Bali bombing survivor to speak at Hay Business Excellence Awards
By Tertia Butcher
Jason McCartney:
A story of humanity overcoming adversity
Jason McCarthy will be the inspirational guest speaker at this year’s Hay Business Excellence Awards.
Jason McCartney, who became a national hero in the wake of the Bali Bombings in 2002, is guest speaker at this year’s Hay Business Excellence Awards.
The gala dinner event will be held on Friday, March 1 at Hay Services Club.
Jason McCartney epitomises the Australian fighting spirit and his story is one of humanity overcoming adversity.
The young Australian with an exceptional talent to play Australian Rules Football, was thrust into the hearts and minds of all Australians through his courageous fight-back from horrible burns he suffered in Bali.
Few will forget his triumphant return to AFL football on the evening of June 6, 2003.
He helped in scoring the winning goal, but his ultimate glory was a victory over terrorism and a "win" for all those who survived Bali.
Jason was awarded an OAM in October 2003.
He started his career when the Collingwood Football Club drafted him at pick number 4 in the 1990 National Draft.
Following four seasons with the Pies, Jason crossed over to the Adelaide Crows where he spent another three seasons.
In 1998, Jason returned to Victoria, playing the next six seasons for his beloved Kangaroos.
In 2002 he was inducted into the AFL 200 Games Club.
Jason is a remarkable guest speaker with an amazing ability to inspire audiences with accounts of how he overcame adversity through amazing support from family, friends, and teammates.
He is also an ambassador for the K.I.D.S Foundation, a charity keeping children safe and creating a better life for those living with serious trauma, injury and burns.
Jason has remained actively involved in the AFL since his retirement as a coach and administrator.
In 2016 after five years in the role as List Manager at the Western Bulldogs Football Club, Jason played an important role which saw the club win its second ever AFL Premiership and its first for 62 years.
Jason is currently the General Manager of Football at the GWS GIANTS Football Club.
Fifty high quality nominations have been received for the 2024 Hay Business Excellence Awards.
Judges this year are News Corp Australia executive Campbell Reid, business advisor and small business financial counsellor, Court Sayer-Roberts and Deniliquin businesswoman, Leesa Muir.
The evening is open to everyone and tickets are now available from Hay Services Club. A three-course meal will be served by Foodie Friends.
