Illawarra Champions: Celebrating Strength, Kindness and Community

As part of Joint Vision’s Moving Forward initiative, we continue to recognise people across the Illawarra whose resilience, courage and generosity uplift others and help our community move forward. 

Our Champions and their guests, who were hosted on behalf of Joint Vision by local business identities Mark Upton and Jason Blanchard.

This week, three remarkable Illawarra Champions joined us as guests of the Joint Vision Orthopaedic Research Institute (JVORI) in the corporate box at the Illawarra Hawks home game. Each Champion was nominated by someone who has witnessed their impact firsthand — and each represents the spirit of Moving Forward in their own powerful way. 

Our Illawarra Champions

Natalie Gartshore

Natalie is 27 and lives with Down Syndrome, but as her mum explains, she refuses to let that define her. She brings joy, kindness and determination to everything she does. 

Nat works with Greenacres at Brewing Up a Storm at Warrigal Shell Cove, where customers adore her warmth, friendliness and genuine connection with elderly residents. She has also been selected to represent NSW at the Special Olympics National Games in 2026, competing in Tenpin Bowling — an extraordinary achievement. 

And of course, she is a passionate Illawarra Hawks fan. It was a privilege to have her courtside as one of our Champions. 

Sonia Milgate 

Sonia is a teacher, musical conductor and tireless volunteer in the Corrimal community. In 2024, she fully ruptured her achilles and underwent surgery with Dr Anjum, followed by physiotherapy with Alicia Fry at Joint Vision. 

Despite the setback, she continued to devote her time and passion to others. 

She led a 100-student choir at the Corrimal RSL Sub Branch Dawn Service — initially while still in a moon boot — and she has been a driving force behind Carols at Ziems Park in both 2024 and 2025. 

Her perseverance, community leadership and unwavering positivity embody the essence of Moving Forward. 

Cherie McMahon 

Cherie’s story is one of extraordinary devotion and strength. 

When her husband was diagnosed with a brain tumour and required emergency surgery, Cherie stepped away from her career to care for him full time. For more than a year, she supported him through significant physical impairment — feeding, lifting, supervising and advocating for him 24 hours a day. 

As he slowly regained his mobility and independence, Cherie made a decision that speaks to her character. Instead of returning to her previous career, she began studying physiotherapy and transitioned into a role as a disability support worker, determined to use her lived experience to help others. 

Her nominator described her level of care and resilience as “rare to see,” and we are honoured to celebrate her as an Illawarra Champion. Cherie was represented on the night by family. 

A message from Wynter Dares — Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group 

“Our Moving Forward initiative is about recognising resilience, progress and the everyday acts of strength that help people recover and thrive. These Illawarra Champions remind us what courage and community look like. Their stories are powerful, and we’re grateful to everyone who took the time to share them.” 

Thank you to our community 

We received an inspiring number of nominations — far more than we could host in one evening. Because of this, we’ll be inviting additional Illawarra Champions to future Hawks games later this year. 

To everyone who nominated someone: thank you for helping us shine a light on the quiet, meaningful ways people keep our community moving forward.