Darren Chester MP – MUM’S ADVOCACY SPARKS NEW FOUNDATION

Metung mother Lily Martyn has turned her personal fight for better support for her son
George into a new community foundation helping neurodivergent children, young people
and families across Gippsland.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester met with Ms Martyn, alongside The
Nationals candidate for Gippsland East Gemma Rendell, to discuss the newly established
Do It For Foundation Gippsland and the growing number of regional families seeking
support.
Mr Chester first met Ms Martyn earlier this year after she began speaking publicly about
the challenges facing her son George and other neurodivergent children who risk falling
through the gaps in regional education and support systems.
At the time, Ms Martyn’s advocacy had already prompted other East Gippsland families
facing similar challenges to come forward, highlighting the need for better access to
regional support.
Mr Chester said what started as one mother advocating for her son had grown into
something much bigger.
“Lily first came to see me because she was concerned that children like George could be
left without an education setting capable of meeting their needs,” Mr Chester said.
“Regional families simply don’t have the same range of specialist options available in
metropolitan areas, and too many children are at risk of falling through the gaps.
“Instead of accepting that situation, Lily has kept advocating, brought families together
and turned her experience into practical support for others.”
Ms Martyn has now established Do It For Foundation Gippsland, a locally based
community foundation supporting neurodivergent children, young people and their families
across the region.
She was joined at the meeting by the foundation’s Vice President, Bairnsdale mother
Krista Websdale, who brings her own lived experience of navigating the support system
for a neurodivergent child