Celebrating Two More Illawarra Champions at Hawks v Wildcats

As part of Joint Vision Orthopaedic Group’s Moving Forward Initiative, we’re proud to once again stand alongside the Illawarra Hawks to recognise everyday people in our community who quietly embody resilience, courage and strength of character. 

On Saturday January 31, at the Illawarra Hawks’ clash with the Perth Wildcats at the WIN Entertainment Centre, we will host two new Illawarra Champions and their guests — celebrating not just their stories, but the determination, grace and heart they bring to the world around them. 

Our two new Illawarra Champions are revealed below …

These moments aren’t about spotlighting hardship. 
They’re about recognising character — and honouring those who continue to show up for others, even when life has asked more of them than most. 

Renee Waters: An Inspiration On and Off the Lanes 

Renee Waters was nominated by her mum, Kim — both proud Hawks members and long-time supporters of the club. Renee’s story is one shaped by perseverance, optimism and an unwavering love for her community. 

At just five years old, Renee was diagnosed with Medulla neuroblastoma. Now 44, she has navigated a lifetime of medical challenges, including epilepsy, vision impairment and balance issues. But none of these have ever defined what she’s capable of. 

Renee is part of the Illawarra Star Strikers tenpin bowling team.

Renee is a dedicated member of the Illawarra Star Strikers disability tenpin bowling team, based at Shellharbour Tenpin Bowl. She competes locally, across NSW and at a national level — including the Australian National Championships, where she proudly returned home from Perth this year with a medal. 

Yet what truly sets Renee apart isn’t the medal count. It’s her generosity of spirit. As Kim shared, Renee is always the first to encourage her teammates, quick to lend a hand, and deeply invested in lifting others — even while managing her own challenges. 

Capping off an extraordinary year, Renee’s club — Illawarra Star Strikers Ten Pin Bowling Club — was recently awarded Outstanding Diversity & Inclusion at the Shellharbour Australia Day Awards, a fitting tribute to the values Renee lives every day. 

Renee’s journey is a powerful reminder that moving forward doesn’t have to be fast — it just has to be genuine. 

Emma Fares: Strength, Love and Living Fully 

Our second Illawarra Champion, Emma Fares, was nominated by her husband Tim — a familiar name in the local sporting community. Tim previously worked in the Illawarra Hawks’ front office and now manages the Illawarra Sports Stadium at Berkeley. 

Just over 12 months ago, Emma was diagnosed with Grade 4 brain cancer and given a terminal prognosis. 

Rather than retreat, Emma chose to live. 

The Fares family complete with a recent addition with four legs, Otis.

Originally told she had three to six months, Emma continues to defy expectations through a combination of medical care, faith, love and a fierce focus on what matters most — her family, especially her boys (including new fluffy acquisition Otis the toy cavoodle). 

As Tim shared, Emma has refused to let a diagnosis dictate the way she lives her days. She remains thoughtful, compassionate and outward-looking — still caring deeply for others, still finding ways to give, and still choosing presence over fear. 

Emma’s courage isn’t loud or performative. 
It’s steady. It’s grounded. And it’s deeply human. 

She embodies the very essence of moving forward — not by pretending fear doesn’t exist, but by choosing love anyway. 

Celebrating Illawarra’s Quiet Heroes 

The Moving Forward Initiative was created to shine a light on people like Renee and Emma — individuals whose strength may not always make headlines, but whose impact is felt deeply by families, teams and communities. 

Hosting these Illawarra Champions at a Hawks game may seem like a small gesture, but it carries real meaning. It’s a moment to pause, to acknowledge their journeys, and to remind ourselves what resilience truly looks like. 

We’re honoured to welcome Renee, Emma and their guests to the WIN Entertainment Centre, and to celebrate them alongside the Illawarra Hawks community. 

Because in the Illawarra, moving forward is something we do — together. 

Read more about the Moving Forward Initiative and the Illawarra Champions recognised so far.