By Casey Neill
Pakenham’s Stacey Edwards will become the Moomba Birdman Rally’s first competitor with Down syndrome.
She’ll fly the Wallara Weapon into the Yarra River from a four-metre platform on Sunday 12 March.
Illness stopped Stacey from attending the craft’s unveiling at disability support service Wallara’s site in Doherty Street, Pakenham, on Friday 3 March.
“She said she wanted to show that people with a disability could do brave things,” Wallara staff member Jay Pinkster said.
He said she’d have a cheer squad on the river banks when she takes the big leap.
“You can see the joy and anticipation,” he said.
Wallara support coach Lindsay Hamer helped a team of about 15 to design and build the Wallara Weapon from plastic pipe and laminated images of Wallara services and activities.
He said that participating had really helped to build confidence in the service users.
Anthony Pyke piloted Wallara’s craft last year, throwing himself into the Yarra with a spectacular splash.
He was the first Wallara service user to make the jump, and Wallara was the first disability group to enter the rally.
“After the jump he was a completely different person,” Mr Hamer said.
CMV staff foundation presented a cheque for $1750 to help with entry costs and craft construction.
The group’s secretary Mary Haigh said that employees at CMV, a truck dealership network, could donate part of their wage to the foundation and the company would match it.
“The CMV staff foundation is very proud to continue its association with Wallara and we’re really looking forward to seeing the Wallara Weapon in action at Moomba, as we know that everyone involved will do a great job and hopefully have a great time,” she said.
Wallara, a Dandenong-based not-for-profit, is using the rally as an opportunity to raise funds.
Donate via www.wallara.com.au
Watch Anthony Pyke’s jump last year:
