Dawn’s blog: I did it!
May 11th, 2009 by AdminSunday 10th May 2009 – 9:36pm
Well we did it! It’s just on 12 hours since the walk started and over 10½ since Keri and I crossed the line. I’m still basking in thoughts of this morning and enjoying the glow that they’re giving me.
First of all, we were absolutely blessed with a sensational autumn day. After all the doom and gloom and prediction of drizzle and showers, the day dawned sunny and clear – Melbourne at her finest. Keri and I were up early and into Flinders St by 7:30. Breakfast in Degraves St was the first stop of the morning and the excitement grew as we saw more and more pink gather in the area. We warmed up by walking down to the start line – a trek in itself – for my Q&A on the scissor lift at the start. That was quite a privilege. It was lovely to chat to Mary Delahunty and tell a bit of my story and why we were there and just exciting to have that vantage point of the crowds as they gathered at the start. By 9:30 we were in the front rows and ready to be off.
Fair to say the walk was a bit tougher going twice as far as last year and part of me felt the temptation to veer right at the split and cross the finish line rather than heading round again. Keri – bless her – reminded me that admitting that on the blog would be embarrassing to say the least and the temptation passed. We got around in just on 85 minutes which is our new personal best or benchmark time and the aim now is to beat it next year.
Walking around was very moving – especially seeing all the tribute cards. We walked behind a group of four who all paid tribute to one special lady who had obviously been a much loved wife, mum, mummy and mother in law to them and each paid an individual tribute on their cards. A young girl in a pink tutu had a card to her Aunt – because she missed her very much. During the walk I was concentrating on getting myself out there but what I’d seen and participated in hit me during a post walk coffee at the Art Gallery and I had a little weep.
Personally and health wise I’m really pleased with achieving the goal that I set myself in October and thoroughly determined to go on with it. More to the point, I am, as always, absolutely humbled and amazed by the community support of this and other events supporting this cause so close to my heart. Thank you to the committed and dedicated group from Women in Super who have created an event that has seen mothers and their families understanding that there is no better way to celebrate than participating together. Thank you also to the wonderfully dedicated volunteers who make the event so much fun to be a part of. And thank you most of all to those who participated and were part of the magic we made in the gardens today.


By encouraging friends and family to sponsor my participation in the 4km walk at the Mothers Day Classic, I felt that together we could make a bigger contribution to something very worthwhile.

