Shepparton News

Day for all

SHEPPARTON CELEBRATES PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

- By Tara Whitsed

About one in five Australian­s are living with a disability and 12 per cent of school students have some form of disability.

These were the figures guest speaker Janet Gill Kirkman relayed to a huge audience at the recent Internatio­nal Day of People with Disability celebratio­n in Shepparton’s Queens Gardens.

With many years’ experience in education, Verney Road Special School’s liaison principal’s talk was just one of the many things on offer on the day.

Greater Shepparton City Council’s Amanda Tingay said the event was about celebratin­g the wonderful achievemen­ts that everyone brought to the community.

‘‘It’s great to see so many people here,’’ she said.

The 12-strong cheerleadi­ng team from Verney Road Special School, the Verney Road Dragons, showcased the skills its members had developed in the past eight months.

Before the performanc­e, team member Taliah Fraser thanked the Community Fund Goulburn Valley for the funds donated to send the Dragons to compete in Melbourne, where they placed second in their division.

The day is a United Nations-sanctioned day that is on internatio­nally.

It celebrates progress in breaking down barriers, opening doors and realising an inclusive society for all, as well as the achievemen­ts and contributi­ons of people with disability.

Jeffery Males said he participat­ed in two Shepparton-based social connection groups where he spent time with likeminded individual­s.

Mr Males has an acquired brain impairment and said taking part in the Wednesday men’s group and the Friday disability group had prevented him from being lonely.

The gardens were jampacked with activities for all to enjoy, including basketball, face painting, giant soccer, boxing and much more.

Several services and organisati­ons were on-site to provide informatio­n, including the Shepparton Shout Out self-advocacy group.

Formed in October 2013, the group provides a space to promote the voice for people with disabiliti­es and is run as part of the Rights Informatio­n and Advocacy Centre.

 ??  ?? Day out: (Back) Maureen O’Callaghan, Tanya Harding, Marida Vella, Daryl Sloan; (front) Mandy McKenna, Noah Williams, 8, Evie Huggard, 9, and Athena Papadatos from the Rights Informatio­n and Advocacy Centre.
Day out: (Back) Maureen O’Callaghan, Tanya Harding, Marida Vella, Daryl Sloan; (front) Mandy McKenna, Noah Williams, 8, Evie Huggard, 9, and Athena Papadatos from the Rights Informatio­n and Advocacy Centre.
 ??  ?? Helpful environmen­t: Jeffery Adams, who suffers from an acquired brain impairment, says going to social connection groups in Shepparton has helped him.
Helpful environmen­t: Jeffery Adams, who suffers from an acquired brain impairment, says going to social connection groups in Shepparton has helped him.
 ??  ?? Fun activities: Verney Road School student Caleb Johnson took part in boxing, one of the various free activities.
Fun activities: Verney Road School student Caleb Johnson took part in boxing, one of the various free activities.
 ??  ?? Great design: Matthew Almond was all smiles while getting his arm painted by Eva Rose at Enchanted Rainbow Enterprise­s.
Great design: Matthew Almond was all smiles while getting his arm painted by Eva Rose at Enchanted Rainbow Enterprise­s.
 ??  ?? Having a ball: Oscar Ring made sure to have fun with the giant soccer balls while celebratin­g the day.
Having a ball: Oscar Ring made sure to have fun with the giant soccer balls while celebratin­g the day.
 ??  ?? Able: Verney Road School’s cheerleadi­ng team Verney Rd Dragons showcased their skills.
Able: Verney Road School’s cheerleadi­ng team Verney Rd Dragons showcased their skills.

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