It is the 80-year-old Tasmanian that has helped thousands of families across the state.
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This year, the community wishes a happy birthday to disability support organisation StGiles.
Based in Launceston, plus Hobart and the North-West, the organisation was formed in response to the polio epidemic. The impetus was a public meeting called by The Examiner.
At that meeting, Launceston doctors recognised an ongoing need among the community, and StGiles was born.
Today, the organisation is a leading provider of children’s allied health, disability, lifestyle and support services.
As it celebrates its 80th year with various events – reunions, community exhibitions, and fundraisers – it is time to pause and thank the organisation for all its work within the community.
It has positively changed the lives of generations of Tasmanians. This is also an opportune time to recognise the value of the not-for-profit organisation.
Not only does it strive to improve the lives of individuals, it strives for the betterment of society.
While there has been progress in the acceptance of people of all abilities into day-to-day society, StGiles chief executive officer Ian Wright says there is still a ways to go.
“If society choose not to let people with disability in, then you can spend all the money you like … but to a large degree, it’s wasted,” Mr Wright told The Examiner earlier this month.
To have an independent, Tasmanian-based organisation that champions the rights and abilities of all people is something we can be proud of as a community.
We must ensure we extend that pride through our actions. That includes supporting those who utilise the society’s services, and advocating for them to continue receiving the highest level of support.
Things are changing in the disability funding sphere. The National Disability Insurance Scheme finishes its roll-out in Tasmania in July next year.
There’s no denying that the road to July 2019 has been paved with potholes and speed bumps.
That is where we can be thankful that we have organisations like StGiles that have the best interests of people at heart.
A big happy birthday to StGiles, and here’s to another 80 years of service and support.