Honouring volunteers who make a difference

29/9/04
People from all walks of life, united by a commitment to improve the quality of life for Western Australians with disabilities and their families, have been honoured at a ceremony at Parliament House today.
Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale today presented 22 volunteer helpers and organisations from across the State with Disability Service Commission 'Making a Difference' Awards.
The annual awards were important in acknowledging the contribution of volunteers to the community and to the people with disabilities and their families that they helped.
"For these people volunteering is not an altruistic act but an automatic part of their lives and today's award winners represent the very best our community has to offer," Ms McHale said.
She said a positive approach to life and a helping hand for those in need was integral in building stronger, more inclusive communities for all, including people with disabilities.
Awards were presented to:

• Roland Pfennig (North Perth) and Arax Gleeson (Sorrento), who established the successful Alibata Creative Writing Group providing a literary outlet for people with disabilities and their families, with two books of personal stories and poems published.
• Christine King (Claremont), who helped establish the support group, 'Families for a Good Life' and provided support, leadership and guidance to people with disabilities and their families through a range of organisations and projects.
• Brian Granville (Bunbury), who has provided skills and knowledge as an accountant to the South West Family Support Association for the past five years.
• Pieter Van Valen (Hilton), who has given time and extensive knowledge in computers to support people with multiple sclerosis to access favourite sites, making a significant difference to their lives.
• Scott Russell (Quinns Rock), a single father with three children, two of whom have cerebral palsy, who repairs and provides computers to people with disabilities.
• Anthony Collier (Chidlow), who has volunteered with the Association for the Blind over the past 25 years, training and supporting athletes who are blind or vision impaired across a range of sports.
• Terry Rees (Success), who has supported and guided blind and vision impaired golfers and tenpin bowlers to participate in national and international competitions.
• Irene Gray (Duncraig), who helped establish the Spinal Cord Injury Library and Resource Centre and is a founding member of the WA Tourette Syndrome Association and the Neurological Council of Western Australia.
• Elaine Sharp (Morley), President of the Adventist Special Family Inc, who has worked to support people with disabilities and their families for more than 40 years in a range of capacities.
• Youth Outreach Program (Bunbury), providing support, assistance and resources through mentors to disadvantaged young people in rural and remote areas of the South-West.
• Mandy Cain (Rockingham), who cares for six children, three with special needs, and who supports local families, particularly as an advocate for inclusive education.
• Nola Kennedy (Merriwa), a well-respected and active member of the indigenous community, who has cared for a young woman with severe disabilities for 26 years and has given her time and expertise to benefit her local community and people with disabilities.
• Staff from Clarkson Primary School, for the outstanding support provided to a student with profound cerebral palsy, assisting him to be fully involved in all aspects of school life, resulting in remarkable improvements in his academic and social abilities, and adding to his enjoyment of life.
• Santa Maria College's (Attadale) Young Mercies Program, for the many hours of support given by students to children with cerebral palsy - on outings, working in a respite house and generally having fun together.
• Cheryl Robertson (West Perth) who decided that 'giving money was too easy' and who volunteered to work with the Association for the Blind, doing everything from fundraising by organising a parachuting event to driving a bus.
• Woodside Energy's Community Partnerships Program, for providing garden makeovers to many Activ Foundation facilities, beautifying gardens, building walls and pergolas and creating shade areas free of charge, enhancing the quality of life for residents and others.
• Norma Bain (Westfield), mother of a daughter with disabilities and a founding member of the group 'Caring Into The Future', exploring future plans for people with disabilities, for the leadership and support she has given other parents.
• Olive Melling (Narrogin), who has overseen the expansion of services for people with disabilities in the Upper Great Southern region as long-time president and board member of the Upper Great Southern Family Support Association.
• Dr Joseph Nathan (Shenton Park), now aged 81, has spent 51 years as a caring, dedicated and compassionate doctor awarded for the life-changing care and support provided to his patients.
• Dr Christine Forlin Edith Cowan University (Joondalup) provides student teachers with the chance to spend time with people with disabilities, helping them better understand and respond to issues faced by the students with disabilities they may teach in the future.
• Sue Jones (Geraldton), for the support given to people with disabilities in expanding their social networks and to have fun through recreational activities such as ballroom dancing.
• Dr Antonio Buti, Michael Tkacz, Liesl Ellies (Murdoch University), for developing a legal information manual for people with disabilities and families on issues such as discrimination, guardianship and managing property and assets.