DDaydream Machine is owned and run by Luke Ferguson, a Canberra-based Youth Support Worker, who was recently named the 2022 ACT Local Hero and awarded the 2019 Excellence in Support Work at the Chief Minister’s Inclusion Awards as well as the 2021 Outstanding Youth Worker at the Youth Coalition Awards for his work in this field with the students of The Woden School, Year 7-12 ACT  school for students with disability.

 

Luke  is passionate about empowering young people with disability - he saw a real need for a care-provider business in Canberra providing creative project-based outcomes for its participants, instilling in them a sense of self-belief and pride while developing exciting career pathways. Daydream Machine opened its doors in January 2022 and immediately became a hive of activity - providing an exciting, inclusive, safe, supportive community space for its students and their extended family. Luke believes the real key to Daydream Machine’s success is maintaining a sense of fun in all the programs it runs.

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Daydream Machine was awarded a Commendation in Inclusion in Business at the 2022 Chief Minister's Inclusion Awards. 

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All Daydream Machine activities have been developed with the sole aim of enhancing the inclusion of young people with disability - this has been achieved by providing an inspiring, safe, inclusive space for young people with disability to meet other like-minded people and explore, develop and showcase their creative fields of interest. Daydream Machine uses the power of music, art and film to break down barriers to participation and enhance self esteem of young neurodivergent people, shifting the focus to their innate gift to spark joy in others. Daydream Machine's activities are removing stigma and changing people's perceptions of what young people with disability are capable of.

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Daydream Machine’s participants have, amongst many other things:

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. Collaborated with the United Nations Information Centre on a number of projects.

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. Participated in the Disability Strategy Conversation with the Office for Disability

 

. Performed at an AOTY Luncheon

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. Had three finalists in the National Edstart Achievement Awards - one student, Grace, won her Ed-Start music-category and is using the prize money to record her album at Daydream Machine.

. Been interviewed by the Canberra Times and ABC Radio about their various projects.

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. Performed live at several Daydream Machine showcase concerts - the Minister for Disability attended two of the concerts, spoke to the students and purchased some of their art.

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