Mr Gary Allsop
- Honorary Director, SpinalCure Australia (2000).
- Speaker at a forum that formed part of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) World Congress of Neuroscience, Melbourne July 2007.
- Speaker at the Dept of Physiology, Monash University.
- 2003 Celebrity Shirts for Spinal Cord Research - raising more than $80,000.
- 2007 Walk In My Shoes fundraiser in progress.
Gary is a quadriplegic as a result of an on-field accident playing Australian Rules Football in April 1989. He now lives with his parents, Fred and Joyce, in Blackburn in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
He has a recording studio where he’s written and recorded many songs and has worked with many young people, helping them to get a start in the music industry. Additionally, Gary has written and recorded several voiceovers for local community radio.
Since his accident, he has become involved in many and varied interests within the community. He gives presentations to Primary and Secondary school students educating them about spinal cord injury, life in a wheelchair and the dangers of diving into shallow water and other hazards. These talks have led him to other areas including Universities, AFL Football Clubs and other various community groups, including teaching a computer music program to primary school students.
Gary joined SCA as a subscribing member after attending an open forum at the Royal Talbot Hospital in 1995. At the end of 1998 he was appointed a voting member of the Victorian State Committee. He, along with Prof Perry Bartlett, then from the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research have successfully lobbied the Victorian State Government resulting in a $13.34 million grant over three years going to Neuroscience Research in Victoria. They have had several meetings with corporate groups in Victoria in the hope they will be forthcoming with some funding for spinal cord research.
Now a Honorary Director of SCA since 2000, Gary is a very active member in the areas of fundraising, sponsorship and community support. He’s genuinely interested in talking to anyone who has a good idea, a corporate contact or would just like to become involved - click here for Gary
The future for spinal cord research looks positive as the Victorian state government kicks in support
For the past 10 years SCA has been campaigning for the Victorian State Government to fund Spinal Cure and Neurotrauma research more info
Gary Allsop, our resident Director, has been the main instigator and in this role he has personally interviewed many politicians and bureaucrats from the Department of Human Services, Transport Accident Commission, researchers, universities and research institutes.
Last year, and with the support of Kirstie Marshall (MLA) and Tony Robinson (MLA), he met Treasurer John Brumby.
For the next twelve months, Gary maintained contact with the Treasurer’s office and in June 2005 it was announced that the government would establish the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative with funding of $63m over the next five years.
The funds will assist:
• New technology for ambulances;
• Training staff on new procedures in trauma response;
• Research into trauma response and practice;
• Clinical spinal restoration research; and
• Establishment of a Neurotrauma Research Initiative.
People with spinal cord injuries can be thankful that they have someone like Gary Allsop working so diligently and successful on their behalf.
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At the Melbourne launch, Acting Premier John Thwaites said the money would also be used for new equipment in ambulances, training staff on new procedures in trauma response and spinal restoration...
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Speaking from the BIO 2005 conference in Philadelphia, Premier Steve Bracks said the TAC would provide $60 million while the Government would contribute $3 million. Mr Bracks said the Victorian...
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Innovation Minister, John Brumby said the Victorian Neurotrauma Initiative would complement other neuro-related projects headquartered in Melbourne including the Australian Stem Cell Centre, the...
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Gary Allsop went in to scoop up a loose ball during a football game for Warrandyte in 1989, when he was sandwiched between two opposition players in a tackle and broke his neck. He has been a...
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Gary Allsop broke his neck playing football when he was 28. The accident left him a quadriplegic and eventually cost him his marriage, house, career and, of course, independence. Now 44, he’s lived...