Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
For your signature to register, please make sure you register an email address. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE A DONATION - THIS IS TO THE IPETITION WEBSITE AND NOTHING TO DO WITH US!
Stephen and Sarah Grandison moved to Noosaville from the UK in February 2011 with their three children Ben (now 13), Tom (12), and Katie (9). Stephen works as a GP at Noosaville 7 Day Medical Centre and has established himself as a popular, invaluable and hard-working member of the team there. The family have embraced the Sunshine Coast lifestyle and are active members of the community and you may have come across them regularly taking part in swimming, tennis, karate, running and Nippers or just simply enjoying a walk with Zeus (seizure response dog for Tom).
The Grandisons are currently going through a challenging process with their application for permanent residency. Their middle child, Tom who is now twelve years of age, has intellectual impairment and epilepsy. Tom has failed the health assessment component of their permanent visa application and they are now in the process of appealing this decision. The department of immigration assessment process estimates the potential cost in financial terms that Tom might have in the future, looking at potential health, educational and social care costs.
Stephen is frustrated because he feels the assessment process is flawed.
“I understand that a government has to have a process in place that takes into account the potential impact of any applicant. The issue we have is with the magnitude of the estimated costs and the fact that these are potential costs only and based on a crude formula”.
“We would argue that the actual government cost of caring for Tom is minimal because his care is currently and will continue to be provided by us as a family. We are in a fortunate position that we have the skills, experience and financial stability to be able to care for Tom ourselves with no need to access government support. As a GP, I look after the sick and vulnerable in the community and regard the mark of a civilized society as being one that shows compassion and care to all. We do not anticipate being a burden on the government or community in fact we would argue the opposite. I strongly believe that we as a family are currently and will continue to be an asset to this community.
Outside of the work I do as a GP, I have raised thousands of dollars for local charity and volunteered time and skills to charity events. Sarah is an assistant age manager at Noosa SLSC Nippers supporting a vital local community club and also volunteers her time teaching swimming for the disabled at Nambour Special School where Tom is a student.”
The Grandisons are seeking the support of the community to appeal their current visa application. They have just three weeks to gain enough community backing to hopefully waive the health assessment decision. If you feel you would like to support them then please contact them directly to write a letter of support, or sign a petition
More like this
Bring a family together
Change the decision
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 27, 2014
March 25, 2014
We are approaching one thousand signatures and need to reach this threshold to increase pressure on the immigration review board. Please send this link to your professional contacts who can verify the family's contributions to the local medical community. We will submit the final tally with our formal appeal package once we cross this target.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2014
489 Comments
A family that has much to offer our community...how can the Gov discriminate on the grounds there 'maybe a cost to tax pays' and yet!!?? Think of how many they grant residency too do not have any where near what this family have to offer...bizarre
Steve has been my GP for over a year.I believe him to be caring.,responsible and an asset to our community .I support his application and believe Tom will not be a large financial burden on the community given the Grandison family's circumstances
Dr grandison has been the most amazing support and fantastic doctor. I recommend him to everyone. He always goes the extra mile for his patients and is never without a smile. We would truly be at a loss without him and his family as part of our community.
A valuable family to our community who contributes so much. Yes of course they should be allowed to stay. The fact that their son has a disability shouldnt come into the equation as far as Im concerned. Someone can become disabled at any stage of their life.
The Grandison family are neighbours of ours in Noosaville, we have linen them since their arrival in Australia two and a half years ago. Our families have become good friends over this time. They are a fun loving and generous family which give back to
I trust that the Dept. will consider the benefits of Tom's Smart Pup assisting him and acknowledge that the family have been proactive in looking after his health and wellbeing in the best way possible and 'without government assistance'.
I am sadly disappointed with such slow and low numbers...so many people live in sunshine coast, why so few cares?
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
For your signature to register, please make sure you register an email address. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE A DONATION - THIS IS TO THE IPETITION WEBSITE AND NOTHING TO DO WITH US!
Stephen and Sarah Grandison moved to Noosaville from the UK in February 2011 with their three children Ben (now 13), Tom (12), and Katie (9). Stephen works as a GP at Noosaville 7 Day Medical Centre and has established himself as a popular, invaluable and hard-working member of the team there. The family have embraced the Sunshine Coast lifestyle and are active members of the community and you may have come across them regularly taking part in swimming, tennis, karate, running and Nippers or just simply enjoying a walk with Zeus (seizure response dog for Tom).
The Grandisons are currently going through a challenging process with their application for permanent residency. Their middle child, Tom who is now twelve years of age, has intellectual impairment and epilepsy. Tom has failed the health assessment component of their permanent visa application and they are now in the process of appealing this decision. The department of immigration assessment process estimates the potential cost in financial terms that Tom might have in the future, looking at potential health, educational and social care costs.
Stephen is frustrated because he feels the assessment process is flawed.
“I understand that a government has to have a process in place that takes into account the potential impact of any applicant. The issue we have is with the magnitude of the estimated costs and the fact that these are potential costs only and based on a crude formula”.
“We would argue that the actual government cost of caring for Tom is minimal because his care is currently and will continue to be provided by us as a family. We are in a fortunate position that we have the skills, experience and financial stability to be able to care for Tom ourselves with no need to access government support. As a GP, I look after the sick and vulnerable in the community and regard the mark of a civilized society as being one that shows compassion and care to all. We do not anticipate being a burden on the government or community in fact we would argue the opposite. I strongly believe that we as a family are currently and will continue to be an asset to this community.
Outside of the work I do as a GP, I have raised thousands of dollars for local charity and volunteered time and skills to charity events. Sarah is an assistant age manager at Noosa SLSC Nippers supporting a vital local community club and also volunteers her time teaching swimming for the disabled at Nambour Special School where Tom is a student.”
The Grandisons are seeking the support of the community to appeal their current visa application. They have just three weeks to gain enough community backing to hopefully waive the health assessment decision. If you feel you would like to support them then please contact them directly to write a letter of support, or sign a petition
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 27, 2014
March 25, 2014
We are approaching one thousand signatures and need to reach this threshold to increase pressure on the immigration review board. Please send this link to your professional contacts who can verify the family's contributions to the local medical community. We will submit the final tally with our formal appeal package once we cross this target.
Reached 100 supporters
March 11, 2014
489 Comments
Far from being a 'burden', the Grandison Family not only fully accept their responsibility for Tom, but reach out to assist and mentor other families in our community coping with similar situations. Any cost benefit analysis would conclude 'terrific asset'!!
A family that has much to offer our community...how can the Gov discriminate on the grounds there 'maybe a cost to tax pays' and yet!!?? Think of how many they grant residency too do not have any where near what this family have to offer...bizarre
Steve has been my GP for over a year.I believe him to be caring.,responsible and an asset to our community .I support his application and believe Tom will not be a large financial burden on the community given the Grandison family's circumstances
Dr grandison has been the most amazing support and fantastic doctor. I recommend him to everyone. He always goes the extra mile for his patients and is never without a smile. We would truly be at a loss without him and his family as part of our community.
A valuable family to our community who contributes so much. Yes of course they should be allowed to stay. The fact that their son has a disability shouldnt come into the equation as far as Im concerned. Someone can become disabled at any stage of their life.
The Grandison family are neighbours of ours in Noosaville, we have linen them since their arrival in Australia two and a half years ago. Our families have become good friends over this time. They are a fun loving and generous family which give back to
I trust that the Dept. will consider the benefits of Tom's Smart Pup assisting him and acknowledge that the family have been proactive in looking after his health and wellbeing in the best way possible and 'without government assistance'.
I am sadly disappointed with such slow and low numbers...so many people live in sunshine coast, why so few cares?
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
Far from being a 'burden', the Grandison Family not only fully accept their responsibility for Tom, but reach out to assist and mentor other families in our community coping with similar situations. Any cost benefit analysis would conclude 'terrific asset'!!