Cosmos clients were given a rare opportunity to showcase their creative talents to Prime Minister Julia
Gillard today, hosting a morning tea at the New Town facility as part of her tour of the State this week.
Cosmos is an award-winning community organisation offering learning and leisure opportunities for
people with developmental disabilities in southern Tasmania.

CEO Catherine Viney said the staff, clients and families at Cosmos were thrilled the Prime Minister had
chosen to visit their facility to see the range of quality programs they offered.

“This gives us a rare chance to showcase our flagship arts programs, including our particularly strong
visual arts stream,” Ms Viney said.

“We are taking the opportunity to introduce the Prime Minister to some of our developing artists,
including Joe Sheridan, who won an award in the annual Cosmos Art Show last year.

“We have had great success with a number of partnerships in the past 12 months, including MEGT
which supports us in providing accredited training opportunities for our clients.

“In September MEGT and Cosmos won the Social Inclusion Initiative Award at the Australian Council
for Private Education and Training National Awards for Excellence.

“We were also congratulated on our nomination by a motion in the Tasmanian Parliament, which is
validation of the hard work, passion and dedication of the Cosmos team.

Ms Viney said the Prime Minister was also introduced to members of the Second Echo Ensemble,
Tasmania’s leading mixed ability ensemble comprising 10 performers with and without disabilities.

“The Second Echo Ensemble is currently preparing to tour New Zealand, teaming up with premier
disability dance company Touch Compass to present a double bill at the Tempo Dance Festival in
Auckland,” she said.

“The Ensemble is holding a farewell performance of The Company I Keep on the eve of their departure
at the Peacock Theatre on Monday, 15 October and we encourage the community to come along and
support them,” she said.

Second Echo tickets are on sale now through the Tasmanian Theatre Company website at:
www.tastheatre.com.
Cosmos Inc