Frank Hall-Bentick

Frank was born at 10pm on Saturday 30th May 1953, in Port Fairy a small Victorian coastal town 200 kilometres west of Melbourne Australia. In 1956 his family moved to Melbourne to live with his grandparents on a converted railway station at North Fitzroy. So began his love of all thing’s trains and Aussie Rules Football.

Frank was an inaugural ADDC Committee member and played an active role across the Committee’s activities, from providing strategy and policy support, governance reviews to other practical support such as providing networks and advice on ensuring accessible ADDC events.  

He has lent a remarkable wealth of experience, knowledge and connections to ADDC, having been involved in the drafting and development of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) immediately prior to inaugural meetings setting up ADDC.

His voice of accountability and practical assistance has helped define ADDC as a collective Australian voice (with strong networks within the disability movement nationally) with a focus on disability and development internationally.

Frank has committed to sharing and creating opportunities for other people with disability in Australia to engage in international development cooperation.  With his support and sponsorship, he arranged for a number of people with disability to undertake introductory disability in development (DID) courses resulting in their now active involvement within the sector.

Since the International Year of Disabled Persons in 1981, Frank has been at the forefront of disability rights in local, state, national (AFDO and ADDC), regional and world organisations, particularly through Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) and the International Disability Alliance (IDA). For 20 years he has worked closely with the United Nations in Bangkok as an invited expert. He has received numerous awards in recognition of his valuable work including an Order of Australia Award in 2012.

A tireless advocate of inclusion and the rights of persons with disability, Frank will continue to serve as Treasurer of AFDO until its next AGM and will continue to work with local groups such as the Disability Resources Centre in the Yarra area of Melbourne, Victoria. 

ADDC wishes Frank all the very best in the future and wholeheartedly thanks you for your many years of service shaping ADDC and our work.

Employment 

• 9 years with the Equal Employment Opportunity & Recruitment Sections of the Australian Public Service Board 1975 - 84;
• 9 years as Manager of the Disability Resources Centre 1984 - 1993;
• 15 years as Disability Officer at the Department of Social Security & Centrelink at Sunshine, Melbourne 1993 retired September 2008.

Voluntary Involvement 

International Level 

• Member of the International Disability Alliance (IDA) Forum to implement the Convention     on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (IDA CRPD).
• Facilitator and contributor to a number of International & National Elists.     

National Level

• Board Member of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations since 2005, held the office of Treasurer 
• 2008, setup the Australian Disability & Indigenous People Education Fund www.adipef.org.au  
• Member, Australian Disability Development Consortium;

‍    Victoria

• Board Member of Disability Resources Centre 1981, 1983, 1994 - todate, elected     
• Treasurer and currently Chairperson 2007 - to date;
• Board Member of the Australian Ventilators Users Network (AVUN) since 1993, currently Vice-President 2001 - to date;
• VRSS Working Group member - Working to develop and advised on accommodation for Ventilator Users with high support needs - to date;
• Board Member of the Disability Rights Victoria 1999 to date, Chairperson 2007 - 2009;
• Board member of Leadership Plus from 2002 
• Member of the Ministerial Public Transport Advisory Committee 1999 – to date.
• Member of Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission Disability Advisory Committee. 

Melbourne

• Member of the Disability Advisory Council for Yarra City Council
• UNITED NATIONS Involvement
• Resource Person for Disability Section of the United Nations Economic and Social     Commission of Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP);
• Bangkok 1991, to co-write a manual to setup Self Help Organisations for Disabled Persons,
• Bangladesh 1993, to consult with Disabled Organisations and setup the South Asia     Network of Disabled Persons' Organisations, 
• Bangkok 1995, joint Intergovernmental, International NGO's & UN ESCAP meeting to     develop targets for the ESCAP Asia Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.
• Bangkok 2000, joint Intergovernmental, International NGO's & UN ESCAP meeting to     review targets for the ESCAP Asia Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.
• Member of the International Disability Caucus and its work on the Convention on the     Rights of People with Disabilities at the United Nations in both Bangkok and New York     2003 - 2006. 

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Other Activities

• February 2000 represented myself at VCAT Tribunal regarding Equal Opportunity Act disability complaint against the Greater Union Russell Street Cinemas Melbourne - Result partial access, ramp to 2 of 6 cinemas, new films rotated through accessible cinemas weekly with programs advertised in press, on site and website, accessible unisex toilet, tickets sold at lower lolly counter, ramp access to front steps.
• 2000 with others - AAT Appeal against HREOC 5 year exemption of Trams from Disability Discrimination Act - Withdrawn due Federal Cabinet approving DDA Transport Standards.
• Following disability complaint against Hoyts Cinemas Burke Street Melbourne - Result, agreed to partial access, step lifts to 2 of 4 cinemas, lowering of ticket counter and access through front door.

Awards 

• 1992 - Plaque awarded in recognition of distinguished and unstinting service in the cause People with Disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region during the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons, 1983 - 1992; presented by Senator Eita Yashiro, Chairperson of Disabled     Peoples' International Asia Pacific Regional Council on 28th November 1992 in Beijing,     Peoples Democratic Republic of China. 
• 2001 - Certificate of Commendation from Rotary International 'Shine on Awards' for People with Disabilities, 20th May 2001. 
• 2001 - Australian Centenary of Federation Award for long and outstanding service to disability organizations and People with Disabilities. 
• 2012 received the Member (A.M) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his executive and advocacy roles with a range of organisations, particularly Disability Australia over the past 30 years.

Past Voluntary Involvement 

• Public Service Board Union Représentative (ACOA) 1981 - 1984.
• Founding member of the Disability Resources Centre (DRC) 1981, Board Member for 15 years, Treasurer from 1994 - 1997;
• Presenter of DRC's "Rocking the Boat" Program on Radio 3CR, Feb'1999 - Dec'2005;
• Founding member of the Disability Employment Action Centre (DEAC) 1984, Board Member for 6 years;
• Founding member of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) (Victoria) 1982, Executive member for 7 years;
• Founding member of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) (Australia) 1983, Executive member for 7 years, President for 4 years, 2 terms, 1987 - 1990;
• DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council 1992-2008, Vice-Chair (Finance) 1994 - 1997.
• Board Member of the Disability Discrimination Law Advocacy Service (DDLAS) 1999 - November 2001, Treasurer February - November 2001.
• Disabled Peoples’ International World Council 1992-2008, World Executive 1994 -     1998;
• Chairperson of the Disability Rights Victoria - Physical & Multiple (DRV-P&M) March 2000     to 2002, 2 terms.
• Founding member of Disability Australia 1999-2009, President 1999-2002, Treasurer 2002-2006, International Representative 1999-2008;
• Board Member of the Western Region Disability Network
• Member of the Northern Region Disability Network
• International Disability Convention Caucus, Member & Asia Pacific Steering Committee Representative, 2003 - 2007; 
• World Councillor, Disabled Peoples' International 1994 - 2008; 
• Founding Member, Asia Pacific Disability Forum 2003 to date; 
• Founding Member, Pacific Disability Forum; 
• International Representative for DPI Australia 1991 - 1998 and Disability Australia 1998 - 2008;

Observer & Participant to Disability Conferences, Meetings & Organisations 1984 - 2009

• 1984 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Assembly, Adelaide Australia.
• 1985 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council, Dacca Bangladesh.
• 1985 - DPI World Assembly, Nassau Bahamas.
• 1985 - Visited Disability Groups in New York, Chicago, Winnipeg, San Francisco & Fiji.
• 1986 - DPI World Council, Ottawa Canada.
• 1986 - COPOH (DPI Canada) 10th Anniversary AGM & Dinner, Ottawa.
• 1986 - 4th International Conference on Mobility and Transportation for Elderly and Handicapped Persons, Vancouver Canada.
• 1987 - Pacific Disability Users Conference, Sydney.
• 1988 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council Assembly, Bangkok Thailand.
• 1988 - DPI World Council, Bangkok Thailand.
• 1990 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council, Suva, Fiji.
• 1990 - Rehabilitation International (RI) Asia Pacific Regional Assembly, Beijing China.
• 1990 - Visited Disability Organisations in Beijing, Xian, Guiyang, Shanghai & Hong Kong.
• 1991 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council, Singapore
• 1992 - Independence '92 and DPI World Council & Assembly, Vancouver Canada.
• 1992 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council, Beijing China.
• 1992 - Joint Intergovernmental, International NGO's & ESCAP meeting to launch the UN     ESCAP Asia Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons.
• 1993 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council, Dacca Bangladesh.
• 1994 - DPI World Executive Meeting, Sydney Australia.
• 1994 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council, Jakarta Indonesia.
• 1994 - DPI World Assembly & Council, Sydney Australia.
• 1996 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council, Manila Philippines.
• 1996 - Visits to Disability Organisations, Anchorage Alaska USA.
• 1996 - DPI World Council, Washington D.C. USA.
• 1997 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council, New Delhi India.
• 1998 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
• 1998 - 7th International Conference on Mobility and Transportation for Elderly and Handicapped Persons, Perth Australia.
• 1998 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council & Assembly, Nadi Fiji.
• 1998 - DPI World Council & Assembly, Mexico City Mexico.
• 2000 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council & Assembly, Vientiane Lao PDR.
• 2001 - Visited Disability Organizations in London March 2001.
• 2001 - Observed Disability Access to Public Transport in London, Lyon & Paris.
• 2001 - International Home Ventilation Conference Lyon France, March 2001
• 2001 - 8th International Conference on Mobility and Transportation for Elderly and Handicapped Persons, Warsaw Poland.
• 2001 - Tour of disability access to transport and services in Orlando, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and Los Vegas U.S.A.
• 2001 - Hanoi 2001, Campaign 2001 joint International NGO's & UN ESCAP meeting to review targets for the ESCAP Asia Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993 - 2002.
• 2002 - DPI Asia Pacific Regional Council & Assembly, Shanghai China. Elected to represent Asia Pacific on the DPI World Council.
• 2002 - DPI World Council & Assembly, Sapporo, Japan.
• 2002 - Osaka Japan, Campaign 2002 joint International NGO's & UN ESCAP meeting to review the ESCAP Asia Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993 - 2002 and promote a new Decade.
• 2002 - Otsu Japan, Invited Representative of Disability Australia Ltd. to the UN ESCAP High Level Intergovernmental meeting to review the ESCAP Asia Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993 - 2002 and launch a new "Freedom from Barriers" Decade 2003 - 2012.
• 2002 November 30th, December 1st & 2nd ODOSC Meeting Nadi Fiji, to discuss work of Disability NGO's across Pacific Region. Result, agreed to set up Pacific Disability Forum of NGO's to promote and co-ordinate disability concerns across the Pacific. 
• 2002 December 9th & 10th - Bangkok, Thematic Working Group on Disability Concerns, joint International NGO's & UN ESCAP meeting to review achievements of the ESCAP Asia Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993 - 2002. Results - recommended further Decade, TWGDC to continue and Regional NGO Network (RNN) to reform as Asia Pacific Disability     Forum.
• UN CRPD Adhoc meetings New York Jun 2003, May 2004, August 2005 & August 2006.
• UN CRPD & TWGDC Asia Pacific Consultations Bangkok, June, October & December 2003
• Asia Pacific Disability Forum Singapore, November 2003
• UN CRPD Consultation Doha, Qatar 17&18 December 2003
• Disability & Development Forums in Australia, Canberra 2007, Melbourne 2006, 2007 & 2008.