“It’s not what you are dealt with in life – it’s how you deal with it!” That’s the philosophy of former footballer and Bali bomb survivor Jason McCartney who was a special guest at yesterday’s LeasePlan Western Bulldogs Dog’s Lunch.
More than 90 students from 15 Bulldogs Friendly Secondary Schools in the western region were at Victoria University to see his presentation - Against the odds, the Jason McCartney story.
He provided guests with a graphic and at times emotional insight into his recovery from the Bali bomb blast that claimed the lives of 202 people, including 88 Australians, on October 12, 2002.
“I never thought that anything could have been worse than when I was suspended after the 1999 preliminary final and watched my North Melbourne team mates win the premiership the following week,” McCartney said.
“That was all put into perspective three years later in Bali.
I’ll never forget the flash of light when the bomb exploded. The noise perforated my ear drums and the force of the bomb was worse than any bump I ever received on the football field.”
In discussing his remarkable recovery from injuries that included burns to 50 per cent of his body, McCartney told of the ‘hope and resilience’ he needed to overcome the trauma of the bombings.
“Having dreams and refusing to quit are vital in achieving your goals. I think it’s important to share them with other people and you shouldn’t be disappointed if people say you can’t achieve them,” he said.
More than 90 students from 15 Bulldogs Friendly Secondary Schools in the western region were at Victoria University to see his presentation - Against the odds, the Jason McCartney story.
He provided guests with a graphic and at times emotional insight into his recovery from the Bali bomb blast that claimed the lives of 202 people, including 88 Australians, on October 12, 2002.
“I never thought that anything could have been worse than when I was suspended after the 1999 preliminary final and watched my North Melbourne team mates win the premiership the following week,” McCartney said.
“That was all put into perspective three years later in Bali.
I’ll never forget the flash of light when the bomb exploded. The noise perforated my ear drums and the force of the bomb was worse than any bump I ever received on the football field.”
In discussing his remarkable recovery from injuries that included burns to 50 per cent of his body, McCartney told of the ‘hope and resilience’ he needed to overcome the trauma of the bombings.
“Having dreams and refusing to quit are vital in achieving your goals. I think it’s important to share them with other people and you shouldn’t be disappointed if people say you can’t achieve them,” he said.
“The main aim I had after coming out of my medically induced coma was to get married on December 14, just three months after the bombing. I defied the advice of doctors and was able to marry my wife Nerissa without changing any plans.”
McCartney, who returned for one final game of football in 2003 before retiring, has been running leadership seminars with the AFL for the past five years. He says if one or two people can take something away each time he speaks then it’s been worthwhile.
“It’s something I really enjoy doing and hopefully people can link my experiences in with goal setting, persistence, leadership and support networks.”
Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Cross, who hosted the lunch, said McCartney’s story provides inspiration to all Australian’s.
“It’s an amazing story and he is a special kind of person. He is a great example to anyone that wants to achieve anything in life that nothing is impossible,” Cross said.
“This us the second lunch I have been part of and it’s great to see students hearing different personal experiences from people in our community.”
Staff and students from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College in Braybrook were also touched by McCartney’s presentation.
Teacher Andrew Bryson said his students could adopt many of McCartney’s personal attributes into their daily lives.
“Hopefully this helps our students realise that if they are failing or struggling with something then it’s not the end of the world. Jason is living proof that you shouldn’t give up when life presents you with a few challenges,” he said.
Student Tony Tran agreed and said attending the lunch had been a great experience.
“For him to be able to share with us the trauma that he went through is pretty amazing. He is a great role model.”
The lunch was the second of four events that forms a significant part of the club’s community strategy for secondary schools in the western region. Designed by the Western Bulldogs with help from community partner Victoria University, it provides a forum for students where they are encouraged to participate and gain valuable knowledge.McCartney, who returned for one final game of football in 2003 before retiring, has been running leadership seminars with the AFL for the past five years. He says if one or two people can take something away each time he speaks then it’s been worthwhile.
“It’s something I really enjoy doing and hopefully people can link my experiences in with goal setting, persistence, leadership and support networks.”
Bulldogs midfielder Daniel Cross, who hosted the lunch, said McCartney’s story provides inspiration to all Australian’s.
“It’s an amazing story and he is a special kind of person. He is a great example to anyone that wants to achieve anything in life that nothing is impossible,” Cross said.
“This us the second lunch I have been part of and it’s great to see students hearing different personal experiences from people in our community.”
Staff and students from Caroline Chisholm Catholic College in Braybrook were also touched by McCartney’s presentation.
Teacher Andrew Bryson said his students could adopt many of McCartney’s personal attributes into their daily lives.
“Hopefully this helps our students realise that if they are failing or struggling with something then it’s not the end of the world. Jason is living proof that you shouldn’t give up when life presents you with a few challenges,” he said.
Student Tony Tran agreed and said attending the lunch had been a great experience.
“For him to be able to share with us the trauma that he went through is pretty amazing. He is a great role model.”
McCartney said it was great to see the Western Bulldogs working closely with local schools.
“The AFL is a massive industry but it’s important not to forget your grass roots. This is a great program that the Bulldogs run and I think it’s important to get kids from the local community in so they can share in the experiences of others.”
