Take Two Kidzwish

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday September 13, 2008

Interviews: WILLIAM VERITY

Rhianna Sattin

We don't see the kids' disability first of all because we are so used to dealing with them. When I think about what they have over mainstream - I don't want to say "normal" - children, is a carefree attitude about things. They seem to have fun.

Chris and I work very closely together and humour has a massive role. We laugh all day, non-stop. You see so much sadness so it's important to have humour to balance that out.

Chris probably didn't tell you her age, but there's a massive age gap between us, but it doesn't feel like that because we get on so well. Because we are friends, it's never been an issue and we have never had a prolonged disagreement.

I contacted Chris when I first moved to the Illawarra because I had heard about this nice lady who ran a charity from her home in Jamberoo for special children. We met for coffee in Wollongong and I was expecting a little old lady.

We got along straight off. There are plenty of jobs where you work for a corporation and do finance or accounts or whatever, whereas this is helping special kids.

The best bits of the job would be watching the audience enjoy the Christmas party, it's just overwhelming. I also love the one-on-one interactions with the kids at little functions

Over the last year, I tried my best not to become involved in the court case. It was a really hard time on Chris and she felt a lot of pressure. I knew that if I wasn't here doing all the other stuff, it would all fall over. Chris has been so strong. When there were times when she wasn't, it was like how you feel when your mother cries - "oh no, they're supposed to be strong".

There have been many obstacles, particularly last year. Her motivation is to see the benefits for the children, I know it sounds corny but it's true.

I think this job has changed me massively. I am able to mix better with different types of people and to network. It has taught me a lot and not only in tangible things. I am more aware of what's going on around me.

Before I may have wanted to climb my way up the corporate ladder, but now that doesn't interest me at all. I have found a job that I enjoy, so why would I want to move on? This is not a stepping stone.

Chris Beaven

We had a rough time last year because three (former directors) tried to take KidzWish over. That was a really, really hard time for all of us. Our post was diverted, our phones were cut off, our passports and credit cards were subpoenaed. We were still trying to work the charity and we never stopped. We had a court case with lawyers and obstacles but we never let it interrupt us.

If Rhianna hadn't been here steering the ship, the charity would have collapsed. She was a stalwart and the charity can now stand on its own.

When I first met her she was quite an abrupt person, confident of herself. She's grown into a very talented, very professional and very beautiful person. We only paid her on an hourly basis for a year and a half and it's only recently that she's become fully employed.

When I introduce her, I am very proud. She has changed into a lovely, elegant young woman with a confidence that is different from before. Now it's grown into something professional. She's efficient but also she is passionate about the charity.

I founded the KidzWish Foundation about five years ago and last year we put on a Christmas party for 2500 sick, disabled and disadvantaged kids in the Illawarra. We started with 500 but now it's turned into a fully fledged charity and that's a lot of work.

Then we decided to telemarket and it was just amazing, so we have an enormous amount of money. We have given away about $100,000 this year for all sorts of things - special beds, wheelchairs, swimming lessons.

My plan is now to start letting go a little bit. Rhianna's 24 and I am a grandmother of seven and you have to be realistic. We turned over $1 million last year and that has to be well looked after.

The roles are going to change and next year my husband, John, and I are going on a trip overseas for a couple of months. Our best friend died recently - he used to come with us to watch the Hawks basketball every year - and that hit me hard. John is the same age as him so we have to live while we can.

I hope Rhianna will stay because she knows what it's all about. It was shown over the last year that she has strength, she can stand there and make it happen.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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