Gillian Thomas is the Network's President and was first elected to this position in 1997. Gillian was a member of the original Working Party set up in 1988 to establish the Network, and was subsequently elected as Secretary. She has been the Newsletter Editor since May 1989. In addition, Gillian maintains the membership database and provides information to those enquiring about the late effects of polio and the services the Network offers. Gillian contracted polio as a baby in 1950 and in 2002 was honoured to receive a David Bodian Memorial Award from the International Post-Polio Task Force in recognition of her work for polio survivors.

Vice-President Merle Thompson contracted polio at the early age of 15 months. She walked again at 3 and required no aids apart from shoe modifications for around 30 years but now needs light calipers and uses a scooter to enable her to be more active. Within the Network, Merle's roles are related to research and writing and liaison with other organisations. She wrote the research report on a survey of members in 1998, drafted the medical alert card and prepared the brochure Hospital, Medical and Dental Care for the Post-Polio Patient. Merle retired at the beginning of 2000 from the NSW Public Service. She is currently undertaking a further research project to update the 1998 one and look at additional areas. 

Neil von Schill is the Network’s Secretary.  Neil contracted polio at three years in 1950. He attended Bathurst Teachers College in 1965-66. Neil’s first appoinment was Nyngan then Corinella, near Forbes. In 1975 he was appointed to Hay as Assistant Principal, followed by seven years in Broken Hill as Deputy Principal. In 1985 he acccepted the position of Principal at Culcairn Public School and remained there until his retirement in 1997. Neil currently lives in Albury. He enjoys fishing, gardening, reading and community service. Since his retirement he has had more time to devote to the activities of the Post-Polio Network and is thoroughly enjoying combining his role as Support Group Co-ordinator with the Secretarial duties.

Ron Goodwin was born 21st December 1937, and caught Polio in 1943 at about 6 years of age. Dr. Yard, his doctor in Coffs Harbour, sent him to Royal North Shore Hospital, where Dr. Hamilton operated on both his ankle tendons. He was then transferred to Margaret Reid Hospital at St. Ives, both his legs being in plaster for 6 months. He was then fitted with half leg callipers, which he wore for about 2 or 3 years. Apart from a slight weakness in one leg and a slight limp he then led a normal life until about 1994, when the muscles in his legs gradually deteriorated until he had to resort to a wheelchair in 2000.

Bing Kwong Mak came from China in the late 1950's as a student and stayed. His polio conditions were diagnosed in the mid 1990's although his illness started in the late 1930's when some local (where he came from) and foreign physicians informed his parents that he was suffering from a different disease. Bing has led a fairly normal life. He and his wife have a daughter and a son, and Bing is now retired from work.

Rebecca Phillips completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in Disability Studies, from Flinders University in South Australia in 1997. Since that time, Rebecca has worked in disability organisations in South Australia, the UK and Sydney, in various capacities including direct care worker, coordinator and manager of services and most recently as Manager, Service Development and Government Relations at Northcott Disability Services. As a new member of the committee, Rebecca is looking forward to working with the Network and the challenge of supporting the Network to establish a national voice for Polio survivors in Australia.

Len Smith was 7 when he contracted polio in June 1945 and was admitted to Camperdown Children's Hospital. Len was mildly affected in his left leg. Len's working life started as an apprentice fitter at the University of NSW, School of Metallurgy, at Kensington in 1954 where he stayed until going to PNG in 1961, to take up a Primary School Teaching Career. On returning to Australia some years later, Len resumed his engineering carrier, from which he retired in 1999, as project development designer, in the power industry, specialising in power station dust collection. Len is now actively involved in Seniors Clubs, where he is currently President/secretary of the National Seniors Hornsby Shire Day Branch and a member of the Berowra Men's Probus Club.