The guest speaker for the meeting was David Treanor, the National Leader of L'Arche. L'Arche is an International organisation which supports adults with an intellectual disability and their families.There is a community in Bendigo offering residential services, respite and day programs. L'Arche is French for the ark, as in Noah's Ark. The L'Arche logo depicts three people in the ark looking out with hope, potentially navigating turbulent waters and with each other in friendship. The L'Arche movement started humbly in 1964 in France and is now present in thirty eight countries. 

 

David grew up in Ireland and at the end of his schooling studied Social Work at University. His time of study was an unsettling one for him because he saw inconsistencies between his studies, the needs of the real world and his work as a volunteer. He formed mutually beneficial friendships with some people with an intellectual disability in the L'Arche community where he volunteered. He mentioned two examples where he experienced unconditional acceptance and  consistency which taught him much about how he should relate to others.

 

He eventually responded to an invitation for volunteers to come and join a L'Arche community in Australia. This led him to Hobart where he worked with Cindy who was to become his wife. After some time in Hobart he became the National Leader. He now supports communities in all the Capital cities as well as the Bendigo community. He is spending this year in Bendigo mentoring and supporting the relatively newly formed community here. David acknowledged the support of Rotary in the early days of establishing the first home in Grandview Crescent.

 

David emphasied the role L'Arche has in advocating for people with an intellectual disability and providing an atmosphere of community where mutually beneficial friendships can be formed among people with and those without a disability. Members were keen to explore some parallel developments such as the advent of VCAL where proper access and provision are provided for students with a disability in secondary schools. We thank David for his flexibility and for agreeing to be our guest with such short notice and we congratulate for his dedication and leadership of L'Arche which provides for many people here and around the world.