Video Shout-Out from Julie Charlton OAM

I am an elite Para Athletics Athlete, 2022 Commonwealth Games Seated Shot put representative, Disability and Youth Advocate with a background in social awareness and inclusion. 

i began working in Disability advocacy at the age of 8 as the Northcott Disability Services Spina Bifida Awareness Week Ambassador. I then moved onto becoming two time Don't Dis My Ability Ambassador. I now work for the Disability Council of NSW as a Council Member. 

In sport, i began my sporting journey in 2008 after a long journey of fighting for my right to be included in my school PE classes. At my second school, the PE teacher at the time knew exactly how to include me and entered me into my first shot put competition. Because of his ability to use inclusive education strategies, i am bow where i am today. 

I have represented Australia twice in Athletics, at the 2016 IWAS World Junior Championships in Prague where i won a gold, silver and bronze and the 2019 Oceania Championships in Townsville where i won a gold and silver. I have recently been selected for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England in the F55-57 Seated Shot Put. 

In 2024 I competed for Australia at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Fiji. I came home with a Gold in Javelin, Silver in Shotput and Bronze in Discus.

2022-24 Disability Council of NSW member focussing on Children, Young People and Inclusive Education 

Impact Board Member of The Accountable Futures Collective, focussing on reframing society's priorities to focus on holding systems accountable so they stop hurting generations of young people.

Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT Board Member

I hold the Australian F57 Record in both Shot put and Discus and I hold the Oceania Record in Discus.