The Cairns Crew 2014
Greetings Everyone – Merry Christmas to you all.
We have had an enjoyable year overall and we are looking forward to having a relaxing break over the next few weeks. It is very hot and humid in Cairns at present so we are making good use of the pool to cool ourselves down!
It was Aidan’s turn this year to extend his sporting talents the most. He has participated at three state championships. The first was for the Nth QLD Branch in the QLD Junior Surf Lifesaving Championships at Kirra Beach, Gold Coast in March. His best results were 5th in the 1km run and top 15 for flags in the QLD for his age group. The second was for the Peninsula Team at the QLD Junior State Cross Country at Brisbane where he came 25th for his age group. The third was for the Peninsula Team at the QLD Junior State Athletics at Brisbane where he came 5th for his age group in 800m. Aidan also won age champion at the Nth QLD SLS Branch Carnival.
He also won gold medals in the 1km run and flags and silver medals in the board race and board rescue at the North Aussies SLS carnival in Mackay. Aidan competed for his sixth successive year in the “Soccer Dogs” for the Redlynch Cyclones. He had an enjoyable year at school (grade 6) as he had nice teachers and he achieved good results including a merit academic. Aidan has been selected to represent the Nth QLD Branch at the QLD Junior Surf Lifesaving Championships to be held at Maroochydore in the Sunshine Coast in March 2015.
Connor also had a successful year sporting wise. He has participated at two state championships. The first was also for the Nth QLD Branch in the QLD Junior Surf Lifesaving Championships at Kirra Beach, Gold Coast in March. His best results were 8th in the 1km run and reaching the finals for the ironman and swim race for his age group. The second was for the Peninsula Team at the QLD Junior State Cross Country at Toowoomba where he competed well in the finals.
Connor found a new passion in mountain biking this year. He has a dual suspension enduro style bike and a full on downhill bike. He has spent many hours at Smithfield mountain bike track (which hosted a World Cup Mountain bike event in April) and closer track called “Palmers”. He has helped re-build some berms and jumps at “Palmers” and enjoyed riding and taking movies on his GoPro afterwards! Connor also had an enjoyable year at school (grade 8) year six and he achieved reasonably good results including a merit academic.
Bryce competed at surf life saving again this year and he was in the U9 age group and had fun competing at the carnivals. His best results were bronze in the swim race and deep wade race, silver in the board relay and gold in the Mixed Wade Relay and Beach Relay at the Nth QLD SLS Branch Carnival. He was in year three this year and had a very enjoyable time at school and he achieved some good results. His favourite subjects were mathematics, art, PE and science.
Roxy has been generally well behaved again this year and she continues to be a good guard dog, although she gets a bit overprotective if anybody come past the back fence!. She particularly like spending time with her brother Sam up at Jim and Ethel’s farm we she play fights all day and night with him!
Marilyn has had a very busy year in her role as one of the Cairns SLSC administrators. She has continued to provide excellent support to the club members and organisation. More importantly she has participated in the some of the SLS carnivals in the master’s age group and picked up quite a few gold medals which has been fantastic. She bought a Kracka Mal board this year and would like to purchase a surf ski next year to improve her skills.
Once again she has spent many hours taking the boys to their numerous training sessions throughout the year and is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas holiday.
John joined Cairns Regional Council half way through the year full time, having worked for them as a consultant project manager on numerous projects over the past six years. He enjoys his role at Council and is leading a client side project team on a large public swimming pool project that has a very high profile in Cairns. This project will keep him busy over the next 12 months so he has no worries on a shortage of work. John continued his involvement as volunteer with the Cairns SLSC as well as an official at carnivals.
We ended up selling our block of land in Redlynch (much to the joy of the boys for not having to mow the lawns there anymore!) and instead purchased an investment property in Kewarra Beach. This is currently tenanted for the next 16 months and turned out to be a successful decision.
We will be spending Christmas at home this year with some day trips planned around area to keep everyone amused.
View Photo Gallery for all the pics
We hope you all have a safe and happy year in 2015.
Lots of Love
John, Maz, Connor, Aidan & Bryce