MEDIA RELEASE: Award commemorates Collier’s legacy
dignity for disability
9 March 2011
One year ago, Dr Paul Collier, respected Disability Advocate and Upper House Candidate for Dignity for Disability suffered a brain haemorrhage that took his life.
Dr Collier’s name remained on the ballot paper and in the days that followed South Australians recognised the plight of people with disabilities at the ballot box. As a result, Kelly Vincent - just 21 years old at the time - became Australia’s youngest ever female Parliamentarian, and the first wheelchair user in the South Australian Parliament.
Dignity for Disability wish to honour Dr Collier’s legacy on this anniversary of his death by announcing the recipients of the inaugural Paul Collier Memorial Awards.
We are proud to announce Jeni and Martin Prowse will be jointly given the award at a celebration on Dignity for Disability’s first year in office at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel on Port road on Sunday, April 10.
“Jeni and Martin Prowse both live with at times debilitating illness and disability and were full time carers of their dear son Thomas, who lived with multiple severe disabilities, until he lost his battle at the age of 15 in 2009. Wanting to honour their son and support others with disability, Jeni and Martin have put in countless hours volunteering with dignity for disability, and Kelly Vincent’s Parliamentary office. Their work maintaining a database, using Thomas’ wheelchair accessible van when taxis have been booked up and helping keep our social media sites alive have embodied the strength and skill that people with disabilities can offer,” said Rick Neagle, dignity for disability President.
d4d will also be making an award to Kate Reynolds, former MLC, whose 'coaching' of the party in the last twelve months has helped us to create a strong party structure and a vision for the future. Kate’s personal strength, can-do attitude and common-sense approach to organisational development, combined with her political and parliamentary experience has been invaluable.
“It is a pleasure to celebrate and formally thank these amazing people who have supported me during the past year and contributed to my growth as a parliamentarian and a person,” said dignity for disability MLC Kelly Vincent. “I look forward to being able to acknowledge an even wider range of people in the disability community in memory of Paul in the coming years.”
So please, join us as we celebrate a year in office, as we honour Dr Collier and congratulate Kelly Vincent MLC on an amazing year.
d4d is hosting the celebration at the Governor Hindmarsh Hotel Port Rd on Sunday 10th April from 6.30 to 10.00pm. The entertainment will feature The Standing Stones, Andy and Marta and Chris Dewin, with finger food platters included in the ticket prices. The awards will be presented to Jeni and Martin Prowse and Kate Reynolds on the night.
Tickets are available online at www.d4d.org.au for a $5.00 discount. Door prices are Adults $30/Students and Concession $20. All media welcome to attend.
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Dignity for Disability Inc is the political party for those who believe in 'a fair go' for everyone. We are a human rights based organisation that aims at ensuring representation in Parliament for people with disabilities, in particular. We have a unique opportunity, which we must grasp together. With strong leadership, and by bringing the often fractured disability community together, we can bring about real change. Our goal is to ensure Dignity Through Choice. More information can be found on the web at www.d4d.org.au
