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In 2009, the Annual Aspect Recognition Awards were held at the Bonham & Goodmans fine art auction house in Double Bay, Sydney. Following are details of each of the recipients of the Awards and some photos from the night.
Individual Achievement
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Mitchell Kilduff
(nominated by Pauline Hunter-Knight)
13 year old boy with an ASD who faced considerable bullying in his early school years, resulting in his own aggressive behaviour, suspension from school, home schooling and increased home conflict. Mitchell started swimming lessons in 2007 and has finally found something he really enjoys, devoting his focus into this productive pursuit. He initially broke disability swim records but has now progressed to achieving well in regular state age championships. Mitchell’s success has required that he face considerable challenges to learn to work in tune with a coach and cope with the challenging environments he encounters to achieve at his chosen sport. He now mentors other swimmers and is cited as being an inspiration to other people with an ASD.
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| Individual Achievement Award recipient, Mitchell Kilduff (right), and Director Aspect Children, Young People & Families, Anthony Warren |
Parent/Carer
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Lâm Thi Duyên
(nominated by Angela Stewart)
Parent to a son with Aspergers’ syndrome and a daughter with Downs’ syndrome who has overcome significant barriers to access assistance and support, including those associated with living in a country where the main language spoken is not their own. Mrs Duyên has been instrumental in supporting and mentoring other families in similar situations within the Vietnamese community and, in 1999, with her husband Quang, formed the Vietnamese Parents with Disabled Children Support Group in NSW from their home. Mrs Duyên has been an advocate for as many families as possible in media appearances, being involved in the publication of books and regularly making herself available to support others despite the many challenges she encounters within her own busy home life. Mrs Duyên received an Order of Australia medal in 2005.
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| Lâm Thi Duyên (centre), recipient of the Parent/Carer Award, with her interpreter, Van Ve (right) and Aspect CEO, Adrian Ford |
Professional Achievement
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Robyn Townsend
(nominated by Jodi Rodgers)
Director Jumbunna Early Intervention with whom Aspect jointly delivers the Building Blocks centre-based service on the Far North Coast. Robyn is described as being 100% supportive of Aspect staff and operates a “fantastic service” for children with ASD and their families including pre-school inclusion support and outreach delivered by a multidisciplinary team.
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| Professional Service Award recipient, Robyn Townsend |
Exemplary Service
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Beth Scott
(nominated by Catherine Thomson)
Retiring from the Aspect Western Sydney School this year, Beth has worked at the school since 1988 as a senior teacher aide, President of the P&F, and now as an Administration Assistant. In addition to her “regular” work, Beth has worked tirelessly to organise and cater at school events, fundraise and maintain good community relations, including to encourage support for the Aspect School from Rotary and other community-based partners.
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| Elizabeth (Beth) Scott, recipient of the Exemplary Service Award, with Executive Director Aspect Education & Research, Dr Trevor Clark |
Patronage Award
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Kids for Life
(nominated by Sarah Pieters)
Organisation run by volunteers that supports childrens’ charities that, in 2007-08 nominated Aspect as the main beneficiary of their fundraising efforts. Kids for Life donated $150 000 in support of the new sensory room at Aspect Central Coast School and in 2008 raised $150 000 for Aspect via their Gala Ball.
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| Kayleen Thomas (centre) from Kids For Life, recipient of the Patronage Award, with Aspect CEO Adrian Ford, and Aspect Board Chair Keith Perkin |
David Foster Award for Volunteer Service
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Mandy Gordon
(nominated by Emma Dresens)
Volunteer with Aspect Building Blocks® who weekly, since 2006, has given her time to support staff and families at Macquarie Uni program. She is described as being highly supportive, committed to researching developments in ASD, reliable and loyal, adjusting her role with the changes in the program.
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| David Foster (left) from the Aspect Board awarding the David Foster Award for Volunteer Service to Mandy Gordon, accepted on her behalf by Aspect Building Blocks Manager Rachel Kerslake |
Business Partnership Award
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Arconline (nominated by Anthony Perl)
Produced the Aspect television commercial, largely by donation. This represents a huge contribution to our national community of people with an ASD and their families. |
| John Kellet from arconline accepting the Patronage Award from special guest and international bestselling author, Matthew Reilly (left), with Aspect CEO Adrian Ford |
Click Here to see more photos from the event
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