2010-11 Annual report - Amaze

Message fromour ChairOn behalf of the Board of Autism Victoria, I havemuch pleasure in presenting this the 2010/11Chair’s Report to members.The most significant event this year for AutismVictoria and the individuals and families wesupport, has been the announcement of theNational Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Ifestablished correctly, it will meet the needs ofmany people who are not currently able to accesssupports.The challenge for the Autism Community will be toensure the NDIS legitimately meets the needs ofour unique individuals and that it recognises theimportance of both early intervention and ongoingsupport for life.It is true to say that both the Commonwealth andState Governments have given a commitment tosee the scheme implemented to address whatthey see as a service system that is “inequitable,underfunded, fragmented and inefficient”. Thissystem does not provide a real and legitimatevoice for individuals and families and is reliant onassessment models that are not reflective of theneeds of the Autism Community.Equally challenging will be the capacity of theworkforce to meet the aspirations of NDISrecipients and the ability of the service systemto provide services in rural and remote locations.How well these challenges are met will determinethe overall success of the scheme.On a more local note, I am delighted to informmembers that the strategic plan developed by thefirst elected Board has now been completed andnext three year strategic plan has been adopted bythe Board. It can be viewed on our website.The Board has also established three subcommitteesto assist in the decision-makingprocess and I am pleased to advise that all threesub-committees are working very effectively tosupport the broad goals of the organisation.Autism Victoria is delivering exceptional servicesvia all programs and this is a direct credit to thestaff, Management and our Chief Executive Officer,Murray Dawson-Smith.The services include administering the “HelpingChildren with Autism” program, facilitatingPage 6 Autism Victoria trading as Amaze - Annual Report 2010-2011“Early Days” workshops, conducting a broadrange of training and information sessions andmost excitingly, the establishment of the AmazeAccreditation and Amaze Knowledge RTO businessunits.Autism Victoria is fortunate to have a strong andcommitted Board of Directors and I want to takethis opportunity of welcoming Craig Shallard andCatherine Wyatt to the Board as a result of theelection last year. I would also like to express mythanks to Peter Heard and Judy Hacker for theircommitment and to wish them every success forthe future.One important event on the calendar was thesecond World Autism Awareness Day event, whichwas a great success with over 1,500 people joiningin for the walk along the St Kilda promenade. Theevent also attracted media attention with all threecommercial TV stations running the story.The past 12 months have been challenging and thenext 12 month period promises to be equally so.We must continue to put energy into supportingthe implementation of the NDIS to ensure it notonly comes into being but that individuals withAutism Spectrum Disorders have their needs met.The period will also see Autism Victoria undergoa face lift with a new trading name and websitealong with another year of promoting andsupporting organisations to embrace accreditationand certified training. It promises to be a greatyear ahead.I would like to conclude by noting that my timeas Chairperson of the Autism Victoria Board hasbeen both exciting and at times challenging. Tohave overseen the evolution of Autism Victoriafrom a small group of passionate and hardworkingparents into an exciting and dynamic organisationhas given me, and I hope, many of our members,a great sense of pride and achievement. I lookforward to the next stage in the organisation’sdevelopment with great enthusiasm.Prof. Bruce TongeChairperson, Autism Victoria