Our People
Disabled Children’s Foundation is the catalyst for a range of synergies with other organisations catering to the welfare of children with a disability.
Mark Pope
President
Mark is President of the Disabled Children’s Foundation this follows his 10+ years role as Vice President.
Mark grew up in the country town of Kalgoorlie, in 1976 had an accident at a Motocross event. Mark remained in hospital for many months starting his rehabilitation in the Quad Centre for his broken back.
Mark’s interaction and therapy was inclusive of wheelchair basketball, the kindred spirit and understanding formed was invaluable to a younger Mark.
Mark was invited to compete at the National Wheelchair Games, his first experience in travel within his newly found skill sets. Mark returned home to more extensive rehabilitation. The spark of competitive sport had been ignited.
Mark continued on to the National Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Games from 1997 to 1983 which included all sports ranging from wheelchair basketball, track and field, weightlifting, rifle shooting, table tennis, swimming, archery etc.
Mark’s love of basketball saw him compete in National Wheelchair Basketball Championships from 1981 to 1987. Mark also competed in Australian Wheelchair Basketball Team 1982 to 1984 Paralympics Stoke Mandeville UK.
Mark was elected to the Board of Wheelchair Sports for a number of years 1981 to 1995.
Mark’s inspiration to make a difference comes from understanding in disability as a youth, the friendships formed through ability are long standing and helped many life skills and promotion of self-esteem, and this all enforces his commitment to the Foundation.
Mark enjoys a boundless level of family involvement, spending time with his 5 children, 4 grandchildren and extended clan are the happiest of times.
Mark’s, firsthand knowledge of the impact when you receive support to help you achieve your goals and the intrinsic value flows into all areas of your life, creates a motivation to the Foundation’s services.
Mark’s ever determine drive adds immediate effect. The Foundation will see the expanding footprint, continuing to develop the self-valuing or worth as a person.
Cliff Rickard JP
Vice President
Cliff remains on the Board of Disabled Children’s Foundation as Vice President this follows his tenure of President.
Cliff is the most respected and longest serving Board Member (+17 years). The Foundation is fulfilled and grateful to his knowledge, passion and understanding.
Cliff as an adolescent had an accident and consequently is a quadriplegic. Cliff over the years developed a significant personal connection within the disability industry.
His role within Government as a Senior Disability Officer at Department of Social Security / Centrelink saw an acknowledgement and further understanding into the disability sector.
Many Disability Groups have been formed and lead by Cliff, all working towards substantial changes and the common goal of community inclusion, understanding, and rights.
To name a few entities and positions which Cliff has embraced:
National President of Wheelchair Sports
Chairman of the ACROD Mobility Sub-Committee,
President Wheelchair Sports Federation in Australia
President and Vice President of Wheelchair Sports WA,
Life Member of Wheelchair Sport WA
Member of Paraplegic Quadriplegic Association
President West Australian Disabled Sports Association
As a young man in 1960 Cliff was able to represent WA in every National Games until he retired.
Cliff was thrilled to be selected to represent Australia at two Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh Scotland and Christchurch New Zealand. Asia South Pacific Games in Japan and the Paralympics Germany 1984.
Cliff continued to enjoy Darts for many years to come.
Cliff takes great pride knowing his interaction and knowledge helps in achieving something extremely important, helping as many people and organisations as possible.
Cliff proudly and respectively holds the role of Justice of the Peace.
Cliff enjoys the camaraderie between the staff and volunteers who share a common goal at the Foundation.
Cliff hopes to see the Foundation strengthen smaller charities, groups and organisations to provide their much needed services and programs that support children and disabilities in the future.
Bernie Foley
Board Member
Bernie is a Disabled Children’s Foundation Board Member for over 10 years, and has involvement with Not for Profit Organisations since 1993.
Bernie’s Executive Officer Role in NFP, is a valuable asset for the Foundation.
Bernie shared his enjoyment of being part of Disabled Children’s Foundation, “the achievements the organisation makes in helping children with disabilities lead a happy and healthy life”.
Bernie and his families personal experience of child with a disability has created an ever striving goal to share, and have a role in providing as much help, information, fun and understanding as possible to the broader community.
Bernie’s ongoing commitment to the Foundation is to assist the vast number of different organisations we support.
Tracey Honeycutt
Board Member
Tracey joined the Disabled Children’s Foundation Board some 14 years ago.
Tracey’s strengths and contribution in financial sector in Not- for- Profits is in excess 25 years, this understanding along with her determination, attention to detail and diligence sees the Foundation on a sound footing.
Tracey has supported vulnerable children’s charities for over 50 years and this, combined with her life experiences, peer to peer learning with heartfelt passion to continue to engage, share and carry forward, complements the Foundation.
Tracey’s feels that enthusiasm and devotion to reinforce community understanding with respect, is an ever driving energy and urgency that is paramount at the Foundation.
Tracey is proudly a devoted mum and Nanna, and is an avid supporter and contributor to junior sport for over 25 years. She also enjoys the magic of knitting for neo natal, memorial and the homeless or disadvantaged.
Tracey, aspirations for the Foundation is to continue to build and expand capacity, awareness, and actions without limits. Enriching the opportunities for children with gusto and enjoyment.
Harry Bowling
Board Member
Harry engaged on the Disabled Children’s Foundation s Board in 2014.
Harry’s background has always been passionate about supporting not-for-profit organisations.
The aspect of the Foundation which resonates most with Harry is its concentration on assisting children with disabilities and their families to achieve a full and rewarding life.
Harry personal knowledge that the Foundations mission and goals are a worthy cause is the most rewarding aspect of being involved with the Foundation.
In a changing NFP sector within the country, Harry will proceed to work collaboratively to ensure see the Foundation continues to adapt to these changes this allow the Foundation to excel for many years to come.
Susanne Lothian
Board Member
Sue is Disabled Children’s Foundation Board member of 2 years.
Working with children and development over 30 years in the sports arena of Teeball, Sue has gained respect and appreciation.
Personally coaching thousands of children Sue feels that her interaction with children and families has her well placed to be impactful within the Foundation.
Sue admires that the Foundation enriches entities with equipment and resources for children to participate in different programs.
Sue’s rewarding aspect of working with the Foundation is that so many children are able to enjoy and have fun in a broad range of activities, whilst creating understanding.
Sue’s interface within community leaders, along with families and their children, encourages possibilities.
Sue’s outlook of the future of the Foundation, is the help the community with a broad range of smaller, possibly forgotten projects.
How you can help
There are several ways you can support our organisation in enhancing the lives of children with disabilities.
