Learn and Lead

Ally Gillies

Hi I’m Ally, I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which means the glue that holds my body together is faulty.  EDS is also an invisible or hidden disability just like an intellectual disability. I am passionate about educating people about invisible disabilities and want to make a difference to people’s lives. People with invisible disabilities have feelings and are as just important as anyone else.  

I was part of a Learning Support team at a local school where I completed my Certificate II & III in Community Services through a traineeship.  I really enjoyed being part of a team because I got to make good friendships and learnt to be a good listener and helper.  

I love spending time with family and friends. I like doing diamond art, swimming and listening to music. I have a pet cat and he is beautiful!  

Ana Nguyen

Hi I’m Ana,  

I’m a singer, rapper, songwriter, actor and a political activist.  

I am a performer, a giver, a sinner and I used to be a member of the hip hop group First Flight Crew. I have also done acting roles. 

I am a woman of so many things because it’s all what was expected.  

I have Autism and an intellectual disability.  

I am someone who will always speak out and that’s because of the injustice in the world and this is what inspired me to do something about it and take action.  

I am a leader who stands up for others and speaks out.  

I am a woman that the world needs because of my Vietnamese heritage and because of my disability and the way that people have perceived me. 

In those darkest days, the world needs a woman who is unafraid and fearless and that is me.  

Andrew Tabakovic

Hey, my name is Andrew, I’m 30 years old and I live in a disability shared home in Croydon NSW with 2 friends from school. 

I have Cerebral Palsy and often need to use a wheelchair and my Cerebral Palsy affects my speech as well.  I also have an intellectual disability 

My fiancé Francesca and I are getting married in November this year (2024).  We are going to have a honeymoon in Japan next year.  We have been together for nearly 3 years now and are both really excited about our Wedding. 

My hobbies are Francesca and wedding planning, tattoos, shopping, art and watching horror movies.   

I am very excited to be a part of the Learn and Lead Group and to making new friends. I also think this will be an opportunity for me to get better with my communication skills using my communication app. I hope being part of Learn and Lead Group will give me confidence to speak up and be heard.  

Audrey O’Connor

Hi, I am Audrey and here is a little bit about me: 

I am an Actor, Writer and Film maker and over the years, I have been fortunate to have had many opportunities in the creative Arts.   

My passion is to promote inclusion and diversity by public speaking and in my creative work which includes story writing and film making and sharing my experience as a person living with an intellectual disability.   

I am currently a proud Ambassador for Human Rights Australia (IncludeAbility) and I am also an Ambassador for Bus Stop Films (Advocacy – Bus Stop Films).   

I have worked on a Committee with GigBuddies Australia who organize social activities for people with intellectual disability.  

I am looking forward to working in my new role with Down Syndrome Australia in their Lead and Learn Group to contribute an understanding of what it is like to have an intellectual disability and get better health support for other people like me.   

Other things I am interested in are dancing and karaoke.  I also enjoy working with my Personal Trainer at the gym and I go to Karate twice a week and I am close to getting my green belt. 

Beck Biddle

My name is Beck Biddle  

I was born with an intellectual disability and Epilepsy. I live in a small country town in Victoria called Camperdown. I am a passionate Self Advocate and have been for over 10 years. I have been the voice for people with disability and encourage others to speak up for themselves.    

I believe people with disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone to live and work have same right to access health services and other services and public transport within the communities that they live in. I believe in everyone having a voice and to be treated the same way as everyone else. I always say ‘Nothing about us, without us.’ 

I have done some training in Leadership; these have been the Leadership for tomorrow for people with disabilities program and Enabling Women Leadership program.  I also assist the Enabling Women Leadership program as a paid assistant in Warrnambool.  I have also done the Voice At The Table Training and am one of their qualified trainers. 

I am a member of Victorian Self Advocacy Network where we meet up on Zoom twice a month. I am also on the Leadership Team for All Abilities Advocacy network. I do public speaking and regular presentations in and around South West Victoria & Melbourne. 

I am also a member of the NDIS working group which meets regularly with politicians to discuss issues.  I am a Board member of Southern Stay Disability Services Inc. based in Warrnambool and I have also worked with Self Advocacy Resource Unit (SARU) on some of their projects and I help run their Facebook page and run meetings on Zoom. 

When I’m not doing my self-advocacy work, I love working out at the gym, going for long walks, traveling to places and meeting new people.   

Greg Bonyhady

Hi I’m Greg, I like to help other people, especially to improve accessibility and inclusion for all.  

I’m an advocate for people with disability and I have a strong sense of empathy and deep understanding of the needs of others which has led to lots of changes.  

I am a determined person who speaks my mind. I have a keen interest in politics and am always ready to highlight issues that need addressing.  

I work part-time in supported employment, volunteer at an opportunity shop and am a Scout assistant venturer leader and mentor. 

I live in a share house with my brother and a friend, where we pride themselves in helping each other and being as independent as possible. 

I play wheelchair soccer and barrack for Collingwood and Melbourne Victory. 

I also like spending time with family, especially my nieces. 

Hayley Mills

My name is Hayley Mills,  

I currently live with my parents, and we have one dog, a cat, aviary full of Budgies, a tank of four fish and a bird cage inside containing four budgies. 

I currently work for the Port Augusta City Council I am part of the Community Development/ Arts Team. 

My goal is to learn to advocate for people with a disability and to learn more about people with a Disability. 

I am currently apart of the Disability Advisory Group we hold meetings every 2 months we discuss issues surrounding people with a disability. 

My interests are reading, listening, and dancing to music. 

My Biggest Achievement is when the AIP (Access Inclusion Program) won an award back in May 2024 we were all so happy and proud of what the program had achieved. 

One quirky fact about me is I have a bubbly personality and I’m friendly. 

Ray

Ray brings to the Learn and Lead Group experience in leadership and facilitation skills, co-designing programs, coordinating online meetings and multiple perspectives when advocating for people with disability. 

Susan Olson

My name is Sue and I live on my parent’s farm, Mintabie in what is known as the Mallee area which is 12kms north from a little town called Geranium in South Australia. 

I care for my parents when they are up here on the farm and look after farm animals too. 

I used to work in a service station that my parents used to own in a nearby town called Lameroo 5 days a week.  

Presently, I am a member of SACID – South Australian Council of Intellectual Disability. I am part of the Reference Group and Peer Support Group too. I was part of their Cyber Safety Co-design Group. 

I am also a member of CID – Council of Intellectual Disability in N.S.W and have volunteered at the Lameroo Day Centre and really enjoyed working there. 

I am also involved with Skylight Mental Health which is a business in Adelaide that helps people with mental health challenges. I suggested to Skylight to do Outreach Services and now there are several different Health Groups that people can attend and they are also in other towns in other areas as well. 

I am happy to be part of the Learn and Lead Group and am very passionate about advocating, helping and supporting people with disability!!

Tessa Douglas

My name is Tess, I am 34 years old and currently live in Bundaberg. 

I am very passionate about joining the Learn and Lead group, so people with disabilities have better healthcare.    

 I’m also passionate about Rugby League and I follow the Melbourne Storm.  

I love going to the Gym and staying fit and healthy.  

I enjoy cooking and painting.  I have entered 4 paintings in 2 exhibitions, and I have sold 3 of my artworks. 

In July I went to the World Down Syndrome Congress in Brisbane and enjoyed listening to the speakers. I also took part in the self advocacy day which taught me to share good ideas and speak up and I was asked to be on one of the panels. I really enjoyed doing this. I’m looking forward to becoming a leader and working as a team member and building new skills.  

For more information, please contact: Alison Richardson, Inclusion Lead:

• 0438 926 035 

• alison.richardson@downsyndrome.org.au 

• Or via the National Relay Service.

The National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health or The Centre is a new program.  

The Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care gives money to The Centre to do its work.

The Centre is led by University of NSW Sydney (Medicine and Health). 

The Centre’s purpose is to improve the health of people with intellectual disability. 

The Centre opened in October 2023. 

The University of NSW Sydney works together with a group of other organisations which includes Down Syndrome Australia.