2010 South Australia Go For Gold Winners

Home Improvement

RANDAL COWIE

Randal is living in a nursing home and is very grateful for the care he is receiving. Randall shows to all his carers how grateful he is for everything in his life, and this makes him very well liked and respected by them.

Randall has a very active mind, as he was an electrician when he was young and has always had a mathematically-oriented brain. He loves keeping up with world affairs, music, documentaries and sporting events on television, and this is what gives his daily life pleasure and meaning.

With his Go for Gold Scholarship Randall will be able to purchase an LCD television to provide greater stimulation and to enhance his viewing experience.

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Employment

MICHAEL FISKEN

Michael is a 39 year old husband and father to 3 children aged 4 to 14 years. Due to his physical symptoms, he was suddenly forced to give up work several years ago. The severity of his symptoms meant there was no road map for Michael to plan forward towards meaningful employment, so his world and personal relationships became narrower.

It has been recommended to Michael that he receive psychometric assessment to enable him to identify his strengths and therefore areas of employment which are more likely to be enjoyable, meaningful and achievable. The Go for Gold Scholarship will enable Michael to undergo such an assessment.

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Music

GENEVIEVE HEUSTON

Genevieve has an 8 year old son, Luke, who has been taking music lessons, and a few years ago she was encouraged to take up piano lessons herself. Genevieve finds learning to play piano very relaxing and mentally stimulating.

Despite her health issues Genevieve is determined to expand her musical horizons. She is determined to try to keep up with Luke and hopefully to learn to play some duets with him.

Genevieve has recently discovered a talent for song-writing and has written some lyrics which she would like to put to her own music. Her Go for Gold Scholarship will enable her to fund her music lessons and to continue with her musical aspirations.

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Education

JEREMY HEAL

Jeremy is 26 years old and has been forced to change career directions due to his physically demanding work as a gasfitter.

He has considered his employment options and has come to the realisation that he would enjoy a career working in Aged Care, as he wants a job where he will be working with people and giving back to the community.

Jeremy’s Go for Gold Scholarship will enable him to complete a TAFE Certificate III in Aged Care course and ultimately to embark on his rewarding new career in community services.

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Travel

HELEN NANCE

Helen has had a rather difficult time over the past few years and in addition to her health issues, following the recent death of her daughter she is now the full-time carer of her 11 year old grandson, Edward.

Helen and Edward have an abiding interest in animal welfare and for years they have cared for sick and injured native animals, with their current interest being raising frogs.

With her Go for Gold Scholarship Helen will be able to take Edward on a much longed-for visit to Australia Zoo. Australia Zoo has kindly offered them a family pass as well as a behind-the-scenes tour of the Australian Wildlife Hospital.

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GRAHAM VIVIAN

Graham has been wheelchair bound since the age of 35 and lives in supported accommodation. He is unable to work or study, and cannot operate his electric wheelchair outside of his home.

Over time Graham has become increasingly isolated and is now facing further loss as the unit in which he has lived for many years is to be bulldozed and he will need to move to alternative accommodation.

With his Go for Gold Scholarship Graham will be able to participate in several wheelchair-friendly bus tours around Adelaide to give him some much needed social interaction and a change of scenery.

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DIANA TIERNAN

Diana is confined to an electric wheelchair and uses this for all her mobility needs. She is unable to stand – but she still has the urge to travel.

Diana's son has worked in the national park on Christmas Island for the past three years and is involved primarily with the red crabs. He has recently announced that he will be getting married next year and Diana would love to be present at the wedding. She however is unable to afford to pay for the carer she needs to travel with her.

With her Go for Gold Scholarship Dianne will be able to pay for a carer to accompany her to Christmas Island and will therefore be able to attend her son’s wedding and have a chance to see some of the island's famous inhabitants.

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KIRSTY MARTINSEN

Kirsty is a painter who studied painting and drawing at the New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting and Sculpture in the early 2000s. Several years ago she was forced to move out of her art studio as she was no longer able to negotiate the stairs.

In March of this year Kirsty and her boyfriend attended the Masterpieces from Paris exhibition in Canberra, and seeing these masterpieces has re-ignited her passion for art.

Kirsty will be exhibiting her drawings at the Hahndorf Academy in April of next year. She says it is important for her to work from life and not from photos, as this allows for so much more space and atmosphere in her artworks, and Kirsty’s scholarship will enable her to take a road trip to Melbourne with her carer to draw and paint in the landscape and to also attend the Exhibition of European Masters to be held at the National Gallery in Melbourne in October.

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Sport & Exercise

KAREN WOOD

Karen is the mother of two young children and enjoys supporting them in their regular out of school activities such as dancing, soccer and Little Athletics.

Karen would benefit from exercising herself to gain strength in her leg muscles and improve her fitness levels but has been limited in the past by lack of funds.

With her Go for Gold Scholarship Karen will obtain membership of the Elizabeth Aquadome where she will not only be able to exercise herself but will be able to join her children for a swim in the school holidays where normally she would be forced to sit on the sidelines.

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HEATHER LAMBERT

Heather ceased her employment as an Enrolled Nurse in 2009 and now uses a walking frame for most ambulatory tasks. She is no longer able to walk long distances for exercise despite being very eager to improve her general fitness level.

Heather would like to be able to participate regularly in swimming and general water exercise but unfortunately lives too far away to be able to access the hydrotherapy program at the MS Society.

With her Go for Gold Scholarship Heather will obtain membership of her local fitness centre which will enable her to participate regularly in exercise activities and to gain the subsequent health benefits.

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The Arts

JILL McLEOD

Jill has always been interested in artistic pursuits and has tried her hand at most things. When diagnosed with her illness she was restoring antique furniture, but had to give it up because it was too physically taxing.

Jill studied a Fine Arts and Textile Course for several years and has an interest in finding out more about non-toxic fabric dyes which do not give off dangerous fumes when setting and are safe for even young children to use.

Jill will use her Go for Gold Scholarship to travel to Queensland to undertake a two week intensive course to enable her to become an instructor using this method of fabric dyeing. Jill envisages that she may be able to impart her newfound skills to others in the MS Society.

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