2009 Laffos Long Lunch

Despite being confined to a wheelchair for his entire adult life, Matt Laffan achieved enough to embarass people who experienced none of his physical challenges: the Sydney solicitor was a favoured employee of the Dept of Public Prosecutions, he dispensed justice to errant club and Super 14 rugby players , he was a board member of Paraquad NSW and the Disability Council of NSW and he even dared to combine his plain speaking approach with the world of Town Hall politics. Today, his life is celebrated at Tattersalls Club, with Peter FitzSimons, Nick Farr-Jones and Thierry Lacroix as speakers

Matt's determination and persistence are now the stuff of legend but his family and many friends will tell you that so much flowed from his educational opportunities.

The independence he achieved owed alot to his legal qualifications and to his residence at St John's College at the University of Sydney in particular.

In order to honour Matt's name a scholarship is being set up by St John's College in support of a disabled student or students in memory of Matt Laffan. Details of the scholarship can be found at http://www.mattlaffan.com.au/scholarship. 

Laffo's Long Lunch being held today at Tattersalls Club is the chance to celebrate much of what mattered to Matt: friendship food and wine and of course the game they play in heaven.

Proceeds from the lunch will also assist the Matt Laffan scholarship to find a place at St John's for someone who otherwise might not have had what mattered so much to Matt, in a word, access. 

Article sources -
http://www.weloverugby.com/laffo
http://www.mattlaffan.com.au/scholarship/