Town&Country SOUTH Raelene set for Weengallon

By SALLY NICOL RIGNEY high-profile speaker to Weengallon. age of 11. By 16 she was on her first Olympic team and heading to Mexico. IFE-SAVING heart surgery will “Weengallon Pink Ladies Day is a stop Olympic legend Raelene credit to the community. “I had to talk my parents into letting me go.” LBoyle from attending the London “It not only raises funds to be used for Games but the courageous 61-year- breast cancer research and support That was the beginning of a 14-year old says nothing will stop her from locally but it also brings rural women international running career that attending the Weengallon Pink Ladies together in a relaxed and entertaining showcased her resilience and fighting Day on Tuesday, August 28. environment in an unexpected part of spirit and saw her collect three the bush.” Olympic and nine Commonwealth Raelene is confident she will be back Games medals. on her feet and ready to share her Weengallon Pink Ladies Day co- incredible life story with the 500 ordinator, Kellie Mitchell, said the However it was in retirement that women who attend the glamorous generosity of spirit which has seen Raelene faced the race of her life. charity day in the tiny town of Raelene Boyle’s trip become a reality, In 1996 she was diagnosed with breast Weengallon, 150km west of was humbling. cancer. in southern “Joining NAB to make it possible have “It was totally out of the blue. I was 44 . been local businesses, Jones Air and St years old and still at my racing weight. Her trip west has been made possible George Machinery Centre. I was doing a job I loved in horticul- by the sponsorship of the National “It really feels like we’ve all worked ture and enjoying my life in a relaxed Bank (NAB). together to make a once in a lifetime way.” NAB regional agribusiness manager opportunity happen in our little corner Raelene’s diagnoses came just six for the and South West of the world.” weeks before her mother died of lung Queensland, Jason Lipp, said NAB Raelene has quite a story to share. She cancer. was very proud to be bringing such a first realised she could really run at the “She was in a terrible state and I wondered if I was confronting my own destiny.” Raelene remembers the end of treatment as one of the worst days. “It’s like standing on the edge of a cliff and falling off because all of a sudden you realise you are on your own. Everything has been done and it’s just in the lap of the gods as to whether you survive or not.” Then in 2000, having just been asked One of Australia’s national living treasures, Raelene Boyle, will share her story at the to carry the Olympic Torch at Sydney, Weengallon Pink Ladies Day when she arrives next month. she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, a disease she went on to beat twice. The chatter and laughter during lunch ❖ Tickets for the 2012 Weengallon Pink She admits to frustration with her ill then turns to squawks of delight Ladies Day on Tuesday,August 28 are $40. health but has chosen to turn it into a during the exuberant Rabobank Bra Tickets are available at positive by working as an Art Auction. www.pinkladiesday.com or email Kelli ambassador for the Breast Cancer Morse [email protected]. Numbers Raelene is pleased with the answer. limited to 500. Network of Australia to share her story “I’ll see you in August. with other women. For more information call Kellie Mitchell “This is going to be fun.” on (07) 46 7711 72. “I felt I could help by being open about the hell of a journey I’ve had.” Raelene changes the topic and starts asking about Weengallon. “What is the day like?” The answer starts off promisingly. The doors open at 9am and guests are greeted with complimentary pome- granate passion champagne cocktails provided by Bentleys Chartered Accounts in . Then there is shopping at 26 stalls before the gathering moves into the Party Hire marquee for Raelene’s address. A gourmet smorgasbord lunch will follow featuring Woolworths MSA Australian scotch fillet, GreenAg Organic free range turkey from Kingsthorpe and a selection of Raelene Boyle won three Olympic and nine medals during her desserts provided by O’Brien Toyota The NAB Agribusiness team responsible for bringing Raelene Boyle to Weengallon, 14-year international running career. St George. Kingsley Bauer,St George, Phil Cooper,Roma and Jason Lipp,Toowoomba.

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