Wednesday, 29 July 2026

 Alison MARCHANT (Bellarine) (10:33): Not all heroes wear capes, and some are on wheels. Clare Reilly is someone who dreams big and refuses to let challenges stand in her way, and she is a Bellarine hero. She is an advocate, virtual assistant, podcaster and passionate advocate for disability awareness and accessibility and supporting people living with chronic illness. With a background in outdoor education, adventure has always been a part of who Clare is, but she also happens to live with multiple sclerosis. Six years ago Clare launched a podcast, MS Understood, and since then she has shared the stories of almost 100 people living with MS. But she has had to adjust her life with MS. Clare is still determined to prove that adventure does not end with disability – it just looks different.

She set herself an extraordinary challenge to become the first person to complete the entire Munda Biddi trail – 1000 kilometres of off-road cycling through Western Australia – using an electric wheelchair. Supported by her family and a dedicated team, Clare documented every step – or roll – of the journey. Following on social media, you could not help but feel the emotion, the excitement, the setbacks, the exhaustion and the determination, and ultimately that incredible sense of achievement. Clare’s adventure has been captured in an upcoming book, Wheelchair Meets Wilderness, a story of courage, resilience and grit. Knowing Clare, I am sure there are a few tears and laughs in there too. Clare, you have shown us that courage is not about never facing obstacles – it is about refusing to let those obstacles define what is possible. Clare, you have shown us that some heroes are on wheels, and some leave tracks that inspire others. Congratulations. The Bellarine is incredibly proud of you.