A Day Of Inspiration

In what for some may have been an overcast, drizzling, ordinary day, the Tour De Cure presented a very contrasting opportunity. The Tour de Cure put on what was a most inspirational day for close to 150 very lucky people!

Hosted at the immaculate Four Seasons hotel, the inaugural “A Day Of Inspiration” commenced with anticipation and eagerness to hear & learn from some of Australia’s successful sports, entertainment and business people alike. To hear their exceptional stories, adventures and tips are a rare privilege, but we were lucky enough that many of them hung around to mingle, chat and enjoy and hear from the rest of the speakers. What made the day even more inspirational was that the speakers kindly donated their time as a show of support to Tour de Cure.

First mention goes to the MCs of the day, Rebecca Wilson, Rob Duckworth & Blake Beattie. They kept the day running seamlessly and (seemingly) effortlessly.

The day got off to a GOLD start with Kerri Pottharst sharing her medals (gold and bronze), Olympic torch, and even her Olympic cozies! Kerri recounted how she 'faced her fears' in hers and Natalie Cook's historic GOLD medal effort on the golden sands of Bondi. Her message was set into action when she got yours truly and Margaret Heath (Mal's sister) up out of the crowd to face our own fears and to walk on what was a LOT of broken glass! Despite a lot of crunching and a few well timed gasps from the audience, we both came away cut free and grinning from ear to ear! Believe me when I say the glass was real and despite having seen Margaret and Kerri both do it, I still had some doubts and fears.
The inspiration continued with the frighteningly awesome tale of Heather Swan. She ever so coolly showed us (with incredible footage) how difficult and often physically painful (e.g. sustaining a hole in your intestine) her challenge was, to become the world record holder for base jumping and winged suit base jumping was.

The view from the top of Mt Meru (in India) was something. Jumping off it- well that is a whole LOT of 'somethin somethin' else.

A Day Of Inspiration was expertly constructed to timely remind us of why we were really there by incorporating the real life journeys of 3 separate cancer sufferers.

Claire O'Conner, Daniel Staunton & Paulina White all so kindly shared the experiences they have had with this disease. Their stories were full of courage and inspiration and, as many people commented, it made "A Day Of Inspiration" that extra special and unique. For mine it reasserted what this day was all about- to raise awareness and empower us to help make a difference! A huge thanks to Claire, Daniel and Paulina- and for those that don't remember why the washing machine was laughing-

go get Daniel's book!

The day didn’t stop there (although that was a brilliant start). Following a quick morning tea, and a serenade from Drew McAlister, Naomi Simson came on stage and spoke of building the Red Balloon Day company. It wasn’t hard to notice and be infected by her positive attitude... and dream of working for her- what a boss! I wonder if Naomi got 150 job applications the following day.

There were so many ideas and so much information to process and it just kept coming with the extremely successful Siimon Reynolds. He has experienced much success in his life and he ever so simply highlighted the 4 characteristics that makes him and any successful person. Siimon was very well spoken and it is no wonder he talked his way into a job that he was 15 years to young for!

We then had a quick reminder from Geoff as to why we were all there and what inspired him to get Tour de Cure off the ground- inspirational in itself. He was followed by a very busy and charity committed, question/answer session with Guy Leech. His continued involvement with the Tour de Cure among his other charities is just amazing, and despite his statement that his 'bike legs' aren't very strong, his title of fittest man in Australia makes that hard to believe! If he manages to find the time to get on the road with us TDC riders again in 2008, I know he wont be the one hanging off the back of the pack!

A delicious lunch put on by the Four Seasons was only settling when we were treated to a very good humoured and exceptionally well voiced Mark Gable.

Then the penultimate speaker was our very own. The ‘ordinary punter’ and co-founder of Tour de Cure, Gary Bertwistle. The Old Dog as I like to (kindly) refer to him had managed to incorporate the messages from all of the speakers before him and add that weight to his own message and stories. His encouragement for us to all be exceptional at everything we do was well received! Despite me still not drinking coffee, I would definetly drink up if I was recieving a coffee with as much effort as those displayed by the Old Dog.

The Old Dog set the floor for us and the sky as our limit- I think his talk of making your ten sets (at the gym) to 11 or 12 was also a 'subtle' challenge to the TDC riders make your $10 grand 11 or 12! Game on Old Dog, game on!

Another nice touch to the day was the occasional pre-recorded messages from Roger Black, Michael Roux, Matthew Pincent and our very own DuncanArmstrong. Thank you so much guys for aslo taking the time from your busy schedules to pre-record messages of support and secrets of what inspired them to achieve.

The officialities of the day was to conclude after a much anticipated Steve Waugh. I was just as excited to see him this time as I was 14 years ago, although I did refrain from getting yet another autograph! His question/answer session was pretty special, and to hear of his work with his many charities made us realise how lucky we were for him to so kindly donate his time to come and speak to us. It also highlighted how important the Tour de Cure is considered by so many people.

A couple of Peronis to cap off a brilliant day, thanks to Saskia and Max. Everyone was a buzz- talking about how much of an amazing day they had just experienced and I defiantly saw diaries brought out to mark the date of next years Day Of Inspiration- September 9 2008.

A huge congratulations and thanks to Geoff, Gary, Sam and Mal or conceiving, creating and successfully completing "A Day Of Inspiration". It was awesome- and then some!

Biggest entourage for the day goes to Phil. At 26, he must be a popular man, or very good at persuasion!

Thank you also needs to go to the Four Seasons hotel and all the lights, camera & action crew from Microhire- special thanks to Daniella & Nick!

Again to all the speakers who did their job of inspiring, donated their time and made the day- cheers! I think everyone hopes to see you again with Tour De Cure in the very near future.

As I left and wandered back towards the buses I couldn't get the huge (and somewhat goofy looking) grin off my face from what I had just experienced. Yes I may have been skipping a little, but that's alright... I was skipping at an exceptional standard, and according to Berty, if its done exceptionally well- it's ok...

To all the riders that made the day, I think we have got just a bit of an inspirational edge for Melbourne to Sydney- just remember your neuro commitment!

It was an amazing day, and the next one has been penned in (no pencilling for me) for the 9th of September 2008- make sure you all do the same!

If the rate that the merchandise was going is anything to go by, I think we’ll need a bigger room next year.

Pup