Perry Cross AM

Our Founder

Perry Cross AM, broke his neck in a rugby accident that changed his life forever. At the age of 19 he was severely injured in a rugby union tackle and told he would never walk again. Paralysed from the neck down, relying on a ventilator to breathe and requiring 24/7 medical care, Perry quickly had to adapt to the profoundly difficult situation. Perry was left a C2 ventilated quadriplegic.

Amidst the heartbreak, terrible grief and pain somehow Perry carved out a new lease on life and within a few years, became one of the world’s most inspiring motivational speakers and spinal research advocates – with one mission, to cure paralysis for all. He has since dedicated his life to advocating for others, raising millions of dollars for medical research, creating awareness and inspiring a movement that has seen tens of thousands of people recognise and support the need for urgent spinal cord injury research.

Perry chose to look for the good in life and find a new direction and he has gone on to live an extraordinary life. He was the first quadriplegic to complete a Communications and Business degree at Bond University and has published a book titled “Still Standing”. He was named “Cure Warrior Advocate of the Year” at the International Working 2 Walk Symposium and in 2018 was chosen as a Gold Coast Commonwealth Games baton bearer.

In 2020 Perry was awarded a Member of the Order Of Australia for his significant service to people living with a spinal cord injury and as a role model. In 2023 Perry was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor from Griffith University for distinguished service to the community and to the university.

Perry has travelled to the United States as an advisor to the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of young Australians and has met with the Governor General and Prime Minister lobbying the legislation of Stem Cell Research in Australia.

Inspired by the story of Hollywood actor Christopher Reeve who sustained the same injury, Perry set up the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation over a decade ago with the primary aim of finding a cure for paralysis for all. Perry and his Foundation is now focussed on fundraising for The Spinal Injury Project at Griffith University and commencing a Human clinical Trial in 2024, the first of its kind in the world to combine nerve bridge transplantation with rehabilitation.

Board of Directors

Perry Cross AM

Perry Cross AM

Executive President and Founder

Dr Brent McMonagle

Dr Brent McMonagle

Scientific Director

Mr Marcus Dore

Mr Marcus Dore

Board Member

Mr Brett Walker

Mr Brett Walker

Board Member

Melanie Leis

Melanie Leis

Board Member

Executive Team

Perry Cross AM

Perry Cross AM

Executive President and Founder

Mrs Melissa Brown

Mrs Melissa Brown

Foundation Manager

Mrs Jen Hutchings

Mrs Jen Hutchings

Philanthropy Manager

Clare Witalik

Clare Witalik

Admin and Events Officer

Company Members

Rob Douglas

Rob Douglas

PCSRF Member

Lynne Gillogly

Lynne Gillogly

PCSRF Member

Damon Harris

Damon Harris

PCSRF Member

Kaye Hastie

Kaye Hastie

PCSRF Member

Blake Hedger

Blake Hedger

PCSRF Member

Heath Hill

Heath Hill

PCSRF Member

Jodie Jackman

Jodie Jackman

PCSRF Member

Beric Lynton

Beric Lynton

PCSRF Member

Letitia Maxwell

Letitia Maxwell

PCSRF Member & Secretary

Wade McMonagle

Wade McMonagle

PCSRF Member

Ben McNeil

Ben McNeil

PCSRF Member

Ben Michael

Ben Michael

PCSRF Member

Lindsay Nott

Lindsay Nott

PCSRF Member

Tracey Roberts

Tracey Roberts

PCSRF Member

Michael Rudd

Michael Rudd

PCSRF Member

Paul Steer

Paul Steer

PCSRF Member

Dr Jens Tampe

Dr Jens Tampe

PCSRF Member

Dan Trollope

Dan Trollope

PCSRF Member

Greg Pink

Greg Pink

PCSRF Member

Tom Walsh

Tom Walsh

PCSRF Member

Scientific Committee

Dr Brent McMonagle

Dr Brent McMonagle

Scientific Director

Dr Dinesh Palipana

Dr Dinesh Palipana

Scientific Committee

Martin Codyre

Martin Codyre

Scientific Committee

Dr Ellison Stephenson

Dr Ellison Stephenson

Scientific Committee

Professor Randy Bindra

Professor Randy Bindra

Scientific Committee

Dr Wayne Ng

Dr Wayne Ng

Scientific Committee

Linda Waters

Linda Waters

Scientific Committee

Volunteer Speaking Ambassadors

Ryan Boyd

Ryan Boyd

Volunteer Speaking Ambassador

Mick Chisolm

Mick Chisolm

Volunteer Speaking Ambassador

Ryan Wiggins

Ryan Wiggins

Volunteer Speaking Ambassador

Kurt Drysdale

Kurt Drysdale

Volunteer Speaking Ambassador

Lindsay Nott

Lindsay Nott

Volunteer Speaking Ambassador

Nick Dempsey

Nick Dempsey

Volunteer Speaking Ambassador

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Leave a Gift in Your Will

A legacy gift to the Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation will help us continue the journey to discover a cure for paralysis and its many complexities.

You can help people across the world to walk again. We can’t thank you enough for considering us.

Please contact us on
0457 277 579 for a confidential discussion.