Residents stage own Olympics

Athletes are a tough breed. Just ask breast cancer survivor Patricia Hill who competed in an international ‘dragon boat’ race in Rome and is now inspiring others to get active.

“I competed in the Long boat Club Crew World Championships in 2002 with 10 other ladies and it was an absolutely fantastic experience,” Ms Hill reminisces.

Ms Hill, who has been in remission since 1994, said she trained on the Brisbane River twice a week in preparation for Rome and claimed boat racing “gets people out exercising”.

To coincide with the London Olympic Games, Ms Hill will visit a Woodridge aged care service in Queensland to speak about health and exercise before the residents hold their own mini-Olympic games.

Pictured is Trinder Park mini-Olympics participants Margaret Hunter and Patricia Hill.

About 80 Trinder Park residents will don green and gold to compete for medals in weight lifting, ring toss, boat racing, discus, horse racing and hurdling tomorrow at 10.30am.

Residents will break into four teams and be allocated a country. The winning team will be awarded a chocolate prize and Ms Hill will join staff and volunteers helping out on the day.

Trinder Park general manager, Alan Lamb, said residents from the retirement units, high care, low care and the dementia wing will participate in the celebrations.

“Our residents look forward to activities that help them identify with major events such as the Olympic Games,” he said.

“Our mini-Olympics will provide some good fun and exercise and many of our residents will treasure memories of having followed the Games in past years.”

Trinder Park lifestyle officer, Janet Dickens, said she looked forward to the upcoming games.

“It’s a good way to encourage the community spirit at Trinder Park. We have a lot of English people here so they can reminisce about London and bring their memories out which is great,” Ms Dickens said.

Ms Hill added: “Just because you’ve had cancer, doesn’t mean can’t get up and do the best you can with your life, and even if you come last who cares? At least you gave it a go.”

For more information about Trinder Park, click here.