World Champion Canoeist and 2024 Archery Australia Para Team Member, Melissa-Anne Tanner Makes Honourable Presentation to SDA Services Principal Consultant and Founder, Greg Barry
(Co-Written by Amanda Dodds & Fred Tanner)
Introduction
Everyone loves a good news story and this one is one the team at SDA Services are privileged to be able to share.
Melissa-Anne Tanner (Mel) is one of Australia’s top para-archers who has overcome significant adversity in order to achieve her dreams both personally and professionally.
SDA Services has previously supported Mel in her SDA application process, and as a result she is now living in an SDA dwelling with her husband Fred.
During her journey to get her home, Mel connected with SDA Principal Consultant and Founder, Greg Barry and they have since formed a strong bond. Mel has also since become a valued member of the SDA Services team, assisting other participants on their journey towards SDA.
In a recent Archery Australia presentation, Mel was asked to nominate and make a presentation of a current Australian Archery framed jersey to someone who has made or provided an opportunity to change their world. Mel presented this to Greg, demonstrating her gratitude for Greg. Mel believes she has a better understanding of why she became disabled and believes that her disability came about so that she can help other people living with disability.
Mel’s story is one of inspiration and courage and we are honoured to be working alongside her to help others achieve their SDA goals.
Mel’s Story
Melissa-Anne was born in Singapore in the Australian Army base hospital. At the age of 18 she joined the Australian Airforce which started a personal journey for Mel motivated by the theme of “anything is possible” when you have a dream.
Melissa's life started like many others, however, things changed drastically when a broken ankle in 2008, led to unexpected complications and her the lower part of her right leg was amputated in 2011. Then, in 2021 her left leg was amputated because of a syndrome called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).
Melissa needed to find an activity that provided her with the physical and mental space away from the world that she now lived in. Canoeing initially provided an opportunity to focus and deal with the myriad of issues she faced every second of every day. In 2014, representing Australia in the RIO24 World Va'a Sprint Championships, Melissa won 6 gold medals. Melissa was then selected in the Australian Canoe/Kayak Paralympic team in 2015, however due to a serious shoulder injury her dream of being an Olympian in 2016 was dashed.
Melissa's health took another turn as she was diagnosed with Gastroparesis and was then required to be machine fed 24/7 and have a Colostomy and Pej.
These events provided another opportunity to reset her belief that “anything is possible”. The loss of her legs empowered her to look at life and all the lessons that it has thrown at her and others through a different lens.
In 2022, Melissa embarked on another sporting journey after watching Para Archery athletes in the Tokyo Olympics.
After 18 months Melissa was rated #1 in Australia and was selected in the Archery Australia Para team for World titles in July 2023. She is now focused on the Paris 24 Olympics.
Professionally, Melissa was the Director/ owner of a Lin Andrews Real Estate franchise and success in this role was based upon a professional, inclusive and ethical approach. With a remarkable passion for her work, Melissa ensured a strong level of professionalism with her colleagues, providing a safe, honest, and fun environment, which directly contributed to a 100% employee retention rate, and no employee conflicts.
Melissa's professional and sporting life has empowered her with knowledge and a commitment to increase her adult learning techniques.
During 2022, Melissa was selected to be part of Wild Collective Leadership and Mentoring in Sports Program. Candidates were to be people with Disabilities and Australian Athletes. The program required a commitment for 11 months, participating in monthly online learning and completing learning tasks.
Melissa's beliefs are that we all are on our own journey, we have one life in which to find our ‘Why’…. This for her is the very essence of existence. Melissa's ‘Why’ is that "anything is possible", if we are the best at all things we do, say, and seek to create positive changes in the lives of others whoever they are, our children, partner, friends, work colleagues or clients.
The connection that Melissa formed with Greg Barry from SDA Services has given Melissa her 'Why'. Melissa has found their special connection as a healthy sense of happiness, wellbeing and a clear direction for her to follow which will see change not only in her life but in the lives of everyone she has and will meet in the future.