By her own admission, Dr Natasha Brusco is an accomplished juggler of hats.
And it was that special skill that led to the creation and delivery of George's Gymnastics Program at Waverley Gymnastics Centre in Oakleigh, a program that provides children from seven specialist schools with free access to inclusive gymnastics classes.
The program, and the incredible difference it makes to the community, was honoured at the recent Sir John Monash Awards.
Every year, Monash comes together to honour outstanding contributions from members of our community, with the presentation of awards. This year's ceremony was held at Monash University's Alexander Theatre on October 30.
Natasha was named Volunteer of the Year for her groundbreaking program and later claimed the awards' highest honour, the Sir John Monash Award for Outstanding Leadership.
In providing a home for the program, as well as invaluable financial and logistical support, Waverley Gymnastics Centre was named the Outstanding Advocate of People with a Disability.
Natasha's work has improved the students' physical wellbeing, confidence and sense of belonging. She has also integrated participant feedback into the program design, embedded physiotherapy students from Monash University, and maintained strong collaborative relationships with partner schools.
The program offers five sessions, free of charge, hosted within the school timetable and delivered in a safe, highly-supported environment working alongside coaches, tertiary students and school staff.
"It's an absolute passion project of mine," Natasha said. "Bringing together my multiple hats."
As an academic and researcher, the physiotherapist and health economist is the Director of the Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre at Monash University.
She is also mother to George, a student at Vermont South Special School and for whom the program is named; the past school council president at her son's school and sister to Tanya Hart, the Director at Waverley Gymnastics Centre, Victoria's premier gymnastics club.
The juggling hats aligned.
"For years we'd been saying we need a dedicated, inclusive gymnastics program," Natasha said. "In 2021, we got a VicHealth grant to trial a program in partnership with Vermont South Special School, for 12 months.
"The school loved it because of its connection to community, the students absolutely loved it, and we started thinking 'if we can do this for one school, why not for other schools?' So we started reaching out and expanded."
It was then that the white knight galloped, or rather swung, bounced and tumbled, into the room in the form of the Waverley Gymnastics Centre.
"They said 'we love this program, we love it so much'," Natasha said. "And (to the tune of $10,000 a year) they really put their money where their mouth is."
It was quickly apparent that George's Gymnastics Program filled a gap in the educational landscape.
The program now provides 200 children with disabilities from seven specialist schools - Vermont South Special School, Glenallen School, Emerson School, Eastern Ranges School, Endeavour Hills Specialist School, Bayside Special Developmental School and Belmore School - with free access to inclusive gymnastics classes.
It's all based on a simple philosophy that everyone should and can be involved in gymnastics.
"It's a 'no barriers' approach," Natasha said. "It's not about your ability or disability, it's all about 'how can we work together so everyone can participate?'."
Wheelchairs are taken onto the trampoline, students with visibility issues are guided around the equipment by carers, even the simple act of touching a student's foot on the balance beam makes gymnastics activities inclusive to any and all participants.
Natasha's connection to the academic world, and mentoring allied health students at Monash University, has allowed the program to draft invaluable volunteer support.
Physiotherapy students from Monash University are currently involved in the program, with medical students joining next year, and the possibility of occupational therapy and speech therapy students coming on board in the future - a new generation of health professionals are gaining hands-on experience working with students with special needs.
"It's such a win-win for everyone," Natasha said.
One of the program's biggest strengths is that it's been built on an inclusive co-design process involving the students themselves. Their preferences, such as choice of activities and use of equipment like trampolines and climbing walls, have been placed at the centre of the program.
"The students' feedback has helped adapt the program," Natasha said. "In the first year, we asked the children to draw a picture of their gymnastics experience. They drew smiling faces, and they drew pictures of themselves with their friends on the equipment. We also asked the children what activities they liked or were afraid of.
"One of the comments was just beautiful – 'I'm sweaty, but I'm happy'."
With the smiles of participants the biggest scientific measure in any assessment of the program's success, Natasha has been rewarded many times over for her hard work and dedication.
"It just brings me such joy," she said. "I'm in the research world and I'm stuck behind a computer all day. But when I am with the kids during the program, I can't stop smiling."
CELEBRATE OUR TIRELESS WORKERS …
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2025 Monash Awards ceremony on Thursday 30 October at the Alexander Theatre, Monash University, with MC Rana Hussain.
We celebrated the Monash tribe— people who lead with heart, who give selflessly, who make others feel seen, supported and valued and make Monash a vibrant, compassionate, and connected community.
