Consumers’ health governance is Deb’s thing.

An ophthalmologist, she has a relative who lived with polio. She is involved with several patient support organizations such as the Alport Association of Australia, and continues to network locally and internationally about this condition. A number of her family members have had serious chronic conditions.

She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). She has served on the Board of the College of Surgeons, College of Ophthalmologists, Eye and Ear Hospital, & Australian Federation of Medical Women. She currently chairs the Governance Committee of the Medical Women’s International Association. She is currently a Non-Executive Board Director of Swan Hill District Health, chairing its Clinical Governance Committee.

Her academic qualifications are MBBS PhD FRANZCO FRACS Dip Epidemiology, Master of Public Health, Graduate Certificate in Education and Training (Clinical Instruction), & Diploma of Management. Her PhD investigated health professional education, focussing on how ophthalmologists train and learn. She has taught and published in gender medicine, public health, health professional education research methods, and genetic renal-eye research.

She likes making meaningful contributions to consumer advocacy in health

Dr Jeff Stewart was born in 1950 and has lived most of his life in Ballarat. 

When polio struck in 1952 Jeff was placed in a hastily provided isolation facility in Ballarat with other sufferers and stayed there for seven months. 

Carrying the normal polio outcomes requiring braces etc Jeff started school at age five and followed through primary and secondary education before going on to tertiary education and graduating as an Engineer. 

After working in telecommunications and manufacturing Jeff changed to University teaching and moved over time to lead Electrical and Electronics programs and staff. 

In the early 1990’s Jeff worked with an external prosthetics expert and a final year degree student to experiment with the use of carbon fibre in calliper construction which was an early use of this approach. 

After Post Polio Syndrome (PPS) became apparent at around the age of 48 Jeff moved from academia to running a small consultancy business. 

Throughout most of these periods Jeff worked with universities seeking “life experience” examples of living with Polio survivors, as well being available for clinical and community meetings to talk about Polio and PPS. 

I am impressed with the professionalism being introduced to the management of PPV. I fully commend the board and all that they do.

As we move forward, I believe we need a constant flow of new members willing to give a little of their time to help. PPV has achieved a lot, lobbying for NDIS equality, raising awareness of our plight in the community, and begging for funds so that we can remain operational.

Future initiatives, it would be wonderful if we could have a book published recording the often-difficult lives we lived compromised by Polio. A book would enable us to share our stories and challenges with a greater audience giving PPV a real voice – and provide a mechanism for fund-raising.

During the last 18 month with COVID-19 looming and restrictions in place, our wonderful committee strived forward holding meetings by “zoom”, although not easy. But polio people are used to an imperfect world. Ensuring our meetings occurred, it also allowed the important work that PPV does to continue. More strength, if only we had more strength.

Looking forward and always pushing for more education, awareness, and government support.

Petra studied medicine in Germany and completed her GP training (including qualifications in women’s and reproductive health) in the UK, before moving to Australia. She completed a Master of Public Health at the University of Melbourne, where she focused on social and participatory research, having learned during her clinical work, how important it is to consider patients’ backgrounds, experiences and beliefs when providing health care. Petra is motivated to strive for social justice, equity, and equitable health care in general. She is delighted to now continue the work she started with PPV Inc.  during her public health research project as committee member, supporting PPV members in gaining access to adequate disability services.

Anne Wright – PPV Treasurer and committee member, is a leader in health care and has had more than 20 years’ experience in the public health sector, both at a service and system level. She has vast experience in leadership development, team development and cultural change.  Accredited in a number of development and measurement tools, she is passionate about enabling people to be their best, and ensuring health care delivery meets consumer needs.

I commenced on the PPV Board in February 2018.

At the age of 6, 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 PostPolioVictoria (PPV) after meeting people involved in it, and, was impressed by its work for polio survivors, which is going from strength to strength.

I contracted paralytic polio when I was three and went to Fairfield Hospital.

My mother got polio at the same time. She couldn’t do anything. For two years my father looked after her at home. When we recovered enough we flew to my aunt’s home in Armidale NSW, for the fresh air and sanctuary it provided.

I studied Social Work at Melbourne University and worked as a teacher as well as a social worker.

For five years I have been demonstrating for more public housing, schools, health services, and, equality for indigenous people.

I joined the Post Polio Victoria Committee in 2014 because PPV is providing the advocacy for equality of care for people who have had polio.

Sometimes I look at the photos of the kids who attended my primary school; 600 children attended in classes of 50. Five to eight percent of the children in each class had contracted polio. All discovered ways to manage at school.

Robyn – PPV Secretary and committee member

I contracted polio in 1953, and went into Fairfield hospital.

I am a Registered critical-care nurse, and midwife. After a successful clinical career, I returned to University. At Melbourne University I finished a degree that got me into Education and Training, Management and Human Resources in Health Care.

My last jobs were as a management consultant.

I retired a few years ago after busily juggling family and professional life.

When I was about 40, I started getting symptoms of Post-Polio Syndrome.

My eclectic interests are family, musical theatre, cookery/food, travel, antiques, museums, and barracking for the Brisbane Lions in the AFL.

My personal values of respect, dignity and justice align with Post Polio Victoria’s values.

I joined the PPV Committee in 2018 as a way of contributing to the better management of Post Polio Syndrome and LEoP (late effects of Polio) through our advocacy initiatives.

I will work to implement PPV’s vision and values for the greater good of polio survivors.

I contracted Polio at the age of 14 months. I spent several months at Royal Children’s Hospital and attended Yooralla school for disabled children before joining mainstream schooling at the age of 7. These days I suffer with Post Polio Syndrome/Late Effects of Polio, which inhibits my mobility.

My involvement within the Polio community has been extensive and covered a wide range of activities, planning Polio Days both regional and CBD, participating in the Volunteer School Speakers Program and attending the ‘Living with Polio in the 21st Century” conference in Atlanta, America, in 2008.

In 2009, I helped re-establish the Bayside Polio Support group and I am currently the co-chair of this group.

2018 I joined the Board of PostPolioVictoria Inc., whose chief aim is to advocate for the services needed to ensure that health professionals are equipped with the necessary information to ensure the best possible care for people with Polio. In November 2019 I took on the position as President of PPV.

September 2018 I participated in Collaborative Pairs Australia; a consumer Health Forum Partnership facilitated by South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health (SEMPHN).

In 2019, I joined Breast Screen Victoria (BSV) as a consumer representative and I am working with them currently.

I have been actively involved with National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (Vic) for over 30 years. Over those years I held various positions on the Board and was President of NCJWA (Vic) 2014-16.

2018-2020 Co Vice President at the National level of NCJWA. 2018-, NCJWA advocates, educates and empowers women.

In 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, which lead me to further my advocacy volunteering work in raising awareness for women living with breast cancer and disability. I am featured on a video by BCNA ‘facing breast cancer with a disability’. I am currently a consumer advocate and advisor for Breast Screen Victoria (BSV).

I am passionate about women’s rights and always have been.

On 23rd June 2018 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours listing I was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) for my services to the community ( NCJWA and Polio).