Citizen of the Year
Winner of the Gosford City Australia Day 2013 Citizen of the Year was Liesl Tesch of Woy Woy.
Gosford mayor Cr Lawrie McKinna described her as a passionate and skilled sportsperson.
"After becoming a paraplegic at the age of 19 following a bike accident, Liesl turned to wheelchair basketball," he said.
"Two years after her accident Liesl made her national debut at the Wheelchair Basketball World Championships and was consequently named World All-Star two years in a row.
"Liesl piloted the Gliders to silver medals at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 and bronze in Beijing 2008 and was invited to play professionally in a men's team in Europe.
"In 2011 she changed sports and took up sailing.
"Proving to be as adept at her new sport as she was at her old, the six-time Paralympian joined forces with Beijing sailing silver medallist Daniel Fitzgibbon.
"They won their first ever competition in the 2011 World Cup meets and took home bronze in the 2011 World Championships.
"To cap off her first year sailing, both Liesl and Daniel were named the 2011 Australian Sailors of the Year with a Disability.
"Last year Liesl went on to win gold at the London Paralympic Games.
"Liesl co-founded Sport Matters, a non-government organisation that works to give everyone access and opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity in their community.
"Liesl has also established several basketball clinics for wheelchair users in third world countries in an effort to see those who would not necessarily have the opportunity reach their potential."
Media Release, 19 Jan 2013
Lawrie McKinna, Gosford Council