Spirit of resilience

By Melissa Meehan
BALI bombing survivor Jason McCartney shared his words of wisdom with Dandenong businesses hoping to withstand the global economic crisis at yesterday’s (Wednesday) business breakfast.
“People kept telling me that goals I had set myself were impossible – but I knew if I worked hard enough I could achieve my dream.”
Mr McCartney linked his plight and success to businesses in Dandenong.
“With the global economic crisis businesses need to look ahead and be ready to deal with all issues that face them,” he said.
“And know that in the end it will all work out.”
At the business breakfast, a dress maker, a window manufacturer and metal manufacturer were the latest companies to be nominated for the Premier Regional Business Awards.
The nomination breakfasts are held five times a year by Greater Dandenong Chamber of Commerce which selects three businesses at each event.
The awards will culminate with a gala evening on 17 March at which the award winners of each category, as well as the winner of the Premier Regional Business Award, are announced. The awards are judged by a panel of business experts from Greater Dandenong and each judge is required to visit each nominee in order to assess their suitability for the award.
This week, the Chamber of Commerce revealed its latest nominees – Leah S Designs, A & L Group and Britannia Metal Industries.
The three companies were recognised during a breakfast at the Sandhurst Club at which Jason McCartney, former AFL footballer and Bali bombing survivor, was guest speaker.
Many would recognise Mr McCartney as a perfect example of achieving goals following the 2002 terrorism attacks.
More than 50 per cent of his body was burnt by the explosion, his ear drums perforated and a minor loss of sight left the healthy athlete severely injured.
With a wedding day already planned and ready to go six weeks after the bombing, Mr McCartney said he had no choice but to get better quickly.
“The doctors told me three things when I came to.
“One, that I had made it through the first stage, two, I would have to postpone my wedding and three, that I would never play AFL at the highest level ever again,” he said.
“But with the discipline and life skills that playing football gave me, I was able to set some goals – including getting better for my wedding day.”
Within four weeks after the blast, Mr McCartney was released from hospital – more than three weeks before doctors had expected.
“I set a goal and achieved it,” he said. “The same thing happened with my football.”
Next week, the Star will highlight the achievements of the three businesses nominated at the breakfast.