Council celebrates International Day of People with Disability

By Taylah Baker

Dec 15, 2022

**Craft:** Jonathan Skinner and Geoffrey Morris showcase their artworks. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The creative juices were flowing at Shepparton Art Museum on December 8 and 9 at the ‘Art for All’ workshops in celebration of International Day of People with Disability.

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The events were hosted by Greater Shepparton City Council and delivered with the support of partner agencies to mark the annual IDPwD event held each year on December 3.

IDPwD is aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and inclusion of all people with a disability.

SAM brought the colour and creativity, facilitating three immersive experience sessions tailored for people with sensory and physical disabilities: multimedia collaging, fabric patch making and paint pouring.

**Work of art:** Michelle Rexhep in the process of making her creation. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Council access and inclusion officer Mark Tomkins said the IDPwD for 2022 was a significant event, due to previous years being hindered by COVID-19.

“(The council) ran sessions online for the past two years to continue to mark the occasion, it’s great to see everybody face-to-face this year,” he said.

“We were oversubscribed for all three sessions at SAM, and Thursday broke an attendance record, with more than 300 people partaking in the fun.”

**Happy days:** Visitor economy development and digital officer Jessica Watt, with participants Kody Bothwell, Aunty Faye and Treacy Toy, and (front) access and inclusions officer Mark Tomkins. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Mr Tomkins was grateful for this year’s partnerships, including with artist Kody Bothwell, Activities in the Park and RiverConnect, and encouraged more community groups and businesses to get involved in the future.

“International Day of People with Disability is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of people with barriers, which unfortunately doesn’t happen very often,” he said.

On behalf of council, Mr Tomkins would like to thank all who attended the day, and the volunteers and organisations that made this year’s IDPwD events possible.