Volunteer Profiles

Kevin - Metropolitan Branch

Kevin is a retired plumber who spent many years teaching within the TAFE system. He joined TADVIC as a volunteer in 1993. Kevin has been involved in a wide range of projects over the years from modifications to wheelchairs,seating and support devices to finding ways to improve access to baths, toilets and kitchens.

 “What I enjoy most about TADVIC is the personal contact and the satisfaction of problem solving – of getting something to work. I think sometimes the volunteer gets more from the experience than the person he or she assists.”

One of Kevin’s recent projects demonstrates how often the simplest solutions are the most effective. A woman was having trouble getting out of her car. After considering a wide and increasingly complicated range of options, the very simple solution of a piece of 80mm drainage pipe placed on the seat worked to give her a handhold to push herself up!

Neville-Metropolitan Branch

Neville, a retired electrical engineer, joined TADVIC in 2006. As a technical volunteer with TADVIC Neville has been able to put his technical and engineering skills to good use on projects that have been as varied as they have been rewarding. Neville is a keen cyclist and has recently become involved in TADVIC’s Freedom Wheels modified bike program. As a member of the team, Neville has been able to put his interest and skills in bike mechanics to good use in giving independence to children with disabilities by allowing them to ride a bike for the first time.  As well as getting a lot out of the joy on the children’s faces, Neville enjoys the camaraderie of being part of a team of volunteers working alongside each other.

Liz - Sunraysia Branch

Liz is the Project Co-ordinator for the Sunraysia branch of TADVIC. TADVIC’s  philosophy had always appealed to Liz’s “fix it” mentality so after attending a public meeting, she joined TADVIC in 1993, helping to set up the Sunraysia branch. At the time, she hadn’t worked as an Occupational Therapist for many years, and welcomed the opportunity to get back into this field. As the project co-ordinator, Liz finds it helpful to visit the client on her own first, to encourage them or their carer to talk about the problem and what solutions they may have to solve it. She can then assess whether a project is feasible before involving the appropriate volunteer. She and the volunteer then work as a team with the client to solve the problem. It is the teamwork and the resulting solution that she most enjoys in her role.

Kevin - East Gippsland

Kevin joined TADVIC in 1990 after retiring from a career in engineering. He was involved in setting up the East Gippsland Branch at that time. As well as using his engineering skills on technical project work, Kevin is the Branch Chairperson.  

Over the years he has worked on a large number and variety of projects, from adapted seating and bicycle modifications, to enhancements to wheelchairs. Kevin gets great satisfaction from solving a problem and in particular, seeing a problem overcome when the solution gives the client an improvement in their lifestyle. When given a project, he attempts to appreciate and understand the client’s difficulty and with the assistance of a health professional, come up with the best solution. He also enjoys the social interaction of meeting together once a month as a group of volunteers.

Patrick - Metropolitan Branch

Patrick Navascues joined TADVIC in March 2001. Patrick has been involved with upholstery since he was 15 years old and runs his own upholstery business.  Patrick’s workshop and enormous skills have come into good use over the past few years as he is often able to assist in adding the vital finishing touches to many projects.   In fact Patrick very much enjoys adding to projects to ensure the client gets the perfect and very comfortable result for their needs.Whilst Patrick has had many challenging and memorable projects the one that tested his skill and imagination was developing a UV resistant canopy for a mobility chair.  The client was extremely photosensitive so the windows and canopy had to be designed and made to ensure that UV light could be kept to an absolute minimum, but the client still needed to be able to get in and out of the chair easily.

Frank - Metropolitan Branch

Frank Mullins has been a volunteer at TADVIC since 2001. After working as an instrument maker in several industries, Frank started his own business manufacturing test pressure gauges. “I really enjoy being able to use the metal fabrication and welding skills I have acquired over my lifetime to help others. Meeting the clients, parents and carers fills a void in my life.” 

In approaching a project, Frank tries first to get an overall view and not get fixed on a solution early on. The more he thinks about it and talks to the people involved, the better the final outcome. One of the things that surprises Frank is how helpful people are. So many people are happy to donate materials once they understand that the bit of stainless steel or the wheels he needs are to help someone for whom even the most basic tasks are a challenge.