Melissa Aveyard

Melissa Aveyard won the 2004 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Award for her initiative and commitment to assisting others, in particular young people with a disability. She wasn't able to accept the award in person because she was on her way to England to work voluntarily for six months as a carer in a home for 25 adults with cerebral palsy. Two years later, Melissa suffered a setback of her own – she had a stroke and she was only nineteen. Since then she has been campaigning for a support group in Canberra for young stroke survivors. She wants people to realise that strokes don’t happen only to older people and she believes it is important for young sufferers to know they are not alone. Through her forming a social group, Melissa has enabled others to share their concerns and triumphs with someone who understands where they are coming from.