Volunteers honoured for making a difference

2/9/03
A Perth bank manager, who has provided work to 17 people with autism, is among individuals and organisations honoured today for making a difference to the lives of people with disabilities.
Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale presented this year's Disability Services Commission 'Making a Difference' Awards to 36 recipients at a ceremony at Parliament House today.
Ms McHale said the awards acknowledged volunteers who had made a substantial contribution to the community by helping people with disabilities.
"Today's recipients not only take a strongly positive approach to life but provide a helping hand for those in need of assistance, over and above the call of duty," the Minister said.
"They are building stronger, more inclusive communities and providing a fair go for people with disabilities.
"Today's recipients represent the very best our community has to offer and have proved that one person can make a difference to the lives of others."
The winners are:

• Don Cocking from the William Street Branch of the Commonwealth Bank for providing employment opportunities for 17 people with autism;
• Wayne McKenna and staff from the Pioneer Village Cinema, Armadale for the support they have provided to local people with disabilities;
• the Rotary clubs of Geraldton, Geraldton/Greenough and Geraldton (North) for raising funds to provide a remote-controlled air conditioner for a local woman with physical disabilities;
• the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, whose members provide funding for disadvantaged people as a way of repaying the generosity of their new country;
• Kevin Gill of Goodlife Medical and David Bonavitor of Mogo Wheelchairs, O'Connor, for their knowledge, professionalism and support for people with disabilities;
• Marilyn Dreaver of Woodridge for working to establish recreation and community activities for people with disabilities in Perth's northern suburbs;
• The Activators Committee, volunteers who raise funds for the Activ Foundation;
• Tony Ganzer of South Lake for his work with the advocacy organisation People With Disabilities;
• Angus Jones of lawyers Allens Arthur Robinson for practical support including new computer equipment for the Paraplegic-Quadriplegic Association of WA;
• Olga White of Padbury for helping to establish the Break Away Club to widen the social circle of young people with disabilities;
• Nyree Bartram and the Roche Park Recreation Centre, Collie, for a range of inclusive recreation programs that have benefited local children with disabilities;
• Shirley Webb of Heathridge who has two children with disabilities, for her generous support and care for other local parents of children with disabilities;
• Sue Bayley of Beldon for her work in community-building, using her own experience to educate and support others;
• About You Program, run by relatives of people with disabilities in the Clarkson area, to provide pampering sessions - massage, facials, hairdressing - to people with disabilities and their carers;
• The Lions Club of Port Kennedy for supporting local people with disabilities as well as nominating children with disabilities for their 'Children of Courage' awards;
• Betty and Dave Hawthorn of Fremantle who run a popular op-shop to raise funds for people with acquired head injury through Headwest;
• Sharon Barrey Grassick of City Beach for her many years of work with adults and children who are deaf-blind;
• Collie Family Centre for implementing responsive programs, activities and projects to address community needs, and that are particularly supportive of people with disabilities and their families;
• Constable Martin Bretnall of Merredin for his ongoing commitment to the local community, particularly through fundraising for a young girl with disabilities;
• Bryan Wood of Greenwood for his many years of dedicated service to people with disabilities and his work with the local organisation Kira;
• Megan Shand of Doubleview who established the lobby organisation Amputees in Action;
• Ray Bennett of Greenwood for voluntary management consultancy to a number of organisations including Elba, the Neurological Council and the WA Stroke Foundation;
• Beryl Morris of Ocean Reef for her work with aural rehabilitation tutors with Better Hearing Australia (WA);
• The Parent Focus Group from the Cerebral Palsy Association of Western Australia for the information, care and support it provides to new parents of children with cerebral palsy;
• Valma Cearns of City Beach for her many years of service with parents of children with disabilities through the Kalparrin Centre;
• Margaret Barnes of Narrogin for more than 10 years of voluntary service to people with disabilities in the Upper Great Southern area, resulting in a range of new community-based organisations;
• Glen Murray of Bentley who volunteers his time to look after the gardens of the Multiple Sclerosis Society's Fern River complex in Wilson;
• John Criddle of Midvale who supported a man with quadriplegia, ensuring he could live as independently as possible within the community;
• Gosnells Youth Advisory Council, which has included young people with disabilities on its decision-making body and implementing a range of inclusive activities;
• Peter Wass of Greenwood for initiating a woodworking program for people with intellectual disabilities at Swan TAFE;
• Peter Lim of Parkwood for designing a Foodsafe Training Program for all staff and volunteers of the MS Society to ensure people with MS are not in danger of food poisoning;
• Sister Antoninus Campbell of Doubleview for establishing St Dominic's Youth Group to provide a social outlet for young people with disabilities and respite for their parents;
• Triple J - Julia Hewson of Mundaring, Jaci Ward of Applecross and Jacqui Willis of Ballajura - who raise funds for the MS Society's respite facility, Norbury House; and
• Nulsen Haven Ladies Auxiliary, established in 1954, for many years of fundraising, particularly through its op-shop in East Victoria Park.