Workers > Reference library > Real life return to work stories

Real life return to work stories

WorkCover is committed to the timely and safe return to work of employees who have sustained a work-related injury or illness. These real life return to work stories are of South Australian Scheme participants - injured workers, employers, case managers and other providers - that have worked well together for a successful recovery and return to work. The stories are incredible and truly inspirational.

2010 Real life return to work stories

"You've got to like the work you do" says injured motorcycle mechanic - Craig Rehn's story

Family and colleagues a great support for worker badly injured in car crash - Philip Watkins' story

Seafarer returns to work after going on stress leave - Ivan Verschuur's story

Pilot injured in helicopter crash flies again - John Carroll's story

"Follow your recovery plan" says worker with hernia - Robert Anderson's story

Mechanic injured at work focuses on big picture: "It could have been worse!" - Robert Pilgrim's story

2009 Real life return to work stories

Grace Neate and Matthew Ervin
2009 Worker achievement award winners

Carl Futcher, Giacomo Centofanti and Mathew Stock
2009 Worker achievement award finalists

Community Help for the Isolated with Personal Support
2009 Employer excellence award (small to medium) winner

Atlas Chem-Dry and McAleese Transport
2009 Employer excellence award (small to medium) finalists

AgriExchange
2009 Employer excellence award (large) winner

Great Southern Rail, St Paul's Lutheran Homes and Tasman Sinkware
2009 Employer excellence award (large) finalists

Nyrstar
2009 Employer excellence award (self-insured) winner

ACH Group and RAA South Australia
2009 Employer excellence award (self-insured) finalists

Smaroula La Paglia
2009 Health and rehabilitation achievement award (individual) winner

Bruce Lamb (Work Solutions) and Roula Giakoumis (Applied Innovative Services)
2009 Health and rehabilitation achievement award (individual) finalists

Insite Injury Management Group
2009 Health and rehabilitation achievement award (organisation) winner

MPOT and Renmark Health and Fitness Centre
2009 Health and rehabilitation achievement award (organisation) finalists

Melissa Berridge (Employers Mutual)
2009 Case management excellence award winner

Nicole Peach (South Australian Police)
2009 Case management excellence award finalist

Labourer suffers injury in Pt Lincoln fires - Damien's story

Passion for hairdressing challenged after RSI injury - Sarah's story

Young worker lacerates arm in traumatic glass injury - Grace's story

Truck driver recovers after knee injury - Neil's story

Young hospitality worker recovers from 'freak' glass injury - Carrie's story

Sign installer who suffers a crushed toe - Jason's story

Coma victim says work conditioning has been his 'therapy' - Luke's story

Aged care worker retrains to re-enter the workforce - Deb's story

Data-entry operator with a repetitive strain injury - Mandy's story

Back injury with lasting implications - Adrian's story

From semi-trailer driver to personal carer - David's story

Aged care worker with a serious knee injury - Donna's story

Burns victim returns to work - Bill's Story

2008 Real life return to work stories

Kerrin Rowan
2008 Worker achievement award winner

Ernesto Villalta
2008 Worker achievement award runner up

David Platten, Neil D’Cruz and Frank Medve
2008 Worker achievement award finalists

Sekol Farmed Tuna Pty Ltd
2008 Employer excellence award (small to medium) winner

Décor Ceilings and South East Pine Sales
2008 Employer excellence award (small to medium) finalists

Trojan Workforce
2008 Employer excellence award (large) winner

The MTA Group Training Scheme and Amcor Ltd
2008 Employer excellence award (large) finalists

Department of Education and Children’s Services
2008 Employer excellence award (self-insured) winner

United Water and Drake Foodmarkets
2008 Employer excellence award (self-insured) finalists

David Coleopy, Applied Innovative Services
2008 Service provider achievement award (individual) winner

Jan Scott, Repatriation General Hospital and Kerryn Maxfield, MS Vocational Services
2008 Service provider achievement award (individual) finalists

ROSH Pty Ltd
2008 Service provider achievement award (organisation) winner

MPOT
2008 Service provider achievement award (organisation) finalist

Toby Witthoeft, Employers Mutual
2008 Case manager excellence award winner

Natalie Patriarca, Employers Mutual, Hanne Kovarik, Employers Mutual and Tracy Hayes, Southern Cross Care (SA) Inc
2008 Case manager excellence award finalists

2007 Real life return to work stories

Construction worker who suffers a shoulder injury - Rick's story

Nurse who suffers a back injury - Brenda's story

Wood machinist whose arm was amputated - Craig's story

Workshop supervisor who suffers a crippling fall - Dave's story

Sean Dutton - 2007 worker achievement award winner
(Please select 'Sean's Story' from the 'Real return to work stories' menu item)

Clinton Sewell - 2007 worker achievement award finalist
(Please select 'Clinton's Story' from the 'Real return to work stories' menu item)

Tricia Kaukas - 2007 Case manager excellence award winner
(Please select 'Tricia's Story' from the 'Real return to work stories' menu item)

Further information

Nominations for the WorkCoverSA Recovery and Return to Work Awards are now open. These awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding efforts of South Australian Scheme participants who have demonstrated excellence in recovery and return to work and/or the community.