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News & Events

Thank you Frank Hall-Bentick!

by Kerryn Clarke · 22 Aug, 2019

A Note of Thanks to Frank

ADDC would like to thank Frank Hall-Bentick, a champion in the Australian and global disability rights movement, for his many years of service to ADDC, including over a decade of service on the ADDC Executive Committee.

Frank recently stepped down from his role as the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) representative on the ADDC Executive Committee at the August meeting of the committee. 

ADDC would not be where it is today without him.

Frank was an inaugural ADDC Committee member and played an active role across the Committee’s activities, from providing strategy and policy support, governance reviews to other practical support such as providing networks and advice on ensuring accessible ADDC events.  

He has lent a remarkable wealth of experience, knowledge and connections to ADDC, having been involved in the drafting and development of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) immediately prior to inaugural meetings setting up ADDC.

His voice of accountability and practical assistance has helped define ADDC as a collective Australian voice (with strong networks within the disability movement nationally) with a focus on disability and development internationally.

Frank has committed to sharing and creating opportunities for other people with disability in Australia to engage in international development cooperation.  With his support and sponsorship, he arranged for a number of people with disability to undertake introductory disability in development (DID) courses resulting in their now active involvement within the sector.

Since the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981, Frank has been at the forefront of disability rights in local, state, national (AFDO and ADDC), regional and world organisations, particularly through Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) and the International Disability Alliance (IDA). For 20 years he has worked closely with the United Nations in Bangkok as an invited expert. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his valuable work including an Order of Australia Award in 2012.

A tireless advocate of inclusion and the rights of persons with disability, Frank will continue to serve as Treasurer of AFDO until its next AGM and will continue to work with local groups such as the Disability Resources Centre in the Yarra area of Melbourne, Victoria. 

ADDC wishes Frank all the very best in the future and wholeheartedly thanks you for your many years of service shaping ADDC and our work.