Cerebral Palsy Champion Recognised

Garry Prigg has been a hero to children with cerebral palsy, their families and Early Intervention Program staff for over twenty years. His outstanding voluntary contribution to the community is being recognised by Tattersall’s with a Monthly Award for Enterprise and Achievement, along with $20,000.

“My vision of a world best education service for children with cerebral palsy simply would not exist today if it wasn’t for Garry Prigg. He believed in my vision and the needs of the children and their families and he delivered the miracle. No-one will ever know of the personal and financial sacrifice that Garry has so freely given,” said Claire Cotter, Founder and General Manager of Learning for Life and recipient of a 1992 Tattersall’s Award.

Tattersall’s $15,000 donation to the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) will be used to fund a new business plan – to ensure the long term sustainability, growth and expansion for the next ten years and beyond. “CPEC’s senior therapy team is recognised as world leaders, both for the education services they provide and their accumulated knowledge. Together, we have created a communication CD that could potentially revolutionise communication for cerebral palsy sufferers as much as Braille did for the blind! CPEC’s unique, individual learning book communication CD will ultimately be provided to every English speaking country in the world,” Garry Prigg said.

In 1997 CPEC the learning for life education programs were forced to close due to cuts at the Spastic Society of Victoria. Garry began direct negotiations with the Kennett government and after six months was able to reward staff, children and their families with the news the education programs Centre would re-open in August.

The service was on the brink of disaster again in 2001 after the auspicing disability organisation made a decision (without consultation) to cancel support for early Intervention Programs. Families and staff approached Garry for help again. Over a four month period he turned a tragic situation into the ultimate positive when (CPEC) was recognised as an independent education service provider, by the Department of Human Services.

“I saw a man who was engaging with the children and their families, listening to their hopes and dreams...he had ‘caught the bug’. Garry was motivated to do what he could to enable as many children and their families to realise their potential and actively participate within their community. He worked quietly behind the scenes using his business knowledge to support the practical application and the development of networks required to realise these ideas. Garry was responsible for coordinating the raising of more than $1,200,000 since 1998 from fundraising and donations to cover the Government shortfall of running costs for the delivery of the children’s education services,” according to Gayle Porter, Senior Speech Pathologist – Cerebral Palsy Education Centre Inc.

CPEC was able to continue offering excellent services achieving extremely successful outcomes for the children but that was still not enough for Garry. Expansion was limited by the substandard rental premises and lack of space so he decided to build a new centre. In 2004 Garry Prigg raised one million dollars in just eight months. He did this in order to build a purpose designed education centre for the children, families and staff of CPEC.

Garry stopped his own business work and dedicated all of his time to achieving this outstanding goal. Garry oversaw every day of the building’s construction and coordinated the move in. The staff (and Garry) welcomed children and their families to the new premises to continue their ‘Learning for Life’ in October 2005. Garry said, “As for me personally, I am one of the luckiest people in the world. I could never repay the gifts I receive on a daily basis from the children with their smiles and the love. These are kids that change people’s lives.”

About the Tattersall’s Award for Enterprise and Achievement
This is a monthly award designed to acknowledge those in the community who are prepared to ‘have a go’. Since the Awards’ launch in 1980, over 300 men, women and children have been recognised. People have won the Award for heroic deeds, overcoming personal barriers or simply helping someone in need. Whatever their cause, they have always demonstrated persistence and determination above the norm. Each monthly winner receives $5,000, a trophy and a $15,000 donation to their nominated beneficiary. From this pool of monthly winners, an annual winner will be chosen in August 2007 to receive a personal prize of $15,000 and a donation of $75,000 towards their nominated beneficiary.

“Garry Prigg’s determination to make a difference to the lives of children with cerebral palsy and their families is remarkable. His actions reflect the ‘true spirit’ of a volunteer – someone prepared to work selflessly in order to improve the lives of others. Like so many monthly winners before him, Garry Prigg’s achievements in the face of adversity are extraordinary,” said Peter Franich, Tattersall’s Sponsorships Manager.

Contact: Michael Mangos 8517 7443