Kathryn Skelsey: Foundation Archivist and past Secretary

Kathryn has been involved with the APF for more than a decade, after discovering a newspaper article about the organisation. Kathryn was initially diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease during her second year of physiotherapy studies in 1986, and has since undergone two transphenoidal operations. She first joined the Foundation in 1995, because she saw it as an opportunity to make positive use of her patient and therapist experience.  Initially helping to take minutes of meetings, Kathryn then turned her art and computer interests towards creating posters and brochures, developing the newsletter, organising events, launching the APF’s first website and redesigning the membership database.

Kathryn became the APF Secretary’s Assistant (1999-2001) and then APF Secretary in 2002 - a post she held until 2004.  Since then, Kathryn has completed her part-time fine arts degree, while also developing her freelance medical illustration career, and working part-time as a physiotherapist to enable children with physical disabilities to participate in PE and sport, and to assist research into adult chronic disease.  She remains an advisor to the APF, archivist of the Foundation’s records, and website forum moderator.

Kathryn enjoys gentle exercise - in particular yoga, walking, cycling, and swimming - and is interested in exploring the effects of physical activity, nutrition and sleep management on health.

Tida Wong See: Membership and Resources Volunteer

Tida also assists with general inquiries. Tida’s link with the APF is through her mother, who has undergone several treatments for pituitary tumours. She is married with two young sons. Her background is in food science and quality management systems. Outside the APF, Tida works on contract and as a volunteer with a number of other organisations, including patient support groups. She hopes that her general organisational skills and experience working with other voluntary and non-voluntary organisations will be of benefit to the Foundation and its members.

 

Maryann Paterson: Resource Assistant

Maryann grew up on a farm in the Hunter Valley, before moving to Newcastle at the age of 16.  Six months later, she was diagnosed with a craniopharyngioma and underwent surgery within the month.
Maryann pays tribute to the support of her family in helping her recovery. She puts her fearlessness about brain surgery down to the fact that everyone around her was so supportive at that time, and continue to be today.

Maryann tries not to let her medical condition slow her down, though. She studied Arts (Communication) and Law at university and since finishing in 2005, has travelled through the UK, Europe, Canada and Japan (in between working, of course!). She finally got around to being admitted as a Solicitor in February 2009 and presently works in Melbourne, but is working outside of the legal profession for now.

Maryann assists the Foundation where-ever she can, some of her activities include researching suitable web-site links, sourcing information for the newsletter and on the odd occasion, also preparing articles for the newsletter.

Barbara Elliott: Database Administrator and Consultant

Answering our on-line wish published through the Goodcompany Wish Exchange, Barbara Elliott initially volunteered to assist with data entry of membership renewals and new membership applications. 

Over time Barbara's assistance has extended to working on the next generation of the Foundation's member database.  This exciting project is delivering a sophisticated set of web tools that will better service our growing National Organisation.  Working with a specialist website company the Foundation has developed on-line tools that will provide access for State Coordinators and, eventually, registered members of the Foundation, to relevant information that will significantly enrich the quality of service we are able to provide.

Volunteers for newsletter mail-outs:

The newsletter is presently sent from Queensland where Sue & Eric Kozij very kindly volunteer their time.   Even on holidays the voluntary work of the Foundation has to continue.  This photo was taken recently at the Gold Coast when the Fairweathers and Kozijs met for a weeks holiday in the sunshine.  Qld were to hold a meeting in the following weeks and notices had to be sent.

What better way to do it than over a glass of wine and good company!

 

Jan Fairweather, Russell Fairweather, Eric Kozij

If you would like to become a valued volunteer too, and help with newsletter mailouts or the various other vital functions of the APF, then please go to Become a Volunteer.  Thank You !