IF YOU'D told Townsville's Tom Greer a year ago that he'd have a piece of artwork that he helped create on display at the iconic Stockman's Hall of Fame, he would have told you to keep dreaming.
Now, that far-fetched, almost unbelievable dream has arrived.
At Longford, the 150-kilogram horse sculpture was unveiled today at a gala launch at the Hall of Fame.
It was be a memorable and moving peak in what has been an adventurous life for Tom, who was born and bred on Longford Station, west of Longreach.
Tom, who sustained quadriplegia in a car accident near Emerald in 2008, is still in a state of shock that the behemoth horse monument he co-sculpted with Townsville artist Sue Tilley for the Spinal Injuries Association's ARTscape event last year will be on display with some of Australia's greatest explorers and stock workers.
"I'm very excited. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that Longford would wind up being on show at Stockman's," Mr Greer said.
"The project only started out because I wanted to do a bit of welding, but with Sue's encouragement, the whole thing has just gotten bigger and bigger."
Spinal Injuries Association Townsville staff worked hard to ensure Mr Greer had equipment ready for use when he touched down in Longreach, as well as making sure his personal care requirements would be met over the five days he was there.
Ms Tilly has worked tirelessly to have Longford installed at the Hall of Fame, and she's also volunteered her time to secure free flights from Townsville to Longreach for Mr Greer and his personal carer, who assists him with day-to-day personal care and support tasks.
Mr Greer's return to Longreach is sure to be emotional, as he thought he'd never visit the area again after his accident, given its distance from Townsville and long travel time involved in getting there.
Longford was created as an emotional nod to Mr Greer's years spent as a stockman and grazier prior to his accident.
His story of being raised as a third-generation farmer and living his life on the land as a stockman is a distinctly Australian outback story that has resonated with the Hall of Fame.
Describing the idea of working with someone who has quadriplegia and limited use of his hands as "extremely daunting", Ms Tilly said she quickly warmed to the idea of ARTscape because Mr Greer's enthusiasm and thoughtfulness deserved to be recognised.
"The sculpture will honour his story and inspire others to focus on what they can achieve, instead of their limitations," she said.
Spinal Injuries Association chief executive officer Bruce Milligan said the organisation was tremendously pleased for Mr Greer.
"Tom is another example of how many of our members refuse to let a spinal cord injury get in the way of pursuing an active, fulfilling life," Mr Milligan said.
The Spinal Injuries Association supports and empowers 2000 Queenslanders who have spinal cord injuries.
* For more information on the organisation, please visit www.spinal.com.au
