novita news - Novita Children's Services

Global knowledgehelps local kidsNovita Chief Executive Glenn Rappensbergwith Dr Gillian KingAn international expert inchildren’s disability research hasshared her years of experienceand knowledge with around 100lucky Novita staff members.Dr Gillian King, Research Director atCanada’s Thames Valley Children’sCenter, spent two days at Novita,leading a series of discussions onthe issues faced by children withdisabilities.Dr King has published more than 80papers in high impact journals fromacross the globe. She was incrediblyimpressed with South Australia’sapproach to providing services forchildren with disabilities – and withthe amazing team at Novita.‘I feel so comfortable here becausethere are huge commonalitiesbetween the Canadian and SouthAustralian approaches, the mostimportant of which is that we sharethe same vision to improve the qualityof life for children with disabilities,’she says.‘The staff at Novita are particularlyimpressive. They are incrediblycommitted to the children, and areopen and willing to embrace newinformation that could really make adifference.’Fore! Robyn Chaplin Memorial Golf DayThe winning Goldsborough 1 team (l-r):Rod Marsh, Glenn Todman, Rod Robert andGraham BaehnischThe Novita Sports ChallengeFoundation held their annualfundraising Golf Day on Monday20 March at the prestigiousKooyonga Golf Club.Thirty-two teams of four took to thegreens to vie for the prestigiousRobyn Chaplin Memorial Trophy,which was eventually taken out bythe Goldsborough 1 team (made upof Novita supporters Glenn Todman,Rod Marsh, Rod Robert and GrahamBaehnisch).At the end of the day, the 130-plusplayers were treated to a sumptuousdinner in the clubrooms, plus all theexcitement of a sporting memorabiliaauction and a special presentationby Aussie cricket legend Rod Marsh.The event raised more than $13,000for Novita – bringing the SportsChallenge Foundation’s fundraisingtotal to an amazing $1.5 million!Thanks to event sponsors ColesSupermarkets, Schweppes, Qantas,Kooyonga and Vili’s for theirgenerous support – and a hugethanks to the entire Sports ChallengeFoundation for their tireless work tosupport Novita’s families.15