Phoenix Rising

Born in 1976 at Woodside Hospital in East Fremantle, I was the youngest son of migrant parents Paul and Marija Svilicich who came to Australia in the early 1960's in search of a better life.I had a normal upbringing with fond memories of playing backyard cricket and soccer. In 2002, my life was turned upside down when I suffered severe burns to 60% of my body, shrapnel injuries, bi-lateral hearing loss, swelling on the brain and severe infection in the Bali Bombings. After being told I would not survive, I spent 44 days in an induced coma, fighting to stay alive. After having to learn how to walk again and regain movement in all parts of my body, I was the last Bali survivor to leave a West Australian hospital 2 months and 21 days after being admitted. Now fully recovered from my injuries, I work in the field of Workplace Health and Safety and volunteer for two community associations. I'm also an active supporter of Burns Research, having taken part in a number of research projects since my injury. In 2021, I participated in the Central Park Plunge, raising funds for the Fiona Wood Foundation.