Connecting kids with their worlds for more than 70 years. - Novita ...

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Celebrating achievements
of Novita clients
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T
he 2011 Novita Achievement
Awards were a highlight of Novita’s
Annual General Meeting and
Supporters’ Cocktail Party in November.
The Minister for Disabilities, Hon Ian
Hunter MLC, was our special guest and he
presented the Minister’s Community
Achievement Award to Jesse Aungles (1)
who stepped up to receive the Award after
demonstrating he really is ‘connected with
his world’ through his participation in
activities and sports that include basketball,
tennis, kayaking, golf, cycling, Pedal Prix,
track chair, triathlon, and the arts.
The Wallmans Lawyers Academic
Achievement Award was presented to
William (Billy) Hosking (2) who is a very
dedicated student and excels
academically. At a Year 8 age, William
undertook predominantly Year 10 subjects
in 2011 including core Science, core
English, his Personal Learning Project, and
also core Maths. Next year he is looking to
complete some Year 11 subjects.
The President’s Achievement Award was
presented to Isaac Hodzic (3) who has,
through persistence and belief that ‘he can
do it’, transitioned from the Severely,
Multiply Disabled Unit at Elizabeth Special
School into a primary class, using his
walker. He now walks from the bus to the
activities he loves – swimming, horse
riding or simply walking through a puddle.
Zach Franz (4) received the Carol
Dibben Encouragement Award
(supported by John Dibben OAM and Ruth
Dibben) for showing a very strong
commitment to his local hockey club and
attending practice each week. It was a
weekly game and the team won its local
hockey grand final – an achievement
of which Zach is very proud.
The Pauline McGregor Award was
presented to Owen Hutchinson (5) who
is now able to walk 10m before lowering
with control to a sitting position. Owen’s
balance and the distance he is able to
walk before requiring assistance increases
each day. The supports have been
reduced on his Rifton Pacer and Owen
now chooses to walk independently of his
walker indoors. He can now explore and
investigate his environment with greater
ease, providing new and exciting
opportunities for him to learn.
Sam Paech (6) is an inspirational young
man deserving of the Recreational and
Sporting Achievement Award (supported
by David McNally). The challenges that he
has faced throughout his life have not
deterred him from trying his best at all
times. He would like to continue with his
football and is also interested in
participating in the Paralympics. Sam has
said that he has a lot of fun in being active
as he doesn’t want to “just sit on a couch”.
Daniella Mercorella (7) received the
Communication Achievement Award
(supported by Dr Debbie James) as a
result of her communication skills, which
have blossomed. She is more confident
and is initiating communication with those
around her. Daniella’s journey to find a
communication system which meets her
needs and allows her to communicate
clearly has been a long one. After trialling
many different types of communication
books and technology, she has not given
up, and with hard work her ability to
communicate has grown.
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