News & Events
Walk On Melbourne now open
The highly acclaimed Walk On program opened its doors in Melbourne on 10 January 2012 – and welcomed clients who have been anxiously awaiting the program being offered there.
The program is being delivered under a collaborative partnership arrangement between Spinal Cord Injuries Australia (SCIA) and Victoria University’s School of Sport and Exercise Science and is now operating from the University campus situated at Whitten Oval, West Footscray – also the training base and administrative headquarters of the Western Bulldogs AFL team.
The three new Walk On staff welcomed their first clients and look forward to working with all those who have accepted a place in the program to date. “Places have filled quickly and we expect many more enquiries as the word spreads” commented Kierre Williams, National Operations Co-ordinator for Walk On. “Some of those starting have already travelled interstate to Sydney or Brisbane for the program and it is great that they can now access it in Melbourne – we look forward to growing the program and offering it to as many people as we can” she added.
For further details about Walk On Melbourne please phone 1800 819 775 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
News.... Walk On Perth
Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, in partnership with Edith Cowan University (ECU), opened the highly regarded Walk On spinal cord intensive exercise rehabilitation program on 31 October 2011. Located at ECU’s Health and Wellness Institute at the University’s Joondalup campus, the program is already having a significant impact upon the lives of those who are participating. Made possible by the partnership with ECU, and a substantial grant from Lotterywest, people in WA now have access to the program which has been successfully operating in Brisbane for 3 ½ years and Sydney since April 2010. The Lotterywest grant provided the necessary specialised equipment and the training and development of three staff members recruited to deliver the program. For more details about this grant please see the media statement from the WA Minister for Disability Services.
Associate Professor Tony Blazevich, Director David Prast, Walk On Parent Elizabeth Boutet, Walk On Therapist Kierre Ireland and CEO Peter Perry at the new facility.
“The word has spread quickly and we already have strong client bookings for the program” commented Peter Murray, National Manager for Walk On. “The 3 accredited exercise physiologists who make up the Walk On team in Perth all undertook an extensive training program at Project Walk in the USA and at the Sydney Walk On facility prior to commencing operations and we look forward to the further development of the program in Perth” he added.
If you would like to apply for Walk On Perth CLICK HERE to download an application pack.
NEWS.... at Walk On Sydney
Walk On Sydney now has a short waiting list for new clients. Prospective clients are encouraged to submit their application pack as soon as possible to secure a place on this list. If you would like to attend, or know someone that would benefit from this program, please contact us immediately on 02 9661 8855 or 1800 819 775 to discuss how to apply. CLICK HERE to download an application pack.
News.... Walk On Brisbane
There is still a short waiting list for our Brisbane facility. Prospective clients are encouraged to submit their application pack as soon as possible to secure a place on this list. If you would like to attend, or know someone that would benefit from this program, please contact us immediately on 02 9661 8855 or 1800 819 775 to discuss how to apply. CLICK HERE to download an application pack.
Walk On Sydney Launch November 2010
Our very first NSW Walk On program was launched in Sydney yesterday by our Patron the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC. 
“The Walk On program isn't about learning how to manage a crippling injury, how to accept a lifelong disability it's about looking and literally moving beyond injury and disability to reclaim the life you want to lead”, Ms Bryce said. For more of her compassionate speech please download 
Governor_Generals_speech.pdf
Mr Roderick Watson and Mr Tony Glashoff spoke about the injuries they had sustained and the assistance they were receiving through the Walk On program at the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Health Science, Lidcombe.
Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE were later taken on a tour of the rehabilitation centre and met clients of the program.
The day was a huge success and our thanks to The Governor General & Mr Bryce and the University of Sydney and our clients and supporters who attended.
Walk On was officially launched at Sydney Opera House in November 2009. Bill Shorten, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services acknowledged the maginalisation of people with spinal cord injury, and that a program such as Walk On is vital in the progress of breaking down barriers.
“I do accept that intensive treatment as soon after an injury can dramatically improve the quality of life (for person living with a spinal cord injury) and indeed reduce the cost to the community. I believe that Walk On has great potential for some of those 10,000 Australian’s affected by spinal cord injury,“ said Shorten.
Shorten continues “ …Listening to Nathan it shows what it means to fight overwhelming odds especially if you have a little help. … small victories and improvements are actually remarkable accomplishments. Being able to drive a car again, being able to hold your child, ski, [or] being able to do just simple things such as cleaning your teeth or brushing your hair, I think these make huge differences to a persons self esteem and their quality of life.”
Shorten adds, “I acknowledge that since May 2008 there has been progress through Walk On Brisbane, and participants have experienced some outstanding stories of recovery.”
Shorten quotes Professor John Steeves, Chair of the International Collaboration for Repair Discoveries and the global expert in all aspects of spinal cord injury, “whilst not the cure for spinal cord injury, there are a lot of results which have been achieved through [engaging in] ‘activity dependent rehabilitation’ …You have to go undergo the movement and make the effort, and once you make the effort all kind of things can happen. This related to a majority of problems raised by people with SCI – to nerve regeneration to assistance with pressure sores. In most cases of spinal cord injury, the individual still has some preserved function, some level of movement, some sensation below the level of injury. We can use that residual preserved function to improve with activity, functional outcomes thereafter.”
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