A Message From Graci Lynch (SSPA Member)
For many years, I was deeply involved in the SSPA and advocating for short-statured people both locally and nationally. While my involvement naturally evolved over time, my passion and support for the SSPA and its community have always been enduring.
Over the past three years, however, I found myself stepping back and disengaging from the SSPA. Reflecting on that period made me realise how easily any of us can drift away when life shifts, or when our connection changes. That personal experience prompted an important realisation: to build a sustainable, vibrant future, we must actively re-engage our community, understand where our people are at and revive strategic planning for the SSPA.
The purpose of this initiative is simple: to listen. We need to understand who is out there, what you want and need from the SSPA, and – if your needs extend beyond what we currently offer – how we can bridge that gap or point you in the right direction.
Acknowledging our Heritage & Strengths – Protecting Our Volunteers
Founded in 1968 as the Little People’s Association of Australia by George and Rosemary Whitaker, the SSPA has grown and developed over decades into a vital sanctuary of support, advocacy and social connection. Throughout its history, the SSPA’s key achievements – from hosting transformative annual national conventions and advocating for accessibility to fostering lifelong friendships and peer networks – have all been made possible because it has been continuously supported and led by its dedicated volunteers. Our volunteers pour enormous time and energy into our administration, events and community support. However, relying heavily on a small group without up-to-date community input risks directing limited resources toward initiatives that may no longer align with what our community actually needs.
We must think smarter, not harder. Our goal is to honour our strong heritage by ensuring long-term sustainability, forward-thinking planning, and the prevention of volunteer burnout while keeping our mission relevant and inclusive for generations to come.
The Proposal & Working Group Focus
We are establishing a Strategic Engagement Working Group to assist in gathering comprehensive feedback from everyone who is or has been connected with the SSPA. This includes individuals living with dwarfism, parents, family members, friends and broader social networks.
The Working Group will lead a 2-year Strategy to:
- Establish the Working Group and define its focus.
- Design and launch a Community Survey to benchmark current needs, identify support gaps and evaluate existing resources.
- Publish and share survey results transparently with the entire community (“We heard you, here is what you told us”).
- Present findings & action plans at future National Council Meetings and share them in communications issued to the wider community.
- Collaborate with National Council to establish strategy implementation as a standing agenda item for ongoing support and execution.
Submit Your Expression of Interest
We welcome applications from all our community, regardless of formal membership status. We are seeking individuals committed to helping shape the future of the SSPA.
Please address the following points in your EOI application:
- Contact Details: Your full name and email address.
- Community Connection: Describe your connection to the SSPA (e.g., individual living with dwarfism, parent, family member, friend).
- Motivation & Experience: Why you want to join, your past experience with the SSPA, and the specific skills or knowledge you bring.
- Design/Technical Experience: Please include any relevant experience with survey or technical design that you believe will assist us with creating the community survey.
- Participation: Confirmation that you are able to actively contribute to working group discussions and take accountability for assigned actions.
- Time & Governance Commitment: Confirmation of your commitment to attend bi-monthly meetings once established, and your willingness to represent the working group at National Council Meetings if required.
How to Apply
Please send your completed EOI to Graci Lynch via [email protected]. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the role before applying, please also feel free to reach out to me via email prior to submitting your EOI.
Closing Date: November 8, 2026. I will review all EOIs following the closing date in consultation with National Council. All applicants will be notified of the outcome regarding the working group’s establishment.