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For
those who don't know, AFFORD (Australian Foundation for Disability) started
life as the Poliomyelitis Society in 1952. Once the polio vaccines came
in, they virtually stopped getting new clients by the mid 1960s and so diversified
their operations to provide services to people with other disabilities,
leading to a few name changes - most recently to AFFORD. |
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| Anyway,
it was a very friendly gathering (about 150, but not all polio's - many
supporters of the organisation over the years etc). I caught up with a number
of members, including Wendy and Jack Nolan, Margaret Greig and Brian Toby.
I also chatted to AFFORD's CEO, Tim Walton, and we reaffirmed our commitment
to talk together in the New Year about how we might work together. |
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Gough
Whitlam (a patron of AFFORD - appointed in 1966 when he was the Leader of
the Opposition) was the special guest and gave a very entertaining talk
(in which he praised the work of volunteers many times). After he unveiled
the commemorative plaque I chased him around the Blacktown Workers Club
so I could introduce myself - he very graciously stopped for a photo (attached
- the man behind me is Dr Malcolm Borland, AFFORD's President) and shook
my hand! (I'll follow up with a letter to ensure he remembers us!) |
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There
was a very detailed photographic spread around the room showing the history
of the organisation. We were all given a copy of "A Concise History"
which includes a number of stories written by old polio's (most of whom
are Network members I'm pleased to say) |
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By
Gillian Thomas. |
