South Burnett Director of Nursing Margaret Wedge at the starting line of the New York Marathon (Photo: DDHHS)
Margaret Wedge with former marathon champion Robert de Castella (Photo: DDHHS)

January 23, 2017

A recent trip to New York City to tick off an item on her “bucket list” led to an inspirational meeting for one Kingaroy health worker.

Rural South Burnett Director of Nursing Margaret Wedge is a long-distance running enthusiast and had long dreamed of taking part in the New York Marathon.

While in New York, Margaret had the opportunity to attend a lunch hosted by the Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF) where she met IMF Director and four-time Olympian Robert de Castella.

“The IMF was established to train Indigenous Australians to be marathon runners as part of a six-month program, in an effort to promote healthy lifestyle choices, resilience and success,” Margaret said.

“The idea was to give them the skills and confidence to become leaders and promote good health in their communities.

“The IMF sponsored a group of Indigenous runners to participate in the New York Marathon and the luncheon was an opportunity to meet this group and Robert de Castella.

“It was truly inspirational to meet the Indigenous runners and hear their stories, and to meet Robert de Castella, who was arguably the best long-distance runner Australia has ever produced.”

Robert de Castella was the special guest at last year’s Reconciliation Fun Run from Murgon to Cherbourg.


 

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