Paralympic Speakers Program
WorkCover NSW
The WorkCover NSW Paralympian Speakers Program was introduced in 2001, with the aim to raise awareness on the importance of workplace safety while supporting Paralympians to realise their dreams.
Paralympians visit businesses, organisations, schools, conferences and other workplaces to share their stories of despair, courage, and triumph. The athletes drive home a powerful message on the importance of working safe, thinking safe, and going home safe.
Drawing on their experiences, the athletes spread a strong message about workplace safety, injury prevention and management and their personal road to recovery, return to work and success as world-class athletes. Paralympians are excellent examples of people who have returned to work and life after a workplace accident with the support of their family, friends, employers, medical rehabilitation specialists, the APC and WorkCover NSW.
Athletes
There are currently six Paralympians who conduct presentations as part of the WorkCover NSW Paralympic Speakers Program:
| Ben Houlison | Paraplegic | Workplace accident | Rowing |
| Shannon Dallas | Paraplegic | Fell through a roof | Alpine Skiing |
| John Marshall | Paraplegic | Motorbike accident | Archery (retired) |
| Kahi Puru | Leg amputee | Forklift accident | Powerlifting (retired) |
| Nigel Smith | Leg amputee | Industrial accident | Standing Volleyball (retired) |
| Liesl Tesch | Paraplegic | Bicycle accident | Sailing (formerly Wheelchair Basketball) |
Bookings for athlete presentations are made by contacting WorkCover NSW.
WorkCover NSW Development Scholarships
In addition to the sponsorship, WorkCover NSW will also sponsor four WorkCover NSW Development Scholarships, valued at $10,000 each, a total of $40,000 per annum to be awarded in Games Years 2008, 2010 and 2012.
The objective of the WorkCover NSW/Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) Development Scholarships is to provide financial support to NSW based Paralympians and aspiring Paralympians to achieve their full potential.
The four Scholarships available, each to the value of $10,000, can be used at the discretion of the recipients across the following expense areas:
- Training and competition expenses relating to the recipient’s nominated sport
- Tertiary education expenses
- Vocational education expenses
- Personal development expenses
