DeLeCtable Dinner with Tina McKenzie

DeLeCtable Dinners at DLC are a truly excellent opportunity to socialize, eat, drink and perhaps walk away feeling a little more inspired than you were when you first walked in the room... and certainly a little more full! The dinners provide and informal opportunity to discuss (and after a few drinks) heartily debate some current issues with the Principal, Board members, other students and a special guest speaker for the night. Previous guests have included The Hon Maxine McKew and Associate Professor Lorne Cummings and many other inspiring and successful people. A relaxed atmosphere, a delicious two course meal and exposure to new thoughts and ideas leaves you with something to think about long after the last glass of DLC wine is poured. For anyone who has yet to enjoy one of these special evenings, they come highly recommended!

At the first DeLeCtable Dinner of 2009, we were lucky enough to be joined by the incredible Paralympian Tina Mckenzie, who shared with us her experiences in Beijing along with many other inspiring stories and ideas.

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'I've always had an issue with boundaries'. Tina Mckenzie sits tall in her wheelchair, asserting a quiet confidence that is barely hidden beneath her unwavering smile. After suffering a 10m fall in 1994 she found herself paraplegic from the waist down. Rather than live a difficult life at home, she has instead become one of the worlds premier wheelchair basket-ballers, previously attaining a ranking of second in the world. She has been playing with the Australian womens team 'The Gliders' since 2003 and achieved her career's highlight in 2008 when she captained the Australian team to a bronze medal in the Beijing Olympics. And the secret to her success? 'Time management, passion and commitment,' she says without hesitation. On top of maintaining a peak physical condition, she is also undertaking an Education degree at Macquarie University which she says helps give her a sense of balance with her sporting career.

Tina first became involved with wheelchair basketball socially. Because there were rarely enough people to fill a team, her able-bodied friends used to don wheelchairs for the games and practice sessions. She was quickly noticed for her talent and was soon competing for Australia.

She says her 'life changed within seconds' after the fall and that the first three to eight months were the hardest, being both physically and emotionally draining. She defines the turning point in her outlook was a holiday she took to the coast. Despite being told by her family that she would not be able to, she spent the holiday sailing a boat and building the confidence that has gotten her so far. 'The holiday taught me I could take on anything', she says, a belief that she maintains to this day. Her sentiments are similarly echoed when asked about the future prospects of 'The Gliders'. 'We could definitely take on the world', and from the team's success at the Beijing Paralympics, it seems her confidence has a sound base.

'I loved every minute of it... But I couldn't wait for it to finish.' Like many other athletes, it seems her time in Beijing was one of both incredible highs and lows. Despite an excellent relationship and social environment between the different countries within the Olympic village, she admits that 'its not always easy getting along with twelve girls sleeping in dorms. We're much like a family.' Environmental factors also posed a challenge for the team, she explains. 'The smog was difficult to deal with.' The pollution was considered to be such an issue that the team were told they would not be allowed to march under the Australian flag at the opening ceremony due to the following morning's game against Canada. Even so, the team had a sensational run of victories and ended up taking the bronze medal which she says 'represents the journey I've had in sport.' Incidentally, the medal itself took its own journey after disappearing from her handbag on a celebratory night out, luckily it was returned to her mailbox a week later.

'Facing a challenge is just like stepping outside the square or comfort zone. It can be hard and scary at first but once you get out there, the road is open for the taking.' Her advice is poignant and relevant to anyone facing any difficulty. It all comes down to 'living life everyday to the fullest,' and Tina Mckenzie has certainly done that. In 2009, she still finds herself in the gym and on the court almost everyday. A rigorous training routine which includes bench-pressing her own weight and spending almost three hours on the court every night ensures she maintains her peak physical condition. She also helps raise awareness for road safety and acts as a role model to anyone else suffering from a disability. Despite there being such a divide between the 'disabled world and everybody world' she says that the best way to overcome the difficulties has been positive thinking. 'I like to join those two worlds together,' she says, but admits that 'gaining respect can sometimes be a major challenge. When people say I can't do something, I see it as a challenge'.

Tina Mckenzie is as fine a sportswoman as Australia has to offer. Setting an example through hard work and perseverance, her aspirations for a gold medal in London will undoubtedly be fulfilled. The message she offers to everyone is simple. In the end it's not about counting your limitations, but overcoming them. 'Make the choice to be the best person you can be'. Tina Mckenzie certainly has.

Tarquin Halls-Corbett, Media Liaison Officer, 2009