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July 1, 2018 was the fifth anniversary of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). To mark the event we joined the community for a big celebration at the Geelong Library, with entertainment from Meg Stewart-Snoad and the genU Carer’s Choir.The event was organised by Women with Disabilities Victoria.
People with disabilities and families, advocates, people from the disability sector, and two MPs attended.
VALID staff member Kylier Fisher was MC. VALID CEO Kevin Stone attended along with Mainstream and Me Community Educator Luke Nelson and Communications Officer Simone Stevens.
Passionate supporter of the NDIS, Shadow Minister for Families and Social Services Jenny Macklin spoke about her extensive role in the NDIS journey over the last ten years, captured in the video below.
Federal Member for Corangamite Sarah Henderson MP attended on behalf of Social Services Minister Dan Tehan. Sarah reassured the audience that the Government will continue to fund the NDIS.
The celebrations continued with a speech from Carolyn Pimentel, a participant of the NDIS, sharing her journey and how the NDIS has impacted her life, and via a video by Vanda Fear and her family about their NDIS journey. Other speakers included Steph Gunn from the NDIA, and David Moody, Victorian State Manager for National Disability Services.
VALID’s Simone Stevens, and Deborah Haygrth from Women with Disabilities Victoria cut the birthday cake.
The GenU Carer’s Choir finished the event off, singing their own NDIS version of Something in the Air by Thunderclap Newman.
Thank you to Every Australian Counts for the video and photo used on this page.