Who We Are
Our Story
Ohana was built from a genuine passion for people, community and creating support that feels personal, flexible and meaningful. The word Ohana means family, and that is exactly what we strive to create, a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where people feel seen, valued and understood.
Founder Jemma Walters established Ohana after recognising the growing need for support that extends beyond traditional models of care. Her vision was simple: to create services that are relationship-led, person-centred and built around the unique needs of every individual and family.
After leaving law to pursue a career in community services, Jemma built experience across rural suicide prevention and mental health, youth facilitation with the AFL, leadership within Out of Home Care, disability support and community development. Combined with her studies in Social Work, these experiences have shaped an organisation grounded in evidence-based practice, compassion and authentic connection.
As someone who is neurodivergent herself and who went undiagnosed for many years, Jemma also understands that every person experiences the world differently. That lived experience continues to shape Ohana's neurodiversity-affirming approach and commitment to creating environments where people feel safe, respected, understood and empowered to be themselves.
Ohana was originally founded with a vision of providing relationship-based support for neurodivergent children and young people. As the organisation grew, so did its purpose.
Today, Ohana Care Australia provides youth disability support, adult and family disability support, private in-home care, nannying, casual babysitting and community-based support. While our services have expanded, our purpose has remained the same—to provide meaningful support that adapts to the individual rather than expecting the individual to adapt to the service.
Jemma has always believed in giving back to the communities that have shaped her. She has coached junior football and netball, served on the board of Tasmanian Women in Agriculture, volunteered with Be Hers, completed Marcus Oldham's Rural Leadership Program and represented emerging leaders as a delegate at the National Leadership Forum at Parliament House in Canberra. Her leadership has been recognised through numerous awards, including Runner-Up Young Service Talent of the Year and Young Leader of the Year at the Northern Young Professionals Awards in 2025, along with recognition as a semi-finalist in the Tasmanian Young Achiever Awards in 2026.
While Ohana's professional foundations are built on years of experience, its heart comes from something much more personal.
Jemma grew up in rural Tasmania as the daughter of a shearer and granddaughter of a sawmiller. Agriculture and primary industries shaped her upbringing, teaching the values of resilience, hard work and community. After later relocating to rural New South Wales, she once again found herself immersed in country life and gained firsthand insight into the challenges faced by families living in rural and remote Australia.
During her time working as a Governess on remote cattle stations, Jemma saw how difficult it could be for families to access reliable, high-quality disability support, in-home care and childcare. She also recognised the need for greater support and professional opportunities for young women working in educational in-home care roles across remote Australia.
These experiences transformed Ohana from a disability support provider into an organisation committed to strengthening communities wherever they are. Our passion for rural and remote Australia isn't based on tokenism, it's based on lived experience. We understand the realities of country life because we've lived and worked alongside the people who call it home.
Whether we're supporting a neurodivergent child to achieve their goals, providing disability support for an adult, caring for children in the family home or helping a family on a remote cattle station hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town, our purpose remains the same—to create genuine relationships that strengthen individuals, families and communities.