Her former boss, CEO Steve Wellard, says the dedicated former compliance and training manager was an innovator, who pioneered new ways of working with the disabled.

Always balancing compassion, with her direct manner and drive, working in this field was her calling says Mr Wellard.

Where others saw an insurmountable behaviour problem, she saw a challenge, and a chance to make a real difference in her client’s life.

However, Kaye Hornery was quite uncomfortable with all the fuss surrounding the late recognition of her induction into the Wambo Coal Hall of Fame on Wednesday morning.

With her daughter Nicole by her side, Kaye accepted the accolade from Wambo’s Steve Peart, along with Witmore president David Williams and, of course, Mr Wellard at the place she dedicated 13 years of her life to.

Unfortunately, she was not able to attend the official ceremony where her community service was recognised last month due to a family holiday in Thailand.

And, even though she has been retired for 12 months, the deep affection and respect both her former colleagues and clients have for her, was apparent.

She was bombarded with positive responses as everyone vied for attention, a former workmate telling her how much she was missed, then a former client filling Kaye in on how her career was progressing.

But the smile on her face confirmed she didn’t mind at all.

“That’s what I miss the most, the people,” Kaye says.

The consummate professional has spent nearly 30 years striving to enrich the lives of those who face more challenges than most.

Entering the industry in her 20s as a volunteer, she immediately saw the need to individualise the stock standard approach taken by many at the time.

“It was so regimented and routine,” she explains.

“It was like, this is what we are doing today whether you like it or not. 

“There were no exceptions made for those who may not have been feeling like doing a particular activity, or were just having an off day and wanted to chill out.”

Because we all have off days, she says.

Mr Wellard says Kaye was fiercely committed to improving the lives of everyone who crossed her path.

“She was a great advocate for them and used her knowledge to implement programs designed to improve education, make better life decisions, identify and achieve life goals, improve independence and to empower people with disability to lead full, fruitful lives,” he says.

“Kaye used a philosophy based on ‘teachable moments’ when dealing with clients and getting them to understand the consequences of their decisions/actions. 

“When she noticed or perceived an issue that would impact adversely on a client, she would take them aside and discuss the actions and possible consequences, thereby regularly intervening before a problem developed.”

He also praised her daily “Take 5” communications.

“She made the time to speak to each client at commencement of the day to ascertain any problems they were harbouring or behavioural indicators of mental health related triggers.”

“Many clients benefitted from Kaye’s early intervention and her ability to sense that a problem was developing. 

“She would then refer the client to external support networks such as their general practitioner, case manager or mental health support worker.”

When asked what it was like working with her, Mr Wellard’s assessment says it all.

“Kaye was composed, calm and professional,” he says.

She was well-informed and knowledgeable about the various conditions that effect people with disability and could be relied upon to provide sound, well thought out outcomes to help people achieve their goals. 

“She was the rock that many in our organisation turned to when things got tough or a problem needed solving. 

“Her calming influence was a key to her success as she often took the ‘dramatics’ out of a situation and was able to focus on facts, not innuendo, suspicions or idle gossip.”

He describes her as a quiet achiever, who sheds the limelight, and prefers to get the job done quietly and effectively, without fuss.

However, her legacy will live on as many of “Kaye’s practices were adopted by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC), who recommended them across the disability network as a service template for best practice”.

But the only recognition Kaye ever needed was a smile, the one that told her life was now just a little bit better for her client.

“It feels good to know you have helped raise their self-esteem and they are contributing to the workplace, meeting new people and not sitting at home watching television.”