About Us

For those who don’t know, you might be wondering who the person in the H.A.N.S. logo is.

This is my big brother, Hans. ❤️

Hans had many happy moments and beautiful memories throughout his life, but he also had his struggles, which unfortunately cost him his life in 2013. He was only 34.

Looking back, I’m sure some of his happiest times were when he was working as a youth worker at the Flemington and North Melbourne Community Centres. Helping people and connecting with the community was just part of who he was.

Hans and I actually had a few business ideas together over the years. One was opening a Mauritian restaurant in the city. Although he lived in Australia for most of his life, Mauritius, where he was born, was always an important part of him. 🇲🇺

About a year before he passed away, I remember him telling me stories about growing up as a teenager in North Melbourne and some of the things he and his friends got up to. 😅

He said to me, “Bex, we should write a book.”

The plan was to get a camera, catch up with all his old friends and have them tell their stories. Our sister Cathy was going to do the writing — we hadn’t actually told her that yet 😂 — and we were going to call the book The North Boys.

We never got the chance to open the restaurant or write the book.

But now, H.A.N.S. is another way for me to carry his name and his legacy forward.

It took me sooo long to decide on a logo, but one thing I eventually realised was that I wanted Hans himself to be part of it.

Having him there is a reminder of what I want H.A.N.S. to represent.

Hans was kind, caring, respectful, empathetic and really just a beautiful person. Those are the qualities I want reflected in everything H.A.N.S. does.

My long-term vision is for H.A.N.S. to grow into a one-stop place for support, guidance and connection across areas such as advocacy, youth services, mental health, alcohol and other drug support, aged care and community services.

But I’m starting with what I know and where I know I can genuinely help people now:

💙 Helping older people and their families understand and navigate the aged care system.

This might be for you, your parents, grandparents, relatives or someone else you know.

You might be thinking:

• Mum or Dad is starting to need some help at home, but I don’t know where to start.

• I’ve heard of My Aged Care, but I don’t understand how it works.

• We’ve been given referral codes and don’t know what to do next.

• We need help finding a provider.

• I’m trying to help my parents but I’m overwhelmed by the whole process.

• I’m not even sure what support they might be eligible for.

There is support available, and you don’t have to understand the whole system on your own.

H.A.N.S. can help you navigate the process, understand your options and work out what the next step should be.

My website will also include a growing Resources section with information and links to free services for aged care, carers, mental health support, financial relief and other community supports.

If you have questions — even if you’re not sure whether you need my service — please feel free to reach out.

Sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing where to start.

❤️💙💛💚

H.A.N.S.

Helping people understand their options, navigate support systems and feel a little less overwhelmed along the way.