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An Award From the Federal Member for Newcastle

2008 Newcastle and Community Volunteer Awards

I received an award in the ‘Disability Support and Health Services’ section.

The award was presented to me by Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Grierson. Sharon thanked all and said that we should keep up the good work, but not to overdo it as volunteer work can get stressful like a job can. A very good friend of mine, Paul Anicich, approached Leapfrog and suggested that they nominate me for this award. I am very grateful for the award and was honored to be in a room of inspiring, proactive and passionate people.

WHO – Sponsor
WHO Printing and Presentations at Steel River are great sponsors of the 14 Hour Day. Owner, Helen Ogle, has printed all of our material, often on a very short turnaround. Helen is a very efficient and easy-going operator who has worked with me for over 15 years. Helen has also rallied a lot of support.  She organised her staff to design and print a big banner promoting the 14 Hour Day along with local businesses in Steel River.The banner was then put on their pantech truck. These businesses, Pace, Macquarie Engineers, Arion Systems and Hema Maps also sponsored staff to participate as well. They also made donations for the 14 Hour Day.

Arion Systems – Sponsor
Arion Systems are IT specialists. Simon Drinkwater, of Arion, is a keen sportsman and he is participating with me by swimming 1km in the ocean too. He has also put his staff in the spin classes on the 14 Hour Day. They are a great bunch of fun and energetic people.

Exhale Beauty Sponsors Eddie

Long time fiend Donna Ireland is sposoring me with some great after event relaxation bamboo massages.  Donna also does my facials as my skin does get a beating out on the long rides in the wind and dirty road conditions.

Donna and her team are really nice and pleasent people to be around with their calming influence which I love.

More Sponsors onboard for The 14 Hour Day

New Sponsors

Regent Street Physiotherapy at New Lambton have come on board to provide sponsorship for the 14 hour day for disability. They have made considerable donations and also provided me with physiotherapy on my injured foot as part of their sponsorship. My Physio Anthony Ingram has done a great amount of work on my foot and owner Craig Boettcher will also be swimming on the 14 Hour Day too.

Pronto Total Image Centre at The Junction Fair Shopping Centre are supplying each 14 hour day participant  with a free 13x18 print of their participation in the 14 Hour Day. They will get a voucher in their goodie bag. Additional prints may also be purchased at a great price. A big thankyou to Regent Street Physiotherapy and Pronto Total Image Centre for their contributions to this great cause. 

Radio 2HD Interview with Richard King

An Afternoon Interview with Richard King

This was a very relaxed and casual interview with King line maestro Richard. A week or so ago Judy Sharpe  in her gardening segment was raving about my Newcastle Business Club Address I did alongside World Vision Spokesperson the great Tim Costello. Judy left the Business Luncheon and headed straight up to her Radio show conducted by Richard and un beknown to her Richard knows me well. Small world, so he said yeah I am going to get him up next week and so he did. Richard touched on the 14 hour day itself and my challenges I had whilst recovering from my acquired Brain Injury. This pic taken by a 2HD staffer.

Maitland Rotary Address

Maitland Rotary Support the 14 Hour Day

Maitland Rotary invited Edward to address their members on the upcoming 14 hour day for disability and I - Emmi his daughter went along. Edward gave an inspiring speech accompanied by a powerpoint presentation I operated for him. This documented his journey through often difficult times whilst suffering and recovering from a brain injury. He also profiled his training regime and the people who have helped  him along the way. Dad did get a little teary during his speach and I had a tear too.The Maitland Rotary presented him with a cheque for $1000 and other Rotarians gave donations to the value of $155.  A big thankyou goes to Maitland Rotary for providing these donations to the Eddie Cross' 14 Hour Day for Disability. We loved the breakfast cooked by Petey which is bacon and eggs served up as a smiley face. Pics of dad and I by Paul Humphries and Edward with the $1,000 cheque and Rotarians taken by me.

Newcastle Post Story & Picture

Newcastle Post Story

Recently the Post Newspaper’s Thomas Fearon did a story on Vanessa who is participating in the 14 Hour Day. Vanessa a former classmate of mine at TAFE when we did our Cert 3 in fitness is still the great operator and loyal person today as I remember her back at TAFE. She has done exceptionally well in Triathlon and Marathon running in a short space of time. Her Last Marathon in Sydney last Sunday saw her complete the 42.2km course in 2 hours and 59 mins. Vanessa that is speeding sister. I gave Thomas a photography lesson with my Nikon and sports lens and he was away. Then along came another Marathon runner Miss USA Lourdes who I call the Hampster and then told me how to take a photo and she was into it with my happy snap camera. Cool Hampster, I like this pic of Thomas, Vanessa and I.

Newcastle Business Club Speaking Spot 18/9/08

Tim Costello Keynote Speaker - I being the Local Guest Speaker to the 120 guests

Well this was a big event for me, a fair few nerves and excitement and quite a few tears flowing as well. I had a fantastic power point presentation of beautiful images to compliment and narate my speach with that Tim Callcott my Event manager drove along with the DVD. It was hard, and always is re visiting the past and i do believe it is the key to the future though. A great time of learning, as is the present. Tim Costello was thought provoking and quite unique and funny too when required. And the food was great too.

All pics by Young Gavin, thanks for your support Gavin and getting some great pics of me in my new Gentlemens outfitters suit. For any of you who mentions to David McElwaine in the Hunter St Mall store that I said it was okay for them to ask David for a bigger discount than advertised it is. David said he will look after you further if you mention your connection with me. David is a man of his word too by the way and wow I am learning about fashion. How cool. Below I  post a members comment and my note to thank them.

Hi Ed, I didn’t get a chance to say this last week as you were surrounded by people at the end of the lunch, but I thought you were amazing last week.

I have not cried like that during a speech for some time.  You were real, emotional and very easy to listen to.  And the photos were fantastic!

I wish you well in this amazing endeavour! Take care and see you soon

Dear Fellow Newcastle Business Club members

Thank you for allowing me into your lives for a short time – while I was very nervous  it was a great thrill and to hear Tim Costello say that he may as well go home after hearing me speak was incredible.

I wanted to take this opportunity to ask you to think about what I have been through and what I want to give back.  I could really use your help.

Participating is easy – follow this link www.stickytickets.com.au/801 - just choose the part of the day that you want to do with me (and remember you can nominate someone else to do it with me, if you think you cant)

Donating is easy as well – go to the website – www.14hourdayfordisability.org.au and click the blue DONATE NOW button at the bottom of the page

Thank you from the bottom of my heart – we will change the lives of children and their families in the Newcastle Region

Cheers

Eddie

Hunter Masters AFL Frock Up

Masters AFl Donate $150

I did a photo shoot of my old AFL team at No 1 sportsground in action. A few of the mature aged gentlemen (like me) in the club came over and said Groover we had a Charity Frock Day here a few weeks back and we raised some money for your 14 Hour Day. I said cool thanks guys and they didn't invite me because they obviously didn't want any good pics taken of them running around in frocks playing AFL. I can say from what I saw of their website that these men as ladies are not and I repeat are not attractive ladies. They do themselves and everyone a bad deed by even trying. Apparently their wives were scared from this misadventre and if you go to there website you will be scared too. Oh yeah and you will wet your pants laughing too. I did. On a more normal and formal approach I must say that theses men embody all things good. They are good because they saw me get wiped out that Mother's Day back in 2006 and watched me recover. For them to jump onboard and help me shows how great the Newcastle City AFL and Hunter Master's Teams are. I applaud them for their support of me over this time especially as they did not know who Eddie Cross was in 2006 as I had never played AFL in my life before. L-r is Mal Smith, John Holmquest, me, Mark Hope and Eric Rogers. www.Huntermaf.org.au

Lake Macquarie Business Centre- My speech

Because I am still learning to type I have decided to copy and paste Centre Manager John's email of thanks.

The night was held recently at Club MacQaurie and MC'd by John McGann of 2NUR FM. A fun night and they managed to donate $345 from raffle proceeds to the 14 Hour Day For Disability. That's great. Tah lots LMBC. These pics by Fiona Keddie of Newcastle Newspapers.

I just wanted to say that your presentation at the dinner was terrific. I have spoken to many of those in attendance and they thought you made a great presentation and that they had a very good evening.

Thank you for making it such a good event.

Kind regards,

John

John Caelli

48 Oakdale Road,

Gateshead  NSW  2290

Ph: 4942 3133

Fax: 4942 3188

www.lakemacbusinesscentre.com.au