Northcott Ambassadors

Celebrity Ambassadors

Mike Munro - Media personality and current co-host of Seven’s public affairs program Sunday Night, Mike Munro has joined the Northcott family as an Ambassador for Northcott Disability Services 80th year anniversary celebrations.  

"Northcott Disability Services has supported people with disabilities across NSW and the ACT for 80 years and you too can help them continue to build an inclusive society. So please donate now."
 

Peter Wynn - Parramatta Eels footballer from 1979 to 1990. Wynn represented Australia in the first NSW State of Origin Series winning team and in 2002 was selected as one of 13 Parramatta legends. A retired teacher, having taught secondary mathematics at various schools across Western Sydney, Wynn is a tireless advocate of Northcott Disability Services and many other worthwhile charities.

“I have been supporting Northcott for almost 30 years as a regional ambassador and am amazed throughout that time how Northcott and its services have grown. More and more people are so reliant on Northcott and without the support that Northcott provides, we wouldn’t have the inclusive society we do now.”

Joel Reddy - Parramatta Eels top try scorer for 2008 is proud to be an Ambassador for Northcott Disability Services. Northcott is one of the official charity partners of the Parramatta Eels.

“I’m very proud to be associated with Northcott Disability Services; as they are an organisation that plays a significant role for our community. The continuous dedication and the services in which they provide are essential for improving the quality of lives of people with disabilities, along with their families and carers. Many people would not receive this specialised support if Northcott Disability Services ceased to exist, which emphases the real importance of this organisation.”

 

Stephen O’Keefe – Cricketer Stephen O’Keefe, who is a member of the NSW SpeedBlitz, is proud to be an ambassador for Northcott Disability Services, after seeing first-hand the life-changing work the organisation does to help the lives of people with a disability.

“As a sportsperson it could be so easy to take for granted that I have an able body & mind, I find it very humbling to be associated with an organisation such as Northcott, seeing first hand the wonderful work that they do and the difference they make to these young peoples lives, and that of their family and friends.

The clients & staff that I have met with so far are an inspiration, taking each day at a time with dignity and purpose. As an Ambassador for Northcott I hope to not only be able to raise awareness of this wonderful organisation, helping them secure much needed resources and funding, but also to be a part of their mission: to help build an inclusive society."

Alex Blackwell - International cricketer and Vice Captain of the Australian women's cricket team, Alex Blackwell jumped at the opportunity to be an Ambassador for Northcott Disability Services after meeting clients and families at Northcott's Annual Cricket Legends Lunch, held in February 2009.  

"It was a privilege to meet many of Northcott’s clients, in particular Emily Dash and her family, who I sat with for the lunch. I learnt of the significant difference that Northcott makes to individual clients and their families. I hope to assist in raising awareness about Northcott Disability Services and the tremendous support they provide to people with disabilities in order to help develop their skills and achieve their goals. It is with great pleasure that I play a small part in helping Northcott Disability Services achieve their goal to triple the number of people they support from 6000 to 18,000 by 2012."

Dr Cindy Pan - Medical practitioner, writer and media spokesperson, Dr Cindy Pan is honoured to be an Ambassador for Northcott Disability Services.

"It is an enormous honour and a great privilege to be an Ambassador for Northcott Disability Services. Northcott provides such wonderful support to so many people with disabilities, as well as their families and carers, optimising opportunities to focus on abilities rather than disabilities and enhancing quality of life in every respect. Thank you to all those who support Northcott in its wonderful efforts to create a more inclusive society by assisting all people with disabilities to develop their skills, achieve their goals and live their dreams."
Dr Cindy Pan MBBS, FRACGP
 

Jean Kittson - A multi-talented performer and writer, Jean Kittson is one of Australia's best known and most popular comedians, amusing audiences in theatre, film, print, on radio and television. In 2009, Jean ably co-hosted the 80th Anniversary Gala Ball with Peter Overton.

"I have been associated with Northcott for around ten years now and was introduced to Northcott through the wonderful, much loved and sorely missed Diane Cody. When I first moved to Sydney she involved me in her fundraising. She was inspiring and irresistible. I also have friends who are clients of Northcott and who have told me of the invaluable help and hope that Northcott has given them. I know some of the incomprehensible difficulties they had with schools for example, and if it hadn’t been for Northcott I know their courage and their optimism would have been terribly tested. Northcott is an organisation with a long history of giving care to those who were once cast aside. They were one of the first to help those with disabilities and they have remained at the forefront of services to the disabled. Northcott is constantly seeking to improve the lives of others and also, just as importantly, constantly seeking to improve their services and the way they deliver them and the number of people they deliver them to. It is humbling to be asked to be an Ambassador and I hope to help in any way I possibly can."

 Client Ambassadors

Diana Jelovic - Wife and mother of four, one living with autism, Diana was rescued by Northcott when she was in a state of desperation and loneliness. Diana and her family have been empowered by Northcott through the Intensive Family Support program.

“Our little boy Tom has autism and the autism has made life such a challenge for him and every member of our family. It got to a point a few years ago that we ceased going out as a family. This was physically and emotionally isolating. It also elicited feelings of guilt and neglect towards my other children. In addition, a parent struggles with the dilemma of accepting the child the way they are, yet harbouring a desire for normality.”

“Not only did Northcott provide practical help and emotional support, but they removed the feelings of isolation and helped me to regain control. With the practical help from Northcott, life at home now runs more smoothly. I have been enabled to return part-time to work after a long absence in my profession of Orthoptics. In many ways my few days at work is my respite and has restored my self-worth, hence empowering me for my role as wife and mother.

"Whenever I think of Northcott I have warm, happy thoughts. I think of the smiling happy faces of the staff, of the security I feel knowing that they are there, and the positive impact they have had on our lives.”

Ben Keyte - Ben is 22 years of age and is living with with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, a rare condition characterised by the immobility of one or more joints. Ben has received help from Northcott since the young age of three-years-old. Throughout this time Ben has used many services including Respite, Recreation, Community Participation Program, Northcott Equipment Solutions, and Computer Assistive Technology Service. Ben is currently studying Social Work at the University of Western Sydney.

“I am one of 250 people in Australia born with a rare condition that is 33 letters long: Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. I have one of the worst cases physically of this disability requiring 24/7 care. My journey of living with my disability has had its ups and downs. When I was born I was very sick. Life started to look up for my family when they found Northcott, as they were given some reassurance. I was three at this time and Northcott provided me with my first-ever wheelchair, which was donated to my family - a huge relief for my single mother that was also raising two other children and could not work because she cared for me.”

“Through all the support I have received through Northcott, I have been able to grow in independence, increase my confidence, meet new people, create friendships, and be inspired and empowered to achieve more than I thought I ever could. It is not only me who has benefited from the support Northcott has provided, but also my whole family. My family receives time away from me when I go to respite and a break from their demanding caring role, and it has also allowed my mum to go back to work - lifting financial pressures."