Jess Gallagher.

Summer & Winter Paralympic Medallist

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Five inspirational Australian women we can all look up to.

  • July 13, 2017

By Belinda Jepsen for MAMAMIA

When you think of the word ‘hero’, you probably conjure up an image of some dude in spandex and a cape.

But heroes come in many different guises, from many different parts of the world and pursue many different paths. They can be heart surgeons, mountaineers, mums or musicians; athletes, poets, politicians or, in the case of Disney’s newest heroine, Moana, a young woman on an ancient quest to save her people and realise her destiny.

To celebrate the release of this inspirational new animated film, we’re shining the spotlight on five other incredible women who deserve our attention.

Women who have re-written the history books, who have overcome incredible obstacles, who are who are actively pursuing their goals and inspiring others in the process, women who are changing the world.

Jess Gallagher, Paralympic legend.

Female athletes often excel in more than one sport – it’s a strange mix of sheer talent and pay inequity. But few can claim to have pulled on the green and gold in three.

An alpine skier, track-and-field athlete and cyclist, Jessica Gallagher is the only person in Australian sporting history to have won medals at both the Summer and Winter games – Olympic or Paralympic.

As a teenager in Victoria, Jess was also a promising netball and basketball player, but at the age of 17 was delivered the diagnosis that would dramatically change her life: she has Best’s disease, a rare genetic condition that ultimately caused her to become legally blind.

She couldn’t have known it at the time, but that earth-shattering news would also re-write Australian sporting history forever. Driven and determined, she directed her sporting talents elsewhere and ultimately went on to clinch bronze in the slalom at Vancouver Winter Paralympics in 2010 and then another in the 1km Time Trial cycling in Rio.

To read about the other 4 inspirational women in this piece, Turia Pitt, Ironwoman and burns survivor, Ajda Turkay, foster carer, Alyssa Azar, adventurer and Dr Nikki Stamp, cardiothoracic surgeoncheck out the original article from Mamamia here: http://www.mamamia.com.au/inspirational-australian-women/

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Jessica Gallagher 6 days ago

RT @visionaustralia: Athlete extraordinaire @JessGallagher86 recently hit her tenth year as an ambas...

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Jessica Gallagher 1 month ago

@Odbolz @Vision2020Aus Thank you! 🎂

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Jessica Gallagher 1 month ago

Something VERY fun is coming! #DiscoverMelbourne #staytuned @BoschAustralia @lugandcarrie @rapha #...

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Last year during lockdown I passed the 10 year ann Last year during lockdown I passed the 10 year anniversary of being a @visionaustralia ambassador. An organisation I'm incredibly passionate about after receing support from them as a 17 year old recently diagnosed as legally blind. There is no overstating the fact that their support is life changing for so many & it's a privilege for me to be able to support others living life with low vision & blindness. Thanks to Ron & the team for my plaque & here's to the next 10 years! (well 9 now 😂)
It's food tour day! Obviously I'm joining in with It's food tour day! Obviously I'm joining in with @marco_loris tour because well... food & Melbourne is a WINNING combo! Let's go eat!!! And ride. 😜
#DiscoverMelbourne #feeltheflow
@lugandcarrie @boschebikesystems @boschaustralia @rapha_australia #partner
It's recon day! Zipping around this fab city makin It's recon day! Zipping around this fab city making sure the sports tour we've created has the perfect mix of sport & Melbourne! I'm so excited for this tour!!! #DiscoverMelbourne #feeltheflow
@boschebikesystems
@boschaustralia @lugandcarrie @rapha_australia #partner
It's time to eDiscover Melbourne with #Rapha, #Bos It's time to eDiscover Melbourne with #Rapha, #Bosch eBike Systems, #Lug&Carrie ..and me. 😀

We have created curated eBike tours that celebrate what #Melbourne is most famous for - sport, food, coffee, while being immersed in its cultural diversity. 

I'm beyond excited to partner with @boschebikesystems  @boschaustralia @lugandcarrie and @rapha_australia. We are offering the community the opportunity to feel the flow of the city with an exciting guided eBike tour experience. I will be hosting the Sport eBike tour & @marco_lori  hosting the food tour! 

Unfortunatrly the tours sold out within a couple of hours  BUT the tours will be available as self guided tours so everyone can cruise our beautiful city! 

I've been OBSESSED with my ebike & zipping around on it. It's such a fun way to get around & the perfect way to see the city (& go up hills 🤣) If you're looking for a fun day out this is the perfect activity!
#feeltheflow #DiscoverMelbourne
Something VERY fun is coming! #DiscoverMelbourne Something VERY fun is coming!  #DiscoverMelbourne #staytuned 
@boschaustralia @lugandcarrie @rapha_australia #partner #ad
It's hard to put into words just how special last It's hard to put into words just how special last night was. ❤

It still feels like a dream that my story inspired a writer & director from the #MelbourneWritersTheatre to create a play, especially as a big fan of theatre. 

The Best. The Fairest. The First shared the stories of inspiring Aussie sportswoman from the first women to compete in Swimming at the Olympics in 1912 Fanny Durack & Mina Wylie, cricket legend Betty Wilson in the 1950's, marathon runner Sinbad Diver & myself. Each with such unique stories yet so many themes threading the stories together. It was very surreal seeing my story come to life at @gasworksartspark

Last nights closing show was hugely emotional as I sat on stage post show for a Q&A getting to speak about the power of our Aussie sportswoman & the sharing of their incredible stories. So many stories people need to hear.

I can't wait to receive some photos of the evening & share some particularly special moments we had but for now hear is one of writer Clare & I deep in conversation reflecting on the creation of the show.
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Gallagher.

Summer & Winter Paralympic Medallist

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