Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #11 Liesl Tesch
SHE’S one of the most recognisable people on the Central Coast and is a tireless disability advocate who has influenced many in both her past and current roles.
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- Central Coast top 100 Most Influential people as voted by you
- Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #12 The Member of Parliament
- Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #13 The Women’s Advocate
- Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #14 The Politician
- Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #15 The Social Justice Crusader
- Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #16 The Animal Welfare Advocate
- Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #17 The Pole Dancer
- Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #18 The Environmentalist
- Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #19 The Artist
- Central Coast top 100 Most Influential: #20 The Mechanic
IN LIFE, you’ll often face a number of crossroads when it’s easy to simply throw in the towel.
Times when it feels like everything is against you, or bouncing back from a tough incident seems terribly difficult.
Coming in at number 11 on the Express Advocate’s list of the 100 Most Influential Coasties is a woman who refused to do just that.
Liesl Tesch, our Member for Gosford and a tireless disability advocate, is one of the most recognisable faces in the region — not least because she’s always sporting a heartwarming smile.
Ms Tesch has been confined to a wheelchair since she was 19 after a mountain biking accident, but has proven her influence and, indeed, her resolve, in the years since.
Having represented Australia at the highest level in basketball and sailing, winning Paralympic gold twice in her career, Ms Tesch has a strong sporting profile — one which she has since built upon when she ventured into politics in 2017.
Before that, she was a geography teacher at Brisbane Water Secondary College, co-founded a charity for disabled athletes in developing countries, and was an active public speaker.
Those who voted for Liesl in our online poll described her as “a leader” and “inspiring”.
“Liesl works tirelessly for residents of the Central Coast,” one voter said.
“She is committed to personally making a difference for people who approach her for minor local issues as well as for major social issues that have an impact on large numbers.
“She is a leader of personal strength and integrity.
“Young people admire her as a former teacher and gold medal winning Paralympian.”
“She has made a true impact on the peninsular,” another voter added.
Come back tomorrow for the Top 10.