100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Elite endurance: Maureen Cummings gearing up for 25th Noosa Triathlon

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Tourist park developers take proposal to court

The proponents of a tourist park with cabins and camping sites have lodged a court appeal after the plan was refused by council. Beerwah Pines More

Prominent fast-food site to be auctioned

A well-known fast-food location is set for auction, with its long trading history and prime corner position expected to attract strong investor interest. Stonebridge Property More

Iconic resort on tourist strip rebranded

A popular coastal resort is getting a major overhaul with upgraded rooms, enhanced wellness offerings and gourmet dining. Sofitel Noosa, on iconic Hastings Street, is More

‘Indescribable serenity’: beach home offers luxury holiday lifestyle

Tucked into the dunes of Caloundra’s Dicky Beach, a rare beachfront property is offering buyers the chance to secure a family retreat in one More

Jane Stephens: escalating societal violence is unacceptable

How did it come to this? Threats and violent acts have been escalating, demonstrating an ugly side of our otherwise beautiful community, until – hesitantly More

‘Like new’: prime two-storey waterfront home hits market

A spacious contemporary family home with prime position on a main canal at Minyama has entered the market. Offering luxury deepwater living with a desirable More

When Maureen Cummings lines up for the Noosa Triathlon next month, the race will hold special significance for several reasons.

The 62-year-old, who first started doing triathlons in 1988 and competed at the Commonwealth Games, will be doing her 25th Noosa race.

It will also be her first Noosa Tri since the passing of her friend, coach and mentor Jackie Byrnes earlier this year.

Miss Cummings, from Buderim, revealed to Sunshine Coast News how she got into the sport.

“In 1986, I was named the Queen of Sport in Sydney, which was 12 different fun activities. One was a 7km run, and we had to swim from the Sydney Opera House to Lady Macquarie’s Stairs and back,” she said.

“Somebody noticed my running and my swimming and said ‘have you ever thought of doing triathlons?’. That got me interested and in 1988 I started.”

Maureen claims another victory.

She became an elite athlete and competed in the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games.

“Prince Charles came down and stood on the side of the helicopter, which I’m sure workplace health and safety would not allow him to do these days,” Miss Cummings said.

“He held onto the helicopter while it was still going and he said ‘on your marks’ and fired the gun.”

Ms Byrnes was a national-level athlete who went on to coach Olympians including Melinda Gainsford-Taylor and Jana Pittman, among thousands of others.

Jackie Byrnes with her long-time student Melinda Gainsford-Taylor.

She was bestowed with life membership of Athletics Australia in 2010, and recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2002.

“She was a one-of-a-kind and one of a million really,” Miss Cummings said.

“She just knew stuff. She knew if you were tired, if you were cranky, you have to rest, and it didn’t matter.

“You didn’t question Jack, you just did it. She was an amazing coach. She was an amazing friend and she was a people person.”

Miss Cummings has been a long-time sport teacher at Sunshine Coast Grammar School and this month was awarded life membership of the Sunshine Coast Independent School Sports Association (SCISSA), which she was a founder of in 2003.

She continues to compete in triathlons because of her love for the lifestyle.

“It’s just such a good balance of muscle groups and if you’re injured for one thing you can usually do another,” Miss Cummings said.

“I like being active, I like being fit. I take a rest every eighth day but I find that difficult – most athletes do!”

Maureen at home with her dogs.

She said the Noosa Triathlon was one of her favourite events to compete in.

“Noosa’s been a favourite and it’s easy to get to, and the atmosphere is amazing,” she said.

Following Noosa, Miss Cummings has other triathlon events planned.

“I’ve got world championships next year. I’ve raced one qualifier and I came second to the world champion,” she said.

Maureen has lined up against some of the bigger names in triathlon.

Miss Cummings is looking forward to racing for as long as she can.

“It’s quite phenomenal to see the growth of the sport and I think being one of the pioneer women, one of the original five or six pioneer women, I feel quite privileged and honoured to still be in the sport,” she said.

The Noosa Triathlon is on November 3.

Kelsey Reid is a journalism intern with Sunshine Coast News.

Like stories about Sunshine Coast people doing great things? Help us deliver more by registering for our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your email below.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share