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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-03-15 Daily Xml
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SIR CHARLES BRIGHT SCHOLARSHIP

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (15:05): My question is to the Minister for Disabilities. Could the minister tell us about some of the young recipients of the Sir Charles Bright Scholarship?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:06): I recently had the pleasure of attending and awarding this year's Sir Charles Bright scholarships on 17 February at the Roma Mitchell Arts Centre, and I must say it was a very special day. I think the Hon. Kelly Vincent was there with us.

The Sir Charles Bright Scholarship provides to people living with a disability who undertake tertiary studies $1,500 to assist with the financial cost that such study might entail. The amount was recently increased due to the overwhelming interest in the fund and also the exceptionally high calibre of candidates applying for the scholarship.

One awardee, Ms Aurelia Young, aged 17, lives with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and glaucoma. Ms Young is about to undertake studies in psychology at the University of Adelaide. Ms Young met the entry requirements with only 29 other South Australians by scoring 99.95 on her SACE tertiary entrance rank. Another worthy recipient, Mr Henry De Cure, was awarded a scholarship to pursue his interests in both journalism and sport. Henry is also an outstanding wheelchair tennis player and is aiming to compete in the Paralympics in London. These are just two examples of the young people presented with scholarships on this day.

Many of you will be aware of Sir Charles Bright's legacy for disabled South Australians and no doubt will be pleased he is still helping shape people's lives today through that legacy. He worked as a barrister for nearly 30 years until he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia in October 1963. He was also chair of the South Australian Health Commission and served as Chancellor of Flinders University (an excellent university, sir, as you no doubt know).

Following the signing of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Sir Charles chaired a committee with the important task of considering how this declaration affected South Australian law and policy. Following the release of the Bright reports in the 1980s, the state government committed to bringing about legislative changes to improve circumstances for people living with disability.

Sir Charles Bright's commitment to improve the lives of people with disability continues at a national and state level today. The National Disability Strategy and the South Australian government's Social Inclusion Board's 'Strong Voices' report are underpinned by the principles he promoted for inclusion, access and participation for people living with disabilities. Indeed, the move towards self-managed funding is borne out of Sir Charles' agenda of ensuring South Australians living with a disability have control of their own affairs and the dignity they deserve.

Each year, up to 20 scholarships are awarded to people studying in areas as diverse as electrical engineering, youth work, alternative health therapy, media studies and the arts. This diversity reflects the intent of the Sir Charles Bright Scholarship fund to assist people with disability to pursue their interests and career pathways in whatever field they wish.

As you can see, with this legacy Sir Charles had the foresight to see that providing people living with disabilities with choice and control of their own affairs should be the aim of governments. Sir Charles Bright was a champion for South Australians living with a disability, and the Weatherill government is pleased to be working towards his vision.

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