Following a life-altering traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained during an assault in 2020, Garry Whittaker has become a leading voice in the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and vocational rehabilitation. His recovery journey is defined by an extraordinary commitment to "brain fitness"; diagnosed with aphasia and post-traumatic epilepsy, Garry refused to accept a limited prognosis. Instead, he pioneered a self-directed recovery model, completing 870 days of intensive brain training and nearly 17,000 cognitive exercises to successfully regain his speech and return to his executive career.

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Today, Garry is a global advocate for the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative, working to shift public perception toward disabilities that are not immediately visible. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker on the international stage, with notable presentations at the National Brain Injury Conference in Adelaide and the Traumatic Brain Injury Conference in New Zealand. In these forums, he shares his unique "pre-vocational" pathway—a methodology that bridges the gap between clinical speech pathology and a full return to high-level professional life.

 

Professionally, Garry is a seasoned leader in Learning and Development with over 30 years of experience across Australian government and academia. Since 2014, he has served as the Regional Manager Riverina-Murray for Training Services within the NSW Department of Education. His career is marked by a history of driving workforce solutions for key institutions, including:

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• Education & Training: Senior roles with NSW TAFE and Charles Sturt University.

• Public Safety & Justice: Strategic contributions to the Australian Federal Police, NSW Corrective Services, and NSW State Emergency Service.