Craig Wyhoon (2nd from L), on set with Liam Hackney, Skye Hope, Isaac Hope, and Daniel Holman.
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Everyone sees the world through different lenses.
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Lenses shaped by how we touch the world - and how it touches us.
Echuca’s Craig Wyhoon has spent a lot of his life thinking about those lenses.
His observations have shaped the way he functions, in work and life, putting care, compassion, connection and empowerment above all.
The 2026 Support Worker of the Year finalist has dedicated years to helping give Thrive Support Services’ clients different lenses through which to view the world, both metaphorical and literal, running a film program with Thrive, the company he works with.
He helps the organisation’s clients experiment with, and explore, film-making, with several having already scored major recognition and accolades for the content they’ve made with the award-winning director.
Craig Wyhoon has a long-held deep love of the arts and film-making.
“I get just as much enjoyment and satisfaction (as our clients do) seeing these films go from the writing process through to a finished product,” he said.
“When you love something as much as I love film and the arts, you want to share the joy it brings you with others.”
It’s the philosophy which inspired Mr Wyhoon to start his film program around four years ago.
He had a long involvement in disability support, but wasn’t sure what to expect when he decided to combine his love of film-making with his passion for inclusion and empowerment.
The result was a program with an impact further reaching than he’d ever imagined.
Luke Peters and Thrive Support Services support worker Zali Kendrick work on a shoot.
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“It’s about giving them hope and saying, ‘this is real, this is what you can do,’” he said.
“It shows them with our support and guidance they can achieve absolutely anything. It doesn’t matter if they’ve got a disability, it doesn’t matter if they feel different, because they’re not different.
“The program shows the world what they can do and helps them realise their passions and dreams while gaining confidence, experience and tools to use in a variety of capacities.”
Thrives’s clients Mr Wyhoon has worked with have grasped the opportunity with both hands, some gaining international attention for their acting and directing.
Skye Hope, Craig Wyhoon and Daniel Holman recognised for their film Loki and Me with star of the small screen and Ambassador for Focus on Ability film festival Paula Duncan.
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McPherson Media Group
The entire process is led by the clients, who have creative control, with Mr Wyhoon offering guidance through empowerment rather than explicit direction.
Though he isn’t interested in the spotlight, Mr Wyhoon’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed, after being named a national finalist for Support Worker of the Year at the 2026 Kismet Awards for Health and Disability Services.
“It feels amazing, and I’m just honoured to be in the finals,” he said.
“But I think it just goes to show how amazing a support Thrive Support Services has been in promoting and providing opportunities for everyone to follow their dreams in film and acting.
“It’s not about me. It’s a team effort in the support we provide, and this is a reflection of everyone.”
Mr Wyhoon is one of seven finalists, with the winner set to be announced at a ceremony in Sydney next month.
If Mr Wyhoon wins, it’ll add another event to an already jam-packed calendar, with the director currently in Los Angeles working on a short film he hopes to turn into a feature.
When he returns, it’s straight back to working with Thrive’s clients, including Toby Hackney, who is counting down the days until production on his project starts.
To top it off, Mr Wyhoon is preparing to direct his first feature film.
It’s a crazy schedule, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
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