ARARAT - Haddon's Kate and Alex Serrurier were the recipients of the 2008 Jean Simpson Volunteer Award presented at the Interchange annual general meeting.
The Jean Simpson award celebrates their strong commitment to Interchange and their continual efforts to strive towards excellence.
Mrs Serrurier, who is executive officer of Grampians Primary Care Partnership in Ararat, and Mr Serrurier have been long serving hosts with Interchange Central Highlands for 15 years. In this time they have provided regular care to Sam, with profound disabilities, for over 10 years.
They have also provided care for six other children often in emergency and short notice circumstances.
The couple have shown excellence and commitment to the Interchange Program beyond their host roles. They have been valuable in sharing their knowledge and experience of the program with prospective hosts and participating in promotional and fundraising activities.
"At the same time as hosting these children, our record of their contributions to many other duties within the local community are big and varied,'' Gwen Chiswell-Priest said.
"Kate, from 1995 until 2000, gave time as a volunteer member of the board of management at Interchange Central Highlands including three years as president. Her understanding of the philosophy of Interchange, what it offers and her commitment to people with disabilities and their families in our community was expressed.''
Upon receiving the award Mrs Serrurier also commented that volunteering to care for a child with a disability can be done by 'ordinary people'.
"We were both a bit stunned by the award as we see the whole Interchange program as something we initially did to help Sam and his family, but now they are a part of our extended family which I guess is why the match has worked so well and lasted so long,'' Mr Serrurier said.
Assisted by volunteers Interchange is a not for profit organisation that provides respite to families who care for a child or young person with a disability.
It does so through programs such as hosting, recreation activities, camps and parental support groups. These programs aim to provide carers with a break from their full time role and offers children and young people with a disability the opportunity to socialise in new settings.
The host program involves a child or a young person with a disability being matched with a host volunteer who spends time with them approximately once a month.
The experience enriches both the lives of the child or young person with the disability and the host family/person.
Currently there are not enough volunteers registered and many families are on a waiting lists for Interchange respite service.
If you would like to make a difference in the life of a family with a child or young person with a disability and their family, call Interchange on 1300 300 436.