Christine Williams, Kerry Thompson and Roger Bruhn sign the Memorandum of Understanding. Picture: XAVIER SMERDON
By XAVIER SMERDON
SHORTLY after a truly inspirational choir filled the room with smiles and tears, a landmark agreement was signed in Werribee last week.
Wyndham Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wyndham Disability Action Group (WYNDAG) to formalise the two group’s relationship.
It is the first time such an agreement has been signed between the council and any local advocacy group.
The signing took place during the group’s annual general meeting, which also included performances by the Sunshine Mambourin Choir, which is comprised completely of disabled people.
The memorandum essentially ensures that both the council and WYNDAG will work together on issues relating to disability.
Wyndham Council CEO Kerry Thompson signed the agreement on behalf of the council.
“This is not only a challenge for WYNDAG but a challenge for me as the CEO of Wyndham,” Ms Thompson said.
“I’m going to speak frankly now, the relationship hasn’t always been the best and we won’t always agree, but we will keep working through the issues and working with each other.”
Former WYNDAG Chairperson Christine Williams was all smiles as she signed the agreement.
“This is the first such memorandum between the council or any other community group, so WYNDAG is on the cutting edge again,” Mr Williams said.
“It’s a record of agreement between the council and WYNDAG to work for disabled people in the community.”
One of the members of the choir declared to those in attendance after their performance that the occasion was “the event of 2012”.
