Supporters like you

”Just like you, I know in my heart that people with a disability can achieve truly amazing things. When my husband, Lionel, and I first began House with No Steps (now known as Aruma), I was awed by the enormity of the task ahead: How could we make even the slightest difference in a world resolute on hiding people with a disability? Yet despite the many challenges, Lionel refused to let pessimism negate him. He knew at the very core of his being that the right thing to do was to persevere in the direction of his values.

As an avid supporter of our work, you know exactly how far that resolve took Lionel – today Aruma is one of Australia’s leading disability organisations. Every person, regardless of their limitations, has the ability to do truly wonderful things.

By making a gift in your Will, you will truly make a life-changing contribution to the lives of many. The value of such a gift cannot be measured. My heartfelt wish is that Aruma will be there for as long as disability exists. I’m proud to have crystallised this wish by writing a gift in my Will to Aruma. I warmly encourage you to join me to ensure that Aruma can long continue to help people with a disability seize their inner talents and forge a life of inclusion, acceptance and dignity.”

Born in London, Paul came to Sydney in 1969 searching for work after a neighbour informed him there was a shortage of teachers in Australia. As a Geography Teacher he quickly found work upon his arrival. He went on to spend about 20 years in country NSW, mainly in the Riverina area.

Paul loves it here, has now retired and calls Australia home. Throughout his life he always had a great respect and appreciation for those who, through no fault of their own, had to face great challenges in life. He has personally seen the great work that Aruma does in support of people with a disability and has been donating to them for many years.

For Paul it was an easy decision, and a show of his commitment for people with a disability, to include a gift in his Will for Aruma. In this way he feels he can honour his lifelong commitment and continue his mission of looking after those who have been disadvantaged in life.

Thank you, Paul, for your thoughtfulness and desire that people with a disability live a life of dignity and of dreams achieved.

Tom’s motto in life was: “If you want friends you have to be a friend.”

‘Tom’ was born in 1919 in Northern New South Wales, the second son of three boys. Tom had a happy childhood and commenced his working life at 16 years of age delivering milk and bread, then went into the metal manufacturing industry as a draw bench boy. He completed a motor engineering course and worked as a motor mechanic for the remainder of his working life, repairing cars, trucks and mining machinery for various companies.

Tom met the love of his life Noela in 1938 and bought his first car to travel to Hurstville to court her. They married in 1942. When World War II broke out, he was called up for National Service where he served until discharged at the end of the war in 1945. He then took over the workshop in a local garage and worked for himself for a few years.

In 1945 their first child Christopher was born and sustained a brain injury during birth. They were told not to expect their son to live a long life. Tom and Noela were determined to give Chris as good a life as possible while they still had him with them. They devoted a huge part of their life to working for and supporting children with a disability.

Tom bought a caravan and took Noela and Chris on many wonderful holidays travelling around Australia. When Noela became ill, Tom cared for her and Chris at home until it was not feasible for him to do so any longer. Chris moved into an Aruma group home where he lived happily for many years. Noela passed away in 2004 and Tom continued to be involved with Chris until he went into a nursing home and passed away in 2013.

Tom was still driving until his 90th Birthday, he then purchased a motorised scooter to maintain his independence and lived in his home and cared for himself until he was 94. He passed away on the 14 January 2018, three months before his 99th Birthday. He is survived by two daughters, three grandchildren and six great grandchildren, each of whom he loved dearly.

Tom was a regular hard-working Australian who always showed great love to those in his community and for those more disadvantaged. It is a fitting tribute that his kindness is celebrated forever through the ‘Partners in Dignity’, Book of Remembrance.

Thank you Tom, for your kind gift, for showing those you love kindness and care and for helping support people with a disability to live a great life.