‘Everyone is their own winner’

Today, on International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), people like Georgie are shining brightly, and she plans to shine even more brightly on Friday, when she takes to the stage at the Cobram Civic Centre for the Moira Shire All Abilities Talent Show.

Georgie came up with the idea for the All Abilities Talent Show and is on the working group helping to plan and organise each show.

This year is the third event.

“I’m very proud of myself and proud of everyone for getting up there and having a go,” she said.

“I hope this year there will be lots of smiles, lots of dances and lots of music.”

Georgie said IDPwD is a chance for people with a disability to be who they want to be, to be seen for who they are.

“It’s about you; everyone pays attention to you,” she said.

“You’re not in the background, you get to shine; it lets you show what you’re really worth.

“It’s very important to me as someone with a disability myself, but also with friends with a disability and siblings with a disability.

“We’re smart and we’re talented, we’re here and we need you to notice us.”

Casey Petrie and Matthew Langford are also performing on Friday and agree that IDPwD is an important day to acknowledge people living with disability.

Casey has been part of all three talent shows.

She loves to perform – she’s been on stage with a local theatre group and works weekly with a mentor to develop her singing and songwriting.

She jumped at the chance to perform in the All Abilities Talent Show.

“I don’t get the chance to sing in front of other people much,” Casey said.

“I wish we had more things like this happening – it’s disappointing there’s not more.”

Casey thanked Moira Shire Council for organising the talent show, and was glad it was linked to IDPwD.

“It’s good to have a day to say, ‘here we are’,” she said.

“Every other day feels like we’re forgotten; let us have a chance to do what we like to do.

“Don’t push us aside just because we’re different.”

Matthew is a member of Moira Shire Council’s All Abilities Advisory Committee as well as a performer in the talent show.

He watched the first concert, performed in the second, and will be on stage again for the third on Friday.

Matthew likes performing and being on stage with other people.

“I like expressing feelings and emotions in a safe environment,” he said.

“People with disabilities can do stuff if we put our minds to it.”

He wants to tell people that living with disability is a challenge every day.

“IDPwD is a day to stop and understand about living with disability,” he said.

Moira Shire Council chair administrator Graeme Emonson said the All Abilities Talent Show was planned to coincide with IDPwD each year.

“IDPwD is a timely reminder for us as a community to remove barriers for people with disability and become more inclusive,” Dr Emonson said.

“Our community will put that philosophy into practice at Friday’s All Abilities Talent Show.

“This year’s theme, We Shine Brighter Together, will inspire everyone to embrace compassion and positivity.”

About 24 performances, from groups and individuals across the shire will hit the stage, all coming together for a finale song, with the audience welcome to join in.

Dr Emonson praised the organisations who have helped Moira Shire Council recognise IDPwD by staging the All Abilities Talent Show.

“Cobram & District Specialist School, Providing All Living Supports (PALS), NCN Health and Cobram Community House, as well as Moira Shire staff, have helped make this event possible for three years now,” he said.

“It’s a wonderful example of how Moira Shire Council works together with local organisations for the benefit of the whole community.”

Georgie Tomlin has the final word saying, “everyone is their own winner”.

“At the end of the day we are all winners. We are all stars.”