Departing Australian Of The Year Dylan Alcott is fiercely proud of how he’s brought disability rights sharply into the public domain, but he won’t put a ceiling on how he can further shape perceptions.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Alcott has a diverse range of professional and business interests, with personal development high on the agenda. The former wheelchair tennis star and TV commentator wants a shot at Hollywood. And, no, he’s not joking.
Dylan Alcott at Melbourne Park on Tuesday.Credit:Mark Peterson/Tennis Australia
“I’m serious,” said Alcott at Melbourne Park, where he won the last of seven straight men’s quad wheelchair Australian Open titles in 2021.
“I know this sounds stupid, and we might look back [at this] in six years [but] I want to win an Oscar. I know that just sounds dumb, but who knows, who knows? We’ll just see what happens.”
Central to the rise and rise of Alcott in the public sphere since his star jumped up sharply after winning Paralympic golds in Rio de Janeiro seven years ago has been his ability to question the status quo. Instead of accepting ‘no’ for an answer, he’s more inclined to ask ‘why not?’.
Last January when bestowed with the title of Australian Of The Year by then prime minister Scott Morrison, Alcott told the crowd in Canberra he would push for society changes.
Getting the ears of politicians and a prominent platform to raise issues, Alcott wanted changes to funding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme and, most critically, to improve the lives of disabled Australians in myriad ways.
The Australian of the Year with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme and Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth at Parliament House in November.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Through his advocacy, Alcott believes he’s effected change, his legacy to successfully bring issues of disability rights into everyday discussion.
“I don’t sit there and think about the difference we’ve made. What I will say is there has been an incredible thirst to talk about disability by everyone,” said Alcott.
“I think the biggest change has been every single person that I walk past in the street stops and says g’day and congrats, and I’m not exaggerating.
“Those people maybe never cared about disability before or whatever. But they do now. I’m seriously grateful for the support and people wanting to hear my story, and things like that.”
Alcott, 32, had just spoken, via a Zoom meeting, to this year’s nominees for the new Australian Of The Year.
He has never been more ready to hand over the baton. “I think my time’s done, if that makes sense,” said Alcott.
“We [me and my team] are proud of what we’ve done, it’s time for someone else, especially other people with disability to get their voices heard, but also someone else in a different field to [have the recognition].
“I’m very grateful for it [Australian Of The Year], and it’s been cool.”
Dylan Alcott with tennis players at the Australian Open on All Abilities Day on Tuesday.Credit:Mark Peterson/Tennis Australia
Alcott will step away, only for a bit, exhausted by the rigours of constant travelling.
“You know what, you probably feel this is bullshit, but I don’t get up and go ‘I’m going to be an advocate today, and how can I do it’?
“I just try to be myself and do things I want to do and live a happy life. As a by-product of that we seem to be getting stuff done.
“We had over 200 days on planes and over 300 [public] appearances. And I probably can’t keep that up. I’ve got to just look after myself and see my family and friends and partner.
“Only a handful of nights in your own bed is probably not enough.″
Among his professional interests is the Dylan Alcott Foundation, the charitable organisation with a mantra to help young Australians with disabilities chase their dreams.
Alcott, who once famously crowd-surfed in his wheelchair at a music festival, is particularly proud of Ability Fest, an all-accessible gig held on the banks of the Yarra with inclusivity its motive.
You can, however, expect some yet-to-be-revealed moves in Alcott’s life in the next 12-24 months, even if his star on the Hollywood Boulevard is a long way down the track.
“There’s a few little secret things, actually, which is pretty cool, that I can’t tell you about just yet,” he said.
“We’ve got Ability Fest [in late March] – I’m excited for that. There are a few new things coming out … but not now.”
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