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 Positions on the Committee of Management are gained via election.  (Information about appointment to the Committee of Management is included in PDCN's Constitution)

The Committee of Management for the period October 2011 - October 2012 are:

Ann-Mason Furmage (President)

Ann-Mason was born and grew up in the United States of America. In 1950, she contracted poliomyelitis, which caused paralysis of her left hand, arm and shoulder. In 1959, she had a radical mastoidectomy of her right ear and has been hearing-impaired since that time. Ann-Mason uses a motorised wheelchair for mobility.

In 1968, Ann-Mason migrated to Australia along with her (former) husband and two daughters. She attended the West Australian Institute of Technology (now John Curtin University) where she attained her Bachelor of Business in Accounting in 1980. She became a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) in 1983. Professionally, Ann-Mason has been an accountant or financial controller for a number of organisations, including an accounting firm, a firm that handled foreclosed real estate for banks (in the USA), a national labour union, a group of retirement homes and a not-for-profit group representing people who have a
liver disease.

In 1996, physical problems associated with the late effects of poliomyelitis resulted in Ann-Mason to leave full-time employment, although she continued working on a part-time basis until 2000. Ann-Mason now uses a motorised wheelchair. She currently serves as President of the Physical Disability Council of NSW, a member of: the EnableNSW Advisory Council, the Board of Directors of the Independent Living centre of NSW, the External Advisory Committee to the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Sydney and the Access Committee of the Town of Marrickville.

Ann-Mason’s major hobby is the design and stitching of cross stitch and tapestries. In addition, she is very fond of a broad range of music, from Rhythm and Blues to Medieval and Renaissance music.

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Andrew Longhurst (Vice President)

Andrew Longhurst has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI or Brittle Bones) and he uses a manual wheelchair for mobility. Andrew is currently Secretary of the PDCN Management Committee.

Andrew works as a Community Worker with the Adult Outreach Team at Northcott Disability Services. The Adult Outreach team is a multi-disciplined team which assists Adult Clients with primarily physical disabilities to pursue goals they have for their life. In the past he has worked in the Open Employment sector with people who have acquired disabilities and for DADHC with people who have intellectual disabilities.

He has a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) and a Graduate Diploma in Counseling from Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, as well as a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training.

Andrew is also a current board member of the OI Society of Australia.

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Peter A Simpson (Treasurer and Secretary)

Peter A Simpson has a physical disability and is currently the Treasurer of the PDCN Management Committee.

Peter’s main area of interest is issues associated with access to the built environment. He has also been involved in wheelchair sports, where he competed in wheelchair rugby for over 12yrs. Throughout his life Peter has advocated various issues on behalf of people with disabilities, from built environment issues, transport, to participation in sport/recreation.

Sitting on various community/access committees, Peter loves being able to contribute his knowledge/experience to help facilitate chances in policy and organisational development.

Peter has previously served as a Director of Wheelchair Sports NSW.

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Kevin Finlayson

Kevin was born in Armidale, in 1952 with Multiplex Congenita.

Kevin completed training at Mt Wilga for open employment and started work at Australia Post at Railway Square Post Office in Sydney in 1973 and worked there for 5 years. He then worked at Telstra in Penrith from 1978 to 1994. In 1994 after leaving Telstra Kevin moved to Yamba on the far north coast, where he was involved in access issues and successfully lobbied the local council in Maclean Council for, access ramps and a wheelchair mooring to fish from.  Kevin moved back to Sydney in 1999.

Kevin joined the Penrith Disability Resource Centre in 1999 and worked tirelessly to raise access and equity issues for people with a disability, and in July 2006, Penrith City Council recognised his work in the local community by recognising him  on the Wall of Achievement within the council chambers.

Over the years Kevin held several positions at Penrith Disability Resource Centre Inc (PDRC): in 1999 as an Information Officer assisting people with a disability and able bodied people alike; in charge of fundraising for PDRC for 5 years, raising funds to purchase goods for the office or pay for training courses for people with a disability; he was Chairperson of PDRC for 1 year; Secretary for PDRC for 7 years; and a  Committee member for 4 years.  Kevin is still on the PDRC management committee. 

Kevin has also been involved in a number of other organisations including: Penrith City Council Access committee in 2001 remained on that committee for 4 years; Sports Council of NSW -Committee Member 4 years; Penrith Disability Action Forum (PDAF) Chairperson 7 years – taking on such issues as wheelchair access for Penrith Plaza, lifts for Penrith Railway, Hoyts access, EMLAC keys for accessible toilets, laybacks in pedestrian footpaths in Penrith LGA (specifically Mulgoa Rd).

 Kevin’s current roles include: Deputy Chairperson of NILC;  Nepean Disability Social Group (Recreational activities) for people with all types of disabilities Chairperson; Deputy Chairperson Nepean Volunteer Service Inc Deputy Chairperson; management committee member of PCYC Penrith;  committee member of PCDN.

Kevin has completed Disability Advocacy Course Cert II -TAFE, and received TAFE -Directors Exemplary Achievement Award.  He delivered Training and undertook Public Speaking within schools and businesses about Disability Awareness Training. Kevin has also completed the TAFE course Access Auditing in a Built-up Environment.

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Ya'el Frisch

Ya'el is a young lawyer who uses a wheelchair. She has a passion for social justice and inclusion and spends her life challenging the societal barriers which form the worst part of her disability.

 After two great years working in policy in Canberra, Ya'el once again calls Sydney home and has a new appreciation of its accessible taxis. She looks forward to a national system so that all Australians with disability can access the support they need to live the life they want, no matter where they live.

 Ya'el is a self-confessed coffee addict, and loves live music and hanging with friends. She is also by on the Board of the Australian Centre for Disability Law and contributes to ABC RampUp.

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Two Vacant Positions