There usually aren’t many good stories in the period immediately after surgery when you’re sore, immobile and tearing yourself up over all the games you’re missing.

But this is an exception.

I had both my shoulders operated on last year and moved in with my mum and little brother, Wes, at their place on the Central Coast of NSW. It was the first time since I was 15, when my football career started to take off, that I’d spent more than a few days at home.

Recovering from surgery gave me the chance to talk to mum and understand our family story.

I knew bits of it, but I also knew there were parts that had been left unsaid.

Now that I understand exactly what was unsaid – and why – I have a newfound admiration of mum and dad and the hardships they endured for us.

Click here to read more…

Three-time Paralympic gold medallist, and Novocastrian Kurt Fearnley AO can now add another achievement to his name – the 2019 New South Wales Australian of the Year.

The 37-year-old retired from international wheelchair racing this year, receiving his latest honour at an award ceremony in Sydney overnight.

Fearnley was born without part of his spine and has championed the rights of people with disability.

Click here to read more and watch Kurt’s acceptance speech…