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Polio Advisory Committe (PAC) |
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A service of Independence Australia
Current committee members and contact information
Annual nominations for PAC elections are called for in the Autumn edition of Polio Perspectives. If you are interested in finding out more, please call Jill Burn (PAC Chairman) on Ph: 9499 4015 or Polio Network Victoria on Ph: 9418 0411.
Geoff Dean ph 5662 2643
Martin Grillo ph 0430 345 679
Michael Judson ph 0412 302 997
Jo McKenna ph 9308 8440
Gordon McKinnon ph 5565 8660
Liz Telford ph 9489 8328
Peter Willcocks ph 9578 5953
Jill Burn
PAC Chairman - Metro/Independent - I was born in Ararat where I contracted polio at the age of 14 months. Shortly after, the family moved to Hepburn Springs. I was sent to Mt Eliza for the next eighteen months, which was a great strain on my parents. Hepburn Springs to Mt Eliza was quite a journey in those days. I again ended up at beautiful Mt Eliza after having three more operations on my leg and hip. I was left with a weakness in my right leg and hip, but it didn’t really prevent me from living quite a ‘normal’ life, able to do most things except play sport. I now live in Ivanhoe and have only recently retired after working for World Vision Australia for 30 years, including working for the handcraft department handling, promoting and selling craft from developing countries. The last six years were in the banking department, our most challenging time being during the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004. I’m enjoying working with the Polio Advisory Committee, and hope that I will be able to contribute to the expanding knowledge and understanding of Post Polio Syndrome in the wider community.
Geoff Dean
Rural/Independent - I contracted Polio in 1953 at the age of 3½. As a child I went through the wringer like most Polio’s – Fairfield, Lady Dugan, etc. I have been involved in the health industry from both sides – consumer/patient and administration/service provider/advocate. I am currently self employed. I am a life member of Apex Service Club and am a Board of Management member for Gippsland Southern Health Service, a group C rural hospital (16 years total with 5 years as Treasurer and 6 years as President). Past member of the Rural Division Victorian Healthcare Association (8 years), past Director of VHA (2 years), and currently on the Board of Management of ‘getGP’ (Gippsland Education and Training General Practitioners).
Martin Grillo
Metro/Independent - I am 50 years old and was born in Italy. I contracted polio at the age of 6 months and was placed in hospital for up to 2 years. We came to Australia when I was 6 years old and I attended Yorralla in Carlton until the age of 14. I was then able to ingrate into a boy’s school closer to home and attended this until I finished HSC. I went on to complete a Social Work degree at Melbourne University before applying to work for the Commonwealth Government at the age of 22. 24 of those years were with the CES/Centrelink. I have a varied range of experience with these departments and my last 8 years with Centrelink was working in the Disability area. Other experience includes telephone counselling with Life Line, on the DRC Board of Management (Disability Resources Centre), and as a volunteer with Essenden Legal Services.
Michael Judson
Metro/Member of South Eastern Region Polio Support Group - I contracted polio in England at the time that I was first learning to walk. Because both of my parents were nurses I never spent time in hospital as a direct result of Polio, although I did spend time in hospital for operations, so my experiences are probably different from most members of the network. Over the years I have had a wide range of business experience and have been a member of many committees. Although I retired from full time work about four years ago, I remain in the workforce part time. Because of the lack of knowledge in the community in general (including the medical profession) I believe that it is important that we all get involved in supporting each other, and passing on relevant information to anyone, and everyone, out there.
Gordon McKinnon
Rural/Member of Warrnambool Post Polio Support Group - I was born in 1941 in Camden, NSW. I contracted Polio at the age of 12 and spent time in Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney. I started working with my father on a dairy farm in Picton but in 1982 I moved with my wife, Hazel, and two children to Berrigan to run a dairy farm. It was here that the late effects of polio made their presence felt and I had to give up farming. Hazel and I moved to Warrnambool in 1993. I have served on the PAC for some time but still feel I have something to give to those who need advice and assistance. I have also served as the Chair of the Southwest Advocacy Association (SWAA) and have been a Rotarian for approx 25 years. During this time I have served as President, Secretary and on a number of committees.
Liz Telford
Metro/Independent - I have been a member of the PAC for one year. After having polio as a child, my younger adult years were relatively free from constraint but when new polio related issues arose later in life, I attended my first Polio Day and have benefitted greatly from my involvement with the Network since then. I have had to slow down professionally and allow more time to address my physical issues and hearing other people’s stories has helped me enormously. I now appreciate being able to contribute by being a member of the PAC, and a member of the Oral History Project. I am a trained social worker and currently work as a counsellor in private practice. I have two young adult daughters.
Peter Willcocks
Metro/Member of Bayside Support Group - Born in 1950, live in Caulfield, polio at age 5, paralysis right leg, ‘full’ recovery, played school rugby, married, four children, competed at everything I did. I managed in the book trade for over 20 years and ended up driving buses. In 2000 I became noticeably run down. No longer could I play 18 holes of golf without experiencing pain and lasting muscular fatigue. Like many I put this down to lack of physical fitness. I was forced to slow down and I hated it. In 2005, I heard a radio interview by two polio survivors. As they described their current symptoms, it was pretty obvious to me that I was at the very least a candidate for Post Polio Syndrome. I took myself to the doctor who suggested that I might consider antidepressants. Since that day I have weaved my way through the medical maize, gained help and guidance. It is a great privilege to be able to repay the commitment of my predecessors in the Polio Network who paved the way promoting knowledge of and good management of the later effects of Poliomyelitis.
The role of the PAC is to:
- The Polio Advisory Committee (PAC) is an advisory committee to the Polio Community Officer position within the Community Support Services Branch of Independence Australia (IA), on matters concerning members of Polio Network Victoria (PNV). The PAC is elected from members of PNV.
Composition of the PAC
The PAC should comprise eight elected members which include:
- Two rural Polio Network Victoria (PNV) members (minimum)
Two non-Polio Support Group or ‘independent’ members (minimum)
Two metropolitan PNV members
Two general PNV members
The Polio Community Officer
Election Process
Eight representatives of the PAC are elected by members of the PNV for a period of two years. Nominations will be called for in the Autumn edition of ‘Polio Perspectives’ each year. Details of those nominated, together with Ballot Papers, are usually distributed in the Winter edition of ‘Polio Perspectives’. Votes are then counted and successful candidates advised in time to commence in July.
