The Shine On Awards, presented by our Rotary District, recognise the abilities and service to the community by people with disability.Nominees by the Club are assisted to attend the District Awards Day.The three candidates nominated by the Club this Rotary year were Russell Short, Chris Boyle and Chris Gillies.
Russell Short was born with macular degeneration and is legally blind.He became the first athlete with a disability to receive a full residential scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport, and the first paralympian to win a medal at an able-bodied National Championship when he won the silver medal in the discus (under 21 years) event.He has won gold medals at the Seoul, Barcelona and Sydney Paralympics (javelin, discus and short put) and gold medals at IPC World Championships.He is actively involved in the Land Care and Land for Wildlife movements.He has received The Order of Australia, Advance Australia Award, and RVIB For Sight Week Achievement Award.
Chris Boyle had advanced glaucoma and has been legally blind since 1994.He has participated in guide dog training, adaptive technology training for use with computers, industrial training in using metal-working and wood-working tools and mentoring.He is a full-time volunteer at the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind (RVIB), providing support and training to clients who are learning new technologies.He is a founding member of the Melbourne Glaucoma Support Group and is also a member of Watsonia's 50's Plus, which caters for social interaction for aged community members.
Chris Gillies has had multiple sclerosis since 1987.Professionally she is a non-executive Director focusing on IT governance and an independent consultant specialising in change programs for both the public and private sectors.She has managed large change programs for Victorian WorkCover, Bendigo Bank and Dun and Bradstreet.She has previously held senior executive positions with St George Bank and the Bank of Melbourne.She is actively involved in the Multiple Sclerosis Society and is a volunteer for a number of other community organisations.
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