Oasis Magazine - Cairns & Tropical North Queensland Issue 20 - Oct|Nov 2017 | Page 30

2 Deadly TREADLYS IN MAY 2017, NINE YOUNG INDIGENOUS MEN BECAME THE FOUNDATION MEMBERS OF THE “2 DEADLY TREADLYS” INDIGENOUS YOUTH CYCLING GROUP. For the past three months, they have been training under the watchful eye of Cnr Richie Bates and John Seccull, members of the local cycling community. Cr Bates described it as a significant program for all involved. “These young men have challenged themselves in ways they never considered. Their growth - physically and emotionally - has given them new confidence and abilities.” The Trinity Bay High School students are supported by the Clontarf Foundation and is an Early Intervention Program as part of the State government’s Making Tracks Investment Strategy via Closing The Gap. In the past few months, they have made a huge effort to train before and after school, learn pack riding skills, and carefully considered their lifestyle choices as well as their diet and exercise regimes to make positive changes - the power of the pedal, connection and community! Clontarf Foundation Trinity Bay Academy associate director Aidan Coate said the young men had committed to months of training and hard work.“We’ve had early starts with the boys being picked up from home at 6am for training rides. It’s great to see the boys waiting out the front of 30 | w w w. o a s i s m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u their house in the morning ready to tackle the next hill or challenge. The program improves the self-esteem, health, resilience and leadership qualities of these young men who will carry these skills into their school and community,” Mr Coate said. WE’VE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, SUCH AS LOCAL BUSINESSES AND BIKE SHOPS. Lauren Sunner, who has been instrumental in bringing the program to fruition, said the lads had been working really hard. “We’ve had a lot of support from the local community, such as local businesses and bike shops.” Oliver Wacek from Trinity Cycle Works has also provided support for the group, and is working with each of the boys to repair and service their bikes, which have been supplied by Southside Rotary and the Queensland Police Service. Other members of the local cycling community in Cairns generously donated pre-loved nics, gloves and helmets so the boys could get stuck into their training. Soon after they began their campaign, they set a goal to participate in the Mount Franklin Cardiac Challenge, the annual fundraising bike ride from Cairns to Cooktown, raising funds for cardiac services in the Far North. FNQHF fundraising and marketing manager Glenys Duncombe said the boys’ achievements were truly admirable and showed what could be done when people put their minds to it. “This ride changes lives – not just in terms of the fundraising and what it does, but how it changes the participants’ lives and it’s really wonderful to watch the growth and development of these young men,” Ms Duncombe said. After completing the 333km journey in September, the 2 Deadly Treadlys are already making plans for 2018 and hope to expand.