One of regional Australia's strongest advocates for people with disabilities has died, prompting an overwhelming flood of support to his family and friends.

Sam was injured in 1987 as a 19-year-old jackaroo near Camooweal in Queensland when his utility blew a tyre, resulting in his paraplegia.

After a period of rehabilitation, he returned to the family properties near North Star and set about overcoming the challenges he faced.

Machinery was adapted to allow him to continue his love affair with the land, and then he learned to fly ultralight planes and helicopters, proving there were no limits to what he could do.

Sam captured the hearts of the New England North West when friends smuggled him into the ABC studios in Tamworth, where he proposed to Jenny, his soulmate, live on air.

The

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