Community
Art show highlights social inclusion

GIPPSLAND Southern Health Service’s annual art show has moved to a new venue but retained the same promise of social inclusion.

The seventh annual International Day of People with Disability art show follows the theme `An Inclusive World’ and for the first time is being held in the Leongatha RSL from Tuesday to Friday, December 3-6.

The show features more than 70 art works from about 30 people, all either with disabilities or from families of people with disabilities.

GSHS NDIS support coordinators Mark Withers and Michelle O'Loughlin said all the art was created in the South Gippsland region.

People viewing the exhibition can vote for a people’s choice award, with the winner to receive a hamper of donated goods.

The decision to move venues follows an approach by GSHS to the Leongatha RSL for support.

“The sub-branch offered to host the show and we thought it would be a good community partnership to hopefully attract more people to see the art,” Mr Withers said.

The event is attracting good community backing with local Rotary club members helping with trestles, Jack Gilchrist from Area Specialist Real Estate donating money for morning tea for the launch, and It’s No Drama supporting with YouTube videos.

“It’s important to be inclusive and involve everybody and it gives our clients a platform to express themselves and be involved in the community,” Ms O’Loughlin said.

Paralympian Sharon Slann, who was part of the silver medal-winning Australia women's national wheelchair basketball team at the 2000 Summer Paralympics and competed at the 1992 and 1996 Games, was guest speaker at the official opening on Tuesday December 3.

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