Sporting Dreams is holding a Public Meeting to discuss forming an Incorporated Association. Interested parties are welcome to attend. Details: Time: Date: 6.30- 7.30 pm 17 Feb 2015 Venue: Maroochydore RSL Board Room Please contact info@sportingdreams.org.au to request a copy of the draft constitution. Any proposed amendments to the constitution must be submitted in writing prior to the meeting. Agenda 1/ Welcome & Purpose of meeting – Graeme Murphy CEO the Sunshine Coast Sports Federation. a) Present b) Apologies 2/ Propose the Association be named Sporting Dreams Inc Motion “That Sporting Dreams be formed, and the Sporting Dream Rules be those attached” Proposed: Marayke Jonkers Sec: 3/ Propose motion to become an Incorporated Association Motion “That Sporting Dreams incorporate, as an incorporated association under the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act, Qld 1981” Proposed: Karen Jenkinson Sec: 4/ Election of management committee Nominations for Office Bearers; a) President Marayke Jonkers; Proposes: Sec : b) Treasurer: Karen Jenkinson; Proposed: Sec: c) Secretary Alice Ross; Proposed: Sec: Other Nominations for management committee (2) Name: Proposed: Sec: Name: Proposed: Sec: 5/ Close public Meeting
Marayke was honoured to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Sunshine Coast sports star of the year Awards, in addition to presenting the special Olympics athletes award on the night The ceremony, hosted by the Sunshine Coast sports federation, was held at the RSL in Maroochydore for the first time. Marayke is thrilled to have joined the sports Federation board this year and be asked to present the special Olympics awards trophy to special winners Kie Wilson MnCaught (athletics) and Chloe Baldwin (swimming) Maraykey enjoyed sitting at the VIP table with the Mayor of Maroochy Shire mark Jamieson, Councillor Jason Opray as well as the Mayor of Gympie and representatives from them a regional Council. What a fantastic night for sport on the Sunshine Coast congratulations to the sports star and junior sportster, legends and all other winners on the night. 
Paralympian Marayke Jonkers is calling for Queensland Paralympians, Olympians and Australian representative athletes to register for a special meet and greet event with members of the public at Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands this Sunday (25 January) as part of the Australia Day Long Weekender celebrations. Jonkers will be hosting the meet and greet opportunity with elite Australian athletes at The Courier-Mail Piazza at South Bank Parklands from 10 am to 1 pm. “On behalf of the Celebrating Queensland Committee, I would like to invite Queensland Paralympians and other elite para-athletes who have competed at major international events such as the Commonwealth Games to join in the festivities,” said Jonkers. “We see this as a great opportunity to showcase Australia’s incredible and diverse sporting talent. Current and retired athletes are welcome to attend. “This is a chance to profile our achievements and give our fans that selfie or autograph they have always wanted. There will be a Twitter Mirror and the #teambne team there as well. I look forward to celebrating this Australia Day with you.” athletes who are able to attend are required to confirm their availability by Wednesday 21 January to the Events Coordination team via australiaday@premiers.qld.gov.au or phone 07 3003 9200. What will you do...
Because of her work starting Sporting Dreams Universal Studios invited Marayke as one of the select group of ” inspirational Queenslanders” to attend the red carpet launch of Angelina Jolie’s movie #unbroken about the life of Olympian and World War II survivor Louis Zamperini. The movies theme is about overcoming adversity and the strength of the human spirit so all around the world inspirational people who have displayed strength of spirit and done amazing things like start charities or overcome insurmountable odds are being invited to the Premier’s of this movie. Marayke was honoured to see her work with Sporting Dreams: The Marayke Jonkers Sporting Dreams fund acknowledged in such a significant way! People around the world are invited to share their inspiring story using the #IAMUNBROKEN. Part of the movies’ prelaunch is a campaign demonstrating the strength of the human spirit called #IAMUNBROKEN inspired by the strength of spirit shown by Olympian and prisoner of war survivor Louis Zamporini whose life story the movie is based on. The campaign encourages people around the world to share their story of overcoming adversity and the strength of their spirit. Here’s my UNBROKEN story “When I was a baby I was run over by a car & became a...
What an honour to be invited to attend the 2014 swimmer of the year awards as a guest presenter.On Monday December 22nd members of the Australian Swim Team swapped their swimming caps for evening wear for the 2014 Swimmer of the Year Awards ceremony in Brisbane.The ceremony, held at Brisbane City Hall, recognises the outstanding performances or achievements of swimmers, coaches, volunteers and clubs from the 2014 swimming season. I couldn’t have been happier to present the Paralympic Program Swimmer of the Year award to my former teammate Grant Patterson @grant scooter patterson. Patterson picked up an impressive six medal haul at the 2014 Para Pan Pacs in Pasadena, California and set a number of new personal bests in the process. Scooter entered the swimming scene towards the end of my career and was the only other athlete in the country who competed in my event 150m individual medley. so we had the very unusual situation of being a male and female in the pool racing each other at major events such as national championships- I was determined never to be beaten by a boy and it didn’t happen- but his personal best time is now faster than mine and...
Marayke was inducted into the sunshine Coast Sporting hall of fame on November 27th, alongside longboard surfer Josh Constable. The hall of fame, housed at the University of the Sunshine Coast contains sporting Greats such as Lisa curry, clint Robinson, Brendan Burkett and Jeff Hardy. Triple Paralympian Marayke Jonkers has been inducted into the Sunshine Coast Sports Hall of Fame along with sporting Greats such as Lisa curry, clint Robinson, Ian Baker Finch and Paralympic gold medallists Brendan Burkett and Jeff Hardy. Jonkers said she is honoured to be included on the wall alongside some of her childhood heroes. “I distinctly remember being a young girl sitting in my pink wheelchair watching Clint Robinson win gold in Barcelona and knowing I wanted to one day represent Australia. Later on I found out about the Paralympics and gained two new role models in Paralympic swimmers Jeff Hardy and Brendan Burkett, who went on to become my teammates,” Jonkers said. “It was one of those ‘pinch myself’ moments to have both Brendan and Jeff there as part of my induction ceremony.” Jonkers’ citation was read out by former National Surf lifesaving champion and swimming coach Cr Jason O’Pray. “We talk...
Honoured to have Sporting Dreams founder Marayke Jonkers featured in this month’s edition of Noosa Style magazine, and a section bout our 100th grant presentation!!!! Marayke says “Who knew I enjoyed dancing on the peak of adversity- the most interesting closing line to an article I have ever read about myself ‘Here is a woman who has not only overcome adversity, but dances on it’s peak. And there is no other place she would be’ but I guess it’s true, from each adverse incident were growing become a stronger better human being so why not dance on the journey there as the transformation takes place!” With thanks to Marion Jonkers Photography for the gorgeous images, and make up artist Natalie Hunter for hair and make up. You can read the article online by clicking the image below 
Channel 7 Sunshine Coast put together a brilliant story tonight about our awards ceremony and 100 sporting dreams athlete, alpine skier Jordan Carroll. 
East Brisbane athlete and “QLD’S own version of ‘cool runnings” blind skier Jordan Carroll wins historic 100th Sporting Dreams Award Triple Paralympian Marayke Jonkers awarded the 100th grant from her Sporting Dreams foundation for Queensland athletes with a disability to East Brisbane athlete athlete Jordan Carroll at a gala presentation event on the Sunshine Coast last night. Aspiring Winter Paralympian, 18-year-old alpine skier Jordan Carroll, was the historic 100th grant recipient, receiving his award from Marayke along with the evening’s special guests inaugural Sporting Dreams grant recipient, Paralympian Rachel Dodds and Sunshine Coast Regional Councillor Jason O’Pray. Jordan, 18, became hooked on alpine skiing after being invited to development camps with Disabled Wintersport Australia and Camp Quality. Jordan skis with a guide because he has a vision impairment due to an inoperable tumour growing on his optic nerve. At age 11 he had a stroke, fell into a coma and didn’t speak for three months. One year later his family learned the devastating news he has a rare form of brain cancer, which will eventually lead him to become completely blind. He had tried skiing prior to losing his sight and was determined to get back on the slopes. He now aspires...
Triple Paralympian Marayke Jonkers has awarded the 100th grant from her Sporting Dreams foundation for Queensland athletes with a disability ata gala presentation event on the Sunshine Coast last night. Aspiring Winter Paralympian, 18-year-old alpine skier Jordan Carroll, was the historic 100th grant recipient, receiving his grant cheque from the evening’s special guest, inaugural Sporting Dreams grant recipient, Paralympian Rachel Dodds, Marayke and Sunshine Coast Regional Councillor Jason OPray. He attended with guide dog Ekka. Jonkers said she was thrilled to present the 100th athlete award to such a determined athlete as Carroll. “I couldn’t be prouder of the achievements of our 100th grant recipient Jordan Carroll who, despite losing his vision only year ago through cancer, has already being invited to train with the National Paralympic team, and has the potential to become Queensland’s first Winter Paralympian.” A total of 21 rising stars and established athletes from across Queensland were awarded individual grants of up to $500 as part of the 2014 funding allocation. They will use their grants towards costs such as sports equipment, competition fees and travel expenses. They ranged in age from 10-year-old wheelchair basketball player Travis Larkin to 57-year-old lawn bowler Debra McGarry. ...
Video By Tessa Wallace, Olympian
Paralympic swimmer and founder of Sporting Dreams Marayke Jonkers awarded a record number of 30 Sporting Dreams grants to athletes with disabilities on November 1st at the University of the Sunshine Coast. The 30 athletes receiving grants this year compete in sports as varied as swimming, athletics, wheelchair basketball, shooting, equestrian and lawn bowls and amongst them are two Sunshine Coast athletes Darron Shields (paratriathlon) and Amy Deguara ( Para canoe). Jonkers says both Darron and Amy are very talented athletes, who have demonstrated a commitment to training and have achieved remarkable success in their sporting careers so far. “This grant will allow them to focus on training and competing as they work towards their goal of competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games,” she said. Darron, 45, made a triumphant return to triathlon in 2010, eight years after he was paralysed in a bike accident while training for a triathlon. This year he completed his first half Ironman, becoming the first paratriathlete to finish the Mooloolaba 70.3 event. Last year, Darron achieved his goal of completing an Olympic distance triathlon within 10 years of his accident. Darron was inspired to take up triathlon again after watching Marayke compete at the...
Sporting Dreams founder Marayke Jonkers joined the pannel on the Insight program titled ‘Gold’ to discuss the funding of sport in Australia. Other guests included Olympic swimmers Libby Trickett, Melanie Schlanger and DanieL Kowalski plus runner Steve Solomon and Olympic gymnast and Badminton competitors.
Marayke would like to thank RSL QLD for donating $1000 to Sporting Dreams after Marayke was guest speaker for their youth development program award ceremony. The program, run in partnership with Bond University, provided grants to 200 talented Queensland high school students to assist with their goals in areas as diverse as sport, the arts, sciences, leadership, and charity work. Marayke was thrilled to meet these outstanding young Queenslanders among whom were aspiring astrophysicists, Olympic athletes, charity workers, pilots and astronauts!
Australia’s first medal of the 2012 Paralympic Games was won by Sporting Dreams athlete Natalie Smith, when she took bronze in the women’s 10m Air Rifle – Standing, SH1 event. Natalie was the fist of four Sporting Dreams grant recipients to compete at the Games. The stand out performer was 15 year old wheelchair racer Rheed McCracken of Bundaberg who won silver and bronze at his first Games in the T34 classification. Innaugrual grant recipient Rachael Dodds,18, competed in the 100m & 200m T35 classification running a personal best time at her first Games. Shooter Bradley Mark, also making his Paralympic debut, placed 9th and 11th. Sporting Dreams Congratulates to all athletes, who have done Australia proud. Brad mark & Rachael Dodds Rheed McCracken Natalie Smith 
Marayke joined over 300 women at the Hyatt Coolum where she spoke on the topic ‘everything is possible,’ along with fellow guest speaker Heather Parry who is leading the way for women in the mining industry, and emcees Kim and Fleur from Like Chocolate for Women. The event was hosted by the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s network and guests donated a combined total of $1000 to Sporting Dreams on the morning. 
01/03/2012 Marayke would like to thank Sunshine Coast local Julia Jones Walker who raised $300 for Sporting Dreams doing her first fun run, after being inspired by hearing Marayke speak. Julia co-ownes the local gym at Woombye and gathered sponsorship for the run from gym members and friends. Congratulations Julia! Can you help Sporting Dreams by fundraising for us? 
5/03/2012 Over 3000 primary school students from around Queensland were inspired by Marayke’s presentation at the National Young Leaders Day event in Brisbane. Marayke joined fellow speakers Graham Quirk, Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Beau Robinson from the QLD Reds and Tiger trainer Giles Clark from Australia Zoo. After the event finished, Marayke enjoyed chatting to some of the students as the lined up for autographs. 
Sporting Dreams athletes have received a boost to their training for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games after round the world sailor and artist Linda Frylink Anderson donated an original artwork to be raffled for Sporting Dreams. The drawing titled Liz’s blossoms was part of Linda’s first solo exhibition- scribbling barefoot’ held at the Rosebed street Gallery In Eudlo, and raise $250. Marayke was honoured to speak at the exhibition opening and congratulate Linda not only on helping athletes dreams come true, but on achieving her own dream to hold a solo exhibition. 
26/01/12 There was no mountain but plenty of smiles when Marayke and Mum Marion headed to Mt Suprise, a 6 hour drive from Cairns. Marayke spoke at the community Australia Day ceremony, and assisted with presenting the Australia Day Awards. She was suprised to discover that the mt in the towns name stands for mining town, not mountain. Marayke and marion visited the Terrestrial exhibition in nearby Georgetown where they learnt about the regions rich mineral history, and Marayke even scored a ride in the mayors porche!
Marayke has awarded grants to nine Queensland athletes at the inaugural presentation ceremony for her new foundation for disabled athletes ‘Sporting Dreams’ on Saturday November 15. The awards were presented on November 15th, 2008 as part of the Sporting Wheelies & Disabled Association annual awards night. Nine athletes received grants from Paralympian Marayke Jonkers, who had just returned from the Beijing Paralympics where she won a silver medal. Handcyclist Darron Shields, from Warana and Sprinter Lucy Larson, from Caloundra were among the nine recipients from throughout Queensland, and each received $500 towards their training and competition expenses. Jonkers says they are worthy winners. “All of the winners are very talented athletes, who have demonstrated a commitment to training and have achieved remarkable success in their sporting careers so far. This grant will allow them to focus on training and competing as they work towards their goal of competing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games,” she said. Marayke won a silver medal in her sole event at the Beijing paralympic Games, the 150m Individual Medley. She became paraplegic in a car accident as a baby, but has gone on to study at university, break world swimming records and has even tried skiing and sky diving....
Paralympian Marayke Jonkers has been named inaugural winner of Cosmopolitan and Biore’s Fun Fearless Female Award at an intimate red carpet lunch attended by some of Australia’s most inspiring women. Delta Goodrem, Kerri-Anne Kennerley,Sophie Falkiner and Carla Zampatti were among the first to congratulate the 25-year-old from Maroochydore when she was selected by the Cosmopolitan team from more than 1000 nominations. Since being paralysed in a car accident at just eight months old, Marayke has thrown herself out of planes, broken world swimming records, backpacked around Europe and graduated from university earning top marks. At the event, Marayke announced she will use her $10,000 prize to start a charity assisting other athletes with disabilities to achieve their sporting dreams. “ It has long been a dream of mine to be able to give something back to the community and help others to experience sporting success, and now I have the means to do it,” she said. She will also appear in an upcoming edition of Cosmo. During her 12 year swimming career she has broken over 70 Australian records, the world record for 100m butterfly and won 2 bronze medals at the Athens 2004 Paralympics. It was Marayke’s drive and...
Paralympian named Fun Fearless Female by Cosmopolitan Magazine Maroochydore Paralympic Swimmer Marayke Jonkers, 25, will feature in the this months edition of Cosmopolitan magazine, after being named as one of five finalists in the inaugural Fun Fearless Female Awards. The nation wide contest aimed to find smart, confident young women who are courageously pursuing their personal dreams and inspiring others along the way, and Jonkers is thrilled by the announcement. “I am really excited to be in the final five as there are four other amazing women who are truly inspirational and are sure to go a long way in life,” she said. The overall winner will feature in the November magazine, and win $10 000 grant to help turn their dream to reality. The winner will be determined by public votes on the competition website www.ninemsn.com.au/fearless. “Now I am calling on everyone to get behind me and vote, ” she said. Jonkers became a Paraplegic in a car accident as a baby, but did not let that stop her from realising her dream to swim for Australia. She represented Australia at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, winning two Bronze medals in Australian record time. A 12 year veteran of...
Tonight I had the great honour of being inducted into the Sunshine Coast Sports Hall of Fame, alongside longboard surfer Josh Constable. Our Plaques are now in the hall of fame alongside some of my childhood heroes such as Paralympic gold medallists Brendan Burkett & Jeff Hardy, and Clint Robinson, Lisa Curry & Kira Llewlyn plus sporting luminaries such as Pat Rafter, Grant kenny and Mal Meninga . My amazing night began with the exciting surprise that I will be arriving at the event in a gorgeous vintage car, chauffeur driven by a lovely gentleman called Eric and organised my mum. my grandma and I made quite the entrance with everybody coming out to watch!!!! Then it was time for the visual ceremony to begin, MC by my former teammate and role model Paralympic gold medallist Brendan Burkett. About the Hall of Fame and my induction Only two athletes are inducted into the Hall of Fame each year so it is a phenomenal honour to be selected. The formal induction involves the reading of a citation about the athlete, a chance for that athlete to speak and finally I was presented with my Plaque which I placed on...
My swimming coach Mike Williams decided to do his first triathlon in March and I’m super excited he used the opportunity to raise funds for Sporting Dreams. Mike helped me to win a silver medal at the Beijing Paralympics, now I’m thrilled to have the chance to cheer on in his own sporting challenge. It really IS a challenge for Mike, he’s had to over come a fear of swimming in open water AND learn to run so I’m super proud of this effort. I set out to watch a bright and early before the sun came up, and found my position on the edge of the river mouth to cheer them out of the swim exit. I was so excited to see mike charging out, and he even saw my Go Mike sign. Next it was off to find a good vantage point for the cycle and run, and I cheered him on with his wife Mel and parents who came all the way from the UK to watch. What an emotional moment to seeing him cross the finish! Please clickety here and support Mike’s dream even a small donation helps – I’ll really appreciate it!!!!! Even if you can’t donate,...
You know those moments that will stay with you for a lifetime? I had a most unexpected one today watching my friend and training partner Darron finish his first half Ironman. It is an achievement in itself to swim cycle and run for seven hours. But when you consider that Darron used to be a triathlete before becoming a paraplegic in an accident 10 years ago, but this was the first time and he was finally achieving his dream to do a half Ironman it takes on a whole new meaning. He was finally back doing his old sport- going further than ever- but using only his arms! In fact Darron was about make history becoming the first paratriathlete ever to complete the Mooloolaba 70.3. Our journey into triathlon together began many years earlier one day at uni when Darron came up and introduced himself and told me he used to do triathlon before his accident. I asked him if he was still training, he looked at me like I was crazy! I just asked why not. The answer turned out to be he wasn’t sure about swimming without using his legs-I don’t think me...
I’ve just returned from the most amazing experience of my life, and almost have to pinch myself to believe that it was real. Not only am I amazed that I have won this award but all the trappings that went with it were like being a movie star for the day, and I feel truly blessed to have been part of this event. To top it all off the prize money will enable me to achieve my dream of creating a foundation to help athletes with disabilities. I want to write down everything that has happened so I don’t forget any of the details. Let me tell you about it The ceremony was held in Sydney, and the four other finalists and I were flown down the day before and Gala afternoon presentation. Most of the details were surprise so we didn’t know what amazing journey was ahead. What awaited us was movie star treatment. Travelling in style to Sydney: the limo and the Water front hotel Today my movie fantasy became a reality!!!! I was met by a lovely chauffeur holding a sign with my name. After a quick lesson in how to dismantle my wheelchair we headed to...
Remember to check under your car for penguins when you leave the car park, the ranger instructs us as we commence our tour. Where else could we be but the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, a 90 minute drive from Melbourne. Each evening at sunset the ‘little’ penguins emerge from the ocean en mass waddling up the sand dunes towards their burrows, and watching the entire process is wheelchair accessible. Able-bodied guests and wheelchair users alike meander through the dunes towards a viewing platform via a zigzagging timber boardwalk. The designated seating area for wheelchair users is directly beside the path of the Penguins and in breeding season you hear the chicks calling from the burrows awaiting dinner from their parents long before you see the penguins breach surface of the waves. The adults scurry past us up the hills ready to regurgitate their catch of fish for their hungry youngsters. Live streaming of these chicks, from cameras hidden inside burrows, forms part of the interactive displays in the information centre as you wait inside for the ranger to announce ‘it’s ‘penguin time.’ You can even send a postcard with a penguin parade postmark. Koala Conservation Sanctuary Besides penguins, Phillip...
Sporting Dreams founder Marayke Jonkers is a professional travel writer and qualified journalist covering accessible travel. Her latest published story ” The world at my wheels” can be found in the current edition of the Link magazine. Read about her adventures in Egypt, Greece and Switzerland- from bikes to souvelaki and toboggans! Please note the travel story runs over two page’s – p 32-33. On page 34 you can read ” Marayke’s top 10 tips for travelling with a wheelchair” To read the article online in Link Magazine Click HERE For notifications about more accessible travel stories by Marayke like our Facebook page, follow us on twitter or subscribe to our newsletter the dream mail.
Welcome to the website of Marayke Jonkers- Australian Paralympic Swimmer,Paratriathlete, motivational speaker and founder of charitable foundation Sporting Dreams.
WHO IS MARAYKE
Marayke’s journey from becoming paraplegic in a car
accident as a baby to a three-time Paralympian has inspired people around Australia
through her motivational presentations and media appearances.
Marayke won a silver and two bronze Paralympic medals as a swimmer, and later became
Australia’s first female paratriathlete when she won bronze at the world championships in 2010. A former world record holder and current Australian record holder Marayke won Queensland Young Achiever Award in 2005, has twice been a finalist in the Young Australian of the Year Awards and has been an Olympic torch bearer.
Since retiring from competitive sport due to injury in 2011 Marayke has focused her attention on helping the next generation of Paralympians through the foundation she started called Sporting Dreams.
She has appeared on television shows including Insight on SBS, Totally Wild on channel 10, and in publications including Cosmopolitan Magazine.
WHAT DOES MARAYKE SPEAK ABOUT
LIFE . INSPIRATION. CHASING DREAMS. ACHIEVING GOALS. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES.
Marayke has spoken to audiences ranging from 10 to 3000, in venues as diverse as pre
schools and Parliament House. She has shared the stage with dignatories including
Premiers and the Govenor General. Her story is of daring to dream big, set goals and
never giving up no matter what obstacles life throws in your path.
She uses sport as a metaphor for life as she weaves her own stories of achievements,
medal winning heighs and injury plagued lows throughout practical tips each of us can
use to lead a rich, rewarding life and overcome the obstacle Marayke says are ‘inevitable’
“While we may not be able to choose what happens to us in life, we can choose the attitude we have towards it. So choose to win,”
- Marayke Jonkers.
Marayke has a special interest in peak performance, and sharing the unique ‘mind training’
strategies she developed during her sporting career to help audience ‘step up to the next level’
and get that last 10% out of themselves.
If you are seeking a speaker on any of these topics , Marayke can help
( and will customise the presentation to your specific goals and requirements)
- Peak performance
- Goal Setting ( and achieving- how to stick to your plans)
- Obliterating obstacles
- Disability & the Paralympics:Marayke is very passionate about promoting Paralympic sport and disability awareness and has fun activities to help participents experience paralympicsport.
- Safety: Marayke has spoken to audiences about spinal injury prevention and workplace safety.As she says- at the moment “prevention is the only cure.”
