Inspirational stories capture 25 year history of TAC

03 Oct 2012

MEDIA RELEASE: Wednesday 3rd October 2012

Two young Victorian men who are defying the odds to live fulfilling lives have shared their stories at an event to celebrate the Transport Accident Commission's 25th anniversary today.

The young men, Anthony Bartl and Simon van Beest, joined 100 staff at the TAC in Geelong to mark the occasion.

Both men had car accidents in 1986, as young boys, and their challenges and achievements over the past 25 years have been captured in a short film reflecting on the TAC's history.

Anthony was 6 years old when he was crossing a road and hit by a car. He was so severely injured, it wasn't thought he would survive, let alone have any quality of life.
 
Today, despite challenges of having only movement of his head, not being able to feel below his neck and breathing only with the help of a ventilator, he hasn't let his disability hold him back. He has just completed a teaching degree, has appeared and won on Channel 9's Millionaire Hot Seat game show and has pursued outdoor activities including snorkelling, sailing and micro-gliding.

Simon was 8 years old when he was a passenger in a car that crashed. He was in a coma for three months and had to be taught how to swallow, speak and walk again.

Simon now has two part-time jobs and is learning to live independently.

TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore said these were the stories of just two of 590,000 clients supported by the TAC over the past 25 years.

"It's difficult to imagine what support injured Victorians would have if the TAC hadn't been established. What we do know from talking to people like Anthony and Simon, is the tangible difference the TAC has made to many people's lives," she said.

Ms Dore said the event and the film showed the significance of the TAC to the Victorian community.

"It's about the 44,000 people who are currently receiving our support after a transport accident, it's about the 800 staff who care for clients or work in road safety.

"It's about the health professionals, medical providers, road safety agencies, researchers, the government and many others, who care about people injured in transport accidents and dedicate themselves to achieving our shared vision: to make every journey a safe one," Ms Dore said.

The Premier Ted Baillieu gave a special thank you to all those who have been involved with the TAC over the past 25 years, congratulating them on their efforts in a message included in the film shown today.

The videos and stories can be viewed online in the Client Zone area