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Are you in the loop?

NDIS Champions

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Mark Tonga

Chatswood, NSW

AFDO NDIS Champion Mark Tonga

Since his catastrophic spinal injury (C3) during his rugby training in 2008 Mark has been a passionate and committed advocate for people with a disability. He is well equipped for this task having attained a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) from UTS, and undertaken leadership training with the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Macarthur Disability Service and National Disability Services. He currently holds a number of positions within the community and not-for-profit sectors providing him with a strong advocacy platform - one that he uses enthusiastically to increase resources, and provide access, for people with diverse disabilities.

Within the community sector Mark is a Chairman for Disability Council NSW, a member of City of Sydney Inclusion Advisory Panel, a member of Willoughby Council Access (Aged & Disability) Committee Member and Client Liaison Officer for the Heart In Union Rugby Foundation.

In addition, Mark is active in the not-for-profit sector as a Director of Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Association of New South Wales.

Mark’s fierce advocacy and competitive spirit has been widely recognized, including Clubs NSW (Heart of Community Award Winner 2014 and Ambassador); Roseville Chase Rotary Club (Community Service Award Winner 2014); Kayak for Kids-Lifestart (Ambassador) and the Hearts In Union Rugby Foundation (Ambassador).

Despite a hectic schedule Mark retains a strong interest in Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, the North Shore Christian Centre, is an inspirational and popular public speaker, and is, of course, an active supporter of his beloved Wallabies and Waratahs!


About the NDIS Champions program

Would your business, organisation or community group benefit from a free information session on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), delivered by a person with disability in your local area?

Do you want to know more about the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)? Do you want to understand what it will mean for people with disability?

The Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO) has recently employed and trained 30 people with disabilities from all over Australia to become NDIS Champions - to deliver reliable, fact-checked information about the NDIS in their local communities.

NDIS Champions presentations have answers to the most frequently asked questions, including:

  • What is the NDIS?
  • Who can access it?
  • Why do we need it?
  • How does it work?
  • What do I need to do?
  • NDIS Plans
  • And more

If your business, organisation, or community group would benefit from a free information session on the NDIS, you can fill out an Expression of interest form (online or PDF), or contact your local Champion directly using the contact details on the Champions' page. 

Note: NDIS Champions presentations were free during late 2016, but the project funding for this has ended. The Champions we trained are now working independently as presenters, and are charging modest fees to cover their time, expenses and expertise. Contact your local NDIS Champion to find out more. 


Contact details

If you would like Mark to make a presentation about the NDIS to your organisation, business or group, you can email him to make arrangements at mjtonga@gmail.com.  

Download Mark's NDIS Champions flyer (PDF, 1 page, 160kb)