Star Don Elgin

They don’t come any livelier than the boy from the bush that took on the world. He is entertaining, motivational and an all-round larrikin!
Don Elgin was raised in the NSW town of Tocumwal. Being born without the lower portion of his left leg was no barrier for this boy who would make his first Australian team at 18 years of age.

Donnie went on to win a Gold Medal in the 1994 World Championships in Berlin, as part of the 4x100m relay team. Following this event, Donnie’s focus moved from the sprint events to the Pentathlon where he won bronze in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

Star Hannah Macdougall

What do you do when taking on the swimming world for thirteen years just isn’t enough? Take on the world in cycling of course!

This approach isn’t for everyone but for Hannah Macdougall it was the perfect change for her exciting, and at times, challenging life.

The challenges in Hannah’s life began immediately, as she was born without the lower portion of her right leg. Having to go through life with an artificial leg provides its own unique set of obstacles but at no point did those hurdles stop her from pursuing her dreams in sport and life.

Star Madeleine Hogan

One of the true characters of the Australian Paralympic team, Madeleine Hogan knows what it’s takes to challenge her comfort zone. After succeeding in women’s cricket Maddy decide to put her throwing skills to the test and have a crack at javelin.

No one could have predicted the results of her actions; selected for the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008 Maddy threw her heart out and was rewarded with a bronze medal in her first Paralympics Games.

With the fire in the belly well and truly burning Maddy put all her energy into being at her best for the 2011 world championships in Christchurch, along the way tearing a tendon in the elbow of her throwing arm. When you only have one arm that’s the last thing you want to happen.

Star Kelly Cartwright

It’s usually the big smile that hits you first when you meet Kelly. Then it’s not long after that when you notice there’s something a little different about this smiling beauty from Geelong – she is missing her leg.

The life of Geelong’s Kelly Cartwright is best described as triumph over adversity. At the tender age of 15 Kelly was forced to make a decision that would change the direction of her life, literally every step of her life from that day on. In November 2004, she was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in her right knee and forced to make the most difficult decision of her life.

Star Jack Swift

One look at Jack Swift and you could be mistaken for thinking you were looking at a chiseled sculpture. Look past the muscle on muscle and you will discover the unassuming nature of a man who continues to impress all who meet him with his laid back attitude and positive approach to life.

It’s not hard to see how the qualified personal trainer manages to inspire others after witnessing just one of Jacks training sessions.

His approach is simple, do the work, get the results.

 Few people are better positioned to provide inspiring life advice than Mike.Few people are better positioned to provide inspiring life advice than Mike.

At 18 years of age, the tall, affable sportsman was like any other other young footballer. The season had finished and it was time to pack his bags for what should have been a typical footy trip away with the boys.

But this season-ending celebration turned out to be anything but when Mike, struck down without warning by one of the world’s deadliest diseases, was given only a 5% chance of survival.

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