CORPORATE INFORMATION
Nomination for Board Members
Autism Victoria began its life over 40 years ago as the Victorian Autistic Children’s Association. Since that time Autism Victoria has been a key provider of information, advice and support to families, service providers and more recently private practitioners.
Autism Victoria now employs over 15 full-time staff and has an operating budget of approximately $1.5 Mil. per annum.
The organisation is governed by a 9 member based Board of Governance which meets monthly. This governance structure replaced the historic State Council which comprised 22 members with a 5 member Executive Committee which oversaw the day to day operational needs of the organisation
The Board of Governance are currently developing a new strategic plan to provide direction and focus for Autism Victoria over the next 3 year period. This plan would form the key document in future decision making for Autism Victoria and will support staff and the Board into the future.
At the next Annual General Meeting a number of Board positions will become vacant and Autism Victoria members may wish to nominate for or consider nominating for a position on the Board. Please feel free to contact the Chief Executive Officer who will provide additional information for prospective Board candidates.
This is both an exciting and challenging time for Autism Victoria and people considering nominating for the Board will need to bring energy, understanding and enthusiasm to the Board.
If interested parties require further information please contact Murray Dawson-Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Autism Victoria on 03 9885 0533 or by email at ceo@autismvictoria.org.au.
Autism Victoria Structure
Autism Victoria is an incorporated association, and has Public Benevolent Institution, income tax exemption and Deductible Gift Recipient status from the Australian Tax Office. It has operated since 1968, and was formerly known as the Victorian Autistic Children's & Adults' Association.Autism Victoria currently has more than 1800 regular members, 70% of whom are families.
Autism Victoria is governed by a 9 member Board, elected on a rotational basis at the Annual General Meeting. The Board nominees are drawn from both a skills based and an interest groups base to enhance the governance of Autism Victoria. It is the intention of the Board to establish a number of sub-committees to inform and guide decision making and these sub-committees will include areas such as Finance, Policy and Government Liaison & Public Relations.
Autism Victoria conducted a Strategic Review, resulting in an initial Strategic Plan for 2004 - 2007. This strategic plan was reviewed in 2008 to reflect changes in the sector including the development of the Autism State Plan and has since been further amended in light of the “Helping Children with Autism” package funded by the Commonwealth.
A Strategic Plan for 2009 - 2012 is currently being developed and will be posted on the Web site when completed.
The association owns premises in Glen Iris but has relocated to 24 Drummond Street, Carlton as a result of the increase in staff and limitations of the Glen Iris site to accommodate this staff growth.
Autism Victoria receives funding from both the State Government Department of Human Services and Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to provide a Information, Advice and Support service to families and professionals. This service is provided through the employment of 3.2eft and is partially funded through membership fees and donations
Further funding is received from the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs for the employment of 6eft as Autism Advisors within the “Helping Children with Autism” program. Autism Victoria has also entered into a consortium agreement with the Parenting Research Centre and this has resulted in the employment of an additional 3eft to provide the telephone service for the National Workshop program which has also been funded by FaHCSIA.
The Board of Governance employs additional professional and administrative staff (2.6eft), which are funded by income generated from donations, fund raising and activities. Additional income to support specific projects is sourced from time to time. The administrative and practical input provided voluntarily by many people is highly valued by the association.
In July 2006, the Autism Victoria Professional Panel was formed. This Panel provides Autism Victoria staff and committee with professional advice and guidance with professional issues related to Autism Spectrum Disorder, including Research findings, Policy development and Media comment.
Autism Victoria is a founding member of the Australian Advisory Board on Autism Spectrum Disorders (previously the Autism Council of Australia), and is represented by the Chief Executive Officer.
The Association's accounts are audited annually, and professional accountancy support is provided by Mr. Graeme Wickenden.
Board of Governance members include
| Prof. Bruce Tonge | Chairperson |
Michelle Carson |
Deputy Chairperson |
Peter Heard |
Secretary |
Graeme Wickenden |
Treasurer |
Anne Mustow |
Board Member |
Mary Thomson |
Board Member |
Dennis Crowley |
Board Member |
Judy Hacker |
Board Member |
| Steve Dartnell | Board Member |
Professional Panel
| Amanda Richdale | Associate Professor / Principal Research Fellow, Chair Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre La Trobe University |
|---|---|
| Margot Prior AO | Professor, University of Melbourne |
| Dr Lawrence Bartak | Southern Health |
Dr Cheryl Dissanayake |
Associate Professor, Reader Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre La Trobe University |
| Dr Ric Haslam | Royal Children's Hospital |
| Michele Spreckley | Uncles Bob's Child Development Centre, The Royal Children's Hospital |
| Ms Val Spence | EPIC Early Intervention, RMIT University |
| Dr Richard Fraser | University of Melbourne and ORYGEN Research Centre |
| Heather Kirkhope | Special Education Teacher |
| Mary Thompson | Autism Teaching Institute |
| Gloria Staios | Spectrum Speech Pathology |