Coast Run 1981
Darcy and His Dad
Darcy has a very personal reason for wanting to raise money for the Children’s Medical Research Institute. Sadly, early last year Darcy’s dad, David, died prematurely from a rare form of tongue cancer. Like all who knew him, Darcy looked up to his dad and listened to everything he said. David was a popular Physical Education (PE) teacher. He was known to go above and beyond the requirements of his job and often acted as a mentor for teenagers with difficulties, or those who simply had a love of sport.
Darcy remembers his dad saying ‘even though a cancer diagnosis is devastating for anyone, the real tragedy is when kids are born with cancer or other life-threatening diseases. These kids do not know a life without sickness.’ David was pragmatic about his illness and was grateful for the time he had with his family and friends.
Darcy chose to study law as he realised he was very accomplished in the art of argument as a child. In order to enhance his naturally occurring talents, Darcy participated in the debating team at Saint Theresa’s Catholic College. After completing Legal Studies in Year 10, he fell in love with the law and the rest as they say is history! Darcy’s favourite law units so far have been Property Law 2 with Dr Kip Werren, Criminal Law with Dr Ben Livings and Equity and Trusts with Paul Sattler.
Just like his dad, Darcy loves sport. When Darcy is not studying he plays lots and lots of sport. In fact, he is currently involved in 8 different sporting activities and teams. For example, he recently was selected to play FUTSAL at the University Games. He also plays Rugby Union with Barbarians Rugby. Darcy notes that one of the best days of his life was when he was on the winning team at the State Championship for Sunshine Coast Rugby. Apparently his dad David, was the assistant coach of this team. This made the victory even more special!
Darcy playing sport
Darcy and his dad in younger days
Darcy loves living at Earle Page College and is grateful it provides ‘a bridge between high school and the outside world.’ He goes on to say ‘the college environment gives young adults independence with the added security blanket of extensive support networks. It is a safe transition for school leavers and it allows students to network with others who are completing different degrees. There are also a huge number of sporting and cultural activities students can undertake. Students are not nameless and they have the opportunity to build both personal and professional relationships which in some cases last a lifetime!’
The Coast Run event starts at 6am (ouch!!) The team all have breakfast together with their major sponsor, The Regional Australia Bank. In pairs, the team then run to Ebor Falls where they have lunch. When the team makes it to the Coffs Harbour Jetty, the participants feel a great sense of accomplishment and comradery with their mates. This is the case, even though after two days of running, many of the participants are simulating ‘the walking wounded.’
This year there are 40 runners and 15 support crew. There are also bus drivers, passengers, first aid crew and cooks for the voracious travellers! In fact, approximately 1/3rd of the college population are involved with the event.
If you are interested in donating to this very worthy cause, please contact the committee through the Earle Page College Coast Run facebook page.
Coast Run 1982
