My name is Andrew and I became involved with Interchange give years ago when I decided to volunteer to help on a school holiday camp. I met a young boy called Cameron and we got on very well. I later became Cameron's volunteer Host Carer and this opened up a whole new world for me, one that I have found to be most rewarding!

My Host child really enjoys coming to stay, in fact I think if I gave him half a chance he would probably move in permanently. Cameron unfortunately does not have a father and I feel in a small way I help fill this gap for him, which makes me feel very honoured.

Being a Volunteer Host Carer is very rewarding and enables me to develop a better understanding of issues facing families and young people with disabilities in their daily lives.

Being a Host Carer is one of the best things that I have done. By Hosting a child you are also giving much needed relief to the parents, so they can recharge and still provide a high level of care for their much loved child.

I understand that my story is one of many Host carer stories and Interchange volunteering experiences. I can only suggest if you have the time and enjoy children ring Interchange and prepare yourself to do what I have enjoyed for five years' that is to share some of your time with a child and look forward to meeting someone special!

My husband, Chris and I have a gorgeous 8 year old daughter, Stephanie. She has Autism and a mild Intellectual disability ' and is very beautiful (not that we are biased much!)

Living with a child who has a disability isn't exactly easy. But since we have had an Interchange match, things have changed for all of us. We met our 'match', Donna, in March 1997, and in hindsight it was the first day of the rest of our lives! We haven't looked back.

Donna and Stephanie get on so well that we consider Donna to be a part of our extended family. Even though Stephanie is non-verbal, she still lets us know how excited she is when she is going to stay at Donna's place. They do all sorts of things together and I know they enjoy each other's company.

It is hard to find the right words to express our appreciation to Donna for all her help and for her friendship. 'Thank you' just doesn't seem enough. And also a huge THANK YOU to Interchange for making this 'Perfect Match'.

We are delighted to have Simon McKeon as Interchange Victoria’s patron. Simon was awarded the Australian of the Year 2011. Among his many engagements he is also:

This award was established in 2004 to celebrate the life and achievements of the late Jean Simpson who was a long time campaigner for the provision of flexible respite for families caring for a child with a disability. Jean Simpson's influence and vision has left an on-going legacy at Interchange. This legacy is maintained by the wonderful contribution of staff workers and volunteers to the Interchange program. Each year we call upon member agencies to nominate a staff worker and volunteer in their respective categories to be in the running for this inaugural award. A panel of five judges carefully deliberates over the candidates and chooses the one that best demonstrates a strong commitment to Interchange and a continual effort to strive towards excellence. We are pleased to announce the following winners for 2011:

Phillip and Belinda O'Meara together with their two daughters, Amy and Jessica, began a host volunteer relationship that would have lasting effects to a four year old boy with Cerebral Palsy in 1995. The O'Meara family provided Peter with a social interaction, building confidence and exposure to a caring family experience that would impact Peter as well as give respite to his single mom to work, study and make friends. Peter now became a part of a family with two sisters. This ideal match was a result of Interchange Western’s Host Volunteer Program. In the 16+ years of their match Peter has spent over 13,000 hours with the O’Meara family from weekends, to school holidays to even going on a cruise with the family. Peter refers to Belinda as his “Udder Mudder”, while treasuring the times with the girls who have always been a caring and loving extended family.

They soon identified that matches for children who had complex care needs was very few and they decided to invest in another host relationship with Michael in 2010. After hours of peg feeding training they started their full time care with Michael on his visits. Michael's mom needed respite especially for a good nights sleep as he has nocturnal hyperactivity. Belinda enjoyed Michael's company and they would both be up for most of the night whenever he spent time with the O’Meara’s.

They now keep him for two weekends a month where Michael's mom calls it a perfect match. This award is in recognition of their excellence, dedication and long and outstanding commitment to the Interchange community.

Janet began employment with Interchange Western as a casual support worker in 2001. Janet has demonstrated endless dedication and commitment to the families and children of Interchange. It is with this dedication over the past ten years that the name Janet Petryk has become synonymous with the Interchange recreation program itself in the local community. Janet has built strong relationships with all the children and families who have benefitted from Interchange programs. Her lively and positive personality as well her commitment has made a huge impact on the families, children as well as

Interchange Western. Her commitment in providing the right mix of activities, social opportunities and lots of fun for children and young people with a disability and trying to make the lives of the parents a little easier. Her excellence and commitment is further highlighted by her enthusiastic initiative and innovative style. As the Recreation Programme Assistant Coordinator, Janet plays a significant role in every aspect of coordinating the wide range of activities such as movie nights, day activities, school holiday programs, camps, flexible respite and special events. Interchange Western nominated this valued worker for the Jean Simpson award 2011; in recognition of her excellence, dedication and longstanding commitment to Interchange.

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