Medals for health caring

By Tania Martin
CARING for others and campaigning for better services for disabled people is part of everyday life for Ronald Mullen and Clifford Wise.
But these hills men have been recognised for their service to their communities with Queen’s Birthday honours.
Yesterday (Monday) each were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Ronald Mullen of Olinda was humbled by the award and says there must be many other people more worthy.
But Mr Mullen, a foster carer for the past 20 years, has shown he has a big heart.
He has cared for more than 40 children in that time and spends most of his spare time helping others.
Mr Mullen said he first got involved in foster care when a little blind boy he knew needed somewhere to stay.
Since that first case Mr Mullen has continued to open his home and heart to anyone in need.
He has also worked with Interchange Out Easter and taken part in the foster host program.
The foster host program allows carers to look after children one weekend a month to give parents with children with disabilities a break.
Since retiring almost 10 years ago, Mr Mullen has been also working as a volunteer at the Angliss Hospital.
He volunteers as a pastoral care worker which involves helping to support families of dying patients or sharing and rejoicing with patients over the birth of a child.
“Sometimes I sit with terminally ill patients and just talk to them or sit with people waiting for surgery,” he said.
“I am here to provide a listening ear for people going through illness or hard times – I think that is the most important thing that I can do.”
Mr Mullen says the highlight of his work with both foster children and at the hospital is the feeling of being useful in some way.
Clifford Wise of Montrose says he was also flabbergasted when the award was announced.
He has been recognised for his work ParaQuad Victoria and the Australia Quadriplegics Association.
Mr Wise, a quadriplegic, got involved with ParaQuad and the Australia Quadriplegics Association after injuring himself when he fell off the roof of his house.
Over the past 20 years since his accident Mr Wise has worked hard to gain more resources for people with disabilities.
He said one of the highlights over the years has been to see the role out of an attendant care program across the country.
Mr Wise says the attendant care program started as a pilot in 1986 with 100 people taking part.
“I was one of the lucky ones to take part in the program where a carer came into my house and helped me to shower, dress in the morning and get ready for bed at night,” he said.
“Without an attendant carer it would be hard for me to have anywhere near the life I have today.”
Mr Wise has played a big part in helping the Federal Government to realise the importance of the program and roll it out across the country.
“The program is now funded right around Australian and is available for people with physical disabilities.”