Disability Inclusion Advisory Committee

It is an honour to be the new chairman of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Committee for the Mildura Rural City Council. I come to the position with 55 years of lived experience with a disability as well as a sound knowledge of government, having worked within the disability sector.

I have represented Australia in sailing and chaired the Australian Access Sailing Association for five years.

My mission is simple: to make our council as accessible and inclusive as possible. 

I wish to ensure that Mildura and the surrounding districts that I shall strive to uphold the rights of people with disabilities have the same access to the community as others.

Role: Deputy Chair, community member representative

I’m a local resident of Mildura and was born in the Mildura Base Hospital and grew up locally.

I’m a happy, friendly, easy person to approach. I’m a c6/c7 quadriplegic and have been using a wheelchair since 2004. I have a keen eye for accessibility issues.

I have been a member of the Disability Inclusion Advisor Committee (DIAC) since 2019, and I endeavour to do my best for all members of the DIAC and community.

I believe the DIAC is a valuable asset to the community in acknowledging accessibility and disability inclusion issues, as well as promoting and supporting a wide range of recreational, social, cultural events and activities to ensure accessibility and inclusion for people with a disability in Sunraysia and the surrounding areas.

Role: Disability service provider representative from Solve-TAD

I am an Occupational Therapist by training. Since moving to Mildura in 1978 I have worked at the Mildura Base Hospital and at Vision Australia. However, most of my time has been spent volunteering in the community within the disability sector.

I contributed to the setting up of the Mildura Toy Library and Special Needs Playgroup, the Playgroup Association, Sunassist Volunteer Helpers and Solve Disability Solutions (formerly TADVIC).

The DAAC provides a voice for people living within our local community who face barriers that prevent them from achieving their goals in life. Council has proven to be very responsive to our recommendations such as replacing steps with rampways, including wheelchair accessible toilets in public toilet blocks, removing tripping hazards and overhanging branches from footpaths.

When the request lies outside of Council’s responsibility, DAAC will contact the appropriate government department or private body eg. Disability Parking at the Mildura Airport, changes at Railway Crossings.

Role: Positive Behaviour Support Practitioner with Outcomes Connect Australia.

I joined the DIAC in 2021 as a Disability Services Representative. I have over 20 years’ experience working in various facets of the disability field, and since 2009 I have been building strong networks within the local community to best support people with disability and their families. I am passionate about supporting our local community and services to work together to achieve the common goal of providing a truly inclusive environment.

In my time with the DIAC I have seen many issues within our community addressed by a team of committed individuals, and I am proud to have the honour of being a member of this group. The DIAC is a very important platform for local people with disability to notify of any issues they are experiencing, and to feel confident that their concerns will be heard.

Role: Department of Education and Training 

I work for the Department of Education and Training assisting schools across Sunraysia who have students with a physical disability. This may be vision, hearing, physical or medical. 

The work of DAAC is vital to the community, providing a conduit between citizens and the Council that enables issues of access to be aired and then addressed by Council. As I talk to people with a disability they are glad that Council cares about their needs and acts on issues that they bring forward.

Some areas that I have seen addressed have been ensuring footpaths are safe for people with a disability, providing training and forums for the community to understand issues around disability; recreational, cultural and social facilities being made accessible. 

Role: Community member representative

I have been a quadriplegic for 42 years and in that time have seen many changes in the disability sector. I have been involved as a volunteer with several different organisations as a founder, board member, coordinator, client and as a Community Visitor for the Office of the Public Advocate. 

My employment has included Dispatcher, Manager, Problem Gambling Counsellor and Disability consultant.

I joined DAAC in 2022 to help highlight the accessibility challenges that people with a disability have in our community.

Role: Community member representative 

I’m 49-years-old and have always lived in Mildura except for three-and-a-half years hairdressing in Swan Hill. Previously I’ve been the owner of a dressmaking business.

Fourteen years ago l was officially diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. 

l want to feel comfortable and safe in our community. While l need support with mine and other's disabilities, l am still very motivated to be as independent as l possibly can be, and to become a voice for those who see a problem but may not feel confident to bring it to the Council's attention.

Confined to a wheelchair for 10 years I have a good insight into the day to day challenge’s that people face in regards to accessibility within our municipality.

Living in Redcliff’s, I have been proactive in advocating for better access for people with disabilities to businesses in Red Cliffs and Mildura.

I have been instrumental in the development of special disability accommodation in Red Cliffs and consulting on the needs of the participants.

As a deaf/hard of hearing person I have lived experience and understand the impact and challenges for accessibility for children and adults who rely on Auslan (Australian Sign Language) for communication and those that rely on lipreading to understand what is being said.

I remain actively involved in the local Mildura Deaf community which I established back in the late 1980’s.   My interest in the Mildura Disability Inclusion Advisory Committee is to provide input and create more awareness of and reduce the barriers faced by deaf and hard of hearing individuals when considering developing an inclusive municipality".  

Growing up in Tasmania my inspiration has been my younger brother Timothy who has high needs Autism and Epilepsy and this has led me into the world of aged and disability care, I currently work as an Active Support Assistant and work with people with disabilities.

As an active member of Park Run and since completing Northern Mallee Leaders in 2020 this has driven me to build a better understanding of my community and their needs.

I am honoured to have been selected to represent the community as a member of the Disability Inclusion Advisory Committee.

I am a personal trainer and have my own personal training business Fun and Fitness with Chris 

I am also a coach for Mildura Basketball for All Abilities, mixed netball coach, wheelchair basketball coach and a volunteer for Mildura Weir Park Run. 

I love to help people of all abilities to get fit and healthy I love walking my little girl Ruby she is my companion dog as well.

Basketball and netball I love.  I go for Geelong Cats and I love walking and meeting people as well and I’m very happy and easy to talk to and willing to learn more.