SYKES WINS GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR AUTISTIC CENTRES

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, is confident the State Government will source additional financial support for children and adults with autism in Mansfield.

Dr Sykes, who hosted a visit to the Mansfield Autistic Centre and Mansfield Adult Autistic Services last week with Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, Telmo Languiller (MLA), said additional funding is required to expand the current services.

“The centres currently have an active case load of more than 200 families; however there are an additional 200 families on a waiting list,” he said.

Dr Sykes said he was optimistic the Government would explore special funding for the services following a number of positive discussions with the Parliamentary Secretary and Minister for Community Services, Sherryl Garbutt.

“Both the Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister are very impressed with the current services at the Mansfield centres, describing their work as ‘visionary’,” he said.

In response to a question from Dr Sykes in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister Garbutt applauded Mansfield Autistic Centre’s innovation, determination and great contribution to people with disabilities.

“It has been operating as a model with a wonderful name for around three decades … I am sure there is more capacity and opportunity than ever before for support and choice programs to support the services,” she said.

Minister Garbutt said she will request the regional department to work with the Mansfield centre to explore additional funding opportunities.

The Mansfield Autistic Centre provides a range of services including travelling teachers, schooling and residences, family camps and other holiday activities.

Dr Sykes said the centre provides full-time schooling for up to 10 children at a time and associated residential accommodation for the families, however there is an urgent need for an additional four residences.

He said the travelling teacher service involved seven teachers travelling throughout Victoria providing help to families with autistic children, schools and health professionals. Mansfield Adult Autistic Services supports adults with autism in the local area and currently has six clients.

Dr Sykes said centre managers Jenny Cleeland, Dr Joan Curtis and Simone Reeves were so busy managing the facilities on the “smell of an oily rag” that they were finding it difficult to secure additional funding.

He paid special tribute to Dr Curtis who founded the organisation in the late 1960s and has made an outstanding contribution to the lives of people with autism ever since.

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989