DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE2015
COMMUNITY MEMBERPROFILE
Cr. KYLIE FISHER
CORIO WARD
Community Development
CHAIR
Disability Advisory Committee 2015
LIZ SPURDLE
LIZ SPURDLE has been an Inaugural Member of the Disability Advisory Committee since 2003. She has served as Deputy Chair and Acting Chair of the DAC and was re-elected in 2007 and 2008.
Liz is a person with a disability and is passionate about social inclusion and community access for all. Liz does not confine her work to Geelong.
“Where ever I go and people need help I listen to what they need and assist them where I can. Ihave gone as far as Tasmania. I get a real buzz when I can do something for someone else.”
In addition to being a member of the City of Greater Geelong
Street Access Committee, Liz is employed at Encompass Community Services.
Liz is also a member of the Inclusive Events Planning Group and volunteers at St Laurence and the Can Do Cancer Club in Geelong.
OLIVER LYNCH
OLIVER LYNCHis a new resident to Geelong and brings with him many years of involvement with disability support groups. As someone with a condition of dwarfism, he is especially passionate about the Short Statured People of Australia (SSPA) association in which he has served as President as well as on their National Council committee since emigrating over from Scotland in 1995.
From the SSPA, Oliver has connected with the Genetics Support Network of Victoria through the Royal Children’s Hospital and Disability Sports Victoria to help raise awareness of the disability.
The latter even helped bring about his proudest moment for SSPA - the fielding of a short-statured basketball team in a regular Saturday competition at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. This presence received tremendous support from their young opponents, their families as well as the wider basketball community.
Oliver is looking forward to having his horizons broadened further while serving on the Disability Advisory Committee.
LINDABLAIK
LINDA BLAIKhas utilised her lived experienceof vision impairment to support and advocate for people with disability. She hasdedicated her time to a number of committees and organisations in hercampaign for the inclusion of people with disability in the community. These include:
- Guide Dogs Victoria Client Advisory Committee
- Volunteer Coordinator for the Geelong Guide Dog office
- Volunteer for Red Cross Australia
- State Rep for Albinism Fellowship of Australia (shared position)
- Committee for Geelong Alumni
Linda is also a graduate of the LEAD Barwon program and is passionate about fund raising for Guide Dogs Victoria and Albinism Fellowship of Australia.
She is very excited to be part of the Disability Advisory Committee in 2015 and hopes that and hopes that the experience will contribute to her important work in the community.
LYNNE FOREMAN
LYNNE FOREMAN is proud to be the first person with a disability to be accepted into the Barwon Community Leadership Program (2013) which she has successfully completed and graduated from.
In addition to having a busy family life, she is involved in many committees and groups some of which include:
- Barwon disAbility Resource Council
- Barwon Ability Alliance
- City of Greater Geelong Disability Advisory Committee
- 3219 Forum
- Karingal Disability Advisory Group
- Having a Say Conference
- the Norlane Yarn Bombing Group
Lynne is a strong campaigner for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and a member of the Life Activity Club. She is often engaged as a public speaker on issues such as disability awareness, the NDIS and others. Lynne is recognised by many as a person who “lives life to the full making her a great mentor and advocate for all”.
BRIAN KIDD
BRIAN KIDD, AM is an architect with a lifelong commitment to the design of facilities for people with disabilities and people who are ageing. His father was a severely disabled war veteran.
Since the inception in 1962, he has been directly involved in the campaign for access for all people to buildings. Brianserved as Chairperson of the ACROD WA (1972-75), Victorian (1978 –84), and National (1984-94) Committees on Access and Mobility. He participated in provisions in the Building Code Australia, and drafting the Australian Standards on access.
From 1977 to 1990 he was a senior lecturer at the University of Melbourne, concentrating teaching and research interests into human abilities and positive ageing. As an architect, he advocates universal design and the principles of normalisation, and has designed many residential aged care facilities. He currently lectures at the Universities of Melbourne and Deakin on ‘Designing for People with Dementia’ and is a member of the Association of Consultants in Access Australia.
CLAIRE THOMPSON
CLAIRE THOMPSONhas been employed as a social worker in the Geelong region for eight years. She has had experience in a range of areas including housing services, disability services and most recently foster and kinship care. She has performed case management roles as well as leadership and management roles within the organisation she has worked for.
Claire's interest in becoming a member of Disability Advisory Committee stems from having a child with a disability and from working with a range of children and adults with various disabilities. She hopes to be able to contribute both a personal and professional experience to the committee.
Claire has a Bachelor of Social Work, Diploma of Community Services Welfare and a Diploma in Family Therapy.
NATALIE
WILLIAMSON
NATALIE WILLIAMSON grew up on a dairy farm near Colac. Her dedication to improving services for people with disabilities comes for her experiences of growing up with a sister who has an intellectual disability.
After completing university studies in psychology, Natalie commenced working in the disability sector with Disability Services at the Department of Human Services.
In 2008,Natalie commenced working with the TAC and currently works as a Senior Business Analyst in their Strategy and Planning Team. Natalie has also completed postgraduate studies in Management.
Natalie is currently on maternity leave from work as she welcomed her first child in December last year, but will still attend the DAC throughout 2014.
PENNY DORGAN
PENNY DORGAN’S involvement in Disability Services began at the age of 15 when she volunteered with the Interchange Host Program.
At 17, Penny joined Barwon Interchange Board of Management, eventually advancing to being employed in the dual role of Youth Worker and Host Program Worker for eight years. In 2007 Penny won the Jean Simpson Award for most outstanding contribution the Victorian Regional & State Interchange programs.
Penny’s experience includes working with the Committee for Domestic Violence Outreach Program, the Department of Human Services and the City of Greater Geelong as a Disability Support Worker. In 2008-2013 Penny worked at Gordon TAFE as a Disability Liaison Officer and served as a member on the Gordon’s Disability Advisory Committee.
June 2013 Penny was successful in gaining employment with the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) for the Barwon Launch site as a Regional Support Officer.
BERNIE MELICAN
BERNIE MELICAN is a Registered Nurse with a 30 year background in Aged and Community Care. He has mostly worked with people where they live – in Aged Care Facilities or their own homes.
One of Bernie’s adult sons is in a wheelchair. This has lead to 23 years of involvement with the Spina Bifida Foundation in Victoria and Parallel Sports Geelong. Once a week, Bernie attends the Wheelchair Basketball games at Try Boys Stadium, scoring, organizing and even playing.
Bernie believes this is a very exciting time for Disability in the Barwon Region and was attracted by the DAC’s commitment to access and inclusion which he believes are basic human rights for all in our community.
ROBERT KUEBLER
ROBERT KUEBLER is a qualified architect who conducted his own practice for many years.
Rob acquired a brain injury following a car accident. He moved away from his practice and is now employed as a part time lecturer and tutor in Architecture and Construction Management at Deakin University, Geelong.
Robert’s commitment to the disability sector comes from personal knowledge and experience. He is currently a member of the DASSI (care agency) Board of Governance and Client advisory Sub-Committee.
CITY OF GREATER GEELONG
DISABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE 2015