May 2005

Pictures show leading faces and well-known city places

A photographic exhibition that delighted Department of Human Services staff and visitors will be on display at several other venues in the next few months.

Victorian Icons, People and Places features people with disabilities who are leaders in their community photographed in front of well-known landmarks around Melbourne.

It will be on show at Parliament House in June and the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal building at 55 King Street in August as part of a two-year tour hosted by the Department of Justice’s Diversity Issues Unit.

The photographs were taken by Catherine Acin and the exhibition is a project of Victorian community organisation Leadership Plus auspiced by Action for Community Living.

Among the subjects (from top, left) were Colin Hiscoe, Heather Forsyth, Kevin Coombs, Rhonda Galbally and Milly Parker.

Mr Hiscoe is a passionate advocate for people with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual disabilities.

His leadership is characterised by his support and care for others.

‘The Mitre Tavern is a place that is full of memories of Leeds, which is where I come from,’ said Mr Hiscoe.

Heather Forsyth is a leader and supporter of the self-advocacy movement.

Her work for Valid and the Disability Advisory Council of Victoria centres on the issues confronting people with an intellectual disability.

Ms Forsyth chose to pose with the Aboriginal poles on the banks of the Yarra River in remembrance of her sister-in-law Roz and her husband Doug’s Aboriginal heritage.

Kevin Coombs was Australia’s first Aboriginal Paralympian.

He captained, coached and played in the wheelchair basketball team in five Paralympic Games and carried the Olympic torch in the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.

Mr Coombs is an elder on the Koorie Court of Victoria and sits on many boards including Wheelchair Sports Victoria.

‘This mural means a lot to me—it was where I began my leg of the torch relay for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games,’ said Mr Coombs.

Rhonda Galbally chairs the Royal Women’s Board, hence the background in her photograph.

Ms Galbally is a social commentator and activist, businesswoman, author and policy adviser.

She was the founding Chief Executive Officer of VicHealth and www.ourcommunity.com.au and is also Chair of the Disability Advisory Council of Victoria, on the Board of the AFL Foundation and patron of the Orygen Youth Mental Health Research Centre.

The Brain Foundation created the 2003 Young Woman of Achievement award for Milly Parker to recognise her inspiration to others with acquired brain injury.

The motivating factor in her own recovery from injuries sustained in a car crash was her first dog Riley, who also inspired her to set up the Happy Yappy dog biscuit business.

Ms Parker is a member of the Disability Advisory Committee which advises the Transport Accident Commission.

She chose the Windsor Hotel as the background for her photograph with Ruby because of its air of romance.