Sydney Cove Rotary - Wheel Chair Race

While most Australians took the opportunity to sleep in on Australia Day, 30 members of the Sydney Cove Rotary Club were up early to act as volunteer safety marshals for the annual Oz Day 10K Wheelchair Race around the Rocks.

The race, which was won for the 8th consecutive year in record style by Australian Kurt Fearnley, operates on a 10 kilometre circuit along

For Club President, Deborah Homewood, volunteering at the Oz Day 10K race is a family tradition started by her father, Malcolm Webber 16 years ago.  A former  member of Sydney Cove Rotary, he was a regular volunteer at sporting events around the city for many years, including both the Oz Day Wheelchair Race and the Sydney International Wheelchair Tennis Open.

Ms Homewood has been personally involved in the wheelchair race for the past four years and this year brought along her daughter, Sarah, to share the experience. 

“This is a great way to start Australia Day. Being based at Sydney Cove, this race is right in the heart of our community and we see it as a privilege to come along and support the athletes both as safety marshals and to cheer them on,” she said.

“This is what Rotary is all about. It’s about community, about participating, having fun and meeting great people. 

“Watching the wheelchair athletes was simply inspiring. It doesn’t matter what challenges you face or how you’re different – you can still participate in life. This race reminds us that we can overcome any obstacle and live a full life, regardless of our circumstances.”

It was a family affair for the Homewoods. While Deb and Sarah were marshalling the wheelchair race, Deb’s husband Mick Ash was competing in the Australia Day Harbour Swim off the Opera House steps.

Deb is currently training to compete in the annual Sydney triathlon, to be held in April this year and has put together a team of Rotarians and Rotaractors to participate in the race.

The Rotary Club of Sydney Cove was established in 1988 with the common goal of giving back to the community in which we live and work. With over 90 members, the Rotary Club of Sydney Cove is one of Sydney’s largest and most active clubs, supporting 30 community service projects including: working with the homeless, disaster relief, assisting organisations caring for the disabled, youth leadership programs, providing education resources support, international scholarships and the support of local charities. The Club meets every Friday morning from 7.15-8.45am on the Captain Cook Cruise boat moored at Pier 6 on Circular Quay.

For more information on Rotary Club of Sydney Cove visit www.sydneycoverotary.com or contact Alex Allwood | alex@holla.com.au

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