The Road Autumn 2021

Judy Brewer and late husband Tim Fischer
BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED
SHINING LIGHT AWARD
The Venerable Catherine McAuley once said that “we should
be shining lamps giving light to all around us”. To showcase the
motivational and inspirational students of Damascus and our
foundation colleges the College launched the Shining Light Award
for Inspiring Alumni.
One of the inaugural inductees of the award is Judy Brewer, Order
of Australia. Judy, from the Class of 1979, receives her award for
her Service to the Global Community.
Judy has been Chair of the Autism CRC since its inception in 2013.
She is a nationally recognised speaker and writer on issues relating
to neurodiverse families. With two adult sons, one of whom is
autistic, Judy has been actively involved in many autism and carer
organisations and is a life member of Autism Spectrum Australia,
convenor of the Autism Future Leaders program and founder of
Autism Aspergers Advocacy Australia.
In 2013, Judy was a recipient of the Asia Pacific Autism Award and,
in 2016, was named Officer of the Order of Australia for her service
to people with a disability, particularly to those on the autism
spectrum, refugees living in rural areas, women and education. In
2017, she became Pro-Chancellor of Charles Sturt University.
Judy has held various appointments on Federal and State
Government Committees, including as Chair of the National Family
Carers Voice, panel member for the 2004 Review of the Disability
Carer Allowance, the 2005 Ministerial Advisory Group on the
reforms to Disability Trusts, the Victorian Government Autism State
Plan Working Party 2007/08 and the DEEWR Advisory Committee
for the Positive Partnerships program.
Before this, Judy worked in tertiary education and political research
for many years with both State and Federal Parliamentarians. She
has been a Board member or Chair of numerous organisations,
including philanthropic foundations. Judy lives on a farm in
north east Victoria and is the owner/manager of Grossotto Poll
Herefords.
Judy’s motto of “Bloom where you are planted” comes to life when
you look at what she has been involved with to help others in her
community.
Judy has made a difference in so many areas and she has led the
way for so many without a voice. She has indeed “shone the light of
Christ”.
Shining Light Award Nominations NOW OPEN
Damascus College and its foundation colleges, Sacred Heart,
St Paul’s and St Martin’s in the Pines value the contributions and
achievements of all its alumni. The Shining Light Award for Inspiring
Alumni will be bestowed upon two alumni biennially to recognise
alumni who have contributed significantly through their chosen field
to Damascus College and our global community, and who will be
an inspiration to current and future students.
Nominations close Friday 28 May, 2021 at 4pm.
Please help inspire our current and future students. Nominate
a Shining Light. Full details and form can be found at
damascus.vic.edu.au/community/alumni/shining-light-award
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