career. There’s no substitute for
that hard work and determination.
He’s certainly a very valued voice
at the Variety Board table and
from a state perspective, South
Australia is very fortunate to
have a man of his age, profile and
experience in the Parliament.”
Currently the second-youngest
MP in SA, Matt is keen that his
presence in the Parliament will add
credence to the notion that “diverse
crowds make wiser decisions”.
“I hope to be a catalyst for
increased diversity, whether that’s
age, disability, gender, education
level or background, we need to
do more to ensure our leaders
are more representative of the
community,” he said.
Keenly watching Matt’s
representation in Parliament is David
Baker, co-founder and joint managing
director of Baker Young Stockbrokers.
David is a former Chair and now
patron of the Australian Paralympic
Committee (SA) and has known Matt
for 15 years.
“I was in Athens as a delegate of
the Paralympic Committee in 2004
when suddenly the name Matthew
Cowdrey came up,” David recalls.
“I think sport is an incredibly powerful tool for
people to put aside any point of difference and
just concentrate on performance.”
“He was 15 years of age and at
that stage we still didn’t know much
about him. He went on to win three man who, despite being the most gold medals, two silver medals and decorated athlete in the history of keeps close to his chest. He
two bronze medals at those Games. the nation as far as the Paralympics is admits he’s always been a goal
With us both being from South concerned, is also very modest.” setter, writing his goals down and
Australia, I got to know him very well.
“I’ve seen him at every
Paralympics he’s been in, seen him
David described Matt’s work ethic
as “like a dog at a bone”.
“It’s that head down,
win all 13 of his Paralympic gold nothing’s going to stop me,
medals, and he’s almost become like I’m going to do this – and he
a son to me. He’s a wonderful young does it. He’ll go far,” he said.
linkonline.com.au
How far is something Matt
holding himself accountable to
them. But they’re not something
he shares too broadly either.
Whatever his next goal, he’s sure
to make a splash.
www.mattcowdrey.com.au
interview
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