A Night Off With A Bailey(s)!!

On Friday the 30th October 2009, Marrar Ag n Chat hosted a visit from Sam and Jenny Bailey to speak at Marrar Memorial Hall from 6pm.

Sam suffered a spinal injury in a car accident when jackerooing in the Northern Territory at 19-years-of-age, leaving him a C6/C7 quadriplegic. Against the odds, he returned to the family farm and fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a farmer. In 1999 Sam married ABC Radio Rural Reporter, Jenny Black, after proposing to her 'live' on ABC Regional Radio. At the time Jenny had spent 17 years as a newspaper and radio journalist. She now helps Sam run their Croppa Creek farm, speaks with him and together they're about to start writing his next book. They appeared in February 2000 on ABC Television's 'Australian Story' and their book 'Head Over Heels' was published by ABC Books in 2006.

Sam and Jenny’s day began with a visit to Yanco Agricultural High School to speak to the 300 students and teachers there. Sam emphasised the need to be responsible when driving a car and to always wear a seat belt. He suggested that the students write the letter “C” for consequences and “SAM” in the corner of the windscreen of their vehicles to remind them to always wear a seat belt and to not speed so they don’t end up in a wheelchair like Sam. The students were all very interested in Sam and Jenny’s story and asked a number of questions afterwards.

Sam and Jenny then spoke at St Michael’s Hall in Coolamon where St Michael’s School hosted students from Coolamon Central, Marrar Public, Ganmain Public and Matong Public. He presented copies of their book “Head Over Heels” to all the school libraries.

Sam and Jenny arrived at the Marrar Memorial Hall at 6pm to find a large number of people already seated. There were approximately 350 people who attended the night which was far more than expected. People came from all over the Riverina – Marrar, Coolamon, Ganmain, Matong, Grong Grong, Junee, Wagga Wagga, Culcairn, Gundagai, Barmedman to name just a few.

Thank you to everyone who helped with organising the night – Marrar Public School P & C who served the supper, Marrar Football Club who operated the bar, Sarah Heinjus and Libby Hanlon Community Support Workers from the Riverina Division of General Practice who were there with lots of information for our farming families, the NSW Government Industry and Investment who sponsored the supper, Bill Thompson, and of course the wonderful Marrar Ag n Chat ladies especially Kim, Marilyn and Donna.

The night was totally sponsored by local businesses, and community and sporting groups. Thank you very much to these sponsors for their generous donations:

Coolamon Shire Council, Marrar Tennis Club, Hart Bros Seeds, MC Croker Pty Ltd, Marrar Football Club, Delta Agribusiness, Rodwells & Co, RAW Design and Fabrication, WH & D Glass,
Winchendonvale Landcare, Coolamon Rotary, Club GJ Hulm, Logan & Hitchens, Rannock Tennis Club, Active Print, Coolamon Lions Club and Armdale Park Poll Dorset Stud.

Local boy Scott Reardon was asked to speak about his latest waterskiing achievements and becoming World Overall Disabled Water Ski Champion for 2009 when he competed in France. Scott is now focused on his scholarship with the AIS in Canberra and his athletics career which he hopes will take him to the London Paralympics in 2012. Scott did a fantastic job speaking to a huge crowd of people for the first time.

Sam was then lifted onto the Marrar Hall stage where he told us his inspirational story of triumph over tragedy. He had lots of funny stories to tell about his life before and after his accident, especially about his courtship and proposal to Jenny on live radio. Sam said he has no regrets about his life and he is very thankful for the life he has now. He has the opportunity to travel all over Australia meeting many wonderful people who want to hear his story. He also has the love of his life in Jenny to share this experience with.

Sam and Jenny were very generous with their time and spoke with the crowd afterwards and signed their book.

Everyone agreed that the night was a huge success and Marrar Ag n Chat should do it again next year!!

Thank you to everyone who helped on the night and supported this initiative of Marrar Ag n Chat.