31 August 2026
Moreton Bay College Year 12 student Ava has been recognised as a Brisbane Festival Community Hero, acknowledging her commitment to supporting others through the Walking with Ava Foundation and The Sharing Shed.
The recognition comes as The Sharing Shed launches its new website, marking an important milestone for a project that has grown from Ava’s own experience following a spinal cord injury.
In April 2023, Ava sustained a serious spinal injury while training as an elite gymnast. At just 14, she had already represented Australia and competed internationally and was a member of the 2024 Paris Olympic training squad, with her sights firmly set on representing her country at the Olympic Games. Her injury changed the course of that dream, and her life, in an instant.
Following the accident, Ava and her family established the Walking with Ava Foundation to share her journey, raise awareness of spinal cord injuries and support others facing similar challenges. Through social media and the Foundation, Ava has built a community centred on hope, resilience and connection.
More recently, that mission expanded with the creation of The Sharing Shed. Powered by the Walking with Ava Foundation, the initiative connects people who have unused disability and mobility equipment with families who need it. The newly launched website provides a central hub where community members can donate equipment, request items and support the initiative’s growing network of families. The aim is simple: give valuable equipment a second life while reducing barriers for people navigating disability, injury or rehabilitation.
Reflecting on the honour, Ava shared her gratitude with the community that has supported her journey:
“Everything I do is made possible by the incredible community that stands beside me. Your support has allowed me to turn some of the hardest moments of my life into something that can help others.
This recognition may have my name on it, but it belongs to all of you too.”
The College community has been proud to support Ava throughout her journey. Most recently, members of the Year 12 cohort organised a fundraising bake sale that raised $1,334 for The Sharing Shed, alongside a school-wide pink nail initiative showing solidarity with their friend and fellow Senior.
Ava’s resilience, generosity and commitment to helping others continue to inspire our community. Through both Walking with Ava and The Sharing Shed, she is turning her experience into practical support for families navigating disability and rehabilitation.
Learn more:
Walking with Ava Foundation: https://www.walkingwithava.org/
The Sharing Shed: https://sharingshedfoundation.org/
Ava’s recent interview with 7News: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17zpBcwF2N/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Moreton Bay College Year 12 student Ava has been recognised as a Brisbane Festival Community Hero, acknowledging her commitment to supporting others through the Walking with Ava Foundation and The Sharing Shed.
The recognition comes as The Sharing Shed launches its new website, marking an important milestone for a project that has grown from Ava’s own experience following a spinal cord injury.
In April 2023, Ava sustained a serious spinal injury while training as an elite gymnast. At just 14, she had already represented Australia and competed internationally and was a member of the 2024 Paris Olympic training squad, with her sights firmly set on representing her country at the Olympic Games. Her injury changed the course of that dream, and her life, in an instant.
Following the accident, Ava and her family established the Walking with Ava Foundation to share her journey, raise awareness of spinal cord injuries and support others facing similar challenges. Through social media and the Foundation, Ava has built a community centred on hope, resilience and connection.
More recently, that mission expanded with the creation of The Sharing Shed. Powered by the Walking with Ava Foundation, the initiative connects people who have unused disability and mobility equipment with families who need it. The newly launched website provides a central hub where community members can donate equipment, request items and support the initiative’s growing network of families. The aim is simple: give valuable equipment a second life while reducing barriers for people navigating disability, injury or rehabilitation.
Reflecting on the honour, Ava shared her gratitude with the community that has supported her journey:
“Everything I do is made possible by the incredible community that stands beside me. Your support has allowed me to turn some of the hardest moments of my life into something that can help others.
This recognition may have my name on it, but it belongs to all of you too.”
The College community has been proud to support Ava throughout her journey. Most recently, members of the Year 12 cohort organised a fundraising bake sale that raised $1,334 for The Sharing Shed, alongside a school-wide pink nail initiative showing solidarity with their friend and fellow Senior.
Ava’s resilience, generosity and commitment to helping others continue to inspire our community. Through both Walking with Ava and The Sharing Shed, she is turning her experience into practical support for families navigating disability and rehabilitation.
Learn more:
Walking with Ava Foundation: https://www.walkingwithava.org/
The Sharing Shed: https://sharingshedfoundation.org/
Ava’s recent interview with 7News: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17zpBcwF2N/?mibextid=wwXIfr
