Tags: Breast Cancer Community event. Bribie Island
As part of the celebrations marking the twentieth year since Michelle Hanton founded the Dragons Abreast movement in Australia, the 2018 Dragons Abreast Festival was held at Sydney’s Darling Harbour recently and four members of Dragons Abreast Bribie Island travelled to the New South Wales Capital to join in the event.
Featured Image(above): At Darling Harbour for the twenty year anniversary
Sue Youngberry, Sue Bowen, Mary McGrath and club president Leonie Dyer spent the weekend enjoying the Corporate and Community Challenge which is regarded as the major annual fundraiser for the organisation. When I had the opportunity to chat with Leonie after her return, she explained why the event is so important. ‘Dragons Abreast Australia does not receive any government funding,’ said Leonie.
‘The continued success of the fundraiser is essential for DAA as a registered charity to be able to encourage fitness, fun and camaraderie among the members of our thirty-two groups across Australia,’ she told me. On a more local note, on October 26th, founder Michelle Hanton hosted a morning tea at the Bribie Waterways Motel and this gave other Dragons Abreast members the opportunity to celebrate twenty years of breast cancer advocacy and awareness.
Michelle Hanton with Dragons Abreast Bribie Island founding members Dawn Worley and Lexie Warren at the celebratory morning tea
Dragons Abreast is a leader in the movement for people affected by breast cancer and their mission is to encourage wellness, fitness, fun and camaraderie for breast cancer survivors by way of dragon boating. Having commenced ten years ago, Dragons Abreast Bribie Island has grown to be a strong club and as well as participating in regular paddling sessions on Pumicestone Passage, the members all take the time to support each other.
In a period that seems to be a busy time for the club, there will be a “come and try” day on November 26th and Leonie has pointed out that this is the opportunity for breast cancer survivors and their supporters to come along and see if the sport is right for them. ‘Dragon boating offers the chance to get fit, make new friends and have fun,’ Leonie remarked. ‘Besides all that, the club can just be enjoyed for the social aspect and all our members say that it is such a big part of their lives,’ she added.
Anyone who would like to check out Dragon Boating should attend the ‘come and try” day which will be held from 9 am on the foreshore in front of Crest Park, just to the north of the Bribie VMR building. Leonie can be contacted on 0418 782 334 for further details and, for all you garage sale enthusiasts, the club is holding a fundraiser garage sale at 40 Boronia Street in Bellara on November 11th and as well as there being something for everyone amongst the amazing range of items for sale, those who are feeling peckish can take advantage of the sausage sizzle.