Unique Motivational Speaker To Receive Tattersall's Award

28 year old Gary Allsop was a newly married, successful marketer and nightclub disc jockey when a 1989 accident on the football field changed his life forever. The resulting spinal cord injury rendered him a quadriplegic, with no movement below the neck.

Never one to be negative, Gary set about educating thousands of primary and secondary students about life in a wheelchair and the dangers of diving. He also speaks to many other people in varied community groups about overcoming hurdles, coping with adversity and self-motivation.

He allows each person, in a friendly, informative and humorous way, into his world and shares with them the personal struggles he has endured. He talks about the mental strength and attitude it has taken to cope with his disability, not only now, but also in the initial stages of his injury.

Audiences range from students at Melbourne University, AFL Clubs St. Kilda, North Melbourne Kangaroos and Richmond, as well as local football clubs, Lions and Rotary Clubs, Riding for the Disabled and various other community groups at luncheons, dinners and other social and corporate functions.

Gary also informs his audiences about the many and varied activities he is involved in, and shows it is possible to live a full and productive life in spite of a major disability. His hope is that each person will take away something positive, that may be of motivation for them personally. His motto is “Never take things for granted and cherish the precious life that we all have”. Gary’s interest in music continues. Recently, he has written and recorded songs for major sporting events and provided voice-overs for local community radio.

Gary is an Honorary Director and Victorian Chairman of the Australasian Spinal Research Trust, a charity organisation raising much needed funds for Spinal Cord Research. His work involves creating public awareness, gaining publicity and lobbying the Government, corporate sector and general public. Recently Gary held a fundraiser Celebrity Shirts for Spinal Cord Research and single-handedly raised $80,000.

The Tattersall’s monthly Award for Enterprise and Achievement includes $15,000 Gary will donate to Spinal Cure Australia as well as a personal award of $5,000.

“The funds will allow Spinal Cure Australia to help finance a funding project directly involved with the discovery of a cure for spinal cord injury. The aim is for people like myself to be able to walk again and regain some semblance of their former lives. To me it would be like being born again,” Gary says.

“The Tattersall’s Award for Enterprise and Achievement is one of Tattersall’s most significant community initiated programs that honors those prepared to ‘have a go’ whether it be overcoming physical disabilities, heroic deeds or helping someone in need. Gary Allsop is a great example of the Awards having demonstrated persistence and determination above the norm,” said Tattersall’s Managing Director, Duncan Fischer.

Contact: Dione Molnar 0413 088 967