Our supporters

Back row: SEAT Ambassador and Wallaby great Tim Horan, Her Excellency Ms Penelope Wensley AO and former CEO Mark Henley. Front row: SEAT presenters and President David Riley (middle).

We would like to thank our valued supporters whose efforts enable us to continue working towards an equitable and inclusive community where people with a spinal cord injury are independently able to access every aspect of life.

Our patrons

The Spinal Injuries Association is greatly appreciative of the support of our patrons. Governor of Queensland Ms Penelope Wensley AO is the Association’s patron and Judge Bob Pack is patron of the North Queensland Supporters Committee.

Our ambassadors

Back row: Alan Jones and Classic Wallabies Tom Lawnton and Greg Cornelsen. Front row: SEAT presenters Ian Chill and John Cobon.

We are very proud and grateful to have the Classic Wallabies as our ambassadors, led by Bill Ross, Greg Cornelsen and Tim Horan (SEAT ambassador).

The annual Classic Wallabies Rugby Luncheon is one of our most popular fundraising events and has raised more than $500,000 since it began in 2006.

Association sponsors and supporters

 A long-time supporter of the Association, MetroFord has been a sponsor of the annual Classic Wallabies Rugby Luncheon since it began in 2006 and recently donated a vehicle to the Association.

For many years, RBS Morgans has supported the Spinal Injuries Association through its Foundation. We are proud that in 2012, RBS Morgans is also a major sponsor of the annual Classic Wallabies Rugby Lunch.

For the first time in 2012, Black Label Corporate Events is a major sponsor of our Classic Wallabies Rugby Lunch after being an event supporter in 2011.

Since our inaugural Gala Dinner in 2008, Shine Lawyers has been a proud major sponsor. Staff also participate in monthly giving to the Association and have enjoyed SEAT at WORK presentations.

 Medilaw is dedicated to injury prevention and supports the Association’s SEAT program, and was also a major sponsor of the annual Gala Fundraising Dinner in 2010 and 2011.

In 2011, Australian Financial Advisers were a major sponsor of the Association’s annual Gala Fundraising Dinner and also the major sponsor of the popular dinner’s giant raffle.

Since 2010, bmag has proudly supported the Association through our major events: the Classic Wallabies Rugby Lunch and the Spinal Injuries Association Gala Fundraising Dinner.

Dreamweavers has created amazing theming and provided high-quality audio visual to our Gala Dinner and Classic Wallabies Rugby Luncheons since 2008.

In-kind contributors play an important part in the day to day activities of the Association, such as our long-time valued supporter, Tony Prestridge (VRC Printing Pty Limited) and our current freight supplier, Followmont Transport. These are just two of our many valued in-kind providers.

Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT) program sponsors

BHP Billiton Cannington Mine is the major sponsor of the SEAT program. Together with the support of our other sponsors, the Mine’s outstanding generosity has ensured that we can provide our program free of charge to schools around Queensland.

The Mine’s General Manager Bob Fulker said: “Zero Harm is our number one priority at Cannington, so we’re delighted to support the Spinal Education Awareness Team reach out to the next generation on key safety issues.

“The program reinforces safety awareness messages we try to live by in our workplace. Being mindful of the situation you are in and not taking unnecessary risks is key to working, living and playing safely.

“The SEAT team are experts at getting that vital message across to our youth of today.

“Cannington has a long running relationship with the Spinal Injuries Association. Seeing how much impact the SEAT program is having across the state reinforces the value of our relationship.”

The Department of Transport and Main Roads shares our passion and enthusiasm for safety on our roads. Since supporting the program, the presenters now include safety messages about driving near roadworks and roadworkers. Sometimes RoadTek staff also address students about road safety.

Disability Services is a long-time supporter of the SEAT program recognising that as much as our program is inspired by preventing spinal cord injuries, it is also about raising important awareness about, and respect for, people with a disability.

The Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) is another long-time and valued sponsor of the SEAT program. In the past, the Commission has also donated funds especially to produce Community Service Announcements dedicated to injury prevention.

Followmont Transport provides incredible in-kind support to the Spinal Injuries Association by providing our organisation with a free courier service throughout Queensland.

As Queensland’s peak body for people with spinal cord injuries, the Spinal Injuries Association is proud to have a partnership with the the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the QUT Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) to advance research in the repair of these injuries.