It’s ironic; Sammi-Jo Mace supports the hidden sunflower, (global Sunflower network) but she is Hay’s own ray of sunshine.

Sammi-Jo, along with partner Greg Reid (both pictured below), are the face of Hay Therapy Co. Stop in and say hello.

If you have an issue or a problem which needs solving, ask – this pair is strongly motivated and love to help when they can.

Hay Therapy Co. is a Disability Service Provider which supports individuals from all walks of life.

Sammi-Jo and Greg both come with a veritable pedigree of experience in the field. Sammi-Jo has held a range of long-term child protection services, disability support and additional needs educational roles through her working career.

Greg also has a considerable background in support work, predominantly with males, and handles all the yard and lawn maintenance for the company.

He has recently returned from working in the Northern Territory, working in remote Indigenous communities in a support capacity.

Having children who access the NDIS, the couple are well aware of the difficulties and hardships involved in navigating the NDIS.

“Upon moving to Hay, I was not necessarily going to dive back into the disability services industry, but I soon realised there is a significant need in the area,” Sammi-Jo said.

“Having children who have Autism, I know what it is like trying to navigate day to day life and access the various services needed in what is basically a support desert.”

Sammi-Jo decided she wanted to give back and help others, using her experience and knowledge to make aspects of life easier.

“There are so many different layers to life with a disability, and there are a lot of hidden disabilities, such as ADHD,” she said. “Some just do not meet the current criteria for NDIS.

“It is also dealing with other conditions which can occur in tandem with disability, and on their own such as mental health.”

Sammi-Jo and Greg offer one-on-one support, household assistance, cleaning, lawn and yard work. Sammi-Jo also helps with NDIS applications, and is fast attaining her Certificate 4 in Allied Health Assistance, which means she will be able to provide that vital supplementary support to people accessing services such as speech and occupational therapies.

“The support in these areas is quite vital to those who need it, and in remote towns such as Hay, not a lot of therapists will come out unless there is whole day’s work here to justify it.”

At their business location at 174 Lachlan Street, opposite the Intereach hub, anyone can call in. There is a sensory room for children, and Sammi-Jo and Greg welcome people dropping in.

“In the future, we are aiming to offer one-on-one sessions with Greg, with a men’s shed type vibe,” Sammi-Jo said.

“It will be a private space where they can do craft type activities, and create items which give them fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

“We will see if we can sell them and then pour that money back into the business, buying supplies so we can keep the ball rolling and people creating.”

The duo keeps everything anonymous and confidential, with some clients preferring to keep their engagement with the service completely private.

“What happens at the shop stays at the shop,” the friendly couple said.

“We both derive so much satisfaction from providing rewarding and successful experiences where the client feels like they have been helped and heard.

“I recently took a male client fishing, and it was the first time he had been fishing for years,” Greg added.

“The smile on his face when he caught his first fish in a very long time was priceless.”

“But we implore people to come in, ask questions and reach out.”

And make sure you do. If you or someone you know could really benefit from the services Sammi-Jo and Greg are keenly wanting to provide, call in to their shop, text or call 0400 392 568.

This article appeared in The Riverine Grazier, 7 May 2025.