Member Profiles

Gordon Trott- Board Member

My name is Gordon Trott and I was born on the 2nd of March 1941 which makes me 69.

I was raised in the country (Gippsland) until my early teens attending various state schools, Bairnsdale Tech and Prahran Tech, I reached form two and left school on my 14th birthday to work as a office boy, from here I went on to stores position becoming a leading hand until I decided I needed a change of occupation, firstly as a fork lift operator then into the transport industry as a driver, an occupation that would occupy the remainder of my working life, later running my own messenger service out of Frankston.

I have been involved in voluntary work since the mid 60’s firstly with the CFA where I was to Serve on and off for over 30years, I was also a member of the Volunteer Emergency Reserve ( a part of Civil Defense now SES) for about 8 years.

I am currently involved with Meals on Wheels (every Monday) in the kitchen and so far have completed 14 years with them.
My other major commitment is the work I do as a volunteer with the Frankston City Council in particular as a member of the “D.A.I.C committee which aims to bring to councils notice any access problems in the council’s area. Some of the things that I have been involved with are the Kerb Side Trading scheme, The Key Street Disabled toilet block (a first in Victoria) Pedestrian railway crossing on Beach Street and the Recharge scheme that is still in the process of being installed, and now with the A.D.D.E.

I suffer from COD which requires me to use a mobility device (scooter) to get around; having scoot has enabled me to travel thru many parts of Australia.

One of the things that have come to my attention on my many trips is how difficult it is to access many buildings/area’s and because of this restricts many persons from finding employment that would not only help their finances but boost their self esteem.
Many companies are not prepared to employ people with a disability because (I believe) the problems that they see with the changes that may-be needed to enable them to take on this person, but with the proper advice and training it is I believe possible to make these changes with little or no disruption to the work site, I also believe that “give a  person with a disability a job with fair conditions and you will have a loyal employee for life”..