe every person has something unique to offer.

Sometimes they just need the right environment to discover it.

That's what The Art of Support means to me.

Not seeing disability first.

Seeing possibility first.

— Ryan

10/07/2026

10/07/2026

What happens when someone is given the opportunity to create?

For many people, creativity isn't just about making a film, recording a song or performing a magic trick.

It's about finding a voice.

It's about discovering confidence.

It's about being seen.

The Great Northern is so much more than a magician. Behind every disappearing coin, every alien from the Galactic Space Federation, every dancing Brazilian polar bear and every wonderfully ridiculous adventure is a person with an incredible imagination and a desire to share it with the world.

Our role at The Knoll Studio isn't to create those ideas for him.

Our role is to make sure his ideas have the opportunity to exist.

Project-based supports are incredibly powerful because they create something real. They provide purpose, challenge, problem-solving, teamwork, communication and the chance to contribute something meaningful to the community. Every completed project becomes tangible evidence of what someone is capable of achieving.

When people are given the right support, they don't just build skills.

They build identity.

They begin to see themselves differently.

"I made that."

"People enjoyed that."

"My ideas matter."

Thats the Art Of Support

Those moments ripple far beyond the studio. They build confidence at home, in relationships, in community and in employment. They create conversations. They create connection. They create possibility.

Watching The Great Northern grow as a filmmaker, storyteller and entertainer has been one of those reminders that creativity has the power to unlock potential in ways that are difficult to measure but impossible to ignore.

This video isn't just about magic.

It's about imagination.

It's about purpose.

It's about what becomes possible when someone is given the opportunity to express who they are.

And we feel incredibly privileged to be part of that journey.

Welcome to the wonderfully unpredictable world of The Great Northern (and Schooey)

06/07/2026

Keegan Interviews | A Story of Growth

This week's episode of **Keegan Interviews** is a special one, featuring the founder of Mountain Mates Janis Bailey—a community that has played an important role in Keegan's journey.

While the interview itself is fantastic, what it really represents is something much bigger.

When we first met Keegan, he had very limited experience using a computer. He didn't have editing skills, struggled with writing, and spent much of his time isolated at home watching TV. Today, he's planning interviews, developing questions, filming, editing, and creating content that connects him with his community.

None of this happened overnight.

Every episode involves thoughtful planning, coaching, and support. Behind the scenes, there is plenty of scaffolding to help Keegan build new skills while ensuring the work remains his own. With each project, that support gradually evolves as his confidence and independence grow.

This interview is a wonderful example of what can happen when NDIS supports are truly individualised and centred around a person's interests and goals. By combining project-based supports with the opportunities provided through Mountain Mates, Keegan has been able to develop practical skills, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to his community in a way that reflects who he is.

The outcomes extend far beyond creating a great interview. They are felt by Keegan, his family, and the wider community that now gets to hear his voice and see his talents shine.

We're incredibly proud of everything Keegan has achieved and grateful to be part of his journey. This is what person-centred support looks like—creating opportunities that build confidence, foster connection, and lead to meaningful, lasting outcomes.

We can't wait for you to watch this latest episode of Keegan Interview's

30/06/2026

There are moments in this job that remind us exactly why we do what we do.

Today is one of those days.

We're so incredibly proud of Damon for representing Australia at the Australian Open. What an amazing achievement, and one that reflects the hard work, determination and commitment he's put in over so many years.

But today isn't just about celebrating what Damon achieved on the court.

It's also about celebrating his journey off the court.
Here at The Knoll Studio Damon has been learning to use cameras, edit videos and tell his own story through film. Watching him grow in confidence, take pride in creating something himself, and then share those moments with family, friends and the wider community has been just as rewarding as seeing his sporting success.

Too often, people's achievements pass by without being seen. Learning how to capture and share those moments gives Damon another way to connect with his community, celebrate what he's worked so hard for, and inspire others along the way.

For us, that's what The Knoll Studio is all about. It's not just about learning creative skills. It's about building confidence, finding your voice, creating genuine connections and making sure every achievement—big or small—has the chance to be celebrated.

16/09/2025

This is all that's physically left of The Knoll Studio now.

It's been a really hard time pulling everything down, as what we had built and were building was something really beautiful.

I don't know where we are going from here, but the moments and memories we created here will last a lifetime.

There were so many hands that made this place what it was. I'm so grateful.

One door closes, and another one opens they say, we will keep our eyes open.

Thank you everyone