Gillian Thomas OAM

President

Representing NSW and ACT polio survivors through Polio NSW.

I contracted polio in 1950 as a baby. This resulted in both legs and one arm being paralysed - nevertheless, I learnt to walk with the aid of callipers and had a mainstream education. With the onset of the late effects of polio some 30 years ago, my "good" right arm has become increasingly weak while my mobility has also considerably decreased. I now use a wheelchair - but I am enabled by it, not confined by it!

For over 35 years I have worked for Polio NSW [previously known as Post-Polio Network (NSW)] on a voluntary basis. I was a member of the original Working Party set up in 1988 to establish the Network, was subsequently elected as Secretary, and in 1997 became the Network's President - a position I retain today. From 1989 to 2012, I was also the Editor of the Network’s highly regarded quarterly newsletter Network News. I am a Member of the Institute of Community Directors Australia (MICDA).

I passionately believe in the need for a national voice for polio survivors and my efforts culminated in the highly successful meeting of all Australian State Polio Networks in May 2007 and the unanimous agreement to form Polio Australia. In 2008 I was honoured to be elected its inaugural President, and returned to that position in 2017. With predominantly ageing volunteer polio survivors running the State Networks, it is inevitable that Polio Australia's role in support of this nation's polio community and the health professionals who care for us will inevitably grow in scope and importance. The Board is working towards building a sustainable organisation capable of managing these challenges.

My professional experience includes:

• 25 years experience in federal government agencies, including 20 years at management level, with expertise in logistics and in community operations;
• 35 years governance, managerial, financial management and accounting experience with statewide and national community organisations, including 15 years to date in these roles with Polio Australia;
• 28 years to date as a company director of a small business, particularly undertaking financial management;
• 45 years experience in computer operations, including 23 years to date experience in web design and maintenance.

I have been honoured to receive a number of awards in recognition of my work for polio survivors, including:
2002: an inaugural recipient of David Bodian Memorial Award from the International Post-Polio Task Force as a Polio Survivors' "Unsung Hero" in recognition of my many years' work for polio survivors.
2009: Australia Day Community Service Award from Randwick Council For outstanding service to the community of the City of Randwick.
2020: Order of Australia Medal awarded For service to community health, particularly to people with polio.

Gary Newton

Vice President

Independent, rather than State representative, Board member.

Gary Newton is a semi retired, paralytic polio survivor, media presenter, and disability/pro-vaccine campaigner who has worked with Polio Australia as an Independent Board Member since 2016. Gary is committed to fulfilling Polio Australia’s Mission to help educate health professionals and polio survivors in the management of the Late Effects of Polio, including reaching out to younger polio survivors.

Gary firmly believes in good governance, lobbying and advocating for recognition and appropriate service provision for Australia’s polio survivors whilst also creating positive visibility in the community through his ongoing public speaking engagements with Rotary and many other groups.

In 2018, Gary travelled to New Delhi and Vishakhapatnam, India and supported the work of Rotary, WHO and its partners in helping keep India polio free through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Gary is a highly regarded Lee Murray Academy trained Radio, TV and Voice Over Presenter with over 40 years industry experience. He also runs his own successful small business in Geelong, which he established back in the 90's.

Maryann Liethof CF

Secretary

Independent, rather than State representative, Board member.

I was elected onto Polio Australia’s Board as an ‘Independent’ at the February 2020 meeting. Whilst I am not a polio survivor myself, I have worked with the post-polio community since 2004, and believe I have a comprehensive understanding of the issues currently impacting on people who had the virus.

I worked as the Coordinator of Polio Network Victoria from mid-2004 to December 2009. During that time, I was one of the Victorian representatives on the Management Committee of Polio Australia. I was appointed as Polio Australia’s National Program Manager in early January 2010, retiring in December 2019.

My qualifications include a Diploma in Community Development as well as a Graduate Diploma in Education (Careers). In 2008, I visited 10 post-polio related services across North America on a Churchill Fellowship Study Tour grant, the purpose of which was “To identify techniques to better manage the late effects of polio”.

In April 2009, I travelled to Roosevelt Warm Springs in Georgia, USA for Post-Polio Health International’s 10th International Conference: Living with Polio in the 21st Century and Wellness Retreat to learn the benefits of the holistic chronic condition self-management model. I was able to draw on this experience to facilitate Polio Australia’s first Late Effects of Polio Self-Management Residential Program (also known as a Polio Health and Wellness Retreat) in April 2010. I ran these Retreats annually until the final one in October 2019.

Whilst working with the post-polio community, I participated in and presented at four international post-polio conferences held in Europe and the USA. The contacts I made, and information I picked up at these conferences, enabled me to bring together international presenters for Polio Australia’s Australasian-Pacific Post-Polio Conference in Sydney in 2016.

I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to continue contributing my knowledge and skills to the Board of Polio Australia. Having worked for Polio Australia for 10 years, I have a specific interest in its operations, and act as a first point of contact between the staff and the Board.

Apart from providing cutting edge clinical education and facilitating vital self-management information forums, Polio Australia has also been very effective in developing a wide range of on-line resources which can be accessed by anyone in the world at no cost. Heading into the future, I believe these - and the production of new - digital resources will provide vital ongoing information and links for polio survivors, their carers, and health practitioners.

Alan Cameron

Treasurer

Representing NSW and ACT polio survivors through Polio NSW.

Born in 1949 my life was the pretty standard model of school and sport until 1963 when polio got a grip, even though immunised. After 3 months in Prince Henry, Sydney, I returned home to restart school and sport with not much more damage than a limp left arm. Being the recipient of schoolyard bullying taught me a few really good life lessons which no doubt changed my life positively. Even now, there is an inability to accept “no” or “it can’t be done”. School led to university for a B.Com (Marketing) with a bit of law and accounting thrown in.

Sporting interests included being a fast bowler in cricket and a fast driver in rally cars, both occupations seemingly at odds with having one useful arm. See, it can be done!

Employment for nearly 30 years was with TNT in shipping and transport, and for the majority of the time running operating divisions in General Manager or Executive GM roles. Off line functions included GM National Development, Chairman TNT Shipping and Development Superannuation, a year seconded to Dept of Defence, plus a few other responsibilities that provided an interestingly varied career. Running a shipping line from Perth to Darwin via the North West ports required regular consultation with the Northern Land Council, the Kimberley Development Corporation, Kalumburu community and many other stakeholders in that part of the world I still hold dear and try to visit most years.

Leaving corporate life in 2001, I owned and ran a business providing logistics support to United States Navy in Singapore and northern Australia for three years.

Post retirement has included being Treasurer for Polio NSW, becoming a member of the local Rural Fire Service on the South Coast of NSW, and more recent membership of the Polio Australia Board, which I joined in 2017. This was stimulated largely by the recognition of the supporting role Polio Australia can provide in the future to the state networks as our membership ages. Hopefully, my business background can be of assistance.

Fortunately, the late effects of polio have had seemingly little effect so far, although I concede to running out of steam faster than some years back. I still enjoy fishing and travelling around Australia in a caravan most years, and heading overseas from time to time.

Arthur Dobson

Board Member

Representing Tasmanian polio survivors.

I contracted polio in November 1952 at the age of 6. After leaving hospital, I was transferred to St Giles Home for Crippled Children where I resided for several years before returning home and attending the local school in callipers. I was later appointed to the Board of St Giles and have now been a director on that Board for over thirty years.

In 1972 I had a motor accident which resulted in multiple breaks in both legs requiring me to learn to walk for the third time. I was a self employed farmer, specialising in dairying but I had to leave the farm in 1998 due to the late effects of polio.

Earlier that year I was involved in the formation of the Post Polio Network - Tasmania Inc, taking on the role of Public Officer and several years later I took on the additional role of Secretary and continued to hold both positions until that organisation was wound up in 2012. I am continuing to publish a quarterly newsletter 'TAS POLIO NEWS' which is available on subscription and the members of the former Post Polio Network are hoping to keep in touch through an informal social network requiring no administration.

Since attending the Polio 2000 and Beyond Conference in Melbourne I have been a strong supporter of a national body and am proud to have been elected as the inaugural Vice President of Polio Australia. At the 2012 Annual General Meeting, I was constitutionally ineligible to re-stand at that time for this position, having served two consecutive terms.

I was honoured to be nominated for the Australian of the Year Awards for 2013 and was one of four finalists in the Tasmania's Local Hero section.

Ross Duncan

Board Member

Representing Qld polio survivors through Spinal Life Australia.

Ross is Executive Manager, Member Services, at Spinal Life Australia.

Holding a Master of Business Administration through the University of South Australia, Ross has built his expertise and skills across a broad range of sectors. He has worked for many organisations both in Australia and internationally, including the CSIRO, RSPCA, the Sunshine Coast Council and the State Library of Queensland.

While employed with Sunshine Coast Council, Ross played a key role in the amalgamation of the library services of three former councils, leading to council being awarded the best public library award in 2008 by the Queensland Public Library Association.

He is passionate about supporting Spinal Life members to live an accessible, equitable and empowered life, particularly through advocacy, working with individuals and all levels of government to achieve positive outcomes.

Peter Freckleton

Board Member

Representing Vic polio survivors through Post Polio Victoria.

At the age of six, I was hit by a speeding taxi, resulting in a broken thigh bone and a lengthy spell in traction. I contracted polio while learning to stand again.

Initially I had almost total paralysis, being unable to move my limbs or lift my head. After being sprung from Fairfield Hospital, I regained upper body strength, but the legs remained paralysed, so since then I have needed two callipers and crutches to get around.

I studied Law/Arts at Melbourne Uni, and was a tutor at Monash and Melbourne. Subsequently, I was granted a French government scholarship and obtained a doctorate from the University of Paris.

On returning to Australia, I became a barrister at the Victorian Bar, which has been my main profession, later branching into French legal translation.

I joined the Board of Polio Australia in February 2018, after meeting people involved in it, and was impressed by its endeavours to date.

Bringing attention to polio issues on a national basis seems essential. An organised body is clearly the best way of achieving that, while drawing on individual knowledge and life experiences.

I hope to contribute as a result of experience sitting on a number of committees over the years, which has exposed me to policy discussions and collective submissions. Professionally, I have often argued the cases of others, and hope some of that grounding will occasionally be relevant.

I believe it is important for Polio Australia to continue and further develop its contact with government and officials to provide information as to the current and future requirements of polio survivors.

Concomitantly, media contact to promote public awareness is crucial in my view, and it is great that there have been excellent interviews and other interactions with the ABC in particular. That activity seems extremely valuable and worth expanding if possible.

Ian Holding

Board Member

Representing WA polio survivors through Polio WA.

I was elected onto Polio Australia’s Board on 19 November 2020. I am a polio survivor and contracted poliomyelitis in 1954 at the age of 2. I had paralysis in my legs and was hospitalised for a short period of time. Apart from fatigue, I have very little long term effects from contracting polio.

I am a Chartered Accountant with more than 50 years’ experience in public practice and commerce in Perth, Sydney and London.

My experience was gained in a wide range of industries including finance, manufacturing, mining, transport, importing and service industries for local, interstate and international organisations. I have worked several areas of accounting including audit, tax, company restructures, accounting and business management, and developed significant skills in analysis of company operations, design accounting systems and management reporting systems.

For 14 years I ran my own accounting practice dealing with small and medium business.

In my last role as Chief Financial Officer / Company Secretary of Sinosteel Australia, a Chinese Government owned enterprise, I was responsible for financial reporting, taxation, corporate governance and negotiation of joint venture contracts for the company with consolidated income around $0.5 billion.

I retired in July 2020.

I believe I bring significant financial management and analytical skills to the board.

My philosophy is that organisations which support polio survivors should be run by survivors of the disease. Services provided to survivors should be supported by proven clinical research focused on exercise and diet. Organisations must be run with the highest ethical values and management ideals.

Jenny Jones

Board Member

Representing WA polio survivors through Polio WA.

I am passionate about helping, educating and listening to polio survivors, their families and health providers.

In 1960/61, as a 5 year old, my life changed forever due to polio. Fortunately, I had a wonderful recovery period in my late teens to my middle forties. I graduated from university, worked as a teacher, married and had 3 children, and now have 5 beautiful grandchildren.

At high school I became very interested in the nutritional connection between a healthy diet and a healthy body. This lead me to study Home Economics at Curtin University, majoring in nutrition. I completed the Diploma of Education and, later, a Bachelor of Education. I taught Home Economics at several high schools in Western Australia.

I also enjoyed golf and, particularly, swimming, which I taught, coached and refereed. This has provided me with an excellent understanding of the importance of exercise.

When the Late Effects of Polio (LEoP) started limiting my physical activities, I decided to study Holistic Counselling, and soon had a job working as a counsellor. The skills I gained from this experience include compassion, empathy, effective communication, and the importance of social gatherings and friendships.

For the past 4 years, I have been the President of a women's group called the Executive Women's Forum, which has helped me to become a confident speaker, organiser, and advocate for progress and cultural change.

I joined Polio Australia’s Board in 2009, and have held the position of Secretary. I am also the Board Treasurer for Polio WA, where I also work as a volunteer. I am enthusiastic about making a difference to polio survivors' lives through sharing my life-skills and, in particular, how I manage the LEoP. My passion for nutrition, swimming, friendships, and positivity are all part of my contribution towards making Polio Australia an organisation of excellence.

Andrew Kyprianou

Board Member

Representing SA polio survivors through Polio SA.

Hi my name is Andrew Kyprianou. Having come from an Irish Catholic mother and Cypriot father means adding a few more. As a kid I was called Kipper, which now has become Kyp.

Polio and I were first introduced to each other in the London Underground around 1942. It was not really obvious to my Irish relatives that I had polio (Dad was off fighting in the war). One day, when I was about two or so, I fell down a long set of stairs and landed head first into a bucket and my family thought maybe I should be walking or tottering a bit!

That is when it was discovered that the right side of my body was not really working as well as it should, and I was diagnosed with my mate, Polio.

This was the start of a very long relationship with hospitals, moving muscles around, putting irons on boots (to be continuously broken) and eventually stopping my left leg from growing. My leg wasn’t very happy with this outcome!

School decided I had an intellectual disability, so I was sent off at age 14 to work. My dad, being Greek Cypriot, had a fish shop. I helped out there, but got a great job as a messenger boy for 20th Century Fox in Soho!

I acquired a great number of jobs after the war as there was plenty of work for youngsters, even with those with disabilities. I became self-employed as well!!

I emigrated to SA in 1973 and obtained a degree in social work. I have had many roles. I set up the first job training agency (HETA) for people with disabilities. I also became the State and National President for DPI, an International Disability organization in the 80 and 90’s for disability rights.

Years later, I specialised in a wide range of trauma and violence counselling and many other areas. Even though I am retired, I still sit as the longest member of the S.A Parole Board.

Over the years I have been active in all areas of disability networks. Currently, I run a live music event for people with disabilities and friends. It runs once a month with voluntary bands, helpers etc. at the GOV pub (also free). CLUB COOL. Great eh!!

My philosophy in human services has been Quality of Gold as oppose to Quantity of Silver.

Sue Mackenzie

Board Member

Independent, rather than State representative, Board member.

I contracted polio at age 2 in 1948 followed by two years in a Crippled Children’s Home in Auckland, NZ. I had many operations to alleviate the effects of polio on my right leg and wore a calliper until age 13.

Despite my career choices being limited, I had interesting and varied career roles, initially as a teacher and then into sales rising to television station Manager and finally to setting up and operating two retail stores. I married and had a family of three.

About 10 years ago, my polio leg became weaker and I found myself falling over. My enquiries as to why this was happening led me to Polio Australia where I discovered there were many other polio survivors who were also suffering the Late Effects of Polio.

Over the past 4 years, I have taken an active role in Polio Australia, speaking to scores of Rotary Clubs, and coordinating fundraising functions, including two Brisbane-based 'Walk With Me' events, raising much needed funds ($50,000) and raising awareness of the needs of our post-polio community.

In 2014, I was appointed to the Board of Polio Australia as an independent member. In this role, I helped initiate funding from Spinal Life Australia.

In 2017, I became a member of the Rotary Club of New Farm and am now a Board member. I set up three fundraising events in 2018 for the Club to support local charities, including Polio Australia. In 2018, I also joined the District 9600 Rotary Foundation Polio Committee, helping to raise funds for Rotary International's ‘Polio Plus’ program and to maintain and broaden the Rotary International connection to Polio Australia.

Prior to joining Polio Australia I had:

• established the ‘Make A Wish’ Foundation in Mount Isa, enabling two wishes (approx. $20,000) to be granted;
• rolled out the Pay TV operation for Austar in Mount Isa;
• managed Queensland Satellite TV (Channel 10);
• established a very successful direct selling franchise in Queensland (top sales in Australia); and
• recruited, motivated and trained 150 sales representatives for a skin care and cosmetics company.

Billie Thow

Board Member

Representing Tasmanian polio survivors.

I was born in 1949 and contracted polio 2 years later. I came home from hospital in a Thomas split, then wore callipers on both legs until my teens. I qualified as a hairdresser and worked full time for six years, then married and had three sons. I returned to hairdressing part-time in hospitals and age-care facilities, where I’ve been working for more than 40 years. I have seen many changes in the way residents are now cared for.

I volunteered with Life-Link Samaritans Tasmania for over twenty five years in the roles of phone befriending, team-leader, Board Member, and Vice President, all of which I found to be very rewarding and helpful in my work and personal life. Although I no longer have an active role with this organisation, I am still contacted regularly to share my experience.

In my late forties, my GP diagnosed that I was experiencing the onset of post-polio, which I had no knowledge of. He was able to find and pass on information he found from New South Wales and Victoria.

In 1998, I was at the formation of the Post Polio Network - Tasmania Inc, which was wound up in 2012. Since then, I have been available for phone calls and support.

I am now part of the University Tasmanian School to Medicine Patient Partner Program at the Launceston General Hospital with undergraduate medical students in the learning partnership so future doctors are equipped to provide patient centred care.

I joined the Board of Polio Australia in 2008, when the organisation was first incorporated. The growth we have achieved since that time has been a dream come true. I am very proud of our development, especially in the area of clinical education.

Bev Watson

Board Member

Representing Vic polio survivors through Polio Network Victoria.

I have been the Chair of Polio Network Victoria since 2013 and a Board Member of Polio Australia since that time.

I contracted Polio at the age of six (6) with resulting paralysis from the waist down. Following a long rehabilitation period in hospital, I used full calipers and crutches for mobility until my mid 20’s when a manual wheelchair became my preferred method of mobility.

I am currently employed with a Local Government in Victoria in the role of Building Inclusive Communities/Rural Access Co-ordinator, a role that I have held for more than nine (9) years.

I have a Bachelor of Social Work with twenty (20) years’ experience in the areas of Mental Health, Family Violence, Relationship Counselling, General Counselling and disability. In 2017 I was awarded Rotary’s “Shine On” Award for promoting the important connection Polio Support Groups have with the Polio community of Victoria.

As one of the two Victorian State representatives on the Board of Polio Australia, I believe being a Board member provides me the opportunity to convey the thoughts and vision of Polio Network Victoria (PNV) and the Support Groups under the umbrella of PNV.

Polio Australia has a role to play now and into the future by continuing to promote positive outcomes for Polio survivors and to continue to advocate for increased education/information for health professionals who are responsible for providing appropriate healthcare to ensure good health into older age.

Noel Will

Board Member

Independent, rather than State representative, Board member.

Prior to retirement, Noel was a teacher for 16 years, and in the financial services industry for 22 years, primarily as a financial planner.

As a teacher, Noel worked in the former Technical Schools Division of the Victorian Education Department, initially as a classroom teacher and then as a head of department, with three of those years on secondment in Papua New Guinea.

In the financial services industry, Noel was an executive officer with a teachers credit union, followed by sixteen years, as a financial planner. He was initially a consultant, then a franchisee, and finally, in partnership as a business owner holding a Dealer’s Licence in Securities.

Noel has a Bachelor of Education, a Diploma in Financial Planning, and a Graduate Diploma in Marketing. He has been a director of two private companies: a vineyard, as a major shareholder; and company secretary of Community Bank®, a community company operating a franchise of the Bendigo Bank.

Noel cares for and has a genuine interest in people, and can communicate effectively across a broad range. He has experience in strategic planning, and clearly understands the importance of operating a company ethically, effectively and profitably.

Noel’s connection with polio is through his brother-in-law, of 40 years, Gary Newton, who is a polio survivor.