2009 Annual Report - Cerebral Palsy Alliance

Highlights2008-2009Our ServicesThe Hon. Bill Shorten MP,Federal Parliamentary Secretaryfor Disabilities and Children’sServices launched The EconomicImpact of Cerebral Palsy inAustralia 2007 report, which wascompleted by Access Economics.The Board of Directors hostedseveral client and family forumsthroughout the year, providingopportunities to connect with boardmembers and discuss issues aroundrespite, employment and access forpeople from Aboriginal communities.These were held at Ryde, St Ives,Orange and Liverpool.The NSW Cerebral Palsy Registergrew with 80 new registrations,bringing the total registrationsto 1,386.An initiative to address the holistichealth and wellbeing of clients andfamilies, resulted in extensive stafftraining and changes being madeto the way services are delivered.The impact on clients and familiesis being independently evaluated ina partnership with two Australianuniversities, through an AustralianResearch Council grant.The Spastic Centre hosted the highlysuccessful 2009 Boccia NationalChampionships at the SydneyAcademy of Sport in Narrabeen.Three members of the ManlyWarringah Community AccessService competed in the NewZealand Boccia Tour and wereselected to compete in the 3rdAsia and South Pacific BocciaChampionships in Hong Kong inAugust 2009.A number of regional activities wereorganised during NAIDOC weekto celebrate Aboriginal culture, todemonstrate the organisation’srespect for Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islander people, andto acknowledge them as thetraditional custodians of the land.The CP Blogs grew in popularitywith many families and clientssharing their stories and comments.www.cpblogs.com.auIn an initiative with StarlightFoundation, young people who areclients of The Spastic Centre weresupported to participate in Livewire,a youth social networking website.Members of our CommunityAccess Services were supportedto develop and engage in socialnetworking through a memberonly website.In partnership with the Fiji Schoolof Medicine, The Spastic Centrecontinued training initiatives in Fijito build local capacity in communitybased rehabilitation. The FijiSchool of Medicine commencedthe Community Disability andRehabilitation Certificate course withparticipants from across the AsiaPacific region. Australians visitingFiji helped raise funds to support theprogram at an annual golf event.A new SportFitz gym was establishedin South West Sydney to supportyoung people (aged 12-25) tobecome more active in their ownhealth and wellbeing.A four-day program, Camp Act Out,was held for teenagers with a focuson workshops in the performingand creative arts.The Leisure Links program in SouthWest Sydney formed a partnershipwith Accessible Arts and ThePowerhouse Youth Theatre torun workshops for young peopleinterested in the arts.One hundred and twenty (120)clients and their families enjoyeda cruise on the Nepean River,in an initiative designed to helpfamilies relax and connect.The service sites at EastGosford and Berkeley Vale wereamalgamated in a new site atTuggerah.Representations were made tothe PADP Parliamentary Inquiry tosupport the issue of unmet needfor equipment. The Spastic Centrealso became a member of a crossagencyforum to lobby for additionalfunding for PADP.The Hon. David Borger MP,Minister for Housing, openedLifestyle Apartments in MarkeyStreet, South Granville. This latestresidence for clients sets a newbenchmark in standards for ouraccommodation services.The new Respitality programprovided 17 families with shortbreaks in hotels.Katherine Proudfoot, speechpathologist, competed in the 2008Beijing Paralympic Games and wona silver medal in the discus throw.Residents benefited fromsignificant refurbishments toVenee Burges House.8 | The Spastic Centre ● 2009 Annual Report