Tour da Country

Cowra High was fortunate to have a visit from Tour da Country cyclists on their annual ride to raise awareness of Indigenous health issues.

The brainchild of Kamilaroi man, Dale Wright, this year’s 880 kilometre pilgrimage takes participants from Wollongong to Walgett highlighting the need to look after yourself.

A promising sportsman, Dale lost his way following the loss of a much-admired mentor and he started on a path of destruction that was destined to cut his life short. “I’d often think that someone owed me something but no one owed me anything,” he said. “I started drinking heavily and smoking, getting into fights – basically my life was going downhill. I was really overweight for my height and my BMI [Body Mass Index] was maxing out. I went in for a health check one time and the doctor said my cholesterol was really high and that I’d have a heart attack by the time I was 40.

I changed my life around and educated myself on leading a healthy lifestyle. I stayed away from unhealthy foods and gave up drinking and smoking.”

Once Dale’s health was back on track he knew it was time to get a job. However, after hiding his poor reading and writing skills through school, he swallowed his pride taking the first steps towards a better future.

“Mostly us Koori fellas get labouring jobs and don’t have to think too much but I wanted more than that,” he says.

“I wanted an office job but I couldn’t read and write so I went and did a numeracy and literacy course. Now I’m working as an Aboriginal Health Worker and have aims to become a paramedic.”

Following lunch, Tour da Country team members were involved in practical games with students to stress the importance of physical activity.

Dale’s journey emphasised the need to make the most of educational opportunities, keep yourself in good health and maintain positive relationships.

We thank the Tour da Country team for sharing their well-received stories and Skinners Butchery for their contribution to the lunch time sausage sizzle.