A Paralympic swimmer, Para-triathlete and founder of the charitable foundation Sporting Dreams, Marayke’s leadership and inspiration is highly respected locally and nationally. At just 18 years old, Marayke made her Paralympic debut at the Sydney 2000 Games, where she was also an Olympic torch bearer. Since then, Marayke has won a silver and two bronze Paralympic medals as a swimmer, and later became Australia’s first female para-triathlete when she won bronze at the world championships in 2010.

Whilst training for the Paralympics, Marayke also completed two degrees at USC in social science and communications and graduated with a Dean’s Commendation for Academic Excellence. In 2005, she was named Queensland Young achiever of the Year in recognition of her sporting and academic achievements, and commitment to the community, and subsequently was awarded USC’s Inaugural Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.

In 2008, Marayke founded the charity Sporting Dreams, to ensure that up-and-coming athletes with disabilities have access to the same opportunities and support she had. Her commitment to the community as a tireless advocate for people with disabilities extends further, as she regular visits schools to speak to students about disability awareness and encourages children with disabilities to take up sport.