Gillian Thomas contracted polio as a baby in 1950. She was a member of the original Working Party set up in 1988 to establish the Network, and was subsequently elected as Secretary. Gillian is now the Network's President and was first elected to this position in 1997. She has also been the Editor of "Network News" since May 1989. In 2002 Gillian was honoured to receive a David Bodian Memorial Award from the International Post-Polio Task Force in recognition of her work for polio survivors, while in 2004 she was asked to serve on Post-Polio Health International's Consumer Advisory Committee. In January 2009 Gillian was awarded an Australia Day Community Service Award from Randwick Council for her outstanding service to the community and the Post-Polio Network. Gillian passionately believes in the need for a national voice for polio survivors and her efforts culminated in the highly successful meeting of Australian State Polio Networks in May 2007 and the unanimous agreement to form Polio Australia. Polio Australia is now a reality and in 2008 Gillian was elected its inaugural President. .

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. 

I am Neil von Schill and was born in 1947. I contracted Polio in 1950 in Dubbo where I was hospitalised in isolation for six months. My profession is education where I taught for over thirty years including twenty years as a Primary School Principal. My professional qualifications include a Teaching Certificate, Bachelor of Arts Degree (UNE) and Certificate of Leadership and Management at Masters Level (CSU). I was forced to take medical retirement from the NSW Department of Education because of the onset of the late effects of polio twelve years ago. I joined the Post-Polio Network (NSW) Inc in 1992 and became Convenor of the Albury/Wodonga Support Group. In 1999 I was elected to the Management Committee and accepted the role of Support Group Co-ordinator for the State. For the past four years I have also been the Secretary of the Network. Since 2003 I have conducted Country Conferences in different locations around the state and assisted with the organisation of metropolitan seminars. I was instrumental in the formation of Polio Australia and am currently on the Management Committee of that organisation. In 2007 I joined the Management Committee of the Physical Disability Council of NSW and I am currently Vice President.

Our Treasurer Alan Cameron experienced polio in 1963 despite being fully immunised. Whilst some suggest this was unlucky Alan believes he was very lucky because without that immunisation he would have been very dead! Fortunately so far there are no apparent signs of the onset of any post-polio effects so his direct polio damage is a left arm that is near enough to no use. However that restriction has not posed too many problems over the years as he pursued a career in shipping and transport with TNT Group before retiring a few years ago to chase other interests. Separately he worked as a rally driver for a few years, demonstrating that one arm was not a major impediment to driving motor cars quickly. The typically competitive behaviour of polio survivors also saw him involved in cricket and running. In recent years he has developed a little more sense and spends more time on fishing, photography, travelling and bushwalking.

Rachelle Andgel contracted polio in Sydney as an infant during the unknown/forgotten epidemic of 1961-2. Despite a passion for clothing design, Rachelle studied medicine at Newcastle University. In 1998 a fracture of her `good' ankle forced her to close her solo general practice and embark on 8 months of self rehabilitation, however there was not a return to pre injury function. The subsequent onset of post-polio symptoms has allowed part time work only since. Rachelle has also studied nutrition and completed a Diploma of Botanical Medicine in 2007, and has an associate Diploma in Colour and design. Her frustration with the lack of services for PPS patients led to joining this committee.

Diane Bull. Born in 1941, I contacted polio in 1942 and was in the Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children for two years, then as an outpatient for the next five years. I wore callipers until I was twelve then had built-up boots for the next two years. While in hospital I had a three month stint in an iron lung which still gives me nightmares. From the age of four I did a lot of physical activity and danced and swam competitively. Despite having to ditch the callipers to do so, I managed to compete in ballet eisteddfods and had minor successes in local swimming carnivals. Apart from residual problems with polio (mainly involving tripping for no apparent reason) I have had a lifetime of excellent health until recently. I have been a member of the Kincumber group for over two years.

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.

Bill McKee contracted polio in Melbourne in May 1952 at the age of seven but escaped relatively lightly; scoliosis and a propensity to tire very easily being the main effects of the disease. Despite this, he played tennis (badly) each week and liked bushwalking until about April 2008 when a knee problem (seemingly unrelated to polio) put an end to these activities. In 1967 Bill spent five months aboard a scientific research vessel (the Eltanin) in the South Pacific and in 1970 he somehow managed to complete a Ph.D. at Cambridge. Bill has produced 28 scientific research papers and retired, slightly early, in 2003 after almost thirty years attempting to teach Mathematics at the University of New South Wales. He now masquerades as the Network's Webmaster. More information about Bill is available here.

Rebecca Rodwell 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.

Alice Smart contracted polio at the age of 9 in 1953. My mother and our GP at the time looked after me at home. I worked as a Clerk/Typist/Receptionist until 1980 when I left work because I suffered with asthma. In 1989 I was in hospital and suffered an upper respiratory seizure. When I came out of intensive care I had trouble walking as my left leg kept collapsing under me, which I later learnt was due to the late effects of polio. I am involved in a COPD Airways Support Group where I send out notices and information for meetings which are held every month. In later years I have had many falls and have recently had an arthrodesis done on my left leg. I am glad to be back on the Network's Committee and look forward to helping out again this year.

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.

Polio reared its ugly head early in the life of Mandy Stubbs at around 6 months, they think, with little sign at the time, but leaving me with a shorter, weaker leg and all the subsequent emotional baggage that you will know goes with the package. My health over the years has been quite good, but PPS seems to be getting a small hold on me now. In typical (`luckier') polio survivor mode, I have led a busy life, living for the moment and skiing, horse riding, shooting, swimming, cycling, gardening and generally `over-doing it', until 5 years ago forced to slow down by a broken `good' leg! Going back to study in my 30s, I qualified as a speech pathologist, doing a full-time 4 year course whilst my son was young - another challenge! I have worked in the profession since then, now only very part-time, so that I can be on various committees and pursue my real love - the planet! A passionate Permaculturalist and `Greenie', I am leading a current group in all manner of local activities, such as setting up a community garden. I am very pleased to be part of this important post polio group that has done such great work, and feel it is about time I participated. Looking forward to seeing many of you at the next conference.