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2008 Art Of... Awards

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Art of Listening (Support)

Art of Listening Recipient: Dr Sally Hanson, GP

Dear Panel,

I nominate my GP Dr Sally Hanson for ‘Art of Listening (Support)’ award in appreciation of her work in caring for me as a young person with a genetic condition. I recognise her work in both being part of and helping me to create my own health care team in the adult system.  I appreciate her ability to care for me as a whole person and see her as insightful, gentle, caring and professional in her work.

I appreciate how she listens and thinks about me as a person and what may be most benefit for me.  I have the convenience of one of her clinics being located within the TAFE that I was attending initially.  This meant that there were many other young people that attended the clinic.  This fact alone has made good primary health care accessible to me and has greatly helped me in both my journey with a genetic condition and the road to independence and adult health care.

Many thanks,

Vassie

Art of Listening Nominee: Thomas LaManna
Lion’s Club of Melbourne Markets

Thomas LaManna from the Lions Club of Melbourne Markets works endlessly with the Lions Club helping to change peoples lives, those who are disadvantaged and also in Crisis point.  He dedicates time, hours and lots of love towards everyone he cares for

Nominated by Maria Liistro

Art of Listening Nominee: Anne Jessop
Delfin Lend Lease, Craigieburn

Anne Jessop from Delfin Lendlease Craigieburn works on all the community projects in our area and helps build better lives and a better community.  She is dedicated has a wonderful big heart and is very giving.

Nominated by Maria Liistro

Art of Learning (Education/Information)

Art of Learning Recipient: Carly Myers
Immediate-Past President, GSNV

Has anyone thought to nominate Carly ,she has done a wonderful job for GSNV.

Nominated by Maria Liistro

…Carly has been involved in community education through her work at Arts Access.  She has also been involved with a number of GSNV seminars in the past 12 months including:

• guest speaker at last year’s Awareness Week
• guest speaker at last year’s Awareness Week
• guest speaker at Genetic Counselling student’s seminar

Art of Learning Nominee: Louisa Di Pietro
Thalassaemia Society of Victoria & GSNV Committee Member

I would love to nominate Louisa Di Petro because she has done a lot of work through the Lions Club of Melbourne Markets and also through the Thalassaemia Society.  She has helped many individuals and also families and always goes far and beyond what she needs to do in order to educate the community and help those in need. 

She has helped many families through the Lions Club and through her own personal experiences.  She volunteers so much of her own time to help others by calling them, helping them with their organisations and also just raising awareness in all Genetic conditions.  She is truly a remarkable individual and a beautiful soul brought to this earth for a purpose; the purpose to teach others to give and be kind to one another, no matter how hard the struggle there is always an answer.

She influences people with her kindness and she just is a beacon of light, knowledge and wisdom.  She gives her self wholly to every situation. I don’t know how she finds any time for herself.  She definitely is the most selfless person I have ever met.  She thinks only of good even amongst her own struggles with her own condition; she rises above it all.

Nominated by Maria Liistro

Art of Learning Nominee: Tony Jackson
Naturform

Tony Jackson from Naturform dedicates his time looking after families within the community. What he has done for the Pavilion, his contribution to help raise awareness about Genetic illnesses by calling people within the building trade and making them aware of trichothiodystrophy, xerodermapigmentosum and Cockayne syndrome.  He has a wonderful big heart, is warm, caring and very giving.

Nominated by Maria Liistro

Art of Learning Nominee: Dr David Amor
Clinical Geneticist, Genetic Health Services Victoria

David Amor is a wonderful doctor that was assertive enough to recognize that Sammy-Joe had TTD just by looking at him.  If he didn't walk into the room the time I was losing it with the Genetic Department, Sammy-Joe would still be undiagnosed.  His talent to just identify this very rare illness needs to be recognized.  He also has been wonderful enough to help raise awareness at the schools about Genetic conditions.  He was also willing to be on TV to raise awareness on this Genetic condition.

Nominated by Maria Liistro

Art of Advocacy

Art of Advocacy Recipient: Mr Sotirios Katakouzinos
Outgoing President, Thalassaemia Society of Victoria

I would like to nominate the Thalassaemia Society of Victoria outgoing President, Mr Sotirios Katakouzinos for the Art of Awards.  He has been a dedicated President, Committee/Executive Member and haemoglobinopathies campaigner in active service for over 20 years.  I do believe he is due for two lots of long service leave and a very good rest!  I could not think of a more worthy candidate as relates to haemoglobinapathy health promotion and community development.  He has been a leader, mentor and good friend to so many over the years and indeed given fully and unselfishly toward the promotion and understanding of genetic blood disorders.  He is not hanging up his boots yet but will be taking a step back from the hot seat. 

I do hope you are in agreement with this nomination as I would like to see his wonderful efforts recognised in genetics health per se.  All here agree!!!

Nominated by Louisa Di Pietro

Art of Advocacy Nominee: Victorian Masonic Motorcycle Association & Larry King
Order of the Eastern Star

• The Victorian Masonic Motorcycle Association began organising charity motorbike rides in December 2000 when it was decided to hold a charity ride for the Freemasons hospital, with all money raised going to them. Two more charity rides were held in 2000 and 2001, with more than $10,000.00 being raised. Since beginning to work with charitable appeals in this way, the Victorian Masonic Motorcycle Association have raised $195,000.00 and worked with many other worthwhile charities including Canteen and Cystic Fibrosis Victoria. They are now very pleased to be associated with GSNV, with their first ride being held with us in 2007. Another Motorbike Day was held this year. It was a marvellous day and we are looking forward to many more joint ventures! In nominating the VMMA for an Art of Advocacy Awards, I would like to particularly name Larry King as the recipient on behalf of VMMA for the all the outstanding work that he puts into organising these events.

• The Order of the Eastern Star is the largest fraternal organisation in the world to which both women and men may belong.  In Melbourne they have been established since 1947. Their main aim is to assist those in need by raising funds in different ways to many charitable organisations. GSNV’s 2007 Motorcycle Ride was the first time that the Order of the Eastern Star was involved in a Motorcycle Event. Their members enjoyed it so much that they wish to continue helping the Victorian Masonic Motorcycle Association run this event each year. Again they made a wonderful contribution to the Motorbike Day this year.

Nominated by Tarli Bogtstra & Vassie Dandanis