Thom Roberts with Burt the Oscar Train 2017 and cushion cover. [Photo: Rick Carter, Studio One Another]
‘I Do It Thom’s Way’: Artist’s Groundbreaking Exhibition Wins Hearts
Sydney-based Australian artist Thom Roberts has achieved something most creatives only ever dream of. He’s held his first solo exhibition, The Immersive World of Thom Roberts, at one of Australia’s most important national galleries.
Thom lives with an intellectual disability, so this achievement is significant not only for himself but also for other artists who live with disability. Australian audiences have been able to see his brilliant work on a grand scale.
It’s the first time an artist with an intellectual disability has held a solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra (NPG).
In the words of the artist himself, his work is ‘joyous’.
“It is my first time having all my work together in two big rooms. There are my old pictures and now they are next to my new pictures. Old and new together. I think visitors like how they feel in my exhibition. There are lots of feelings in there like happiness, frustrated, joy, worried and nervous,” he says.
“I think my exhibition will make people laugh, think, feel confused and shocked.”
His work features dynamic colours. In some instances, images of people, trains and buildings overlap. In other paintings, double sets of eyes feature along with piano teeth.
‘I do it Thom’s way,’ the artist explains.
The NPG praised the exhibition. A spokesperson for the NPG told abilityNEWS it was “warmly embraced by thousands of visitors of all ages. A joyous and significant exhibition, audiences noted how important it was to experience Thom’s incredible imagination and point of view.”
His exhibition got thousands of visits, great reviews, national attention, audience acclaim, and for the artist, a chance to share his unique style.
The exposure has raised Thom Roberts’ profile as an important Australian artist, boosted his self-belief and contributed to his earnings as an artist.
Australia’s biggest-selling newspapers, the News Limited tabloids, carried extensive reports of exploitation of NDIS by ‘unscrupulous’ operators over the weekend. Combined with the growing cost of the scheme, stories like this continue to erode support amongst the broader public.
Nic Stuart, editor
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The Briefing
What the sector is saying
Productivity Commission Submission
by Community Mental Health Australia
Community Mental Health Australia has submitted feedback to the Productivity Commission’s review of the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement. The submission urges stronger structural support for community-managed psychosocial services as essential parts of the national system.
CMHA also engaged directly with Mental Health Australia (MHA) during the process, sharing reflections and identifying key points of alignment. While each organisation maintains its distinct perspective, the discussions reinforced the shared goal of strengthening the mental health system, especially through the inclusion of psychosocial supports.
Joint statement – Centrelink payment suspensions must stop immediately
by Inclusion Australia
A joint coalition of advocacy groups is urging the federal government to halt Centrelink payment suspensions tied to compliance breaches. This follows an Ombudsman report revealing nearly 1,000 unlawful cancellations under the Targeted Compliance Framework.
Disability awareness training for Qld Health staff
by Physical Disability Australia
Queensland Health has launched a new online training program to help employees better support people with disability.
The course aims to improve staff understanding of inclusive care, practical strategies and the impact of unconscious bias.
Strengthening provider access to NDIS systems
by NDIS
The National Disability Insurance Agency is improving digital systems to help registered providers work more efficiently with participants. Employees now need to register a strong identities (using myID) to access the NDIS provider portal; those unable to reach required standards should contact RAM support. These enhancements aim to streamline interactions, reduce administrative burdens and support consistent service delivery across the scheme.
Can you control your iPad with your mind?
by Centre For Accessibility Australia
Synchron has partnered with Apple to develop a brain-computer interface enabling people with motor disorders to use thoughts to control digital devices. A patient with ALS has successfully used the implanted device to operate an iPad using their mind alone.
NDIS businesses for sale: ‘Sellers didn’t care who I was, only wanted to make the sale’
by Daily Telegraph
I had about ten conversations with people flipping NDIS businesses on Gumtree and Facebook, and only one mentioned the importance of providing quality care to disabled people.
Investigation reveals shocking NDIS business sales on Facebook, Gumtree
by Herald Sun
Vulnerable Australians are at risk as NDIS businesses are traded like commodities online, with some sellers guaranteeing ways to bypass crucial safety checks. SEE THE VIDEO.
How these Australians became NDIS millionaires
by Daily Telegraph
They’re flaunting luxury cars, multi-million dollar mansions, first-class flights and designer handbags. See the video and how these Aussie NDIS providers are living the high life.
NDIS Cash Grab: A Good Idea Gone Bad
by VIDEO - Daily Telegraph
A video report of the Telegraph story.
COMMENT: NDIS business for sale on Facebook, Gumtree shine light on broken system: Julie Cross
by Herald Sun
For $52k you can secure an off the shelf NDIS business. No questions asked. This is just part of the nightmare reality of a broken disability scheme, writes Julie Cross.
NDIS whistleblowers lift lid on sick black market where vulnerable people are exploited for profit
by The Mercury
The most vulnerable NDIS participants have become commodities in a shock cash-for-clients scheme. One whistleblower now has a solution to weed out the dodgy providers. SEE THE VIDEO
Springing up all over the place: magistrate's query over NDIS providers
by Northen Daily Leader
A MAGISTRATE has taken aim at NDIS providers, refusing to release a prisoner from custody unless he could be cared for around the clock.
Ex-cops jailed for ‘shocking’ attack on woman
by Daily Telegraph
Two former police officers who “relentlessly” attacked a naked, mentally ill woman who was sitting unarmed under a tree will both spend at least three years behind bars after they were found to have intentionally inflicted a “maximum amount” of pain onto their victim.
Pari just wants to get a good night’s sleep – but each morning he’s woken by NSW police, telling him to move on
by Guardian
People sleeping rough at Sydney’s Central station now also face having their belongings confiscated and thrown out.
Costs force NDIS providers to pull the plug
by The Australia
NDIS providers are leaving the sector in droves following a controversial pricing review, while the not-for-profit sector warns the agency must move urgently on long-stalled financial reforms.
Changes to Richard's NDIS plan left him fearing for his future
by Illawarra Mercury
A Unanderra man with quadraplegia who feared a shortfall in NDIS-funded care would threaten his life has won his fight to get the support he needs.
