The Price Family

Wendy Price was one of the students who came over from Frankston Special Development School (SDS) to join the original group of 14 PAST clients. “Wendy had reached the age where she could no longer attend the school,” said her sister Jennie. “At the time there were no other options for people like Wendy who had ‘aged out’ of the SDS.”

Wendy’s parents, Jim and Carrol Price, were among the first members of the original Committee of Management for PAST. “Mum volunteered to be on the first Committee of Management (now known as the Board). There was a concern that as it was a pilot program it would cease, and then back to waiting lists for a spot at day services due to the way it was funded then.”

Fortunately, the program continued as additional funding became available through the Futures for Young Adults Program which provided an opportunity for growth.

In the mid 1990’s, as the program was outgrowing its rented premises in Mt Eliza, the Committee of Management was looking for a permanent home. During this time Carol drove past the Langwarrin property and saw it was up for sale. “In those days there were no mobile phones so Mum had to go home to call and make enquiries. It was going to Auction, however, the owners, who were in the Salvation Army, stopped the auction and sold it to PAST,” said Jennie.

Jim and Carol remember the parents, committee, staff and community members who were involved at the time, put in a huge amount of work to make the organisation a success. “They were all extremely dedicated to making it work,” said Jennie. With the effort of many of the original people, the organisation grew and succeeded. This was a wonderful achievement and helped so many like Wendy who need daily support and social connection.

“Both Mum and Dad were on the committee at different times,” recalled Jennie. “Dad remembers being President at one stage and Mum was Treasurer, although not at the same time I believe.” Jim and Carol ceased their involvement around 1997 while they focused on securing a permanent residential facility for Wendy. “During this time, I applied for work with PAST, and I worked with the organisation for a number of years, I have also been a member of the board in more recent times.”

“Wendy has had lots of opportunities to try different things over the years,” said Jennie. “One which stands out in my memory is when she returned from one of the respite holidays in Queensland, the staff said that she had a fabulous time away and you could tell by the huge smile on her face.”