TADVIC Inc

Mission / Objective

TADVIC's mission is to design, make or modify equipment for people with a disability whose needs cannot be met commercially.

Beneficiary Group

TADVIC works through Victoria assisting  people of all ages and disabilities and their carers who need custom made or modified equipment.

Projects in Progress

We are a volunteer-based organisation dedicated to people with disabilities. We acheive our mission through the: - Design and construction of equipment otherwise commercially unavailable - Modification of commercially available equipment to suit clients' special needs, and - Provision of specialised technical advice to clients and their carer, and referral to other organisations able to assist when we cannot.

CEO

Fiona Still, CEO

Fiona Still - Chief Executive Officer 
Fiona, an Occupational Therapist, joined TADVIC as the Chief Executive Officer in October 2000 bringing with her a background in adaptive and assistive technology. Prior to joining TADVIC, most of her working life had been in the aids and equipment area for people with disabilities, having worked at the Independent Living Centre and then the Microcomputer Applications Centre (now known as ComTEC) for ten years. As Chief Executive Officer, she has overall responsibility for the management and administration of TADVIC.

Stella Bain - Administration
Stella joined TADVIC in 2001 as the Administration Officer. Stella is probably the first person you’ll speak with when you phone TADVIC. Her role covers much of the day to day office management and public relations. Among her many responsibilities, she deals with client enquiries, registers new projects and new volunteers and maintains TADVIC records and accounts.

Rosemary Nolan - Publicity and Fundraising
Rosemary joined the TADVIC administration team in 2005. Her role has grown since then to include publicity, fundraising and website management. Rosemary's role is to increase TADVIC’s profile in the wider community, to let people with disabilities know about our service, attract new volunteers and much needed funding.

Patsy Moloney - Publications / Policies and Procedures
Patsy joined the TADVIC administration team in 2005. Her key role is producing The TADVIC Magazine which is published twice each year. She is also involved in other areas of publicity, documentation of policies and procedures, Occupational Health and Safety and database design.

Sue Deane - Publications / Events / Freedom Wheels Stock Control
Sue joined the Administration team in TADVIC's Central Office in 2008. Sue produces the monthly TADVIC Newsletter, assists with other publications and coordination of special events. She also controls the stock for the Freedom Wheels Program.

Jenny Stephen - Human Resources and Volunteer Coordinator
Jenny joined TADVIC in 2010 in the role of Human Resources and Volunteer Coordinator. Jenny has over 15 years experience in Human Resources in various organisations including Australia Post and the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman. As well as assisting with the coordination of human resources and OHS,  Jenny will be managing volunteer recruitment and recognition across TADVIC services.

Sarah McNamee - Freedom Wheels Program Manager
Sarah McNamee joined TADVIC in 2010 in the role of Freedom Wheels Program Manager. Sarah has a Bachelor of Applied Science - Human Movement and her background is in exercise therapy and rehabilitation, having worked for several years with the Transport Accident Commission and several agencies in the disability sector.

TADVIC Project Coordinators

Project Co-ordinators are responsible for assessing individual client needs and matching these needs with volunteer members who have appropriate skills, expertise and experience. They act as liaison between volunteers and clients, monitoring progress of the project and ensuring outcomes are satisfactory. They are also responsible for ongoing education and development of volunteers.

Ingrid Maine - Metropolitan Project Coordinator
Ingrid is an Occupational Therapist and Kinesiologist and has just joined TADVIC in 2008. She has spent the past 20 years working in Melbourne and the UK in the areas of Psychiatry, Kinesiology, Aged Care and Disabilities. Most recently she has worked for the Victorian Aids and Equipment Program at Caulfield.

Martine Porter – Metropolitan Project Coordinator 
Martine, an Occupational Therapist joined TADVIC in 2007. She has specialised in rehabilitation post traumatic injury, particularly spinal cord injury, having had 10 years experience in spinal cord injury rehabilitation at the Austin Hospital (Victorian spinal cord service) and spinal injury units in Toronto and London.  She has also worked in the areas of acquired brain injury and orthopaedic injuries and has experience in acute, rehabilitation and community (home, work and school) settings.

Ewan Hanmer - Barwon Project Coordinator 
Ewan, an Occupational Therapist, joined TADVIC in 2001. Prior to joining he had spent a large proportion of his time working in the area of aids and equipment for people with disabilities. Having started at the Independent Living Centre, he later spent time at the Microcomputer Application Centre, now known as ComTEC, and the Spastic Society. Ewan is responsible for coordination of all projects in the Barwon Branch.

Richard Ziegeler - South West Branch Coordinator 
Richard joined TADVIC’s South West Branch in 2004 having worked as an Occupational Therapist with many of the health providers in the Warrnambool region since 1976. During this time Richard had developed extensive knowledge in the areas of rehabilitation and aged care, early childhood development and prosthetics and orthotics. Richard is responsible for coordination of all projects in the South West Branch.

Margaret Crocker - East Gippsland Coordinator
Margaret is an Occupational Therapist and has been a member of TADVIC since 1990,first as a volunteer and since 2003 as the Project Coordinator of East Gippsland Branch. Prior to that, Margaret was the senior OT at Bairnsdale Rural Health Service and currently works in private practice specialising in Lymphoedema. 

Rachel Schlipalius - Peninsula Coordinator
Rachel is an Occupational Therapist who joined TADVIC's Peninsula Branch in 2008 as Project Coordinator. She also works part-time in private practice on the Mornington Peninsula.

Anne Collins - Central Gippsland Coordinator
Anne Collins is an Occupational Therapist and joined TADVIC in 2009 as Project Coordinator for the Central Gippsland branch. Anne combines her work with TADVIC with part-time work in community health. Her area of expertise is in falls prevention.

Board Members

Mark Dohrmann AM - Board Chairman

Mark Dohrmann is an engineer and ergonomist who runs his own business specialising in safety, ergonomics and advice to lawyers on personal injury claims. As a founding member of TADVIC, Mark has been involved in its development since 1975 and has served on the board since its incorporation in 1977. Mark was made a Member of the Order of Australia in June 1994, "for service to people with disabilities, particularly through the organisation Technical Aid to the Disabled (Victoria)".

Ian Duff - Treasurer

Ian Duff is an accountant and is a partner with McLean Delmo. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia, National Institute of Accountants, Taxation Institute and Institute of Internal Auditors. Formerly a partner with Sothertons Melbourne for 22 years before merging with McLean Delmo. Ian holds (has held) many positions including Chairman of the Board of Directors of the national affiliation. Ian has extensive experience in audit and business services. He brings a wealth of experience to the TADVIC board and is the Board treasurer. He joined the TADVIC Board in June 2009.

Michael Hassett

Mike Hassett is an electrical engineer and has worked most of his life in telecommunications with the Bureau of Meteorology. He is a voluntary English tutor with the Australian Multicultural Education Service. He is also a consumers’ representative on Standards Australia committees dealing with Plumbing and Gas standards. A further interest is energy policy as it relates to carbon dioxide emissions and global warming and he is a participant in the development of energy policy within the Australian Greens. He joined the TADVIC Board in 2007.

Maurie Lean - Secretary

Maurie Lean is an electrical engineer who worked in the Melbourne Tramways before moving into the area of Telecommunications and statistical quality control. He is currently working in two jobs, one with an IT company and the other as an Operating Theatre technician at a local hospital. Maurie has been a technical volunteer with TADVIC's Metropolitan branch since 2000 and joined the TADVIC Board in 2007.

David Pollard

David Pollard is the current CEO of VicForests. David Pollard's career has included the inaugural CEO of the Australian Film Finance Corporation (1988-1990). From 1990 until 1997, he was with the Australian Securities Commission and was the Director of Information. He also spent some time as Assistant Commissioner of the Industry Commission (1994-1995) during which he led the Commission inquiries into Charitable Organisations and the Petroleum Industry. As the Commissioner of State Revenue, from 1997 until 2002, Dr. Pollard managed the move of Office functions to a regional facility at Ballarat and oversaw the design and implementation of a new computer system for the SRO. He joined the TADVIC Board in November 2008.

John Wilson

John is a Mechanical Engineer who worked for most of his career at the Government Aircraft Factories. He then purchased a recreational holiday camp and with his wife ran this business for 10 years. John has been involved with voluntary organisations most of his life and has wide committee experience. John joined TADVIC as a technical volunteer in 1999 and has been involved in over 40 projects. He has been a board member since 2002.

Catherine Miller

Catherine Miller is a registered physiotherapist specialising in occupational rehabilitation, and has managed the rehabilitation services for several large organisations after completing her MBA (specialising in OH&S). Catherine has recently moved to Melbourne and has continued her career in occupational rehabilitation by joining CoWork.  She was welcomed to the Board in 2010.

ABN

16 294 381 734

Tax Deductible

Yes

Wills and Bequests

Making a bequest to TADVIC Inc.

Making a will in an important thing to do - it gives you the opportunity to safeguard what is important to you and how you want your assets to be managed.

Including a gift to your favourite community group is one way to continue your support. You may find the following words helpful for inclusion in your will. However, it is important to see your legal advisor before you do so.

For your gift to TADVIC Inc. we recommend the following wording for your legal adviser's consideration:

"I GIVE, FREE OF ALL DUTIES AND TAXES

the whole of my estate, or

______% of my estate, or

the residue of my estate (or ___% of the residue of my estate), or

the sum of $ _______, or

my units/shares in ___________________ Trust/Ltd, or

my real property situated at [insert street address] having the title
reference _________________,

to TADVIC Inc. ABN 16 294 381 734

C/ Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre

1 Yarra Boulevard

Kew           VIC            3101

The receipt of the treasurer, secretary or public officer for the time being of TADVIC Inc. is an absolute discharge to my executor."

General Donations

What your donation means to us

Our ability to continue this vital work will be helped enormously by your donation.

· Every dollar donated to TADVIC translates to $5 in value to the community because of the organisation’s use of a large, skilled voluntary workforce.

· A donation of $25 per month will support two TADVIC projects per annum.

· This means helping two people with disabilities to live more independently in their home.

· TADVIC will be able to expand their service further into regional areas of Victoria.

· Your generosity means the work of TADVIC can continue for future generations.

Why not consider supporting several TADVIC projects throughout the year by making regular payments via direct debit or credit card?

Donations $2 and over are tax deductible.

Our Funding

We receive funding from the Department of Human Services which only covers a portion of our work. For the remainder, we rely on private donors, community groups, businesses, trusts,  volunteers and others who value our services

Our Future

Over the past few years, increasing demand for TADVIC’s services in both metropolitan and regional areas has led to an increase in running costs.

Without financial assistance, we will be unable to maintain and expand our services to the countless people with disabilities in Victoria who need TADVIC’s help  to live more independently and have a better quality of life.

Volunteering

TADVIC is a not for profit organisation whose volunteer members design, construct or modify equipment for people with disabilities when there is no suitable commercial option available. TADVIC also runs Freedom Wheels, a modified bike program for children with disabilities. There are opportunities to volunteer for TADVIC in a number of different areas. Volunteers are reimbursed for their out of pocket expenses.

1. Technical Volunteers
TADVIC’s technical volunteers use their own workshop and tools to design, make or modify equipment for people with disabilities. After visiting the client at the place where the equipment is to be used, they work closely with a project coordinator (usually an occupational therapist) to ensure that the solution will be both practical and appropriate to the client's needs and medical condition.

2. Freedom Wheels Volunteers

Volunteers who wish to be involved in the Freedom Wheels modified bike program can assist in any or all of the following ways:

 

2.1  Bike Assessment Clinics.Children’s specific needs are assessed by therapists and volunteers at bike clinics held in Melbourne and selected regional centres in Victoria.

2.2  Bike Customisation.Once the needs of the client have been assessed, the bikes are customised by technical volunteers at TADVIC's Central Office using specially designed support equipment.

2.3  Bike Courier Service.TADVIC needs volunteers to assist with transport of completed bikes to clients and final fittings and adjustments where needed.

3. Other Roles for Volunteers

3.1  Administration Volunteers

TADVIC has opportunities for non-technical volunteers in various administrative roles. Skills with computers, typing, filing, accounting and customer service are all valuable to TADVIC.

3.2  Public Relations Volunteers
People with experience in public relations, media liaison and/or public speaking can assist with promoting its services to the wider community.

3.3  Fundraising Volunteers
People with fundraising and/or submission writing experience can assist TADVIC to source much needed funding and donations from government, businesses, grants, trusts, community groups and the general public.

Police Checks and Working with Children Checks

It is a requirement that all people wishing to become volunteers have a Police Record check. Technical and Freedom Wheels volunteers also need to complete a Working with Children check. These checks are confidential. TADVIC will pay for the Police Record check and the Working with Children check is free for volunteers. Checks must be renewed every 5 years.

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