1 My name is Alan Robertson. Closing Institutions I’m from Geelong, Victoria.

2 When I was very young I was put into an institution. Over the years they moved me from one place after another.

3 I had no say about it. They never asked me or explained to me why. I ended up living in six different institutions. ung

4 One of those institutions I lived in was Pleasant Creek at Stawell. Pleasant Creek was not a pleasant place.

5 Luckily one day my sister contacted me. I told her I wasn’t happy and she listened to me and respected me. She helped me start a new life in the community. With Cheryl’s help I moved into my own flat, not too far away from her and her family.

6 I joined VALID’s campaign to close institutions. We got stories into the media and worked with the department to plan better services. VALID stood up to some of the groups who wanted people to stay in institutions such as Pleasant Creek, Caloola, Mayday Hills, Janefield, Aradale, Kingsbury and Kew Cottages..

7 I helped VALID helped set up self advocacy groups for people living at Kew Cottages. We taught people how to speak up for their rights.

8 I also went all around the State teaching other people to stand up for their rights. We helped them set up self advocacy groups or client committees in services all around Victoria.

9 The self advocacy group at Sandhurst in Bendigo has changed many things at that institution. Its members got the confidence to demand a better life. Two members recently moved into their own flats in the community – like me..

10 SHUT IN CAMPAIGN I am VALID’s representative on the national campaign to close institutions. Shut In: Campaign to Close Institutions Visit: www: shutincampaign.org.au

11 I am a representative on the Victorian Government’s Disability Advisory Group. I am constantly telling the Minister for Human Services to put more money into disability services so people can have good lives in the community.

12 I have been a co-researcher on two major reports: “Restrictive Practices in the Lives of People with Disabilities.” Ramcharan, Robertson, Strong and Nankervis - RMIT University (2009) “Making life good in the community – when is a house a home?” Robertson, Frawley, Bigby – La Trobe University 2008

13 If advocacy groups want to help close institutions, they should all support self advocates to lead the way.