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NSW - general
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December 03 Newsletter (Word doc)
media story, Sept 2003 - click here to enlarge My Dragon Boating story! In March 2002 I was waiting in the lounge at the hospital to have an auxiliary clearance on my left side and my second mastectomy in a month (right side prophylactic mastectomy). From the surgery I had had a few weeks before I knew how sore and sorry I would be feeling the following day! While waiting I browsed through all the literature that you find in hospital waiting rooms. The coloured brochure of Dragons Abreast caught my eye. I said to my partner that within a year I would like to be having a go at dragon boating. He laughed (I am very, very uncoordinated) but agreed it would be a good goal. The next nine months were filled with chemo and radiotherapy, not to mention visits to the plastic surgeon, the geneticist and other doctors, as well as accessing some of the wonderful support services available for younger women with breast cancer. Much of the time I was feeling so lousy that I did not really give Dragon Boating another thought (I am sure many of you will relate to that). So I was pretty excited to head down to Blackwattle Bay in Glebe last Saturday to finally try out Dragon Boating. What a great afternoon - it was so great to be with such an enthusiastic group of women doing something that is so much fun! Despite us all getting pretty wet, the teachers kept saying how well we were doing (well, we did not tip over and we got back to where we started so in my book we did pretty well too!). And no sore muscles the next day which was even better. I am really looking forward to the Chinese New Year races on the 9th February and being part of the new Sydney team. And I am looking forward to sharing the experiences of Dragon Boating with other women who are so enthusiastic. And on a very personal level, I am very pleased to have achieved that goal I set a year ago (despite the long path to get there). Now I need to set a new goal for the next year ..... Janet Green Sydney Canberra Festival - 18th March 2003 Newcastle + Hunter + Central Coast + Armidale Gals teamed up for a wonderful regatta in Canberra on the weekend. The great people of the Newcastle Hunter Dragon Boat Club (NHDBC) invited us to join them on the "Bus 'o' Fun" which started with champagne and nibbles and soon degenerated as the alcohol flowed! Thanks go to TONY The Ever-Patient Driver (few probs with the gear box) who got us all there and back safe and sound!!! It was nearly midnight when we arrived in Canberra, and just after a few hours sleep - we were awakened by a terrrific thunder storm. The driving rain didn't stop us meeting with the Canberra girls at the beautiful setting of Gallipoli Reach, Lake Burley Griffin. The rain tumbled as we were reunited with "old" friends and met some new ones. As soon as the monsoon turned into a shower, the Canberra Crew whipped the lids of an amazing array of cakes, slices, and all things yummy!!! Although we were in for a few more torrential downpours, that didn't stop the fun and frivolity of the day. Lunch was scrumptious - Thanks to all the Canberra ladies for their generosity in preparing such delicacies (we're all still talking about it!!!). The rain caught us out a few gals short, so it was a mad scramble to make up a squad of 16. As always - the NHDBC girls were ready to help out, as well as the mighty Griffin gals. Thanks go to the ever supportive NHDBC girls (and Capt'n Pete who gave them away for $300, when I asked if they could paddle 250m). Not happy just paddling in the Mixed Social Category (where the Hunter & ACT crew kicked Air force crew's butt big time!!! - yes: young, fit, and slower than us!!), we entered into the Women's Sport Category (500m). We declined to race in the 500m final as were we're not a Sporting Category and didn't want to put the Sporting Teams to shame after our amazing form on the water with the Mixed Crew. Our surroundings on the day were magical as you can see...
Thanks go to super Jan Skorich for organising the whole day [no, it was Sylvia Flaxman! - Jan] - a fantastically smooth job! Both Hunter & ACT were awarded with a trophy that we share with the NHDBC girls as well as the mighty Griffin gals. Those Hunter DAB girlies left with energy to burn joined the NHDBC girls for their races and were instrumental in winning another trophy!!! The Hunter trophy will be doing the rounds - if you would like it over a particular time, please call me (I'll be presenting mine on the mantlepiece at my next dinner party - all of Newcastle's invited!!!). After a big, wet, day we joined the Canberra Girls again for a fantastic dinner at Lenyss Snellen's lovely house - "The Hostess with the Most-ess". Thanks to Lenyss Snellen for hosting the party, with Jan Butcher and Sue Hibbert, and all the Canberra Girls for, again, creating the most delectable food (including more cakes and slices!). "Happy Birthday" was sang out to Julie Woods of the Central Coast, who turned a young 21 (again!). Sylvia Flaxman organised the web of billeting with the Hunter Girls staying with Bernadette Boughton and Lenyss Snellen (We will find Robyne Kellet a billet one day!) - So, big thank you to the wonderful Sylvia. Some of us (well, just me) then went onto the Holy Grail (now stammered the "Groly Hail") and then onto party with the NHDBC crew at King O'Malley's - just home in time to clamber on the bus again for a long trip home, some of us a little worse of for wear than others! Thanks to everyone who participated in such a great weekend to make it another fabulous regatta!!! (Martine Boughton XXX) The Newcastle Maritime Festival was held on January 19 2002 - here is the report from Martine Boughton A Terrrrific day was had by all at the Newcastle Maritime Festival Saturday January 19! A few old faces, a few new faces and of course, the regular faces were there all dressed up for the occasion with pink hair (Marion), fantastic wigs (Wendy, Caroline and Vivienne) as well as wonderful pink accessories! Our wardrobe is getting pinker and hotter every regatta! Marion came all the way from Canberra, and Vivienne all the way from Armidale for the event, and we all appreciate your continued support... The NHDBC really put on a great show and Lynn Flanagan can be contacted: lynn_flanagan@hotmail.com
Although we had a training paddle the previous Sunday, only half the crew were present so our efforts on Saturday were great considering we hadn't ever paddled before together! The first 2 races focused on timing and we really put it all together for the final race when we gave the other 3 teams a run for their money! Unfortunately, no bags of medals this regatta but a fun time was had by all, raising awareness of BC, as well as raising a bit of $: selling the bookmarks as well as the raffle ($250 Revlon Basket).
Bakers Delight provided a great lunch - lots of sticky buns for desert to keep our energy levels up - Thanks always to Bakers Delight, I know you all will frequent their stores in thanks for their continuing generous support. Debbie Blacker, owner of Raymond Terrace Bakers Delight can be contacted: lakebdlight@ozemail.com.au So, now let's get ready for Chinese New Year Saturday 17 February! This page last updatFebruary 3, 2006- #EndDate -->
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