June 2004

Rhonda Galbally heads Disability Advisory Council

Internationally-renowned community advocate Rhonda Galbally has been appointed to chair Victoria’s revamped Disability Advisory Council of Victoria (DACV).

Community Services Minister Sherryl Garbutt said Dr Galbally was one of eight new members to be appointed to the 14-member council.

‘These new appointments have created the first ministerial disability advisory committee in Australia to be comprised solely of members who have a disability or who have children with a disability,’ Ms Garbutt said.

‘The landmark council membership underlines the Government’s commitment to listen to people with a disability and give them a stronger voice across Government.’

The DACV, established in 2000, advises the Government on policy and social issues affecting people with disabilities.

Dr Galbally, who has a mobility impairment, is the current chief executive of ourcommunity.com.au and founding CEO of VicHealth and a former CEO of the Australian Commission for the Future.

‘Dr Galbally’s passionate support for the rights of people with disabilities and significant experience in the public sector and community organisations make her the ideal person to lead the revamped council,’ Ms Garbutt said.

The new composition of the DACV follows an independent review of the council commissioned by the Government.

The review recommended that all council members have a disability or have children with a disability so the council could effectively advise Government on issues important to people with disabilities.

‘The new membership of the council will ensure that people with a disability have a forum to express ideas and effectively access Government,’ Ms Garbutt said.

‘We want people with disabilities to have the same chance to contribute and benefit from community life as any other Victorian.’

Other new council members appointed for a three-year term are:

• Alan Robertson—a Geelong-based disability advocate, who has an intellectual disability;

• David Brant—a strong advocate for accessible transport, who is vision impaired;

• Margherita Coppolino—an independent consultant, who has a physical disability;

• Ria Strong—a disability advocate, who has an acquired brain injury;

• Grant Roberts—from the Victorian Council of Deaf People;

• Kirsten Deane—a parent of a young child with down syndrome;

• Maria Apostolopoulos—a doctor and parent of a young child with disabilities.

Members to be reappointed for a further 18 months are Keran Howe, Martin Fathers, Delia Flack, Heather Forsythe, Steve Hurd and Val Johnstone.

The council met for the first time on May 12.