Board Members
| Article - Events |
Introducing the Board
Steve Nirta - President
Married 1979 with 2 daughters, I have Muscular Dystrophy
Education: Somerton Crippled Childrens' Home,
worked at Bedford Industries 1973 – 1974 Public Relations Dept Sales Dept,
Collectibles dealer 1980 Collectibles and antiques dealer 1991
2000 Investment Art Trader
Philip Beddall (Vice President)
Phillip has been working as a disability advocate for 20 years and has extensive experience in accommodation and support models for people with disabilities and how they impact on individuals receiving services.
Phillip sits on a number of boards and committees and is currently chair of the National Young People in Nursing Homes Alliance, is vice chair of the South Australian Council of Social Services Policy Council and is the chairman of the Board of
Phillip also works as a presenter and producer of a health and disability radio program that provides training and support in the effective use of media and has worked in both community and commercial broadcasting for 22 years.
Isobel Halsey – Secretary
Country Rep on the Board
I was born in a small country village in Scotland on 26 October 1943 and, emigrated with my parents and brother in July 1951, arriving in Sydney. We lived in a hostel in Bathurst for 6 weeks before travelling to Adelaide by train. Our first home was in the converted woolsheds at Rosewater. I have been back to Scotland once (perhaps I will take another trip before I am too old). My schooling ended in 1958 when I completed 2nd year at Croydon Tech. I have had sever different types of jobs but, the job I liked best was that of bar attendant. I am the mother of 5 (4 boys and 1 daughter) and Grandma to 8. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1985 then re-diagnosed in 2005 with a rare form of the disease - Spinal Cord MS. I have lived in the northern country area for almost 30 years and I love it. I became a member of PDCSA about 4-5 years ago and one day I contacted them to ask how I could become involved. The rest, as they say, is history as I have been on the board ever since. I believe, we can make a difference!
Maria Harding - Treasurer
I joined PDCSA in October 2009 as Treasurer and volunteers in the office on Mondays. My disability is the late effects of Polio. I am married with 3 children and two granddaughters. For the last 15 years I have been Volunteering with Polio SA.
Julie McBride - Country Rep on the Board
Whilst working for the Department of Defence, I founded “Koinonia Ministries Inc.” which established a Community Home, (also my home) that advanced the process of de-institutionalisation by assisting and increasing Independent Living Skills and Community Inclusion.
Ian Grundy - Board Member
As a Board we try and observe how other people who have disabilities interact with each other, that involves communicating, transport, and trying to see the world, not just your own lounge room. The modern world has much to offer a person with disabilities like the internet where you can see overseas and into situations which was not possible a few years. I hope I can keep going on the Board and look forward to meeting some of the members who read our articles.
Suzanne Mackenzie nee Lawson - Board Member
In my opinion I find that most of the disability discrimination and defamation is created by people’s thinking and attitude; organisations, staff and their policies and procedures; their OHS&W rules; also by families, friends and doctors as well as from communities, employers and teachers. Issues that are important to me: Inappropriate long waiting lists for equipment, health care and ongoing therapy (and other services) are putting us at greater risk of losing our abilities; isolation from assistance to have fun, recreate and socialize keeps us at the bottom of the ladder. Despite all this, I am a single mum with a beautiful daughter and now a Nanna to a wonderful little granddaughter!
Trevor Harrison – Board Member
I have been running my own business for the past 21 years in access advice and have been involved in the disability movement for 40 years. I truly believe that as a united voice and becoming a movement we can achieve big things.