Julie Elizabeth Higgins OAM

Equestrian

Julie has a condition known as Fanconi Syndrome which robs the bones of calcium.

She learnt to ride at 8, and then had to give up at the age of 22 in order to undergo two hip replacements. In 1996 while watching the television coverage of the Paralympics she was inspired to go back to riding.

She went on to win various NSW, Victorian and Australian Championship Titles in competitions against Riders With Disabilities.

Julie won two gold medals at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

She has received a number of sporting scholarships and in 2001 was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for Services to Sport.

Julie hopes to compete in the 2004 Athens Olympics.