Board 2011-2012

Since the Umbrella Network was created there have been some wonderful men and women who have given their time to be a part of the Board. They are genuinely interested and passionate people who volunteer their time and expertise to assist our organisation to run smoothly and make the right decisions for our families. Thank you to all , past and present for your valuable contribution.

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Angie D’Arcy – President

Being a part of such an amazing group has been a blessing. Since starting our journey in the world of ’Extra Needs’ I have been inspired, saddened, uplifted, angered , joyful , and all the emotions in between. Christian and myself have 3 amazing daughters and a gorgeous little boy . All unique and special in there own ways. Poppy our youngest daughter, has sent us on a path that was not expected. Her diagnosis is – undiagnosed. But we know she has Global Delayed Development which involves Intellectual & Physical Impairments. We hope that as we learn about Poppy – we can help other families who are travelling the same journey as us. We love our family, we love our community and we love the Umbrella Network!

Anna Hooke - Vice President

Juergen Raasch – Treasurer

Jurgi has had a long and rewarding Career in the Australian Army which began in the Papua and New Guinea Volunteer Rifles in 1958 for 5 yrs where I got involved in the Indonesian Confrontation along the PNG /Indonesian border, then went to Officer Cadet School in Portsea in 1963 followed by a 30 year career in the Royal Australian Artillery that saw me posted all over Australia including a year in Vietnam in 1966/67.He Came to Townsville in 1974 and retired from the the Army in 1990 after a final three years in Townsville as the Army Community Services Officer. This involved close liaison with all local welfare and health organizations to assist the military families with the never ending problems caused by Service demands. His skills required him to deal with all the personal problems of soldiers in various capacities on a daily basis and providing guidance for personal and military matters. NOW, Jurgi is enjoying his role as a proud grandfather to 4 beautiful kids who he spoils rotten.It is a great asset to our organisation to have Jurgie and his wealth of knowledge.

Lauren Scott – Secretary

I have worked as a speech pathologist in North Queensland since 2002, for Queensland Health, Education Queensland and now in private practice, at Focus On Therapy. Focus On Therapy was born out of duel desires at the end of 2008 – firstly flexibility in my work hours as I had a one year old and a two year old, and a secondly a strong desire to work with families directly in a way that accommodated each family’s goals and needs. I have a passion for making alternative communication fun and functional, and have really enjoyed signing with all of my children, and l love watching the girls sign with our youngest. I now have three children – Lily is 5, Annabelle almost 4 and Matthew almost 2. I look forward to being more closely involved with the Umbrella Network family this year.

Jocelyn Saggers – Executive Member

Jocelyn Saggers one of the Umbrella Networks grandmas.
I have taught and supported kids with disabilities in primary school. And now use kinesiology body energy work and movement to help kids with leaning difficulties get their brains more integrated and to remove stress so that learning is easier and life’s more fun.
I am grandma to the umbrella Walk With Me poster boy who was born in Bolivia. Derek has Down Syndrome, he’s nearly 5 now and doing well. Our family became involved with Umbrella when he came to Australia as a 6 week old, needing heart surgery. Like other famililies we’ve been through the emotional wringer and navigated the maze of services available. We thank our lucky stars for the wonderful health and allied services, the great staff and program at Vincent Early Childhood Development Program and the wonderful people energising and Umbrella Network.

Karen Edwards – Executive Member

Karen has a beautiful daughter Lauren who has DS. When she moved to Townsville she found services and support very difficult to navigate. She believes in problem solving and making lives and experiences better for those who are going through similar situations. The support of friends largely through The Umbrella Network has been a great gift for our family.

Liza Clews – Executive Member

Both my parents are deaf; I have two deaf siblings and two hearing siblings. I am bi-lingual in that I learnt Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and English and grew up within the Deaf Community in Sydney, NSW and Auckland, NZ. I have travelled extensively and have been blessed with opportunities to work with developing deaf communities in Albania and Cambodia. I have also been fortunate to work with Indigenous communities whilst living in Alice Springs in 2009. I currently work as the Community Development Officer and Auslan Interpreter for Deaf Services Queensland here in Townsville. I am passionate about human rights for all, access for all and equity for all. Yes huge passions but I strive to ensure that I am on the path to creating and developing an inclusive community where abilities of all individuals are acknowledged and celebrated. I am looking forward to working with Umbrella and moving the organisation forwards and upwards!