August 17, 2012
Raelene Boyle – Olympian, commentator and Australian Living Treasure – will be coming to Kingaroy on November 23 as a guest speaker at a fund-raising dinner to be held at Orana Lutheran Complex.
The famous former athlete will share experiences and stories about her sporting career and how she has overcome personal hurdles such as battling ovarian and breast cancer.
Raelene won three Olympic silver medals at the 1968 Mexico and 1972 Munich games, and gold medals at the 1970 Edinburgh, 1974 Christchurch, and 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth games. She also brought home silver medals from the 1978 Edmonton and 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth games.
Her topic will be “Overcoming the Hurdles of Life through positive living – Go for gold and pink!”
“Gold and pink are two symbols which are meaningful for me,” she said.
“Gold for perfection and pink representing breast cancer.
“Sport has been my life. When I look across the breadth and depth of my competitive running career I grew from all of the events.
“In 1982 I got to say thank you to the community who supported me and say goodbye on home soil at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games.
“Sport gave me the focus to get on with the job of getting well again after the setbacks I experienced.”
Proceeds from a raffle and an auctioned gift pack will go toward Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) on the night.
“BCNA represent the women with the disease going through the journey and it is vitally important we stand together as one,” she said.
“Many voices heading in the right direction can help make a change and make the journey better for all women diagnosed.”
The dinner will kick off at 6:00pm and feature a banquet, lucky door prizes, raffles and live entertainment for 20 tables of 10 guests.
Raelene said it was important for older Queenslanders to lead an active life and keep health at the top of their agendas.
“There is no doubt that by keeping yourself well physically you are also keeping yourself well psychologically, which takes the daunting things out of life so you can see things clearly,” she said.
“Choose the sport that suits you personally, like swimming, walking, gym, golf, cycling; as long as you’re keeping active.
“Exercise is important from a well-being point of view.
“It also helps get us out of the house so we are not festering and getting depressed in our homes.
“It is important to get outside and freshen up our minds with positive thoughts.”
Orana Lutheran Complex General Manager Richard Fahy said Raelene’s speech would empower residents and the community with tips for maintaining good health and experiencing quality of life.
“The purpose of the evening is draw upon a broad range of health-related areas to improve the services needed in rural aged care,” he said.
“Raelene will discuss the role of exercise and nutrition in assisting to maintain independence and good health as we age.”
Each seat costs $44 or $400 for a table for a table of 10 (including GST).
People interested in attending the event should telephone Richard Fahy at Orana on (07) 4162-6555 to make a booking.
South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said he was looking forward to attending.
