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Cross Country Champions

Running isn’t just a lunchtime activity for Samford State School students Flynn Banner and Lucy Frawley, both of whom placed at the North West District Cross Country event after winning their age races at school. At District level, Flynn won his event while

Lucy walked away with second place.

“I felt very proud because I’ve always placed well but haven’t come first before. I was also very happy with (the Regionals) result because the competition was very tough,” Flynn said.

Lucy was similarly thrilled with her efforts. “I am honestly just really amazed and happy because I didn’t know I was able to even achieve what I did. I am extremely grateful because I was never aiming for a top ten place let alone second place and getting the chance to go to Regionals for the first time,” she said.

Both students subsequently ran their hardest at Regionals with Flynn placing 11th and Lucy crossing the line 21st in this high-level competition.

To reach this level of endurance, both Flynn and Lucy dedicated many hours to training. Lucy ran twice a week in the lead up to cross country, splitting her time between intervals and distance, as well as participating in Saturday Parkruns.

Flynn can often be seen on local streets, training five days a week with the Be Energetic Tri and Run Club. He also entered extra running competitions during cross country and track season.

“The tri group is mainly high school kids and most are national athletes. This pushes me to train hard and become a better athlete myself,” Flynn said.

Running isn’t the only sport Flynn and Lucy focus on, with both students involved in an array of other activities. Lucy can be found at the netball courts and swimming pool as well as running around her street.

“I love being active and I enjoy the feeling of getting better at everything I do. Doing sport makes me feel really happy because I love challenging myself physically and there is nothing I’d rather be doing in my afternoon,” she said.

Flynn’s main sport is triathlon which he trains for throughout the year, but he also competes in swimming and track and field.

“I have made it to States for Aquathon (swim, run) twice and am the state Duathlon Champion (cycle, run). I love getting outside and have made lots of friends because of my sport,” he said.

While both Flynn and Lucy have a phenomenal drive to be the fastest runners they can be, there are other reasons they love lacing up their running shoes.

“I enjoy long runs in the Samford forest or when we’re on holidays. I love the feeling of knowing I’ve done a good job and tried something hard. I also like competing and having days out with all my friends,” Flynn said.

For Lucy, running gives her space in life to enjoy, “the feeling of freedom and the time to think.”

Congratulations Flynn and Lucy and we can’t wait to see how far running takes you both.

Tanya Hall

VALE: ROBERT PERCY

It is with great sadness that we learned that Robert Percy, one of our long-term members, passed away during the last week of June. Robert was involved in the nursery industry for well over 40 years and had an unsurpassed passion for plants. He was co-owner with his brother of Aspley Wholesale Nurseries based in Burpengary and Morayfield until his recent retirement. Our Branch was lucky enough to get a personal guided tour of the impressive facilities in 2021.

Robert will be remembered for his major contribution to growing plants for largescale landscape designs in Australia and overseas. He was heavily involved in the success of Brisbane Expo 88 in what is now the Southbank Parklands. He also supplied many of the mature native trees for the Samford Avenue of Honour. He won the prestigious Queensland Nurseryman of the year in 2013. Robert was a key figure in the International Plant Propagator’s Society and was always keen to develop new propagation techniques for difficult species. Samford Branch appreciated his plant and propagation knowledge and the enthusiasm with which he shared it. He was a very generous man, always quick to offer help to a friend in need. Robert will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Next Sdppa Meeting

Wednesday 19th July Samford Community Hub (SCHUB).

7pm start. All welcome. Further information: secretary@samfordprogress.org.au.