The Cairns Crew 2013
Merry Christmas to Everyone
We hope you are all well and the festive season is treating you well. Our normal wet season weather has come back this year – but that has tempered the humidity so the rain has been a nice relief.
We have had an enjoyable year over overall and managed to survive the down turn in the economy.
Connor had another successful year with sport. He has participated at two state championships. The first was for the Nth QLD Branch in the QLD Junior Surf Lifesaving Championships at Hervey Bay in March. His best result was 7th in the U12 Board Race. The second was for the Peninsula Team at the QLD State Primary Swimming Championships at Chandler Pool in Brisbane. His best result was 9th in the 100m breaststroke final. He won age champion at all of the Nth QLD SLS Branch Carnivals (5) and was awarded age champion for the Cairns SLSC. He also won gold in the 1km run and board race at the North Aussies SLS carnival in Mackay.
Connor was also picked again in the FNQ swimming development team which travelled to Brisbane for a State Qualifying Meet in November. He placed 5th in 200m Breast and 6th in 100m Breast for his age. Connor was awarded Junior Sportsman of the Year at Redlynch State College. He had his first year in high school (grade 7) and really enjoyed the year as he had nice teachers and he achieved good results including a merit academic. He is hoping to get into some extension classes again next year.
Aidan had a very successful year with sport. He won the U10 800m races at Redlynch School, interschool (Barron River) and regional (Peninsula). He went on to represent the Peninsula Team in 800m at the QLD State Primary Track and Field Championships at Brisbane. He did well to make the final, and although he didn’t place he tried hard and will learn from the experience.
He won age champion at two of the Nth QLD SLS Branch Carnivals and tied at the overall Nth QLD Branch Championship for the U11 age group. Aidan won gold in the 1km run, board race and flags at the North Aussies SLS carnival in Mackay. He achieved JX Gold time for breaststroke and swam well for Marlin Coast at a few carnivals. He had another successful year playing soccer for the Redlynch Cyclones U10 team 1. Aidan had an enjoyable year at school and achieved good results overall. He was awarded a merit academic award and achieved a credit result for mathematics in a National competition.
Connor and Aidan have been selected to represent the Nth QLD Branch at the QLD Junior Surf Lifesaving Championships to be held at North Kirra in the Gold Coast in March 2014.
Bryce competed at soccer, swimming and surf life saving this year. He was in the U8 age group at SLS and had fun competing at the carnivals. His best results were a second in a deep wade race and he also won gold at the Nth QLD SLS Branch Carnival in the U8 Mixed Wade Relay and Beach Relay. He had fun playing for the Redlynch Cyclones U7 team 2 and defended well and also managed to score some excellent goals.
Bryce has won gold at 25m breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke and freestyle at the Mareeba swimming carnival and swam well at other carnivals. He was in year two this year and had a very enjoyable time at school and he achieved some good results. His favourite subjects were mathematics, art, PE and technology.
Roxy has been generally well behaved this year and she is a good guard dog. She lets us know when she wants to be taken for a walk (John in particular) and she loves her time roaming the parks and fetching sticks from the creeks.
Marilyn gave up her job at Tobruk pool this year as she her role as one of the Cairns SLSC administrators is pretty much full time for most of the year. She has developed well in this role and provides excellent support to the club members and organisation. She has continued to participate in the some of the SLS carnivals in the master’s age group and likes the wade race the best. She has spent many hours taking the boys to their numerous training sessions throughout the years and is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas holiday.
John has had a busy year at work a usual and had one trip to Lae in PNG. He got involved more with the Cairns SLSC and was a joint age manager in Aidan’s age group as well as an official at carnivals. He went with Connor and Aidan to the North Aussies SLS carnival in Mackay and enjoyed seeing the boys do well. John was manager for Bryce’s soccer team again and enjoyed watching the team develop their skills. He is keen to work through the redesign of the new house planned for Jak Gee St in Redlynch. If all goes to plan the house will be started after the wet season in 2014.
After Xmas at the Woods farm we are all heading down to the Gold Coast for a week and half starting on Boxing day which will include time in the surf at Kirra beach, spending time with Marilyn’s Auntie Pat/Auntie Marie, two days at the Theme parks and catching up with friends
We hope you all have a safe and happy year in 2014.
Lots of Love
John, Maz, Connor, Aidan & Bryce