Green, green everywhere at Deni
It was an amazing transformation to see the Deniliquin area looking stunningly green when Sam and Jenny Bailey visited at the end of August - a complete contrast to their visit a couple of years ago to the region to talk to farmers coping with years of drought. Farmers in the area are experiencing one of the best seasons for many, many years. About 80 people congregated at the Deniliquin RSL Club on August 28 to hear Sam Bailey. He's pictured after the talk with (l-r) Dave Jacka (also a quadriplegic who flies a Jabiru. Find out more about his flying at www.onawingandachair.com.au ); Jenny Bailey, Sam Joice, events organiser at the Deniliquin RSL Club; Tony Smith, chairman of Deniliquin RSL; and David McPherson, a GP and paraplegic from Deniliquin.
While in Deniliquin Sam caught up with his cousin Simone Dudley and her husband Bill, and children Izzi, Harry and Charlie. They live on a farm near Deniliquin.
Sam gives two talks at ClubMulwala
Sam and Jenny Bailey spoke twice at ClubMulwala, just north of the Murray River in southern NSW, to two enthusiastic audiences on Wednesday afternoon, August 25. More than 250 people in total attended the two talks. Sam and Jenny are pictured above with some of those who attended (l-r) Ron Cavangh, Harley and Cheryl Brown, Trevor and Kerry Hargreaves, (Trevor is President of Mulwala & District Services Club Ltd); Stuart and Cathy Spinks and Monica Doyle.
Sharing story with Albury club staff
Sam with Albury Commercial Club staff after speaking to them on August 23. They include (l-r) Erin Thorpe, Sean Lethlean, Jack Burns, Jodie Waters, Kade Stagg and Helen Turner. The Commercial Club is one of Albury's major employers and also put its profits back into the community.
Some of the Albury Commercial Club staff after Sam's talk on August 23 (back l-r) Lauren Shepherd, Rikki Pyle, Leah Witham, Mew Bryant and Tahlia Carey; (front l-r) Rachael Halpin, Sam Bailey and Brooke Taylor.
Supporting parents of VCFS children
Sam Bailey after speaking to parents who have children affected by Velocardiofacial Syndrome (VCFS) at their annual gathering on August 22 at Westmead Children's Hospital. It is much more common than originally thought, now considered to be the second most common genetic syndrome which will affect one out of every 2000 children. It can causes up to 180 different symptoms and potentially affects all organs in the body. Find out more.
Batemans Bay dinner small but intimate
Batemans Bay Soldier's Club's "You Don't Need Wings to Fly" dinner on Election Day, Saturday, August 21, drew a small but intimate crowd - no doubt affected by Federal Election Day which was announced only five weeks earlier, after the club decided to organise their dinner. Despite the small numbers it was a great night. Sam and Jenny are pictured above with (l-r) Chelsea Tiddbold, Laura and Andrea Thompson (organiser of the event) and Beryl and John Cooper, from Bega. Their daughter Carolyn and her husband Todd own and operate the Croppa Creek Store near Sam and Jenny's property.
Jenny and Ben Galea were amongst the audience at the Batemans Bay dinner on August 21.
How's that for publicity? The largest promotional sign Sam Bailey has ever had prior to an event...hanging outside Batemans Bay Soldiers Club.
Great email from 12-year-old reader
Sam Bailey would like to share the following email with others because it touched him so much.
Millie Logan wrote, "Hello Sam, I am 12 years old and read your book. I told my brother about you and you were a huge inspiration to him. My brother Cameron is 17 and was in a surfboard accident. He was told he would never run or play football again. He was selected for the 1st squad and was the 2nd fastest runner at St Stanislaus College Bathurst and to be told that he would never run again and now he is in the 3rds and running again. Your book was amazing and I think you are incredible. I now look more at how lucky I am and not all the bad things about me, from Millie."
Sam says emails like this one from Millie are the reason he wrote "Head Over Heels", hoping to help others through their own challenges. "I just want to thank Millie for letting me know that it is making a difference and I would like to wish her and her brother all the best for their future. With an attitude like they have both shown they will no doubt achieve great things in their lives," he says.
Helping the Royal Flying Doctor Service
PICTURED ABOVE: (back l-r) Nigel Brennan, Bill Bailey (Sam's brother), Bryn Griffiths, Paul (Gilly) White, (front l-r) Emily Griffith, Sam, Heidi Bailey (Sam and Jenny's sister-in-law) and Jenny at the Royal Flying Doctor Service dinner on Friday, August 13 in Brisbane. All the men in this group are former The Armidale School (TAS) boys...so it was a bit of a school reunion as well.
The August 13th event was titled "An Inspirational Evening with the Flying Doctor" and proved to be just that with some of the organisation's committed supporters speaking, along with Sam and Jenny Bailey. General Manager of Marketing and Fundraising, Russell Ousley, told the audience of 230 people the RFDS transports 27 people daily, which proves how important the service is. Sam was particularly keen to support the cause because he was carried by the RFDS after the car accident in 1987 that left him a quadriplegic. The service flew him from Camoweal to Mt Isa the day of his accident, then onto Brisbane the following day. It's a vital medical service from people across outback Australia.
Pictured above: (back l-r) Pip Hacon, Russell Ousley, RFDS GM Marketing and Fundraising; Barry Duncan, and Ian Lovegrove; (front l-r) George Hacon, Sam and Jenny Bailey at the RFDS dinner on August 13 in Brisbane.
Lifting the spirits of Emerald farmers
Cotton growers in the Emerald Highlands irrigation area were lamenting the disappointing crop for 2009/10 due to floods that swept through the area earlier this year, but after hearing Sam's story many realised things could be a lot worse. Sam was speaking at the Central Highlands Cotton Growers and Irrigators Association's annual awards dinner on Friday, July 30, at Emerald Town Hall. He's pictured above with (back l-r) Ross Armstrong, Aimee Chadwick, Sally Hamilton, Megan Daniels, Excutive Officer of the Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Co-operative (CHRRUP); Sue Sands; (front l-r) Vicki Horstman, BMP Officer for CHRRUP, Sam and Dave Kerle.
Sam Bailey spoke at the Australian Agricultural College Corporation's Emerald Campus on Wednesday, July 28. He's pictured above with (back l-r) Danica Helsdon, Tiffany Don, Phoebe Penny, Cameron Fox, Jackie Elliot, Kellie Murphy and Hayley Mains; (front) teacher Geoff Bahnisch.
While in the Emerald area Sam Bailey also caught up with his cousin Perin, husband John Dickie, Farming Manager for the Australian Agricultural Company at "Goonoo" near Comet where they live; and their two daughters Matilda (left) and Kira (right) who celebrated her fifth birthday on July 28.
Sydney fundraiser a huge success
The community of north Sydney, with support from many rural friends, proved community spirit is still alive and well in the city with an amazing fundraiser in Sydney on Saturday night, July 24. More than 680 people packed Dockside, Cockle Bay, to support their great mate Brett "Strath" Stevenson who suffered a spinal cord injury when diving into the surf at Avoca Beach earlier this year. He's got an amazing attitude and has inspired everyone around him with his grit and determination. Sam and Jenny Bailey gave their support by speaking at the fundraiser which raised more than $230,000 to help Brett with further rehabilitation. He is a C5/6 incomplete quadriplegic and has already achieving great results, now being able to walk with support. Sam and Jenny are pictured above with Brett and his amazing wife Jo, who has been a tower of strength and has helped keep the family business, a grain trading enterprise called MarketCheck operating as usual, as well as been an amazing support to Brett and looking after their three children. Their friends have also been incredible, drawing up a roster to supply the family with meals and Brett has had a constant flow of visitors during his five months in rehabilitation. The response to his fundraiser was awesome. Even rival grain traders donated funds and there were more than 100 items donated for the silent auction and raffle prizes. Sam Bailey said, "Brett's story makes me very proud to be Australian. We really are very good at helping out our mates and it confirms my message that family, friends and our community are the most important things of all. It's not the designer shoes, ipod, beach house or boat that come running when we're going through a tough time, it's our family, mates and the community we live in. Congratulations to everyone who has helped Brett and keep it up because the toughest time will be over the next few months as he settles back into home and works at getting his life back on track."
Sam and Jenny with Robin Hosking, Jo Stevenson's Mum. As well as being mother-in-law to Brett, she also had a particular connection to Sam as she plays golf with his very special great aunt Mollie Hodgkinson - the first female to become a life member of Killara Golf Club who has recently been recognised by Golf Australia for her contribution to the game.
Sam with his first cousin Sarah Armstrong (front left) and (back l-r) Jacqui Ryan, Glen Armstrong, Sue Carr, Tony Carr and Martin Ryan at Brett Stevenson's fundraiser.
Kununurra visit creates many firsts
Sam and Jenny Bailey's visit to speak in Kununurra in the Western Australian north was their first time in the area. Sam officially opened the local show on Friday afternoon (pictured above) and later that night he and Jenny spoke at the show's cattlemen's dinner, where awards for the cattle judging that day were presented. About two-thirds of the way into his talk Sam had to stop for the fireworks, scheduled for 7.30pm. He resumed his talk afterwards.
"That was certainly a first," said Sam. "I've never had to stop my talk for fireworks before!"
Sam and Jenny with some of the organisers of the Kununurra Show including (back, l-r) Bruce Carey, Brownyn Cooke,Sarah Strutt, Fiona Kuiper (President), Laura Kuiper and (front) Ella Thompson, who at 11-years-of age says she's read "Head Over Heels" three times! Wow!
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ABOVE: Another first at the Kununurra Show. It's the first time Sam has ever got onto the stage with a lift like this one. It was a ripper! TOP LEFT: Sam with Millie Terbutt (from Warialda) at the Kununurra dinner. MIDDLE LEFT: Sam with Nick Whip, Head Stockman at "Carlton Hill". BOTTOM LEFT: Sam with distant cousin Nicolette Glasson. BELOW: Sam with Dougal and Emily Brett, owners of "Waterloo Station" at the Kununurra Show dinner. |
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Beautiful reflections on the Ord River near Kununurra. If you're planning a trip up north Sam and Jenny highly recommend including the area around Kununurra which is simply stunning. They went for a helicopter flight with Craig Cook from Stocklick Trading. See the photos.
Quilpie helps isolated cancer patients
Jenny Hewson, Jenny Anderson and Philippa Ware with Sam Bailey at the "Friends in Isolation" fundraising night at Quilpie Racecourse on June 26. They organised the event to help people with the cost of cancer treatment. The closest cancer treatment available is at Toowoomba about eight hours drive away. On top of the cost of travel many patients also have to pay for accommodation while receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Treatments often require regular trips to Toowoomba over a period of months.
Sam Bailey also caught up with Dot Gorringe, Jocelyn Haylock and Charlotte Gorringe at the Quilpie "Friends in Isolation" event. Sam worked with Dot's son Rob when fencing near Longreach back in 1986. Rob is Jocelyn's sister and Charlotte's grandfather.
Wallabadah does its bit for cancer
The small rural community of Wallabadah, south of Tamworth in the NSW north west, raised more than $1500 for cancer during its Biggest Morning Tea on May 26. Sam and Jenny Bailey were guest speakers at the event which attracted about 80 people to morning tea and lunch at the historic Wallabadah hotel.
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ABOVE: Sam at the Wallabadah morning tea and lunch with (l-r) Kathy Crouch, Cheryl Wilson and Sarah Crouch. LEFT: Sam caught up with school friend Bronnie Saunders (nee White) while speaking at Wallabadah school. See School News. BELOW: Sam with the organisers of the Wallabadah Biggest Morning Tea Dion Patterson (middle) and Cheryl Wilson (right), plus Emma Lawrence. |
Peters family fundraiser a huge success
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About 450 people jammed into the Petersham Town Hall in Sydney on the Friday night, April 30, to help raise funds for Denzel Peters, who suffered a high level spinal cord injury on January 3 this year. Sam and Jenny are pictured above with Denzel (right) and his wife Karen (second from right) during the fundraiser, along with a friend Jake Briggs (left). The night was organised by Danielle Fisher (pictured at left with Sam). It's a small world - Danielle's uncle and aunt live near Sam and Jenny at Croppa Creek. |
Principals and support staff meet
Principals and support staff from across the NSW south-east gathered at the Soldiers Club, Batemans Bay, for a two day conference. Sam and Jenny Bailey closed the event with a talk on Friday, April 30. Sam is pictured above with (l-r) Sandra Acevedo-Rugg, Paula Sindrey, Val Blake, Russell Lamb and Gail Costigan.
Bourke is green, green, green...
The Bourke district, in north west NSW, is enjoying one of its best seasons in many, many years following good rainfall throughout the first part of this year. So it was green, green, green everywhere as Sam and Jenny Bailey headed out to the town to open the annual show on April 24. It's been a long time coming for farmers in the district, with many irrigation enterprises closing down due to lack of water for almost a decade. But following flooding from good rains in western Queensland and soaking local rainfall as well, the district is now covering in a carpet of lush, green feed. Sam is pictured above opening the Bourke Show on Saturday, April 24, watched on by Show President, Scott Mitchell.
Sam also annouced the winners of the 2010 Bourke Showgirl competition. He's pictured above with entrants (l-r) Emma Buckley (Miss 2010 Bourke Showgirl winner); Krystal Ebsworth (showgirl runner-up); Megan Albert and Brooke Armstrong.
Sam at Bourke Show with (l-r) Maureen Pratten, one of the show organisers despite having moved to the Taree area; Scott Mitchell, Bourke P&A Association President; and Michael and Rebecca Considine from Tamworth with their son Andy.
Guests at McGrath power breakfast
Sam and Jenny Bailey were guest speakers at the McGrath Autumn Power Breakfast on April 19 at Doltone House, Darling Island Wharf, Sydney. It was a room full of highly successful McGrath Estate Agents, many who are leading the real estate industry in their respective areas and of course, the head of the organisation himself, John McGrath...a best selling author and leading real estate business developer. Sam is pictured below after the breakfast with two of McGrath's newest recruits Desiree Lenart and Noel Nicholson.
Inspiring medical students to head bush
Sam and Jenny Bailey had a unique opportunity to inspire more medical students to head to work in the bush after graduating when they addressed the Australian Medical Students Association's National Rural Leadership Development Seminar on April 10 in Wollongong. PICTURED ABOVE: Sam with (l-r) Clarissa Rentsch, a pharmacy student at La Trobe, Bendigo; Tony Wells, Communication Manager for Rural Health Workforce Australia and Jasmine Banner, a medical student at the University of Adelaide. PICTURED BELOW: Sam and Jenny with one of the main organisers of the seminar Shannon Nott.
Agricultural show organisers hear Sam
The Agricultural Societies Council of NSW hosted show organisers from across the country at a gathering at West Ryde during the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Sam and Jenny Bailey were guest speakers during the events dinner on April 9. Pictured above: Some of the participants and organisers including (l-r, back) Stuart McDonald (Canowindra); Kate, John and Kerry Coulton (Warialda); Geoff Bush (Cootamundra) and Cheryl Moor (Warialda); (l-r, front) Heather Bush (Cootamundra); Ellen Downes (Canowindra), Sam Bailey and David Moor (Chairman of Agricultural Societies Council of NSW, from Warialda).
Trucking industry meets at Gold Coast
There were plenty of big, shiny trucks on display at the Australian Trucking Association's annual conference on the Gold Coast in early April. Sam and Jenny Bailey spoke at the opening night of the conference on April 7 at the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre, amidst an impressive trade show that featured a number of huge prime movers. Sam's pictured with some of the participants in the conference including (l-r, back) Mick Simpson, Peter Armstrong and Steve Williamson; (l-r, front) David Simon - chairman of the ATA; Sam Bailey and Gary Bedford.
Another beautiful beach view
It was a day for beach views for Sam and Jenny Bailey on March 26, as following the Sunnyfield beach breakfast at Manly they headed to the Eastern Suburbs and Bronte Surf Club to speak at the 'Different Lives' luncheon, a regular gathering of local women aimed at giving them insight into other people's lives. About 20 women attended the luncheon to hear Sam and Jenny tell their story, to the beautiful backdrop of Bronte beach on a glowing sunny day. Sam is pictured above with lunch organiser Mary Howell.
Stunning sunrise for Sunnyfield breakie
There was a stunning sunrise as participants in the Sunnyfield Beaches Breakfast gathered at the Manly Pacific on the northern beaches of Sydney on March 26 for the annual fundraiser. Sunnyfield's core purpose is to enrich the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by creating choice, opportunities and independence for them to lead the lives they want. Sam and Jenny spoke at the event that attracted more than 200 people. Sam is pictured above with (l-r) Belinda Harrold, Annie Gardiner, Doreen Sykes, Mark Hopcroft (GM Corporate Services, Sunnyfield), Lisa Donnelly and Kate Spencer (who organised the event).
GPT accounting staff hear Sam's story
Sam and Jenny Bailey spoke at Group Property Trust's finance conference on March 19 at the Pullman Hotel, Homebush in Sydney. Sam is pictured above with some of the people who attended including (l-r) Jan Salke, Andrew Draney, Amy Davies and Marc van Hilten.
Sam and Jenny appear on "Sunrise"
Sam and Jenny appeared on Channel 7's "Sunrise" program on Thursday, March 18, with Mel and Kochie (Melissa Doyle and David Koch) as a prelude to Sam speaking at Sunnyfield's annual Beaches Breakfast on Friday, March 26, at the Novotel Sydney Manly Pacific. Sunnyfield is a NSW based organisation that supports people with a disability. Sam and Jenny are pictured above with (l-r) Penny Rose, Cecelia Haddad and Kimberley Newman all from Marketing Elements Pty Ltd, which is helping promote the Sunnyfield breakfast. They caught up with them after appearing on Sunrise.
Sam helps launch Albury race carnival
Sam and Jenny Bailey spoke at the luncheon to launch this year's Albury Gold Cup Race Carnival. The lunch, held on March 12 at the Commercial Club (which sponsors the annual race), attracted about 250 enthusiasts and supporters. Sam is pictured above with some of the people who attended the lunch (l-r) Vaughan Welch (kneeling), Jeff Duck, Chris Wenke, Judy King and Steve Burton.
Jeff Duck helped organise Sam and Jenny's visit to Albury. They're pictured with his family, wife Jane, and sons Harry (front left) and Tom (front right).
Second trip for the year is to the north
Sam Bailey was the main drawcard to the opening night on March 5 for the Perioperative Nurses Association of Queensland Downs and South West Branch biannual Conference at Highfields Cultural Centre, Toowoomba. It was opened to all members of the public, as well as the PNAQ members, and drew about 70 people. Sam is pictured above with PNAQ D & SW Branch organisers (l-r) Leigh Cantwell, treasurer; Barbara Dearling, chairperson; and Megan Twine, secretary.
PICTURED ABOVE (Left to right) Travis Hanson, Melissa Campbell, Jessica Bridges, Sam Hanson, Holly Caskey and Judith Jones (front) with Sam at the community talk at Toowoomba on March 5. The girls are all studying nursing at university in Toowoomba.
ABOVE: Cassandra Donovan and Rachael Martial, both of Toowoomba, pictured with Sam and Jenny after hearing them talk at Highfields Cultural Centre on March 5.
Sam hits road for first trip of 2010
In mid-February Sam Bailey headed south to Singleton in the NSW Hunter Valley for his first speaking trip since breaking his leg in January. He spent two days speaking to various school groups, soldiers at Singleton School of Infantry and at the 90 Years of Rotary celebrations for Singleton's two Rotary clubs. Sam is pictured above with Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Lowe, Warrant Officer Class One David Welsh, Major Derrek Lush and Lieutenant James Horrigan after speaking on February 15 to about 120 soldiers at the base. Next morning he spoke to Year 11 and 12 students from Singleton High School and St Catherine's School (pictured below. Photo by Robert Whiteman, courtesy of Singleton Argus). See more details about school visits on the 2010 Schools page. That night he was guest speaker at the town's two Rotary Club's celebrations of 90 years...the Rotary Club of Singleton has been operating for 70 years, the Singleton on Hunter Rotary Club for 20 years. The trip was organised by Gerard McMillan, a local Rotarian.
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Head Over Heels a best seller!! Read an extract from the book.
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"As a recent high school graduate and a ridiculously fussy reader, I stumbled across your book in our bookshelf (I was supposed to be cleaning my room!!). Your humble determination and courage in overcoming adversity is truly inspirational in conquering all of life's problems - great and small. The book was that great I even took it to schoolies week!" - Melanie McKinnis
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