In celebration of our 25th year, this edition of CRUcial Times is a collection of some of our most enduring articles, collated with the theme of "What Endures and therefore, What Should be Invested in".
This retrospective edition brings together some of the most discussed and timeless articles from previous editions of the CRUcial Times.
This edition contains the following articles:
Editorial
Margaret Rodgers
From the president
Matt Stone
Reflections from a former president
Mike Duggan
Leadership and change
Lesley Chenoweth has worked for over 30 years as a change consultant, social worker and academic to further the interests of people with disabilities and families, and to encourage personalised, responsive services that support them. Lesley is currently Head of Campus and Professor of Social Work at Griffith University, Logan campus in Queensland.
Holding on to the ordinary
Glenys Mann is a mother of three children and long term member of CRU and Queensland Parents of People with Disability (QPPD). She has a background in teaching and is experienced in supporting schools to be more inclusive of students with disability.
As a PhD student, Glenys continues to be involved in the area of inclusive schooling for children with disability. She was the publishing editor of “Diving for Pearls”, QPPD’s 2011 report on parent’s quest for inclusive education in Queensland and “I Choose Inclusion” in 2012.
Being at the centre of my life
Lisa Lehmann is a social change agent and has been actively involved in both self-advocacy and systemic advocacy for over fifteen years. She works as a consultant in the sector and also mentors other people with disability in how to manage independent living. Lisa has been a keynote speaker at a number of national conferences, including the CRU Conference in 2007, where she spoke about her life as a woman with a disability directing her own supports. Lisa is the parent of a six year old son and is currently studying business with the plan to become a social entrepreneur.
The natural authority of families
Michael Kendrick is well known internationally for his work on leadership, quality, advocacy, safeguards and the promotion of community living for people with a disability. He has made a significant contribution to the field as an educator, consultant, and advocate for over 35 years. Dr Kendrick works regularly in Australia and has a long history of collaboration with CRU.
His book, “Letting in the Light”, was published by CRU in 2009.
Reclaiming family business
Margaret Ward is the mother of three adult children. Despite significant disabilities, her first daughter Ismena lived in her own home for ten years, with the support of family, friends and the Homes West Association. The family’s involvement in Homes West is the focus of this article. Margaret is well known for her strong, visionary leadership in the Queensland disability movement. She also played an important role in the establishment of Queensland Parents of People with a Disability and CRU.
Valuing people
Morrie O’Connor has worked at the Community Living Program (CLP) in Brisbane since its establishment in 1989. He is the current co-ordinator of this service, now known as Community Living Association (CLA). In this role Morrie has overseen the development of the Association to include a range of innovative strategies and projects that assist people who live with disability and mental illness.
Navigating for a community of relationships
Ingrid Burkett was a lecturer in Community Development at the University of Queensland when this article was written in 2000. She has worked across government, corporate and community sectors, locally and internationally. Dr Burkett is currently the Managing Director of KNODE, a social business focused on knowledge design for social innovation. She is also the president of the International Association for Community Development.