Who are we?
The Respite Alliance Whittlesea (RAW) was formed on the 09 February 2010 and was initiated by the Friends of South Morang Inc. It is made up of people with disabilities, carers, service providers, community groups and concerned individuals.
Campaign Spokesperson: Trevor Carroll
People with Disabilities Spokesperson: Alex Fabiani
Carers'Spokesperson: Gwenda Walton
Service Providers' Spokesperson: Narelle Edwards
Alex & Frank's Story
My name is Alex Fabiani and I looked after my brother Frank for ten years. That's us in the photo on this page.
He died a year and a half ago. My brother needed 24 hours 7 days a week care which was was hard physically and mentally on me. I didn’t have a life and didn’t have much rest, and when I started getting respite Frank would have to go to an old peoples home because he was high level and high needs. This wasn’t really the right place for him because all they would do was wash and dress him and put him in his wheelchair.
Frank couldn’t talk or move and couldn’t control his wheelchair, someone else had to. So when he went to respite he suffered more because he just spent hours sitting on his own with no stimulation.
We need respite facilities that cater for all kinds of disabilities because there are none in our municipality.
What we want?
We want the state government to build, and provide ongoing funding, for facility based respite centres in the City of Whittlesea sufficient to meet the needs of residents
Currently, residents have to travel outside the Municipality to get facility based respite. See travel distances image on the right of this page.
When do we meet?
Meetings of members are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 12.00 noon at the City of Whittlesea Council Offices in Ferres Boulevard, South Morang.
Why do we need facility based respite?
Click on this link to find out
Why do we need facility based respite in the City of Whittlesea?
Click on this link to find out
This will take you to the stories of four local residents and their experience as carers where you can watch a short DVD
Find out what our Councillors are saying about RAW
Response from Department of Human Services
Friends of South Morang (FOSM)
FOSM initiated the formation of RAW. Use this link to find out more about this community group.
RAW Meeting with Minister for Community Services
Find out what happened at the meeting with the Minister
Check out this link to find out which businesses and organisations are supporting the RAW petition and where you can go to add your signature
Find out about the 5 new overnight respite beds that have been allocated to the City of Whittlesea
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Frank & Alex Fabiani
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How far residents have to travel to get respite?
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Disability Justice Advocacy is one of the non-government members of RAW
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Plenty Valley Community Health is another major supporter of RAW
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