On the eve of Easter holidays Zich Woinarski Q.C. and his wife Angie Dickschen, Chair IOOF Foundation, kindly opened their home for a Meet and Greet donor engagement event for the SRI. Our special guest for the evening was the acclaimed performer, artistic director and choreographer Marc Brew.
Marc, a former graduate of the Australian Ballet School, spoke about how he acquired his spinal cord injury in a motor vehicle accident while dancing professionally in South Africa. Just weeks after the accident and while lying motionless in is hospital bed, Marc shared with us the harsh reality of his treating doctor’s words who said very matter-of-factly to him: “You are paralysed”.
Coming to terms with this reality as a dancer and someone who had striven for physical perfection for most of his life was described by Marc in an incredibly moving journey of recovery that was a privilege for those who attended to hear. As Marc explained, it was his discipline as a dancer that took over during the rehab process as he gradually began to believe that he could still be a dancer and performer but that he would need to reinvent what that meant.
On the evening we were joined by two young Principal dancers from the Australian Ballet School of which Zich is Chair. I’m sure they took a lot away from the evening and were inspired to meet a performer like Marc with a successful international career in dance. It was such a delight have them present.
Zich’s kind words about continuing to support the work of the SRI and the vision of our late Patron Betty Amsden AO, was incredibly heartfelt. Finally, SRI Chair, Dr Con Mylonas spoke about how the SRI’s collaborative program SCoRH has the potential to change the culture of research and provide Marc with transformational health outcomes that will not only provide him with a better quality of life but the thousands of Australians and millions around the world living with the disease.
Zich and Angie, we are so grateful for your wonderful support and generosity in hosting such a brilliant night and a big thank you too, to all our supporters who came along to share in this incredible evening.
Deirdre Mori
Development Manager
Left side photo: Zich Woinarski Q.C., Sandy Clark, Chair William Buckland Foundation and A/Prof. Doug Brown, Executive Director SRI.
Right side photo: Angie Dickschen, Chair IOOF Foundation, Marc Brew, SRI Ambassador and Susan Herron, Director IOOF Foundation.
