Meningitis Centre chairman and financial planner Bruce Langoulant has been appointed chair of the Disability Services Commission board, following the retirement of Barry MacKinnon.
The full text of an announcement from Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale's office is pasted below
Financial planner Bruce Langoulant has been appointed Chair of the Disability Services Commission board, following the retirement of long-time Chair, Barry MacKinnon.
Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale said Mr Langoulant had served on the commission board since 2001 and had extensive connections across the disability and business sectors.
Mr Langoulant is Chair of the Perth-based Meningitis Centre and President of the International Confederation of Meningitis Organisations, which has members from 14 countries and aims to eliminate meningitis and septicaemia globally. He was the 2001 recipient of the Fiona Stanley Medal for services to childrens' health.
Mr Langoulant is the father of three daughters, one of whom has disabilities as a result of meningitis.
"I am delighted Bruce has agreed to take on this responsibility," Ms McHale said.
"He brings a wealth of experience and commitment to the position and is well placed to continue the Disability Services Commission board's good work over many years.
"Importantly, Bruce will be able to strengthen ties with the business sector to better support people with disabilities.
"One of our key goals is to enhance community inclusion and participation for people with disabilities."
Ms McHale paid tribute to Mr MacKinnon who had headed the board since 1994.
"Barry MacKinnon has provided strong, visionary leadership to the disability sector for almost 13 years," Ms McHale said.
"He took over when the Disability Services Commission was in its infancy and since then has been instrumental in creating a nation-leading system to support people with disabilities and their families and carers.
"Mr MacKinnon has helped guide the development of our disability sector from a disparate collection of agencies to a strong and united force with shared values and goals.
"His legacy is a strong and lasting framework of service and support that we can continue to build on."
