People
Issue No. 42 - August/September 2008
Dale stands for caring principles
Dale Elliott is a living example of what determination can do. A dynamic personality who refuses to treat his wheelchair as a limitation, Dale is working on many fronts to take his wry message of resilience, his ‘can do’ attitude to people who need it.
His latest accolade is an Unsung Hero award from Marion City Council as a role model and community spirit advocate.
A trained commercial pilot and aircraft engineer, Dale took “a rapid diversion” in his life in December 2002 when a motorbike accident left him paraplegic.
After the accident, which left him with no sensation or movement from his waist down, Dale spent only 69 days in hospital and holds the record for the shortest paraplegic hospital stay. Seven days out of hospital he was working full-time as an Operations Manager with an aircraft charter company at Adelaide Airport.
Dale is a natural entertainer, with quick wit and audience rapport honed in a new career as a standup comedian and motivational speaker.
Dale has led a life of surprising energy.
He grew up on a fruit property on the Murray. He obtained his private pilot’s licence in 1993, aged 17. He joined the Army after finishing high school, served four years, and after mustering out he qualified as an aircraft engineer. He then followed his dream of becoming an airline captain after gaining his commercial pilot’s licence.
Dale has flown more than 2000hrs across Australia in all types of aircraft and is a qualified skydiver. Since his accident Dale has mentored many young pilots and has volunteered his time as a commanding officer in the SA Air Cadets.
Dale has been married since 1997 to his “trooper of a wife” - they have just had their first child – and together they continue to conquer the challenges
of debilitating injury. Dale is taking the lessons to
the world.
“(Professional speaking) provides me with the best vehicle to share my thoughts and ide...
