Mark was born in Fiji, the eldest of 7 children to parents of Tongan descent. His family immigrate from the norm d to Sydney where he attended Homebush Boys High School. Mark then completed a diploma of business and later a degree in business management (majoring in accountancy) in 2007. He was also enjoying playing grade rugby for the West Harbour Pirates.  <a target="_blank" href="https://youtu.be/n4WeG-stjhc">Watch Mark's video </a>

Mark

Mark Tonga

After being permanently sidelined due to acquiring a spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia while playing as a tighthead prop in a rugby match for the Clovelly Junior Rugby Union Club while on an end of season tour of New Zealand in the late 1970s, I have tried to remain as independent as possible and participate in society as an active citizen. I contribute by working part-time and participating as a volunteer on a number of community, local and state government committees in the areas of access, assistive technology, home modifications and maintenance, transport, the arts, community and disability support services such as community transport, in-home respite, social support and food services.

Greg Killen - HiRU

Greg K

Greg Moran broke his neck in a collapsed rugby maul in 1983 but has led a full life since. UNABLE to move his body, Greg Moran lay flat on his back, stared at the blank hospital ceiling and decided he would flourish.  The other option was too grim to comprehend for someone born with a glass half-full disposition.  A collapsing maul had rendered this promising rugby union player a quadriplegic at the age of 15.  It was 1983 and if the Riverview student was going to be confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of his life, here on this hospital bed he promised he was at least going to make it memorable.

Greg Moran

Arona was injured in July 2013 as an incomplete C5. HiRU have provided support by way of a new Suzuki Vitara in 2016 , and 2021 a Samsung smart phone so as he can have efficient communications.

Arona Amosa - HiRU

Arona Amosa

September 2018 injured while training with the u/16’s rugby 7’s youth selection squad. Alex is an incomplete C4 tetraplegic . Alex has progressed significantly and study law at Sydney University.  Alex has gone on to write a book about his experience called ‘I Fight You Fight’. It’s a story of determination & resilience, making the most of your opportunities & striving to enjoy life through overcoming the obstacles in front of you.

Alex Noble - HiRU

Alex Noble

 Check out this beautiful feature on the inspirational Matty Vosa.

A freak accident in the first game of the 2015 rugby season changed the lives of Maciu Vosa (Matty), his wife Kylie, and their two young children, Ezekia and Ariella, forever.  Matty broke his neck after a regulation maul collapsed in general play under the weight of a phalanx of team-mates and opponents whist playing for the Melbourne Harlequins. He is now a C4 complete quadriplegic and has no feeling from his upper chest down, but has some limited movement in his arms.

Vosa

Maciu Vosa

Nathan Stapleton suffered a severe Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) while playing rugby for his local club, the Boorowa Goldies on 9 April 2022 in West Wyalong. At this stage, the injury has left Nathan a quadriplegic, paralysed from the shoulders down.  Nathan is fiercely passionate about his family, two sons - Harry (18 months old at the time of Nathan’s injury) and Angus (born in July 2022) and wife Kate.

Beneficiaries