Page 8 - LINK Magazine April 2015

New reCruit to head miNda deveLopmeNtSouth Australia’s largest non-government disability support organisation, Minda, has appointed Michelle Gheorghiu as Executive Project Director of its $200 million Master Plan development.“Michelle comes to Minda after working for many years in senior project management roles across the public and private sectors, in particular health care,” Minda chief executive Cathy Miller said.Prior to joining Minda, Ms Gheorghiu managed construction of the landmark $250 million South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAMHRI), and worked as Projects Director at SA Health, where she oversaw the redevelopment of several hospitals.“We are confident that Michelle will bring the skills and experience neededto realise the project’s vision of creating a vibrant community hub that offers leading-edge accommodation for South Australians living with intellectual disability and allow for increased social inclusion in the way of integrated, community living,” she said.The first stage of Minda’s Master Plan development, completed in late 2014, saw 61 people transition into supported, share-house living arrangements at Minda’s Brighton site, south-west of Adelaide. Resort-style retirement apartments have also been developed on the site, and future stages will see more purpose-built accommodation for people with disability developed, as well as work and lifestyle options, green spaces and community facilities. www.mindainc.com.austudeNts with disabiLities missiNg the busVictorian disability support provider Villa Maria wants to raise $70,000 to buy a new school bus to take children with severe disabilities to school.The not-for-profit organisation currently transports 35% of the school’s students to and from its specialist school, St Paul’s College in Kew, Melbourne, on three specially-modified 12-seater buses.They want a fourth bus to ensure more children can access the school’s educational and therapy programs but, because the school is classified as independent, its buses are not eligible for Government subsidies.Mother-of-four Danielle Burnet says she feels lucky to see her two sons Sebastian, 8, and Charlie, 6, off to school on the bus each day. The boys have Multiple Sulphatase Deficiency, which requires them to have 24-hour care. Because they are both in wheelchairs, they cannot both fit in the car.“If I didn’t have the bus, I would only be able to take one child to school, which would be quite sad because I have seen the boys thrive on the bus and at school,” Danielle says.“They look like such big boys going off on the bus. From a mum’s perspective, it’s like standing on their own two feet; they’re independent. The driver is amazing; he’s just so calm and relaxed. With our situation at home being so busy, it’s a relief to have such understanding.”St Paul’s College Principal Cheril Dewhirst said the school bus service was “invaluable” to parents and students.“The bus run is a great source of social communication – the kids on the bus all know each other. Some children take the bus five days a week, while others we can only fit in a couple of days a week. If we had another bus, we could pick many more students up. All children must be given the opportunity to get toMelbourne mum Danielle Burnet relies on the Villa Maria bus service to take her sons Sebastian and Charlie to school.school – everybody has the right to a good education.”For more information on the ‘Build a Bus’ appeal visit: villamaria.com.au/ get-involved/build-a-bus06 linkonline.com.auJune 2015 — Vol 24/2Link: News