Alison Whitehead was a deserving winner of the Senior Sports Award at the Mount Isa City Council Australia Day awards.
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A local fitness guru who runs Gecko Outdoor Sports, Council's citation said she encourages sport enjoyment for people of all ages and shows amazing community spirit in the process.
Her biggest achievement last year was jogging and walking the equivalent of the 8800m elevation of Mt Everest by doing 100 laps, non-stop, up and down Telstra Hill outside Mount Isa in one day, for a total distance of more than 170km, in a challenge called "Everest in the Outback".
Alison's 'Everest in the Outback' challenge was the talk of the town on that weekend
- Joyce McCulloch
Mayor Joyce McCulloch said it was a mammoth effort and was all to raise awareness and funds for mental health, with her crowdfunding page raising more than $8000 for the North West Queensland Mental Health Network.
"Alison's 'Everest in the Outback' challenge was the talk of the town on that weekend in June last year, and with good reason," Cr McCulloch said.
"She is passionate about good mental health as well as good physical health and this achievement was nothing short of brilliant."
Ms Whitehead said she was "in a state of shock" to be nominated for the award.
She said it was an honour to win and it would not have been possible to organise events like the Everest challenge without the support of others.
"I'd like to thank my friends and family that support me in everything I do and every event that I have organised," Ms Whitehead said.
The Junior Sports Award went to softballer and footballer Te Urewera Potini.
Te Urewera moved from New Zealand to Australia in 2011 at the age of nine and played for the Rebels and Red Devils Softball clubs, receiving awards for Most Valuable Player, Player of the Year and Best Slugger.
He also represented Mount Isa in the U/17s state competitions, was selected for the 2019 U/17s Queensland team, and was nominated for the Players' Player Award at the 2019 Queensland tournament and selected to represent Queensland at the 2019 December Nationals in Sydney.
Now Te Urewera has his sights set on rugby league.
He's moving to Townsville to pursue his dream of playing in the NRL and is on his way to playing for the North Queensland Cowboys' Development Squad.
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