‘Smokin’ Joe with a fast finish at Twinnies Club Championships – 2013
This morning, once again we remembered our great friend and Twinnies member, Joe Kelly. Joe’s smiling, kind face and competitive nature made him extremely popular with anyone who was lucky enough to cross paths with him. Joe, and his just as popular wife, Laura, were living in Australia from Canada for 3 years while Joe worked at Boral in Murwillumbah. Joe had competed in triathlon for more than 20 years, covering all distances, so he quickly sent feelers out and found Twin Towns Tri Club not long after arriving.
Joe competing in the Jacobs Wells Triathlon in 2010
Joe and Laura participated in our very first Teams event in 2012. They both found it a highlight of the season as it was a great opportunity to meet people and really get to know what the club was about. We were all deeply saddened when Joe was tragically killed when a branch fell on him, during a freak storm, while competing in the Brisbane Twilight Half Marathon in 2013. In the 4 years he was a part of our club he made many strong friendships and we have missed him terribly. Luckily many of us are still regularly in contact with Laura who visits every few years. After Joe’s sudden
Joe and Laura (centre) with Joanne and another friend from Canada after a Twinnies race.
loss we all felt that a great way for his memory to live on in our club was to name our Australia Day Teams Event in Memory of Joe. I’m sure he was smiling down on us while we had a great time racing around the course and especially as many struggled with the highly technical baton change!
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- Joe (far left), Joe’s sister & brother -in-law, and Laura before the Brisbane Twilight Half Marathon – 2014
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- Joe competing in the Canada Ironman – 2009
It was perfect triathlon conditions for the Joe Kelly Memorial Super Teams event this morning. There were 20 highly competitive teams chomping at the bit to start.
Thank you to Kev for organising the event and Dave for the great handicapping!!
The event was brilliantly handicapped by our terrific timekeeper, Dave de Closey and outstandingly organised by Kevi Bannerman. Thank you to both for all the time and effort you put into this event. The baton change was unique and quite complicated for some, however, team #17 comprising of Jo Colja, Matt Stanley and Sam Leonard were quick to pick it up and were voted the best baton changing team! There were equal handicap winners – team #20 (Simon, Dave & Lances) and team #8 (Andrew, Sue and Dr Greg). Team #2 (Whits, Helen & Ben) weren’t far behind in 3rd place. Well done to all!!
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- Captain Kev explaining details of the race
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- A captured audience.
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- Ginny showing an excellent streamlined position as she gets ready to dive!
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- Great dive Ginny!
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- Stuey having a quick rest before the start.
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- Transition – waiting for team members to complete the swim
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- Dave ready to go.
The race was followed by an Australia Day Breakfast of sausages and bacon
Chef Rob and Chef Glenn – great cooks! THANK YOU!
& egg burgers on the barbie. Thank you to our great chefs, Glenn Lance and Rob Gillies for cooking everything to perfection. Also a big thank you to Kent Holmes for getting all the food so there was something to cook!
Marshalls
Thank you to Tracey Sewell and Sam Coleman who were our course Marshalls today.
Next week marshalls are; Rowena Smith on Fraser, Mark Whiticker at Woodlands Drive, Gerard Robards at Lochlomond RAB and Kaleb Robards at the Tooloona RAB.
AGM
Don’t forget that the AGM is on February 27th after the race. We would love some new faces on the committee so if you’re keen, fill in a nomination form when you’re next at the club. The President’s position will be vacant as Stuey is ready to hand over to someone new. Please consider and put forward a nomination.
Bike Maintenance Course
Next week Steve West will be running the second Bike Maintenance Workshop. See below for details.
See you all next week and don’t forget to register by Thursday 7.00pm.
Have a great Australia Day on Tuesday!
Tracy 🙂
