For the first time even, people with special needs from across all three regions of Bougainville got together to actively participate in the Bougainville Disabled Persons Organization (BDPO) annual general meeting and election of board members. The BDPO supports the provision of better services for people with disability and advocates their active participate in community life. A total of forty participants attended the meeting, which was facilitated by departmental staff from Bougainville’s Community Development and Community Government. The newly elected BDPO Board comprises of the President, Aidah Kenneth along with six committee members, including four women. The Board reflects the community it represents; all committee members are people with special needs and with this Kenneth encouraged all participants to take up leading roles in the organization. “As a person living with a disability, you know your challenges and can advocate on behalf of other persons living with disabilities.” Vice President Elect, Ruth Tohaka expressed that this is an exciting chapter for them all because it is the first time they are seeing a high participation of persons with disabilities in the voting process for the new board members in which truly fulfils their mission statement which is, ‘Nothing About Us Without Us.’ Meanwhile, Australia is proud to support the BDPO who represent the interests of people with special needs in Bougainville, guided by the Bougainville Disability Policy 2021-2023.