Client Advisory Board

Nick Schumi

Chair

Nick Schumi is the external Chairperson of the Client Advisory Board.

As a certified youth worker, he specialises in working with young people with disabilities to have a voice and be heard. 

Nick is the original founder and Chair of the Enabled Youth Disability Network (previously named Julia Farr Youth) through JFA Purple Orange. 

Nick was born with a physical disability and is a manual wheelchair user. He uses his lived experience of disability to build strong relationships and form strong bonds with everyone he works with and challenges people to see disability as a strong and positive asset.

Nick is an independent contractor outside of CLA. So that the views of the Client Advisory Board members can be open and honest as possible.

Kristy Phillips

Board Member

My name is Kristy Phillips. I am 34 years old and I was born in Adelaide, South Australia but I grew up in Murray Bridge.

How I describe myself:

I’m female, I’m happy, I can be very bossy at some times but most of the time I just go with the flow.

What I love about CLA:

I have been with this organisation for almost 15 years. I’m happy with how things are running with the programs and all the different choices we can do. It’s been really good, I’ve been quite happy with all the things going on.

Why I decided to join the Client Advisory Board:

I was picked by Mark Kulinski, CE. I thought this would be a good opportunity to put my voice out there to say what I need to say about the company, what I’m happy or not happy with.

I’m absolutely loving it, it would be great to see some changes through the organisation so we can get our standards up.

Through the Client Advisory Board, I would like to achieve to step up higher and put my voice out there and say what I would like to say. I would like to lead by example and have a voice within it.

I’ve felt I’ve had a voice for a long time in this industry. I thought that I could use this and put out there what I think and what I can bring to disability organisations like CLA.

I think we have a good group and I think if things go well the way they are, we can go up even further.

The one thing I’d like to see one day when COVID calms down, is I would like to have one meeting where we can all get together face to face. We were able to have the end of year lunch last year but if we were able to do a meeting like that as well, that would be fantastic.

Lucinda Smibert

Board Member

My name is Lucinda Mary Smibert. I was born in Naracoorte hospital 39 years ago. I live on my own in Mount Gambier but I get to see my Mum once a week.

How I describe myself:

I have a disability, I’m a girly person and I’m amazing!

What I love about CLA:

I love driving around in staff cars to Coles for shopping. I like my Support Workers.

Why I decided to join the Client Advisory Board:

I’m aiming to have an app for clients. I find it a bit unfair that staff have an app but clients don’t. I don’t know who’s coming in sometimes and that’s important so I hope to change that. I would like Rostering to text clients so we know who we’re having on shift. I’d like a list of who I’m going to have supporting me and when.

Why I believe the Client Advisory Board is important:

So I can do things myself and have more control over my supports. 

Sophie Pinkerton

Board Member

My name is Sophie, I live in Mount Barker, I have been part of CLA for many many years. I love being here, being with different staff and programs and if it wasn’t for CLA I would be staring at four walls 24/7!

How I describe myself:

Friendly, caring, funny, supportive, and most of all I love to help others. Fun, I like to go to the gym and keep fit and I like walking.

What I love about CLA:

The different programs we do each day like cooking, going to the rec centre to do basketball practice and art. I also like being with all the different support workers. I am more independent now since being here, and I have my own place to live with a housemate. I have come out of my comfort zone since being here and met more people.

Why I decided to join the Client Advisory Board:

The reason why I wanted to be involved was to talk for the people that can’t talk for themselves. I think it’s going good.

Why I believe the Client Advisory Board is important:

It is important to have a voice, and I want to be heard and voice my opinion to others to make change for people with a disability.

Trent Rothall

Board Member

My name is Trent Rothall and I have been with CLA for around 10 years. CLA has been my primary support organisation since I acquired a physical disability. I live in Kingston in the South East.

How I describe myself:

Three words I would use to describe myself are curious, respectful, and honest.

What I love about CLA:

CLA's focus on the client and what they can do to help the client achieve their goals, whatever they may be.

Why I decided to join the Client Advisory Board:

I joined the Client Advisory Board because I think I can provide a voice from the client’s perspective on how the organisation may be able to improve. Sometimes it can be the small things that make a big difference from a client’s perspective, so hopefully I can help shine some light on these aspects.

Why I believe the Client Advisory Board is important:

I think it is important that the client’s perspective is heard and listened to. The Client Advisory Board is a good vehicle for various voices and perspectives to be heard and hopefully turned into positive outcomes for both the organisation and the clients it supports.

Kerry Warner

Board Member

Hi, I am Kerry Warner and I was born at Waikerie Hospital. I have been with Community Living Australia for 10 years, almost 11, in supported accommodation. I used to live at Morgan before I joined here. 

How I describe myself:

Confident, happy, cheerful, and always smiling.

What I love about CLA:

I love the way that they support me to help me achieve my goals. They do this by helping me go to work and preparing me for work.

Why I decided to join the Client Advisory Board:

I wanted to be involved and talk for other people and for myself, I wanted to have a voice.  

Why I believe the Client Advisory Board is important: 

It’s all about the clients and their voice.

Paul Chaplin

Board Member

I am Paul Chaplin. I have cerebral palsy. I am 53 and I live in Strathalbyn.

How I describe myself:

I am a man. I like to be indepedent. I love art and have painted for most of my life.

What I love about CLA:

My Support Workers and all the support they give me through my daily life.

Why I decided to join the Client Advisory Board:

My Team Leader Greg recommended I join to share my ideas with others in order to make positive changes within the company and the lives of people with a disability.

Why I believe the Client Advisory Board is important:

I think it is important for people with a disability to have a voice. The Client Advisory Board gives us the ability to do this.