Our Board Members

By founding this organisation I have blended my two loves – developing the fitness of others (my work) and my personal desire to walk over each and every hill on this planet (my passion).

My first experience with stroke was when my father suffered a pretty bad stroke in 1999. Previously he had been a very fit and healthy man.  He loved the outdoors particularly boating and we had a wonderful childhood growing up by the sea and appreciating nature. After 2 years of rehabilitation dad was almost back to his old stuff – not quite the same but he was back to living an independent life. Then his second stroke stuck.

Dad never returned home after that second stroke except for afternoon visits. He had to live in a nursing home and even they struggled to meet his needs.  Whether he knew us or not after that stroke we will never know. He never walked again. He lost much of his speech.  We as a family did the best we could to make life comfortable for him. He survived a further 4 years in this state so you can imagine the toll this took on our family, particularly my mother.

So after pondering the question “what would I do if I received a whole load of money” I decided I would set up an organisation that would both help people to live a healthy way and raise funds for Stroke Foundation. I love hiking, and I have personally raised funds for many organisations through hiking and/or swimming. It seemed a good way to blend healthy living with fund raising, so that’s what this organisation will achieve. Oh, and that big pot of money hasn’t happened yet, but we are looking for sponsors and business relationships to help make this organisation fully self sustaining.

I first met Jo not long after our eldest children had been born, they ended up going to school together and became mates and Jo and I did as well.  We now share camping adventures, cooking experiences and each other’s company.  When Jo mentioned her desire to develop this iconic event to support The Stroke Foundation then I quickly put my hand up to be a part of the team.

My father passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from a stroke about 10 years ago.  As you would imagine this had a massive impact on my family.   If there is the possibility of reducing the likelihood of stroke through education, as well as improving the lives of stroke survivors and their families, then that is worth so very much.  I feel honoured to work with these amazing ladies to make this fundraising even happen and to have a positive impact on the quality of life for people within our community.

I love the Tasmanian environment and enjoy a bit of bushwalking, although I’m not terribly experienced – certainly not in Jo and Marg’s league!  I have a talent for organisation and relish being involved in events.  Whilst my regular work is in Education, have experience in event management through my work coordinating the décor for the Falls Festival and also as a Dark Mofo Winter Feast team member.  My involvement with Tasmanian Iconic Walks allows me to support those in our community who have suffered from stroke and at the same time be a part of an amazing event with these amazing women.

I have lived most of my adult life in rural Tasmania and enjoy being active the
outdoors. I try to walk on the beach every day that I am at Bridport, and ride on the great tracks and trails in the Northeast of our state. I am very aware of the importance of finding an activity that you enjoy and recognise the benefits to my physical and mental health by being able to be active outside. Research tells us that people who are physically active have lower rates of stroke, and less severe strokes when they do occur. I was fortunate to receive a grant from the Stroke Foundation ten years ago to support my physiotherapy research into stroke rehabilitation at the Launceston General Hospital. I then spent two years in Canada setting up community programs for people after stroke. Over the last five years I have worked for the University of Tasmania and (more recently) for the Tasmanian Health Service
to promote healthy partnerships, setting several programs for people after stroke in our community.

Stroke has also affected me personally, with my mother passing away after a stroke a few years ago. I am passionate about ensuring that people living after stroke have access to the best care and services. There is still a lot of research to be done to ensure this goal, as well as ensuring that the research we have is implemented in our community. As a member of the Tasmanian Iconic Walks team, I look forward to using my expertise to promote meaningful activity to help prevent stroke and support people with stroke to be active, while raising important funds for stroke research.