Kate Hodge

Kate Hodge was guest speaker at the Rotary Clubs meeting on Monday 27th March.

Kate together with Chris Sutton and Linda Boyd undertook the "Ride to Conference"

Ride to Conference in District 9790 was the inspiration of Corowa Past President Graham Brown, who had seen similar events in neighbouring Rotary Districts and was sure a like event could take place in D9790.

To research how the event was run and discern the necessary organisation required, Graham took part in three Rides to Conference with D9800 - in 2003, 2005 and 2008.

Graham encouraged the Rotary Club of Corowa to adopt the ride as one of its projects and the Club has been supportive from the start.

The Inaugural D9790 RTC took place in 2009 – Shepparton to Geelong with a team of 8. There were 7 cyclists and 1 road support representing three Rotary Clubs – Diamond Creek, East Shepparton and Corowa.  The team cycled 450 km and raised $5,000 for Polio Plus and $600 for the Bushfire Appeal.

Since then the team has grown in number, the distances increased and the amounts raised increased. In 2015, the team comprised 31 participants from 14 Rotary Cubs and raised $16,500 for ARH. When one of the original cyclists had knee troubles, she continued to participate in the event by swimming laps at local pools. In 2015 she swam 51 km in the 6 days – a wonderful achievement!

The 2017 Ride to Conference "Strathbogie Saunter" was a six day ride starting in Shepparton 11th March finishing in Shepparton on Thursday 16th March.

Kate took up road cycling in December, with a heavy training programme.

Joined on ride with 5 from Albury North, 1 from Bright, 6 from Corowa (including support staff), 1 from Deniliquin, 3 from Eltham, 1 from Mooroopna, 3 from Rutherglen, 2 from Seymour, 1 from Shepparton, 2 from Yarrawonga/Mulwala, 1 from Yea.

Overnight stops in motels with swimming pools for recovery.