Tracey’s Day brings community together

AT the Gunnedah Showground we celebrated another Tracey’s Day in what is becoming an annual event to gather with family and friends in memory of our sister Tracey Roberts, who tragically passed away on 30 December 2024 after battling the devastating effects of type 1 diabetes.

The day has evolved into a chance for everyone to get together, have a chat, reconnect with old friends, connect with new friends, reminisce, tell stories, laugh, cry and reflect on absent family and friends, all in the name of helping to support each other in the community.

The day started early at midnight on the Friday night/Saturday morning with a fun run. The unique element of the day is very purposeful. It is not a race, or an overall set distance; the purpose of the fun run is for anyone looking to challenge themselves by stepping out of their comfort zone to strive toward a personal achievement – that’s it. It is all about each individual and not about comparing yourself to others, or winning over another person. It is a very supportive environment, helping each other along the way to achieve their inner goal.

This year we saw some very inspiring and motivating efforts, which I was so lucky to be a part of. We had someone run their first ever half marathon, a person who walked more than 20km, less than 12 months after a major health scare, a young lady who ran nearly 5km which was her personal best, while 12-year-old Georgia walked 51 laps of the showground main arena (approximately 28km), with her very supportive father walking alongside her.

We had others battling through soreness, blisters, aches and pains completing +25km, +20km and +30km distances – all the while having a chat with each other as we completed multiple laps at our own pace. There were many conversations  throughout the night, lots of moments of supporting each other and moments of reflection, all the while ticking off the laps on our way to achieving our individual goals.

Some goals were met, some were not, which I saw ‘light the fire’ in those who have vowed to return and try again next year.  It was such a special night to be part of.

Each participant in the fun run earned the highly sought-after FiftyONE Awareness participation medal as a sign of respect from the organisers for turning up at the start line and staying on as it became uncomfortable running or walking laps of the showground for hours in the cold and dark.

There were also amazing efforts by our bike riders who hit the road at 3am and completed 58km in total around the streets of Gunnedah – all the while lit up like Christmas trees, making sure to be seen by all on the roads (and from afar). This is also another challenging part of the day as it is cold and dark but the riders still managed a smile. They then hit the showground and walked more than 20km joining in very early in the morning with others.

The daytime activities kicked off at 7am, with many family and friends attending. Members of the Rotary Club of Gunnedah West provided amazing support cooking the barbecue and also writing out lots of tickets for the raffle, which was drawn by Gunnedah Shire mayor Colleen Fuller – the lucky winners took home some great prizes, including a BabyQ Weber barbecue, a $400 gift voucher donated by Baxter Boots in Tamworth, and a ceramic gift set donated by local small business Wobblee Ware.

A big thank you to Gunnedah Shire Council staff who prepared the Gunnedah Showground.

There are plans for Tracey’s Day to become an annual event.

DANIEL ROBERTS