Vale: Angels Abreast

Dragons Abreast Sydney / Dragons Abreast Port Hacking

1964 - 30 June 2009

Jenny Petterson embodied the true spirit of Dragons Abreast – she was always there with a smile on her face enjoying every moment and really living life to the full despite breast cancer. Even though Jenny was able to achieve at the elite level of the sport she always remained, along with her sister Jo, a member of Dragons Abreast, happy to paddle in composite teams and share her knowledge. read more about Jenny

Vale Sandi Tilbrooks

Dragons Abreast Adelaide

March 2009

We’ll still meet at West Lakes, And paddle on the lake, But Sandi won’t be with us, Her spirit’s in our wake read the rest of the poem about Sandi

Deb Martin

Dragons Abreast Adelaide

11 February 2009

Deb was a vibrant, young woman with a huge smile whom we first met when we were both representatives for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA). We all rejoiced when she announced she was pregnant following her breast cancer treatment and when Deb brought baby Reuben to a BCNA Think Tank meeting in Melbourne her joy and pride was a delight to witness. read more about Deb

Jill Parker

Dragons Abreast Darwin

8 February 2009

After 7½ years of living a mostly happy, healthy and very active life since her original diagnosis, Jill had finally found her wings and soared away. read more about Jill

Rose Murphy 

1948- 2009

Rose was a warm, generous and positive person whose cheerful and caring approach was greatly appreciated by all our members. She was renowned for her stunning collection of gorgeous scarves and beautiful matching jewellery. Rose was a keen paddler and her enthusiasm was an inspiration to us all.

Di Groves

Dragons Abreast Clarence Valley

A founding member of Clarence Valley Dragons Abreast, Di passed away on January 10th after a long and brave battle with this dreaded disease. A service was held in Lismore on January 15th. Di is survived by her husband Mark and three lovely young daughters. read more about Di

Pat Pierce

Dragons Abreast Coffs Coast

December 2008

Patricia Pierce - Miss Pat, as she was affectionately known, was a valued member of Dragons Abreast Coffs Coast. Pat was grounded, normal, honest, determined and hard working. She lived a simple life, full of love. Pat leaves behind her beloved partner Greg and her two children Trent and Rachel. read more about Pat

Chris Bell

Dragons Abreast Geelong

December 2008

Chris Bell - affectionately called “Peaches” has lost her valiant battle with breast cancer. Fortunately Peaches, although ill at the time, was able to experience the elation of competing at the International Dragon Boat festival at Caloundra in 2007. Our lovely friend will be missed but never forgotten and her quiet, sweet spirit will paddle with us always. read more about Chris

Maria Kelley

Dragons Abreast Mackay

19 October 2008

On Friday 24 October 2008, Members of Dragons Abreast Mackay, Mackay Dragon Boat Club, Away BC and Mackay Surf Life Saving Club gathered together with family and friends of Maria Kelley for her final farewell. The service reflected her life. Full of fun, music, adventure and many, many, smiles. read more about Maria

Margaret Rose Cantwell

Dragons Abreast Sydney

24 September 2008

Margaret was a tireless supporter of the sport of dragon boating helping out her daughter Melanie at regattas across NSW and further afield. In recent years Margaret also became a paddler with Dragons Abreast Sydney. read more about Margaret

Carolyn Johnson

Dragons Abreast Bendigo

1950 - 17 September 2008

Carolyn Johnson was just the most wonderful, caring and courageous lady who was still asking after the welfare of others in our team only days before her passing. Carolyn had been unable to paddle for some time and suffered a great deal during the last 12 to 18 months, however she had a wonderful caring family and large friendship group around her. She achieved her aim of seeing her children grow to adulthood and independence and has left treasured memories for all those who knew her. read more about Carolyn

Kendall Clark OAM

2 July 2008

Dragons Abreast Peninsula

Kendall passed away on 2 July 2008 after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Kendell joined us 10-10-07 and had some good times with us and joined us for the Falls Creek Regatta where she was able to drum for us. Patsy Blair, Coordinator

Julie Quigley

Dragons Abreast Illawarra/ Dragons Abreast Central Coast

10 June 2008

Julie Quigley was an active Dragons Abreast member for many years. She paddled with the Central Coast team from when its inception in 2002 and then with the Illawarra team when she retired and moved south with her husband Allan in 2006. read more about Julie

Glenis Powell

Dragons Abreast Byron Bay

6 June 2008

A member of Rainbow Dragons Abreast since the very early days, Glenis loved regattas and was very excited about attending the Abreast In Australia Regatta in Caloundra. Shortly after returning from this regatta she was diagnosed with secondary cancer in her brain. She carried on with determination during the last 9 months enjoying a laugh with friends whenever she could. Glenis loved rainbows and is now a Rainbow Angel watching over us!

Cheryl Robinson

Dragons Abreast Devonport

1 June 2008

Although Cheryl was only a member for the last 6 months she will be sadly missed by all members.

Jenny Anne McGoldrick

Dragons Abreast Peninsula

24 November 1948 - 30 May 2008

Jenny and Jim McGoldrick were at the first 'meet & greet' for the start of our new breast cancer survivors and supporters club, and although she was still having treatment they joined in September 2006. As Jenny gained her confidence and strength she became our reliable 'bench 5 paddler'. read more about Jenny

Carolyn Parsons

Dragons Abreast ACT

1966 - 18 April 2008

Carolyn Parsons was a good friend and inspiration to many and a wonderful example of someone who ‘kept the spirit alive’. Following her breast cancer diagnosis she managed to ‘get off the tit and on with life’ (her words) and in doing so gave back so much to others. read more about Carolyn

Anna Wenk

21 March 2008

Dragons Abreast Port Macquarie

Anna Wenk, founding member of Dragons Abreast Port Macquarie, passed away at home on Friday 21 March. Anna was an enthusiastic advocate for Breast Cancer Awareness and an equally enthusiastic paddler - loving the challenge of regattas and the camaraderie of meeting other paddlers. read more about Anna

Irene Westcombe

Dragons Abreast Devonport

17 February 2008

Our Angels Abreast team has gained another member – Irene Westcombe, Founder of the Devonport team. Irene has battled for some time and put up a very brave fight. I received the news in Sydney last Sunday - it was a couple of hours before the Flowers on The Water Ceremony – so I made a special dedication to Irene and the other 5 lovely and brave women that we have already lost this year. read more about Irene

Faye Arthur

Dragons Abreast Bendigo / Dragons Abreast Melbourne

February 2008

Faye was and always will be the heart and spirit of our paddling team. Losing her from our team is heartbreaking, however we treasure the memories. read more about Faye

Robin Bulman

Dragons Abreast Townsville

February 2008

Robin had been ill for several months with cancer in several areas and had decided on no more treatment.  Although not paddling for some time now she made an effort to come to breakfast afterwards and in the latter days some of our dragon girls collected her.  In the last few weeks the same ladies also visited her, took her for outings in her wheelchair then assisted with her care at home in her final days. She was privately cremated and so, with the family's permission we held a memorial service, taking our 2 boats out, along with her husband and 2 sons, to scatter her ashes and have a flowers on the water ceremony.  Her husband was very pleased that we did this for her.

Liz Hill

Dragons Abreast Central Coast

7 January 2008

Helen Farquharson

Dragons Abreast Coffs Coast

4 January 2008

Sue Murdoch

Dragons Abreast Newcastle-Hunter

September 2007

Sadly in September, our youngest paddler, Sue Murdoch, left us to join Angels Abreast. So the money raised was dedicated to assist Paul Murdoch and their two young sons.

Maggie Sharp

Dragons Abreast ACT

14 July 2007

Our lovely Maggie Sharp, DA ACT Tickled Pink sweep and paddler, passed away very peacefully at her home with very loving and caring family at her side on 14 July. Over these last weeks, Maggie’s thoughts of the lake made her smile as she imagined being on the dragon boat and remembered the many happy hours she had spent on the water. read more about Maggie

Helen Hynes

Dragons Abreast Sydney

April 2007

The day before Easter we heard the very sad news that Helen Hynes had joined our Angels Abreast. Helen was a lovely woman and a very keen paddler. Many of you won’t have known her, as she left us back in January 05 to return to Ireland. We farewelled her back then at a riotous and rowdy lunch at the Little Snail. read more about Helen

Marg McAlpine

Dragons Abreast Bendigo

7 March 2007

Our much loved drummer and fellow paddler. Dragons Abreast Bendigo has been truly enriched having Marg in our team. read more about Marg

Ber Robertson

DA Byron Bay

28 January 2007

She loved dragon boating from the first time she joined us for a paddle, only 4 and a half months ago. Even though she wasn't with us in the boat as often as she would have liked, she was with us in spirit and had rainbow-coloured flowers and decorations all over her hospital room and wore her rainbow earrings every day. We have truly lost a very special person from our team but not from our hearts!” read more about Ber

Janice Kay Matthews

Dragons Abreast Port Lincoln

10 January 2007

Jan was a beautiful lady and a devoted mother. The courage and strength she showed through a long and painful battle with this disease has been an inspiration to us all. Jan and her husband Ian were known to many members of Dragons Abreast and we had the pleasure of paddling with them in Perth and Canberra. read more about Jan

Pirkko Ranki

Dragons Abreast Penrith

18 October 2006

Pendragons Abreast and the Camden Support Group said goodbye to one of buddies, Pirkko Ranki, on Wednesday 18 October at 5.30pm. “P” was their sweep, a most loving caring person with the biggest happy smile and positive outlook. A “Flowers on the Water” ceremony was held the following Saturday at Penrith Regatta Centre. “Fly with the angels, P”.

Anne Maree Ryall

Dragons Abreast Bendigo

27 November 1954 - 18 September 2006

Anne was a valued member of Dragons Abreast Bendigo who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2006. She has been honoured with a plaque on our boat so that her memory will travel with us always. read more about Anne Maree

Lorna Ryan

Dragons Abreast Mackay

7 September 2006

On 7th September 2006 we lost one of our founding members, Lorna Ryan. Lorna was only 42 when she lost her battle with breast cancer. She was passionate about Dragons Abreast Mackay though she was only able to paddle in the new boat a couple of times before she became too ill to do so. As Mackay is a fairly small town, Lorna spent many months in Townsville and Brisbane for treatment, always with her very supportive husband Mick by her side. Even though she was far away she was always in our thoughts. read more about Lorna

Sylvia Flaxman

Dragons Abreast ACT

April 2006

Sylvia was a Dragons Abreast ‘Original’, one of the amazing women who first took up a paddle as part of the very first Dragons Abreast team to attend the National Titles held in 2000 in Penrith, NSW. That was at a time when the dragon boat world had never seen a team of Pink Ladies on the water and at a time when the majority of people in Australia, and especially the medical professionals, were extremely sceptical about the wisdom of dragon boat racing for survivors. read more about Sylvia

Deb Read

Dragons Abreast Sydney

Deb Read was a champion in every way – an outstanding sportswoman, with a magnetic personality, who threw herself into life with unmatched enthusiasm and commitment. She was passionate about her work in the YWCA where she leaves a trail of exceptional achievements which have improved the lives of thousands of women and will keep changing lives for more women in the future. Yet her modesty was such that even her family, back in her native Canada, was only dimly aware of the scope of her enormous contribution to our society. read more about Deb

Petra Oliver

Dragons Abreast ACT

30 November 2005

Petra paddled with us only about 3 times because she became ill very quickly after her diagnosis.  Petra was a beautiful girl, quiet and peaceful.

Dr Petra Oliver (Schunmann) Peacefully passed away on Wednesday 30 November, 2005 at 11.45pm, at the age of 40. Loved and admired by many, she is a light that shines on.

Kathy Gibbons

Dragons Abreast Central Coast

2005

One of our foundation members, Kathy Gibbons, was recently named winner of the inaugural "Simply Legendary” Local Legend. To the Coast Buster girls, Kathy was an inspiration, mentor, advisor, and an ever ready shoulder to cry on. She was a "True Legend" for her tireless work raising Breast Cancer awareness. We miss you Kathy! read more about Kathy

Noni Green

Dragons Abreast Byron Bay

2005

Noni was so lovely, gentle and amazing.   She was our first secretary and joined even before we had a boat when we used to swim for fitness at the pool at Lennox. She became interested and involved in DA when she attended the Byron Bay Breast Cancer Support Group and was inspired by the fact that a bunch of breast cancer survivors could get together and find strength in paddling together. Her spirit and energy will, I believe, always be there in every paddle stroke for those who are finding the going tough.   Barbara Pinter

Marion Johnson

Dragons Abreast Port Macquarie

August 2005

Louise Woodruff

Dragons Abreast Hobart

August 2005

Chris Van Buuren

Dragons Abreast Tasmania

January 2005

Unfortunately 2005 got off to very sad start with the passing of our Treasurer, and treasured member, Chris Van Buuren. read more about Chris

Gayle Creed

Dragons Abreast Brisbane

2 December 2004

Gayle was an inspiration! All of us that traveled with Gayle in China will always remember her grace, her dignity and her passion for getting the most out of each moment. read more about Gayle

Christine Barker

Dragons Abreast Sydney

9 May 2004

Christine’s endless capacity to bounce back and join in was an inspiration to us. Every race we paddled in was for Christine. If we were a little over exuberant when we won – that was why. If she was not there when we raced, we immediately rang Christine to tell her how we had gone. Whenever we won a trophy, it spent a few days in Christine’s house. read more about Christine

Alice

Dragons Abreast Merimbula

Vicki Nottage

Dragons Abreast Adelaide

1966 - 1 November 2002

Vicki Nottage, team captain and sweep passed away peacefully at home on Friday 1 November 2002. Vicki was an integral member of Dragons Abreast in both the founding of the club and its success. Vicki loved the sport of dragon boating with passion, enjoying the comradeship, support and encouragement one receives from Dragons Abreast. Vicki was always proactive about using Dragons Abreast as a platform to spread awareness of Breast Cancer to the wider community. read more about Vicki

Judy Costello

Dragons Abreast Melbourne

April 2002

Jude was our drummer.  Even though she was very unwell during our training time, she still showed up every week and when she couldn't paddle anymore she took on drumming with gusto.  Drumming is not easy (I've had a go) but Judy was fantastic.  Judy taught me that you don't live forever but you should make the best of what you've got.  read more about Judy

Carlene Butavicius

Dragons Abreast Adelaide

13 January 2002

On the 27 January, an overcast and damp day in Adelaide, something very special happened at Aquatic Reserve, West Lakes. Dragons Abreast celebrated the life and achievements of a quiet, graceful lady called Carlene Butavicius, who sadly passed away on 13 January 2002. read more about Carlene

Joyce Castle

Dragons Abreast Sydney

2002

“One thing that I remember well from Penrith was the courage of Joyce who was our drummer and who has since died, and the spirit of the team who came from all parts of Australia and some who had never paddled before.” Anna, Katherine, June, Elspeth, Marion, Lenyss, Jan (ACT) read more about Joyce