NEWS DESK
Disability no deterrent to Adam Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A SEVERE physical disability hasn’t prevented Frankston High School student Adam Goodridge from completing his Year 12 studies. He inspires his classmates – and even his senior campus principal, Helen Wilson. And, as a salute to his achievements, Adam has been presented with the school’s Optima Semper award reflecting the motto, ‘Of Best Always’. Adam has had athetoid quadriplegic cerebral palsy since birth, due to damage to his brain while it was developing. Even though he is unable to physically speak or write, he uses a speech device as well as a laptop to communicate with his teachers and fellow students and to submit his work. The disability is no deterrent to Adam’s enthusiasm for school life: He participates in all activities, including sports classes, swimming sessions, weight lifting, presentation nights, the Year 12 formal and the valedictory dinner. “He even took over a section of the dance floor with his moves at the formal!” Mrs Wilson said. “Adam is a very conscientious student, always submitting his work on time to the best of his abilities – and he has a great sense of humour.” A huge Richmond fan, Adam often has a bet with a year level coordinator when the Tigers play the Sydney Swans: if Richmond wins, the coordinator has to walk around in black and yellow for a day, if Sydney wins, Adam has to have red and white balloons on his wheelchair. Adam has this year successfully completed English, Further Mathematics, Business Management, Accounting and Information Technology. His passion is information technology, and next year he hopes to study for a diploma in Computer Systems or Information Technology at Chisholm Institute.
Monster sale THE Joy of the Earth community garden is having a ‘monster garage sale’ 9am-1pm, Saturday 15 November. Lots of bargains will include books, clothes, furniture, plants, jewellery and handmade crafts. Enjoy a sausage sizzle, cakes, and hot and cold drinks. The garden is at 15A Joy St, Frankston, behind the health centre/kindergarten.
‘Once were leaders’
MAX Gillies’ performance of ‘Once Were Leaders’ will be held at the Frankston Arts Centre, Davey St, at 7.30pm, Saturday 1 November. Gillies has been a keen observer of the political combat zone for half a century. His fascination with the ups and downs of political leadership is variously sociological, historical, behavioural, psychological, ideological and parody. Once Gillies used to apply make-up, wigs and prosthetic enhancements in order to disguise himself. He doesn't have those bits and pieces anymore. But he has accumulated a rich collection of pen portraits. Join him as he shares memories of a life spent on the fringes of power, mining the archive for his favourite speeches, orations and soliloquies. The show is over two hours and 20 minutes, including interval. Prices: Member $45, full $55, concession $50.
More selfies needed No barrier: Adam Goodridge did not let his disability prevent him from finishing his Year 12 studies. Picture: Gary Sissons
“I will be sad to see Adam leave the school – he has taught us all so much,” Mrs Wilson said. “Most importantly, despite our differences, we all share the same goals and needs and a sense of belonging to a community.
“Frankston High School has provided Adam with a strong sense of belonging to both the school and his peer group who are very supportive and accepting of the wonderful young man that he is.”
FRANKSTON Arts Centre is looking for selfies from those happy to share them for an upcoming brochure. The faces of those contributing won’t be used large – but they will appear – and they could earn their owner a nice prize. Those keen to assist with a selfie should email thefac@frankston.vic.gov.au with Selfie in the subject line. Please include contact details in the message. Frankston Arts Centre is a business unit of Frankston City Council.
Frankston Times 27 October 2014
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