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.

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.

Bev Watson

Secretary

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.

Stan Kosmala

Board Member

Representing SA polio survivors through Polio SA.

Bio coming soon.

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.

Dr Benny Monheit

Board Member

Representing VIC polio survivors through Post Polio Victoria.

Bio coming soon.