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2009 VIC Go For Gold Winners

MAXIMISING YOUR STRENGTH SCHOLARSHIP'S $1000 each

George Boyens

Before the impact of MS George was involved in sports at school and overseas. He could have become a professional squash player until MS reared its ugly head. Since his diagnosis George has been attending the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation centre twice a week to swim laps of their 50 metre pool. With his Go For Gold "Maximising Your Strength" scholarship George will join the gym and gain extra strength. As George says "The extra strength form the gym work will give me a total body workout which will help my balance and co-ordination."

Elva Hocking

In 2007 Elva became involved in a pilot gym study program run by Latrobe University. Unfortunately once the program finished Elva couldn’t afford to continue to go as membership fees and taxi rides were too expensive. With her Go For Gold "Maximising Your Strength" scholarship it will enable Elva to attend gym twice a week and pay for her taxi there and home. Elva says that "after doing the program for only 4 weeks I walked with just a crutch rather than a wheelie and I felt like a Queen!"

Agnes Tsetinis

Agnes joined the Maximising Your Strength program for about 6 months before she had to leave due to financial constraints. But while doing the program found that it helped with her stamina and strength. MS has impacted Agnes’ ability to play with her children. With her Go For Gold "Maximising Your Strength" scholarship Agnes will be able to afford to go back to the gym. Agnes says "I do firmly believe that by continuing with gym I will be able to play with my children longer than 10 minutes before 'Mommy needs to sit down'."

THE ARTS

Nektaria Kalpakidis ($5000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

In May of 2007 Nektaria was diagnosed with MS. At the time of her diagnosis she was working in the Welfare field supporting parents and carers of children with disabilities. She had to make some life changing decisions one of which was to leave that field of work and take care of herself and her own health needs. This decisions led her to work in the field of retail supporting local Melbourne designers of contemporary fashion and accessories. This led to her own inspiration of designing and making her own clothing, inspired by the 1940’s and 50’s and jewellery. Her creativity flourished as well as her skills and as a result the label of Atomic of Melbourne was born. Nektaria will use her Go For Gold Scholarship to purchase new sewing machines, fabric and outsourcing of the manufacturing of her new range. Nektaria says that "My goal is to nurture my creativity and continue with my designing and work from home."

James Pevitt ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

James' life has changed considerably since his diagnosis of MS. James' dream is to travel back to world locations that he has lived in and document MS in these countries and locations. He wants to seek out inspiration from people and the telling of their life stories. He plans to represent this primarily through photography and story telling his Go For Gold scholarship will be used to cover the costs of this project.

James says "To me MS can often be like a jealous lover. If you are able to forget MS for a short while it will remind you that it is still there with an often harsh display of symptoms and vengeance saying 'You forgot about me!'".

EDUCATION

Janette Windsor ($5000 - GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

In 2004 Janette had to give up work due to her MS. But not one to stop she began to study for a Diploma of Business. Whilst completing three subjects covering website design she found something she was good at. With her Go For Gold Scholarships Janette hopes to purchase a computer, software, books and help with the cost of her schooling. Janette says "My aim is to complete the Diploma of Business by the end of 2011. I have proven determination and ability to complete my dream of starting a home based website design business".

Kaylene Carney ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Kaylene has had a high pressure job which has been impacting on her MS and although she loves her job she has finally accepted that she needs a change of career. Kaylene’s dream is to go back to school and take two course, one Beauty Therapy and the other Myotherapy. With her Go For Gold Scholarship it will enable her to leave full time employment and follow her dream. Kaylene says "I’m headed to the top of any mountain I aim to be at. I can get there, I just might have to do it a bit differently to other people."

Elaine Howard ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Elaine's dream is to equip herself with self-help techniques and advise, to formulate a plan for wellness. She dreams of finding, through education, purpose to her life and an understanding of how to support her immune system and the surety that her future is headed in a positive direction. With her Go For Gold scholarship she will attend the MS Residential Practical and follow up programs at The Gawler Foundation. Elaine says "Spiritually and emotionally it would both encourage and challenge me not to give up, it will improve our family life, for which I will be everlastingly grateful."

Elizabeth Jones ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

The last 14 years have been a struggle for Elizabeth. She was diagnosed with MS in 1995, dealt a blow when diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1999 and then in 2007 her husband Eric was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Unfortunately Eric passed away in January of this year. Elizabeth’s dream is to help and encourage as many people as possible. She would like to tell her story and raise money and awareness for both MS and MND. With her Go For Gold scholarship she wants to take a Tafe writing course and purchase a laptop computer. Elizabeth says "I want to show that you can go to 'hell and back' and survive!"

TRAVEL

Sonia Zyntek ($5000 BOVIS LEND LEASE SCHOLARSHIP)

Unfortunately during the last 3 years Sonia has lost her mother, two aunts and a much loved uncle in the United Kingdom. She has been unable to attend any of the funerals due to constraints caused by her MS. Sonia’s dream is to fly to England to see her family and most importantly to visit her mother’s grave. Sonia will use her Go For Gold Scholarship to pay for return airfare to London.Sonia says "It would allow me to say goodbye to my mother and hopefully give me the closure that has eluded me for the last 2 years."

Susan Heeps ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Susan was nominated by her 15 year old daughter Jessica. When Jessica was 7 years old her mum was diagnosed with MS. Her father gave up work to stay home and become Susan’s full time carer and to look after Jessica and her sister Selina. Jessica feels that her mum feels guilty and blames herself that the family can not go on holidays. With her Go For Gold scholarship Susan will be able to go on a holiday to Queensland. Jessica says "My mum is the most beautiful and caring person I know, she is not only a mother to me and my sister, she is our hero."

Nasif Karadeniz ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Nasif was an elite wrestler in Bulgaria and valued an active and adventurous life. Unfortunately has impacted upon not only himself but also that of his children. Much of their time is spent home-bound in a set routine governed by his MS. With his Go For Gold scholarship Nasif wants to share an adventure with his children and to encourage the pursuit of an active life. He wants to take his son & daughter to Cairns for a few days to undertake activities such as snorkelling and the cable car. Nasif says "An opportunity for our family to develop memories through an active holiday would be wonderful."

Adam Stevenson ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Adam has been nominated for his scholarship by his family. Adam has had a great many losses due to his MS, but the greatest loss Adam has experienced is that of his friends and social networks. He has always been a proud member of the Royal Brighton Yacht Club and although he can no longer sail loves spending time with his friends. Adam’s dream is to be "One of the boys" and hang out with his friends. His scholarship will be used to help pay for a career who is close to his own age to assist him to travel to meet up with his friends.

Julie Whitehead ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Julie’s dream has always been just that a dream. For as long as she can remember she has always wanted to go to Egypt and Venice. However after falling in love, marrying and having a son then triplets it put this dream on hold. With her Go For Gold scholarship Julie will travel to Venice with her daughter, to attend her cousins wedding and then a side trip to Egypt. Julie says "I have decided not to let MS and fear rule my life. I will deal with things as they come."

Mark Fisher ($3000 Bill & Elizabeth Meredith Scholarship)

Since Mark was diagnosed with MS 14 years ago he has moved through various stages to where he has had to retire from work and is in a wheelchair full time. He has kept busy with being a member of Rotary and was convinced to join the local community men’s choir "The Sons of Sunbury". Mark’s dream is to travel with the choir to the "Choir World Games" in 2010 which are being held in China. Mark says "This will allow me the opportunity to sing with my choir in front of thousands of people and to show that a man in a wheelchair can still achieve dreams and still be one of the boys!"

Anna Dalessandro ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Anna’s scholarship application was written by her children. Anna has always been active in her community by operating a hairdressing salon from home and providing low cost and sometimes no cost hairdressing to make people feel good about themselves. She is selfless in giving her time and energy to the local parish and she has also taken on the job of carer for her mother. With her Go For Gold scholarship Anna will be sent on a cruise for a really relaxing care fee time solely for herself. Her children say "Our mother deserves this scholarship because of her commitment to her family, her community and the love she spreads to everyone."

Fred Stone ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Fred was nominated by his daughter Melanie. When Fred was diagnosed with MS his family was very young and at the time he owned a bakery. Unfortunately he to sell his bakery due to the heat from the ovens exacerbating his MS. The family was left living on a disability pension. Not one to complain he threw himself into committee work with PWMS Victoria and Australia. With his Go For Gold scholarship his daughter is making his dream of travelling on the Ghan train a reality. Melanie says "My dad is the epitome of the Aussie Battler/Great Bloke, this will thrill him beyond belief."

Amanda Warmuth ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Amanda has always loved camping, living outside, cooking on a fire, waking up to the birds and smelling the eucalyptus. Spending time in the bush has always reinvigorated her. Unfortunately she has only been camping twice since her diagnosis in 2008, due to the weakness in her legs and other associated MS problems. With her Go For Gold scholarship, Amanda’s dream is to purchase a used caravan that her partner Neil can modify for her needs. Amanda says "The gold that I am going for is the gold of the sunsets, gumtrees and grassy plains of the country, the golden beaches of the coast and the golden sand of the desert."

EMPLOYMENT

Janet Campbell ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

During a recent period of unemployment Janet took the opportunity to undertake some research into the internet and the opportunities that it could offer. She has started to develop a couple of interesting internet based ideas to support her dream of being able to continue to generate and undertake the work necessary to assure her financial security. With her Go For Gold scholarship Janet will undertake some training to learn how to develop a website to support her business ideas. Janet says "The training will support the development of my own internet based business concepts and to assist others."

Brooke Tweedly ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Brooke was nominated for her scholarship by sister. Brooke’s has had a dream of starting her own internet based florist shop from her home. Unfortunately she lost her job 3 months ago and all the savings that she had have gone into supporting herself. With her Go For Gold scholarship she will purchase a laptop, fax and hire a web designer so she can start her online business. Brooke’s sister Nicki says "She has the experience and passion to make this dream work!"

SPORT

Bianca Christie ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Bianca’s dream is to have a long happy life and to be a positive, healthy and active role model for her daughter. She had a number of people encouraged her to get back into exercising regularly. Bianca got involved with a program held at Fernwood Women’s Club, exercising regularly, participating in a number of classes. With her Go For Gold Scholarship Bianca is going to join as a member at Fernwood. Bianca says "Exercise will help support me to regain control of my physical and emotional health."

Roberto Mignano ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Growing up Roberto was involved in a number of different sports, from junior level AFL to a strong track and field star. After his diagnosis at the age of 32 he has become almost obsessive and says, quite self centred as he re-tests, re-news and re-boots himself from the inside out to be healthy. Roberto’s dream is to inspire others, to dedicate himself to improving the health and fitness of others. With his Go For Gold scholarship he wants to undertake courses to be accredited as a Personal Trainer. Roberto says "I believe that health is at the cornerstone of a long, productive and fulfilling life!"

Catherine Walton ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

Catherine lived with unusual symptoms for a number of years before getting her diagnosis of MS and while managing a young family took on her 2 nephews after the death of their parents. This made them a family of 6. Catherine’s dream is to finally get rid of her glasses with the purchase of contact lenses. This will allow her to do more swimming and gym to help with her fitness. Catherine says "Go For Gold Scholarship has given me a reason to remember 'fun' and consider other things that could enhance my enjoyment of life."

(Name withheld) ($3000 GO FOR GOLD SCHOLARSHIP)

This gentleman grew up loving water and from a very early age spent his time swimming, paddling or riding his bike through water.The dream he would like to follow would be to explore the beautiful rivers of Victoria. With his Go For Gold scholarship he will purchase himself a kayak. "The kayaking will help me to maintain my health, enhance my quality of life and achieve one of my greatest ambitions."