April 28, 2014
More than 300 runners and walkers took part in the inaugural Cherbourg Reconciliation Fun Run on Sunday morning.
The event, which has been in the planning for more than six months, covered a 7km trek from the Murgon Showgrounds to Cherbourg.
Cherbourg Road was closed for two hours to allow participants to complete the course in safety.
Three “reviver” stations spread along the route supplied bottled water and orange slices.
The Fun Run was a fundraiser for Cherbourg’s Ration Shed Museum but its main purpose was to promote reconciliation.
It drew support from both the Cherbourg and South Burnett councils, dozens of volunteers and Reconciliation Queensland.
Runners and walkers began assembling at the Murgon Showgrounds well before the appointed starting time of 8:00am for last-minute registrations, and to collect their caps and wrist-bands.
South Burnett Deputy Mayor Cr Keith Campbell welcomed guests before Joe Kirk, a former Cherbourg resident who now lives in Brisbane, opened the event by performing a Welcome To Country.
Cr Kathy Duff read out a special message from Aboriginal Affairs Minister Glen Elmes and Cherbourg pastor Willie Moses blessed the event.
Special guest athlete, former NRL star Petero Civoniceva, led the runners out of the grounds but was almost instantly overtaken by a horde of young runners who set a breakneck pace along Perkins Street and Cherbourg Road.
However many of the older participants elected to walk in a leisurely way and were cheered to the finish line by the waiting crowd outside Cherbourg’s Ration Shed Museum.
Once there, participants and guests were treated to lunch, musical entertainment on stage, a performance by the Wakka Wakka junior dancers; and many stalls offering everything from free health checks to souvenirs.
First across the line was 11-year-old St Joseph’s student Floyd Aubrey, closely followed by adult runners Craig Kapernick, from Cloyna, and Michael McKinnon, from Brisbane.
The first female home was Angie Knight, from Maryborough.
- External link: Reconciliation Fun Run A Great Day
2014 Cherbourg Reconciliation Fun Run Winners
1. First Adult Male – Craig Kapernick
2. First Adult Female – Angela Knight
3. First Primary Student (Male) – Floyd Aubrey
4. First Primary Student (Female) – Riley Priaulx
5. First Secondary Student (Male) – Ben Nicholson
6. First Secondary Student (Female) – Isabella Strauss
7. First Senior Male Over 60 – Norman Harwood
8. First Senior Female Over 60 – Angela Clarke
9. Best Dressed Individual – Sienna Mickelo (Storm Trooper)
10. School With The Most Participating Students – Cherbourg State School
11. First To Register – Cynthia Speedy
12. Most Courageous – Alana Purcell
13. Oldest Runner – Aunty Sarah Glenbar
14. Family Participation Prize – The Bowie family
* * *
Video by Creative Tracks:
* * *
More Fun Run Photos:
(Click on each to expand)
It was a great, awesome day and we really enjoyed the fun run.
It was great to see a lot of participants and excellent support to the Ration Shed and Reconciliation. We hope this Fun Run grows bigger and better in years to come. Congratulations to everyone that entered and especially the older participants and Alana Purcell (wheelchair participant).
Would like to see more local Murgon people participate as well as schools in the surrounding areas and sportspersons – footballers etc.
Come on all you Murries and Migloos – get ready for next year!
Jeanette Brown; Grace and Laurie Bond; Mary Bird; and Lennox, Lachlan and Kaylah Bligh
What a wonderful day it was on Sunday. I along with my mates and friends would like congratulate all the people involved in organizing the event.
It was great to see so many people of different backgrounds come together and support a good cause. The great thing about the day there were no losers – only winners.
If this was a sign of coming together as one, everyone who was involved in any way has contributed towards the goals of Reconciliation. As a former footballer, there is no greater feeling than when you win a grand final. On Sunday everyone won their grand final. They all came out winners.
So once again, thank you all for coming together to show all the rest of the people around the country that we can be one big mob.
Frank, mates and friends
An event well organized & proudly put together by the local community. The race winner Floyd “Cookie” Aubrey had the dream to win the race – you’re too deady, brother boy. The day was special for me too, to see my people that I haven’t seen for ages & to meet more of my people for the first time – “that’s life for me”. As a stall holder, I would like to thank you people for asking us to be a part of your day & thank everyone who supported & browsed our South Sea Island Shop. We would like to come back next year.
Jane & Geoffrey Smith – Bundaberg
Great day had by everybody! Thanks Cherbourg and the mass of volunteers that helped out. My family loved it.