WHO ARE WE?
The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria provides support for people living with epilepsy and their families to help them live better lives.
Our services include information, advice and support, epilepsy counselling and practical assistance, as well as education and training, research and advocacy on behalf of people with epilepsy.
We work to raise awareness of epilepsy in organisations and the broader community to reduce the stigma and create a more welcoming and inclusive society.
Download a brochure about Our Services here. The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria Incorporated is a Victorian Incorporated Association and a copy of our Constitution can be found here.
Where we began
The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria was formed by a group of concerned parents in May 1964 to provide support and information to all Victorians affected by epilepsy. Initially called the Victorian Bureau for Epilepsy, one of the first priorities was accommodation following the closure in 1963 of what was known as the Talbot Colony for Epileptics.
The organisation's name changed to the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria in 1978 and the next few years saw its continued rapid development including the appointment of a consultant medical officer and the establishment of a medical advisory panel.
Today, the Foundation continues to work towards the aims of enhancing the quality of life for people living with epilepsy, and improving community awareness and understanding.
Snapshot of services
We aim to provide relevant, supportive and practical services that make a difference to the lives of people living with epilepsy, in a timely way along each individual’s journey with epilepsy.
People may seek our services for a wide variety of reasons, and their needs will vary depending on many factors: age and stage of life, individual needs (for example, needs regarding schooling, employment, driving or pregnancy), the unique problems or issues a person may be facing arising from the type of epilepsy they may have (for example, if they are considering undergoing surgery), and their personal goals and aspirations for the future.
Our services include:
Our services are tailored to respond to each person’s unique goals and aspirations. We spend time with people to learn about their life and family situation and gain an understanding of what they want to achieve, and then determine how best we can help.
To speak with one of our epilepsy counsellors, kindly call the Epilepsy Foundation on 03 9805 9111 or the National Epilepsy Helpline 1300 852 853.
Or click here to visit Our services.
Our staff
Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria’s services are provided by trained and caring staff who have a wide range of backgrounds, qualifications and skills. Our Client Services team include counsellors, educators and a librarian and research officer, whose knowledge and understanding are available for people to draw upon, in accordance with their needs.
Our structure
The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria is an Incorporated Association, which operates under the governance of a volunteer Board.
At an operational level, the organisation is lead by our Chief Executive Officer with support from our Executive Management team and a dedicated staff of approximately 35 (full time equivalents), along with many hundreds of volunteers who work across all functions and help to provide services.
The epilepsy sector in Australia
The Epilepsy Foundation is a member of Epilepsy Australia, the national coalition of state-based epilepsy associations and the leading consumer-led epilepsy body.
Here is a brief overview of the organisations with which we work or are affiliated:
- The International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE), based in Ireland, is the peak international body of which the Joint Epilepsy Council of Australia (JECA) is the full Chapter member in Australia and Epilepsy Australia is an associate member. The IBE addresses social problems such as education, employment, insurance, driving licence restrictions and public awareness. The IBE also works in close liaison with the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE), an organisation of medical professionals involved in the medical and scientific issues of epilepsy.
- Epilepsy Australia is Australia’s peak consumer-led epilepsy body and the national coalition of Australian Epilepsy Associations.
- Joint Epilepsy Council of Australia (JECA) is an organisation set up to provide a truly national voice, and designed to incorporate the state of New South Wales (Epilepsy Action), which is not part of the Epilepsy Australia coalition. Epilepsy Action has a constitutional right to JECA membership but is not a current financial member.
- The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria is a state-based organisation and is a member of Epilepsy Australia and JECA. Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria provides resources to support other state service providers and plays an active role in the activities of Epilepsy Australia and JECA.
- Epilepsy Society of Australia (ESA) is a professional organisation of clinicians, scientists and technologists involved in the diagnosis, treatment and research of epilepsy in Australia. ESA is the Australian chapter member of the ILAE.
Board
Our Board consists of a mix of people with a broad range of skills and experience from people living with epilepsy to those with experience in the medical, business and community sectors.
Members as at 30 June 2008:
Prof. Mark Cook – President
Currently Professor and Director of Neurology at St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Prof. Cook is a neurologist specialising in the treatment of epilepsy. After completing specialist training in Melbourne, he undertook an MD thesis at Queen Square, London. He returned to St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne to continue his interest in epilepsy and has formed a large research group with a broad range of interests across epilepsy, neuromuscular disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. Clinical and basic science research concerning epilepsy and neuromuscular disease is carried out in the department and has recently extended to neurophysiological studies in kindling models of epilepsy. Research grants are held across all of these areas, including NH&MRC and ARC funding. For the last four years Prof. Cook has been involved in a project to treat epilepsy via novel methods, including electrical stimulation and polymer-based drug delivery. He is President of the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria and an Editor for Epilepsia.
Dr Christine Walker
Christine is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Chronic Illness Alliance Inc, a peak body representing more than 40 consumer and advocacy organisations for people with chronic illness. The aim of the Alliance is to build a better focus in health policy and health services for all people with chronic illness. In this role she works collaboratively with a number of other organisations, including government departments and hospitals, to further the Alliance’s aims of improving the lives of people with chronic illness. Christine completed a PhD thesis in 1995 which explored the growth of government intervention in the hospital system in Victoria. She has experience in qualitative research and has recently published a book on chronic illness as well as many journal articles. Christine is a member of the Community Quality Use of Medicines Working Group for the National Prescribing Service.
Jacqueline Branston
Jacqueline has been a Board member since November 2002 and is currently a counsellor, educator and public speaker in a voluntary capacity at the Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria. As a mother of a profoundly disabled son who has uncontrolled epilepsy Jacqueline is passionate in her efforts to ensure all carers are armed with accurate information and education. Jacqueline holds qualifications in counselling, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy. She has gained extensive personal experience as a volunteer in a wide range of community organisations over a 30 year period.
Jim Campbell, AM
Jim is a strategic change agent with more than 25 years’ experience in driving change in Commonwealth Departments as well as public and private companies. Over the past seven years he has worked in the not-for-profit sector successfully completing major restructures and integration projects with Vision Australia, Multiple Sclerosis Limited and Saint Vincent de Paul as well as a joint venture that led to the creation of VicBionics. Jim has undertaken work with boards and executives on strategic planning, governance, business planning and performance evaluation and acts as a coach and mentor to directors and CEOs. He has practiced as a company director for more than 18 years with public and private companies. Jim is an Arts graduate of the Royal Military College of Australia and a business postgraduate of Monash University. Jim also has had personal family experience with epilepsy.
Jock MacAdie
Jock’s background is in corporate finance, corporate restructuring, health, hospitality and property. He worked for Elders in Australia and New Zealand where he set up their finance operations and for Rothschilds and Schroders in Australia. Jock worked with the provisional liquidators of Hooker Corporation and HIH Insurance where he advised on restructuring options, as well as stabilising and managing various assets of the businesses. He also advised on sale and realisation options and managed various disposals. In the healthcare sector Jock was for eight years the Finance Director/CFO of Australian Hospital Care Limited where he undertook assignments including major equity raisings, floating the company in a new public listing, various acquisitions and debt refinancings as well as numerous organisational restructurings. In the hospitality and property area, Jock worked with the Century City/Paliburg/Regal Hotels group in HK, a large hotel owner and operator in HK, the PRC and the USA as well as a major property developer and investor in HK and the PRC.
Sally Genser
Sally Genser has been a member of the Board for three years. She was also a Board Member of Yarra Health Services and President of the Richmond Creche Society for many years and is now a Life Member of Richmond Creche Society. Sally is a licensed estate agent and has been a Director of The Belgrave Group of Companies for more than 15 years. The Belgrave Group is a boutique, family-owned property development group, which has been in business for more than 50 years, completing projects in residential, office, commercial, industrial, aged care, child care and hospitality and which has recently expanded to China. Sally was, for many years, an advisor to The Meat Workers Union Industry Employees Superannuation Fund advising on their property investment portfolio. She is also Managing Director of Quest Phillip Island (Serviced Apartments).
Dr Lindsay Vowels
Dr Lindsay Vowels’ career has spanned more than 40 years in the disability sector, working primarily with people with a neurological disability. Dr Vowels currently works in a voluntary capacity with several applied research projects including the MS Longitudinal Database. She joined the Board in 1992, holding the positions of President and Vice President and is also the founding and current chair of Epilepsy Australia. Her interests lie in the quality and variety of services available to people with epilepsy, education and training, which is available to professional staff employed by the Foundation and support and education services in rural and remote areas. She is currently involved in research into the psychosocial impact of epilepsy on individuals and their families, having convened the Research Working Party, which is developing guidelines for a proposed Parliamentary Enquiry into Epilepsy.
Tony Mooney
Tony Mooney currently works with several companies operating in the metal and plastic components market, working on product development through to full product manufacturing and providing advice on plant equipment and other business areas. Over the past 10 years he has been heavily involved in the management of various companies in the manufacturing sector, working in roles from team leader through to Chief Executive Officer for a period of three years.
Vici Funnell MHA, BSc (Hons), FACHSE, MAICD
Vici is a consultant with more than 25 years of experience as a Director and Chief Executive Officer. Her roles included nine years as CEO of Scope (Vic) Ltd, formerly the Spastic Society of Victoria, Chief Executive Officer positions in Victorian hospitals and several directorships. Vici is committed to creating a more welcoming and inclusive community for all, and has presented to audiences in the United States, Japan and United Kingdom on projects she has been involved with. She is an honorary member of the Harvard Club of Australia and a member of the Box Hill Central Rotary Club. Vici was awarded the inaugural Harvard Club Non-Profit Fellowship in June 2001 to study Non-Profit Management at Harvard Business School and was awarded a Centenary Medal ‘for services to the community through people with disability’. Vici and her husband Steve own and operate a boutique vineyard, Hat Rock, on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Click Here for Annual Reports and other Reports produced by the Epilepsy Foundation
|
Support Nyah and families just like hers by donating to our Christmas Appeal. We need to raise $181,000 to support programs like our emergency medication training.
|
Nyah was born with Sturge Weber syndrome, it usually presents with a port wine birthmark and neurological complications. Seizures, often unpredictable and prolonged usually begin early in life.
|
