Committee Profiles

Anne-Maree Newbold, President

My partner and I have two children and we live in the western region of Melbourne. My eldest son Lewis was born with cerebral palsy and has severe multiple disabilities. Despite his difficulties, Lewis enjoys life, especially swimming, massage, listening to story tapes and walks in the park. His younger brother Elliot is a delightful boy who is into sport, Nintendo and pretty much everything.

I became a member of the Association when I was searching for services and support when Lewis was in child care. Over the years we have battled to get the services and equipment we need. We were often frustrated by the bureaucratic rules and inflexibility of the service system and this prompted me to join the Association's committee in 1998.

I have been a social worker for over 20 years and worked in the areas of mental health, education and training. I am very interested in improving service delivery systems so that they are driven by family needs and not bureaucratic rules.

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Jan De Witte, Secretary

I live in Hoppers Crossing with my husband Clem and my son Donald who has Aspergers syndrome.

In addition to being on the Association's committee I am also involved with a number of support groups in the western region.

I have a particular interest in autism and autism spectrum disorders and making sure that families get good support in the early years. As Donald approaches adulthood, I am also interested in future planning.

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Denise Leembruggen, Vice President

I have lived in Horsham for over 25 years with my husband David, a very busy GP. Our daughter Amy is pursuing a career in Law in Melbourne and my son Tom has cerebral palsy with significant physical and intellectual disabilities.

Since joining the committee in 1997, I have consciously brought a rural perspective to the issues faced by families as I have made my own journey. Our repeated trips to Ballarat and Melbourne for specialist appointments have highlighted the difficulties and costs that parents in rural and regional areas face when accessing services that are not available in their region.

Tom now has a reasonably well established and diverse program that suits most of his needs. He still lives at home with us and finding suitable long term accommodation will be our next big hurdle, although it is a joy having him living with us at home at the moment. In addition to being on the Association's committee, I worked for many years as the Festival Director of the Awakenings Festival, Australia 's only regional disability arts festival held in Horsham every year which is a fantastic community celebration of ability.

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Alan Blackwood

Our eldest child William was born premature and spent most of his first years in and out of hospital. William has an autism spectrum disorder and needs assistance with his diet and daily activities.

William has been through early intervention, various therapy and integration programs and is now in high school. He has a great love of the Internet and music, and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, Tom Waits and others of the sixties and seventies.

I have spent most of my working life in the disability field, having worked for Yooralla, Headway, the TAC and as the public policy manager at the MS Society. My partner also works in the disability sector in recreation. I hope to be able to put this experience to good use with the committee to promote the issues we face as families in the world of government policy.

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Lisa Thomas

I have two fantastic children, Sarah and Bryn, and an equally fantastic partner. Bryn has an autism spectrum disorder and high needs. He has a wicked sense of humour, loves computer games and is a Western Bulldogs fan. Bryn's sister Sarah is fantastic with her brother and is a very supportive older sister.

As a community development worker I have worked in Neighbourhood Houses, lectured to students and worked on social research projects, including a project about the needs of people who juggle paid employment with caring responsibilities.

I have a particular interest in bringing about systemic change and educating the community about the needs and experiences of families of children with a disability.

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Cara Scott

My husband and I have three children, Lucy, James and Oliver. James has severe cerebral palsy, epilepsy, is non-verbal and has spent a lot of time at the Royal Children's Hospital. James loves school and enjoys the company of his family and friends. Lucy adores her brothers and attends two sibling programs which she thoroughly enjoys, and Oliver loves being a part of all the busy activities of his brother and sister.

I have a business background and have mainly worked in admin and finance. James has taught me many things about life which I hope to put to good use, and help make a difference for families with a child with a disability.

I have a particular interest in the Royal Children's Hospital and in making sure the new one is family and disability friendly.

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John McKenna

I have tackled and overcome mobility difficulties since I was born with a condition known as Arthrogryposis (try saying that backwards), anyway this has stood me in good stead for the type of I work I am doing in the ‘disability' space. I lead a rich independent life with my wife Robyn and have three kids and six grandchildren.

My personal drive revolves around eliminating fear and promoting awareness and understanding of disability. I have worked in the areas of rehabilitation equipment, telecommunications and website accessibility. I have currently gone out into the world of consulting and set up ‘Better Access Consulting'.

In addition to being on the Association's committee, I am an active member of various boards and advisory panels where I contribute my unique personal and business perspectives on disability.

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Profiles coming soon for Liz Kelly, Anna Molony and Jenny Salgo.