For her volunteer work Allison Hammett was awarded the 2011 NSW Government Community Service Award for her long-term service in advocating for equality within the community, particularly disability rights.

Although she has volunteered from the age of eight, Ms Hammett only started in the disability sector 12 years ago.

She branched out in 2000 after she suffered a major stroke.

After her recovery, Ms Hammett started helping other stroke patients.

Her work includes being a member of the National Stroke Foundation's Consumer Network.

Ms Hammett has also helped John Hunter Hospital's Dr Chris Levi on various stroke and brain injury rehabilitation advisory committees.

These include working with Hunter Area New England Health, the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle.

She has also worked passionately to help people and families of stroke victims, representing consumers on ministerial taskforces for the NSW health sector.

"I would really like to turn rehabilitation on its ear," Ms Hammett said.

She has set up a Facebook page to create positive change, called "Let's Make Stroke Sexy".

This year she will also be part of the Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health advisory committee where she hopes to help design better stroke rehabilitation practices.

"I want something to bridge the gap between patient and health care in relation to stroke rehabilitation," she said.

This includes setting up a website to gain better awareness for stroke rehabilitation.

Nellie Hejduk