Of Tragedy and Valor
Alison Hoffrichter

Alison Jane Hoffricther is a grand-daughter of Lester Rumbelow and  the eldest of daughter of Bruce Wellington and Carlene Oliver (nee Rumbelow). 

After finishing her education at Goolwa Primary School and Victor Harbor High School, Alison worked at Bells Stores in Victor Harbor for eight years. She moved to Berri in 1989 where she worked for Simarloo Pty Ltd.

Tragically Alison was badly injured (seated behind the driver) in a car accident in the Riverland in November of 1990. Although she was a wearing a seatbelt, she suffered extensive injuries including 6 breaks in her legs and a broken pelvis, multiple breaks to her ribs, collarbone, jaw, and wrist.

At the time doctors advised that she may never walk again. Alison spent over 3 months in hospital and required a wheelchair to recover from her injuries. Incredibly she returned to work in 1992.

To return the community support that Alison received during her recovery, Alison began working with charities and fundraising. 

Alison's fundraising activities included organising a Match Matcher Ball, a Baby Competition and regular sausage sizzles, a Craft Market and cruises on the paddle steamer Princess Andrea. Alison even arranged a charity bike ride from Adelaide to the Riverland and even rode part of the pay.

She was asked to compete in Miss Australia on behalf of Spastic Centres SA. Alison was crowned Miss Berri and Miss Riverland, and made it into the final 12 of Miss Australia.

In 1997  Alison Jane Wellington married Neville David Hoffrichter.  They have 3 children, Kristie, Amber and Shane.

In 1998  Alison entered with her daughter in the Spastics Centre Kids Fundraising and won highest funds raiser.

Most recently Alison worked as a disability support officer for a homecare provider and continues to raise money for Talk Out Loud mental health and suicide prevention.

Bannon Road Safety Plea 

• The Advertiser,  1990

• By Gondon  Camperle

The Premier, John Bannon, pleaded with SA motorists today to be responsible drivers over Christmas New Year. 

And his special Christmas Eve call was backed by road accident victim Alison Wellington, 26, who cheated death in a one-car accident near Barmera. Alison is recovering in the Royal Adelaide Hospital from two broken legs, a broken shoulder, a broken collar bone, a broken wrist and a broken jaw. And she was wearing a seat-belt. 

Before wishing Alison well in her recovery, Mr Bannon pointed to the new empty recovery- from-surgery area at the RAH. 

"The law of averages says these recovery beds won't stay empty over the festive season, Mr Bannon said.  "But if everybody takes responsibility when driving there is some chance of keeping them empty.  Now should be a time of relaxation for people. But because of road deaths and injuries this Christmas will be the last for some. For those who survive accidents, the trauma for them and their families could remain the rest of their lives."

Alison, from Berri, said she was lucky to be alive after her accident.  She had been an innocent passenger in the back seat of a car that swerved out of control on gravel and slammed into tree stumps on the side of a road. 

"My advice is for drivers not to speed," Alison said. “Just take it easy and don't drink and drive. I could be in hospital for another month after a stint in intensive care - both my legs are smashed in several places." 

Meanwhile, an RAH intern is in a critical condition at hospital after a car accident on Kangaroo Island yesterday. 

The intern, who works in the spinal injuries unit, has avoided serious spinal problems, but has a fractured skull and multi-limb fractures. A final-year medical student and his brother were killed in the accident.  A fourth person, who was in the back seat with the intern, is in a serious condition.

Alison makes the finals

• Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999) 

•  Fri 8 Dec 1995 

Former Victor Harbor girl, Alison Wellington was one of 12 finalists in the South Australian judging of the Miss Australia awards held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday night.

Although Alison was not the winner of the awards, the fact that she made it to the finals was an incredible feat in itself — five years ago she was badly injured in a car accident in the Riverland. And one of her proudest admirers is her mother, Carlene Oliver, of Victor Harbor. 

"I am very proud of what she has achieved, five years ago I didn't think die would walk again, she spent 10 months in a wheelchair recovering from her injuries," she said. Ironically she raised nearly $10,000 for the Spastic Centres of SA through the quest. Alison worked at Bells Stores in Victor Harbor for eight years after she finished her education at Goolwa Primary School and Victor Harbor High School. She moved to Berri in 1989 where she works for Milburn Products. Alison was chosen as one of the 12 finalists in the quest from 1 15 entrants. 

Alison Wellington, right, formerly of Victor Harbor congratulates Miss SA, Justine Annan at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Honeymoon spent touring

•  Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999) 

•  Fri 31 Jan 1997 

VICTOR HARBOR - Vintage cars carried Alison Jane Wellington and her attendants to her wedding with Neville David Hoffrichter in the Lutheran Church. The bride, daughter of Mrs Carlene Oliver and Mr Bruce Wellington of Victor Harbor wore an off-the-shoulder gown of satin with sequin, seed pearl and crystal embroidery on the bodice. She was attended by Kathy Wooley, Leanne Della Mina, Kay Jeffery and flower girl Ricki Lee Borlase. 

The bridegroom, son of Mr and Mrs H Hoffrichter, of Jamestown was attended by Glen Dezen, Ashley Hoffrichter and Daniel Pitt. Guests from Western Australia, Victoria, Kangaroo Island and the Riverland attended the ceremony and the reception which followed in the Lutheran Reception Centre. Following a honeymoon touring interstate, the couple will make their home at Brahma Lodge.