09/03/07 – GIPPSLAND SERVICE WINS INTERNATIONAL FUNDING

A Gippsland-based service specialising in providing services for children with physical and intellectual disabilities has won a major funding award from global energy utility International Power. Scope’s Gippsland Specialist Services in Warragul has been awarded $200,000 as part of International Power’s 2006/7 Company Flagship Awards.

The service shares the prize with a school in the Middle East that looks after children with special needs. The winning projects were announced from IPR’s London headquarters this week.

In presenting the award, Chief Executive of International Power Hazelwood, Graeme York, said the generous award would “enrich the capacity of this centre to provide quality care and respite for children with many different levels of ability”.

“Gippsland Specialist Services is a valuable learning environment for children with special needs and parents alike, and we hope that the many important services provided by the staff will be strengthened with the improvements that are planned,” Mr York said. “We are very pleased to be associated with such a fine service and it is indeed a worthy recipient of our Flagship Award.”

The Flagship funding will help create a new ‘child friendly’ reception waiting area at the Berglund Centre, landscaping improvements incorporating a child-friendly playground and the purchase of specialised transport in the form of a 12-seater bus.

“In particular, we’d like to congratulate the foresight of Hazelwood employee, Paul Bur, in nominating for this funding. Paul’s daughter Natalie – who has had physical and intellectual needs since birth – has benefited from the facilities and care of staff at the Centre,” Mr York said.

“This funding is a remarkable opportunity for local Scope services,” says Ms Lynne Wenig JP, President of Scope, who will formally accept the cheque. “Not only is the amount significant, but the funding comes from an international source, representing a unique collaboration between local and international organisations.

“International Power in the United Kingdom and its Hazelwood asset in the Latrobe Valley are to be commended for their valuable support of services for local children with disabilities. The funding will empower the Gippsland Specialist Services of Scope to continue to bring innovative, high level and cutting edge services to local children with disabilities,” she said.

“Scope is committed to overcoming the personal, structural and attitudinal barriers that prevent people with disability from participating in the community. This local service is an excellent example of true inclusion within the community, where mainstream and disability services are provided for children of all abilities,” said Ms Wenig.

ends

Editors notes:

1. The Berglund Centre in Warragul was originally built in 1970 as a combined school and adult training centre for people with physical and multiple disabilities including Cerebral Palsy. The service now provides therapy support, clinics, equipment fittings and assessments. Named after Ms Grace Berglund, a prominent local citizen, today the building is a base for Scope’s regional office and Gippsland Specialist Services. It is located in George Street. Scope in Gippsland provides services to local children, young people and adults with disabilities and their families, in areas ranging from Bunyip in the West to Mallacoota in the far East. Specialist services offer family service coordination, assessments and individual or group programs with speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists.
2. The IPR Company Flagship Award is an annual award that focuses on education, literacy and vocational training in the regions in which IPR has a community involvement and our employees have a personal commitment. First awarded in 2001, the Flagship funding must enrich the communities in which it is allocated. It has assisted worthy projects in the UK, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, Czech Republic and Australia. In 2005/6, the Traralgon Railway Reserve was allocated $90,000 for major environmental conservation improvements and community education purposes.