Neville Gilbertson steps aside after two decades of service

THE President and Board of the Ryder-Cheshire Mount Gambier Home Foundation have praised the contribution made by Neville Gilbertson OAM during his 21 years of service to the local charity.

Mr Gilbertson announced his retirement from the board at the annual general meeting.

President Matthew Dixon said Mr Gilbertson provided sound leadership over an extended period and the board would miss his counsel as it continues to investigate building more accommodation for people living with disability.

Mr Gilbertson was the inaugural President in 2004 and led the charity until 2018.

The foundation was formed after representatives of local families of children with disabilities successfully lobbied a national meeting of Ryder-Cheshire to help fund a building project in Mount Gambier.

Mr Gilbertson and his board then secured a site from the City Council in Willow Avenue, obtained federal grant funding and negotiated management arrangements with a State government agency.

“You believed in our group and guided us,” said board member Mary Heysen.

“We can’t thank you and (wife) Kay enough,” she said.

Mrs Gilbertson co-ordinated a team of catering volunteers that raised funds for Ryder-Cheshire prior to him becoming involved.

“I enjoyed it immensely,” Mr Gilbertson said, adding that the foundation had achieved much and was receiving local and wider recognition of its work.

The foundation’s first home, Ryder, was opened in 2006, followed by the second home, Cheshire, in 2018, both of which are now leased to service provider estara.

The homes accommodate a total of 10 residents.

Mr Gilbertson said after the AGM that it was rewarding to have played a part in providing reassurance for ageing parents that their children have homes for life.

He was awarded an OAM in 2021 for service to the community which also included serving on the board of the national charity Ryder-Cheshire Australia from 2006-2018 and being treasurer of the SA Ryder-Cheshire Foundation.

He has also been a long-term member of the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier West and Friendship Force Mount Gambier.

Peter Telford, Sue Roberts and Secretary Bernie Douglas were all re-elected to the board of the Ryder-Cheshire Mount Gambier Home Foundation.

The board also includes Leoni Davis, Di Little, Greg Clayfield and Vice-President and Treasurer Stuart Stansfield.

Caption: Foundation Board member Mary Heysen and Neville Gilbertson pictured during a morning tea at the Mount Gambier Ryder-Cheshire homes in 2024.