Pollie Pedal 2008
What
For the past ten years, a group of politicians, sportspeople and community representatives have made a long distance bike ride to raise money for charity.
Pollie Pedal 2008 will raise money for prostate cancer research at Westmead Hospital. About 15, 000 Australian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. Pollie Pedal aims to boost funds to leading researchers studying the causes and treatments of this disease. In Warringah money will be raised for Autism Australia Vern Barnett School located in Forestville.
Over the past decade, Pollie Pedallers have ridden 11,000km to raise more than one million dollars for organisations such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Ronald McDonald House, Youth Insearch, and the Paralympic Games as well as medical research into childhood leukaemia and diabetes. In Warringah organisations such as Royal Far West, Bear Cottage, Surf Life Saving Clubs, Dalwood Spilstead Centre and Pioneer Clubhouse have been beneficiaries of Pollie Pedal. Thanks to our sponsors, Pollie Pedal 2007 raised over $350,000 for breast cancer research and over $40,000 for a new kitchen at Pioneer Clubhouse in Balgowlah.
Who
A number of Federal Ministers will join in the ride as well as MPs, local mayors, sportspeople and members of local communities. Past participants include Mark Vaile, Tony Abbott, Kevin Andrews, Jim Lloyd, Sussan Ley, Pat Farmer, John Anderson, Jackie Kelly, Phil Barresi, Luke Hartsuyker, Louise Markus, Julie Owens and Senator Guy Barnett.
When
Pollie Pedal 2008 will begin on the 31st March in Melbourne, Victoria.
Where
The eleventh annual Pollie Pedal will begin in Melbourne, Victoria and pass through Yea, Benalla, Rutherglen, Culcairn, Junee, Boorowa, Goulburn and Camden before finishing at Westmead Hospital on April 8.
The Route
| Day |
Date |
Route |
Distance (kms) |
| 1 |
Monday 31 March |
Melbourne – Yea |
109 |
| 2 |
Tuesday 1 April |
Yea – Benalla via Merton, Barjarg |
117 |
| 3 |
Wednesday 2 April |
Benalla – Rutherglen via Glenrowan, Wangaratta |
82 |
| 4 |
Thursday 3 April |
Rutherglen – Henty |
109 |
| 5 |
Friday 4 April |
Henty – Junee via Wagga Wagga |
124 |
| 6 |
Saturday 5 April |
Junee – Boorowa via Cootamundra |
128 |
| 7 |
Sunday 6 April |
Boorowa – Goulburn via Gunning |
135 |
| 8 |
Monday 7 April |
Goulburn – Camden via Picton |
146 |
| 9 |
Tuesday 8 April |
Camden – Westmead |
80 approx |
Who are we raising money for?
The Millennium Foundation
The Millennium Foundation is one of the major fundraising bodies supporting medical research and health care facilities at Westmead Hospital Campus.
Founded in 1995, the Foundation has become the most influential fundraising body in the Sydney West Area Health Service. It funds two major institutions within this Area Health Service, the Westmead Millennium Institute and Westmead Hospital.
The Westmead Millennium Institute (WMI) is one of the largest and most successful medical research institutes in Australia with more than 400 staff researching a wide range of health disorders affecting adults and children. The work of the institute spans the entire research spectrum from initial discovery to the development and clinical trial of new treatments such as pancreatic islet cell transplantation to cure Type 1 Diabetes.
The Foundation receives no government funding relying heavily on the generosity of the community and committed staff to raise funds to find the cures that will save lives.
The money raised through the 2008 Pollie Pedal charity bike ride will assist in the creation of a dedicated Prostate Cancer Research Laboratory and support specialised researchers continue and initiate research into this disease.
Contact Details
Kylie Strudwick
The Millennium Foundation
Ph: (02) 9845 6289
Fax: (02) 9687 0956
Em: kylie_strudwick@mail.wmi.usyd.edu.au
MILLENIUM FOUNDATION SPONSORSHIP FORM (PDF 23 KB)
In April 2007 Hon. Tony Abbott and his Pollie Pedal’s rode into the International Regatta Centre, Penrith on his final leg to Westmead.
Through his generous support he donated $50,000.00 to the Nepean Medical Research Foundation to aid research for Diabetes.
The Nepean Medical Research Foundation’s purpose is to foster growth of medical research with the knowledge that “today’s research is tomorrow’s treatment.”
This year the Pollie Pedal is aiming to raise research money for Men’s Health/Cancer. The Nepean Hospital Research Departments such as the Haematology and Immunology Departments are researching several of these areas. Monies donated by the Pollie Pedal would go directly to these areas for Clinical Research and Laboratory Equipment.
The Nepean Medical Research Foundation greatly appreciates the support of the Hon. Tony Abbott and his cycling supporters in the Pollie Pedal and we look forward to welcoming him again this year in support of the Nepean Hospital.
Money raised by Warringah residents will support Autism Spectrum Australia
Autism affects around 1 in every 160 children in Australia. It is twice as common as Cystic Fibrosis, childhood deafness and blindness and is ten times more common than childhood leukaemia. While there is no cure, the lives of those living with autism can be transformed with the right specialised treatment.
With their central office in Cook Street, Forestville, Autism Spectrum Australia is Australia’s leading service provider for people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Aims of Autism Spectrum Australia
Autism Spectrum Australia commit to improving the lives of people with autism through providing diagnostic, early intervention, special schooling, information and referral, family support and advice, education, and adult support services. While Autism Spectrum Australia receives some government funding, they rely heavily on the generosity of the public to maintain and improve their services.
The Vern Barnett School is one of the six schools run by Autism Spectrum Australia and is also based in Cook Street Forestville.
The Vern Barnett School was the first Aspect School, established in the early 1970s to provide autism specific education programs. It is an independent school and provides placement for approximately 96 children with an autism spectrum disorder of 3-16 years of age from across Northern Sydney Metropolitan areas and the Far North Coast.
The base school operates from Forestville, plus it has ten satellite classes in both NSW Department of Education and Catholic Schools throughout the northern suburbs of Sydney and at Alstonville on the Far North Coast. The school also offers an early childhood integration class at Forestville for young children.
Satellite classes are located at:
- St Kevin’s Primary School, Eastwood
- Corpus Christi Primary School, St Ives
- Sacred Heart Primary School, Mona Vale
- Our Lady of Good Counsel, Forestville
- Lane Cove Primary School
- St Joseph’s Primary School, Alstonville
Each student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Student outcomes may be implemented at individual, small group or whole school level and many goals are implemented across school and community environments. Aspect’s Core Competency areas are Communication, Social Skills, Behaviour and Sensory. These are taught in conjunction with the Board of Studies Key Learning Areas: English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Human Society and Its Environment, Creative Arts and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education. The school places a strong emphasis on Creative Arts. A specialised Art Program is implemented on a weekly basis to teach students visual arts techniques and extend skills of gifted students. An art auction is also held on a yearly basis, with artwork submitted from each child in the school. Students also have the opportunity to participate in Music Therapy sessions.
Classroom staff is supported by a Learning Support Team consisting of a School Counsellor (Psychologist), Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and executive staff. Each class teacher is also supported by a teacher’s aide.
The ultimate goal of the school is for students to transition to an Autism Spectrum Australia satellite class and then move into the mainstream school system. Social and communication skills are integral to their being able to cope in this system.
By providing improved social and communication opportunities the children gain long-term skills, pivotal in all facets of everyday life. Many children with an ASD have average or above average intelligence and are capable of contributing to their community and moving on to meaningful employment. Without the ability to communicate or cope with normal social expectations they can experience a lifetime of frustration and are unlikely to reach their full potential.
How will your donations help?
Donations collected from Warringah will help fund a new school playground for the Vern Barnett School. The playground will provide new play equipment specifically designed and chosen to engage children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Its aim is to provide a safe and functional outdoor learning environment to be used for sensory development and for the development of social skills, life skills and gross motor skills. As a playground it will provide a play and physical activity space for the children who attend the school.
The equipment has been chosen for its ability to meet a broad range of social, communication, sensory and gross motor skill requirements. It has also been chosen for its safety, durability and low maintenance qualities and because each component comes with a manufacturer’s guarantee, the playground will continue to be a valuable resource at the school for many years to come
Please help to build a new playground for the Vern Barnett School by making a much needed donation. We aim to raise $25 000.
For more information about Autism Spectrum Australia please visit www.aspect.org.au
or contact David Jackett, Director Relationship Fundraising on (02) 8977 8329.
WARRINGAH RESIDENTS’ SPONSORSHIP FORM (PDF 672 KB)
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