GARY ALLSOP IN PROFILE

On April 29th 1989 whilst playing Australian Rules Football for Warrandyte in the outer Eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Gary Allsop suffered a broken neck in and on field incident leaving him a quadriplegic.   

Gary was no longer able to work as a nightclub DJ, had to sell his house and his marriage fell apart. Never one to be negative, Gary slowly picked up his life and 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.

His audiences have ranged from primary and secondary schools to students at Melbourne and Monash University's, to AFL Clubs St. Kilda, North Melbourne Kangaroos, Richmond, Melbourne and Carlton, as well as local football clubs, Lions and Rotary Clubs, Riding for the Disabled, official government press conferences and events, as well as scientific forums and workshops and various other community groups at luncheons, dinners and other social and corporate functions.

 Gary is able to tailor his inspirational and uplifting presentation to suit any audience, though the underlying motivational message remains the same, with its common thread to all.

 He allows each person, in a friendly, informative and humorous way, into his world and shares with them the personal struggles he has endured, 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.  

            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 is of motivation for them personally.  His motto is “Never take things for granted and cherish the precious life that we all have”.

             Prior to his accident, Gary worked as a nightclub disc jockey for 7 years, sang in a band and was also in Sales and Marketing. Gary is also an accomplished songwriter and he has written and recorded songs for major sporting events and provided voice-overs for local community radio.

             He is an Honorary Director and Victorian Chairman of Spinal Cure Australia, a charity organisation raising much-needed funds for Spinal Cord Research. His work involves creating public awareness, gaining publicity and lobbying the State and Federal Governments, corporate sector and general public.  In May 2003 Gary held a fundraiser Celebrity Shirts for Spinal Cord Research and single-handedly raised $90,000. For his efforts, Gary received a Tattersalls Award in March 2004 for enterprise and achievement having demonstrated persistence and determination above the norm.   Just recently through an application to the AFL Players Association, in conjunction with a nomination from North Melbourne legend Glenn Archer, Gary was presented with a grant of $10,000 towards Spinal Cure Australia.

             Gary’s determined passion is to one day walk again and regain some semblance of his life back.  He has been doggedly working towards being part of that solution by successfully lobbying the Victorian State government to contribute $63 million into spinal Cord research, announced on the 20th of June 2005. This resulted in the birth of the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative (VNI), which funds scientific projects into spinal cord and acquired brain injury research. Gary is now called upon frequently by the Victorian State government as a patient advocate.

            Gary's presentations are highly motivational, very inspiring and a must see to any audience.  

             If you would like to book Gary to speak to your special group of people, call him on  (03) 98783249 or send him an e-mail on madge@alphalink.com.au  to discuss the details.  

http://www.spinalcure.org.au/