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Motivation Australia is a not for profit disability and development organisation that works in partnership with local organisations to enhance the quality of life of people with mobility disabilities in the Asia Pacific region.
At the end of 2012, Motivation Australia received a grant from FaHCSIA's Practical Design Fund to work with Yolngu communities in East Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory of Australia. 
Motivation Australia recently completed a training and support visit to our partners in Papua New Guinea. One of the key activities of the visit was training; 19 local staff members successfully completed Basic Wheelchair Service Training. Trainees learned how to provide appropriate wheelchairs for adults and children who need a wheelchair for mobility, but do not need additional support to sit upright.
Motivation Australia recently worked with the Mango Tree Rehabilitation Centre in Tonga to mentor staff through a seating clinic; providing wheelchairs for children with more complex needs. The focus of the clinic was to further develop the knowledge and skills of a technician, and an Australian volunteer physiotherapist working at the Mango Tree.
On Monday 3rd December the federal government announced the successful recipients of FaHCSIA's Practical Design Fund. We are pleased to announce that Motivation Australia have been successful and will receive a grant to carry out a project in East Arnhem Land in partnership with ARDS (Aboriginal Resource Development Service) and local groups. This is the beginning of an exploration for Motivation Australia and our partners into what the NDIS will mean for Indigenous Australians with disabilities.
Late last year, the building of our partner in Kiribati - the Tungaru Rehabilitation Service (TRS) had burnt to the ground. Since that time, Motivation Australia has been working closely with TRS to offer what assistance we can. TRS have moved their service to a temporary location; and requested assistance to re-stock their tools, equipment and materials to enable them to continue proving a low tech orthotics service; basic and intermediate wheelchair provision; and their physiotherapy programme. Motivation Australia secured funds through the Church of the Latter Day Saints, Rotary and private donors - to purchase hand and power tools, materials for wheelchair modifications, prosthetic repair and orthotics fabrication. The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics have helped considerably in sourcing this equipment, and procuring donations in kind from Australian suppliers. Together - we have been able to help TRS on the slow path to recovery.
On Sunday the 28th April Motivation Australia and Partners in Disability and Development (PDD) joined forces to host a fund raising walk from the Aldinga Arts Eco Village to the beautiful Port Willunga Beach. 69 people participated in our walk; with many commenting on the beautiful surroundings they enjoyed. Walk for Wheels has raised over $2,000. Thank you to all those who participated in the event by walking, donating, or volunteering their time to assist.
Basic level wheelchair training was held in the Kingdom of Tonga in November for participants from Tongatapu and the Outer Island Groups of Ha'apai and Vava'u. The training was made up of a clinical training section - incorporating the WHO Wheelchair Service Training (basic level) course material; and a technical training section, which focused on the skills needed to assemble, adjust, maintain and repair wheelchairs.
Motivation Australia staff were shocked to hear this week that the building of our partner in Kiribati Tungaru Rehabilitation Service (TRS) had burnt to the ground. Fortunately no one was injured, but all tools, machinery and mobility products were lost.
