Mr Killick, of Portland, last month won the national improving life after stroke award from the National Stroke Foundation (NSF) for his community work in the south-west.

Mr Killick was motivated by his own experience in recovering from a stroke in 2010 at the age of 35 to found and co-ordinate the Portland Stroke Support Group in 2011.

He said that after he was released from hospital following seven weeks of treatment, he looked for support to help tackle stroke’s ongoing challenges.

Since no support group was available, he established one to give stroke survivors, their carers and family members the opportunity to talk about how survivors could make the best of their abilities they had.

Mr Killick is also a NSF Victoria Strokesafe ambassador for the south-west, giving talks throughout the region about stroke prevention, identification and recovery. 

His volunteer work also includes his role as a stroke support officer at Portland hospital, providing information to survivors and their families in the initial phases of the stroke treatment.

Mr Killick’s seizure in 2010 paralysed the left side of his body and he had to learn to again walk, feed and dress himself. He has made a good recovery but still suffers from fatigue, short-term memory loss and imbalance.

He previously worked as a taxi driver but currently works as a disability support worker with the Department of Human Services and Karingal. 

As part of his commitment to get the best from his life, Mr Killick has made major changes to his lifestyle. 

He has given up smoking after previously having a 50-cigarettes-a-day habit, eats healthy and has a regular exercise regime. 

Earlier this month he walked the Three Bays Half Marathon to raise money for the National Stroke Foundation.

NSF program national director Rebecca Naylor said Mr Killick was “an inspiration”.

“He has changed his life to reduce his risk of stroke and is helping others change theirs,” Ms Naylor said.