Office of the Public Advocate
In this episode of When I Was Young, Victoria’s Public Advocate, Dan Stubbs, reflects on the early experiences that shaped his lifelong commitment to disability rights and safeguarding. Dan discusses losing his sight at 14, the importance of mainstream inclusion, his early leadership in community advocacy, and how these moments connect to OPA’s work today — protecting the will, preferences, dignity and human rights of people with disability who may be at risk or unheard.
Below are the key themes explored in the episode.
Losing sight at 14, building resilience, finding new learning modes (typing, braille, audio learning, orientation & mobility) and mainstream inclusion.
- Early leadership: CEO of ACTCOSS, the peak body for the community sector in the ACT, at 29; advocacy role in Australia’s first territory Bill of Rights consultation.
- Disability inclusion in developing countries: years living and working across Pacific Island nations, where he partnered with governments, community organisations and development agencies to strengthen disability inclusion.
- Building the Victorian Disability Worker Commission.
- New calling: leading the Office of the Public Advocate where he is guardian of last resort; promoting human rights for people with disability who are “never seen.”
- Joy and humanity: community, live music, the Pacific years, family, nature.
Listen now on the following streaming services:
