ABOUT ME - BRENDA NOONAN
What a journey life is - always new chapters - who knows what will happen next!!
A bit of my background .........
I was born in Whakatane, New Zealand, the middle child of three, and the daughter of school-teacher parents. I enjoyed a wonderful family upbringing in rural parts of the North Island of New Zealand - (Manawahe, Tapapa, Horotiu and Whangarei). It was a wholesome, enjoyable life with a great balance of schooling, music lessons, horse riding and holidays!
Upon leaving school, my career path can only be described as unpredictable with significant changes in direction as different opportunities presented themselves! From starting as a clerical cadet with the Department of Labour, to supervising in the "EDP" sector of the banking industry, and operating those marvellous old "main-frames" during the 70's. More computer roles in private enterprise followed during the 80's and then a fantastic period of self-employment manufacturing presentation dress rugs for the horse-racing industry and making new paddock rugs for horses. After the sale of that business working as a "temp" in both New Zealand and Australia has enabled me to enjoy a diversity of roles, through a variety of business activities. It has also enabled holidays to be fitted in at regular intervals!
For over 30 years I was involved with the breeding and racing of standardbred horses. While I no longer have any horses, I still watch with great interest how progeny of those I bred continue to do on the race-track.
I also adore dogs, and bred and showed Boston Terriers for over 20 years in New Zealand. I was a long-time Secretary for the Boston Terrier Club and active in the dog-show world including roles on the Ladies Kennel Association committee.
1999 saw a big change when, following the sale of our business, we moved to the suburb of Scarborough on the beautiful Redcliffe Peninsula in Queensland, Australia - Paradise!! Subsequently the area was reassigned and the part of Scarborough where I resided became part of the new suburb of "Newport" that was created. In 2018, I returned to Scarborough and "down-sized" to an apartment which would make it easier to "lock up and leave" to enjoy more holiday travels.
On moving from New Zealand to Australia, my "dog" involvement became that of a volunteer for Guide Dogs Queensland. To date over 60 guide dog puppies have been through my home at various stages of their education. They have mainly been Labradors, a few Golden Retrievers, and also some selectively bred Labrador / Golden Retriever crosses. Many have made the grade as guide dogs, others have had "career changes" with some going to corrective services, others as companion dogs for people with disabilities and others to be much loved pets.
Always a battler against weight problems, after 5 years living in Australia, my situation had become serious. It became apparent that I had to do something about it!! I had tried most diets without any lasting affect - and had reached a stage of being seriously overweight, totally unfit, had high blood pressure and unacceptable cholesterol levels. I changed to a healthy eating (and drinking) plan (thanks to the Weight Reduction Clubs of Queensland - Redcliffe Branch). I also started to exercise! The result saw me lose an amazing 36 kgs. I started walking in "fun runs" etc in the 50 - 55 year old female category - better late than never!!!!
I enjoyed these events so much, from a library book I taught myself to jog, and discovered the joys of road running - progressing from 5 km fun runs, to 10kms, to half-marathons and eventually completing the Auckland marathon. 5 years later for my 60th birthday present to myself - the Sunshine Coast marathon - 5 years older, 5 kgs heavier and 5 mins faster!!
Triathlons also became part of my life - numerous sprint distance events, and the furthest the Mooloolaba Olympic Distance event. Sadly my knees are now not the best so running is off my programme - but thankfully there are no real problems when cycling - hence my delving into longer cycling rides in recent years. Unfortunately running kept my weight under control much better than cycling does - and I need to get strict with myself once again to shed some extra kgs gained since I stopped running!
Along the way, my interest in bike riding grew - 5 times Brisbane to the Gold Coast 100km, the 100 mile (160km) "Century" ride from Brisbane to Noosa, 3 times the Moreton Bay 100, and some thoroughly enjoyable "touring" in New Zealand and South Australia.
I love overseas travel, and another "goal" of mine was to compete in an event in a different country each year, so besides the numerous events in Australia and New Zealand - I have done a sprint distance triathlon in Tipperary, Ireland, a half-marathon in Portland, Oregon, and an 8 km fun run in Paris, France. I became a regular "park-runner" in 2013 and also try to do these wherever I am in the world on holidays if an event is nearby - nowadays I only "parkwalk". I have clocked up over 100 parkruns and more than 25 volunteer days at my "home" run at North Lakes.
Long distance cycling has really gripped me now. Each ride has had its different set of challenges and overcoming these and completing the ride always gives a huge sense of satisfaction. The more I read, the more super rides there are in this wonderful world we live in. Who knows where I will go next - but while I can bike - it's biking I will do!!
I have documented all my rides in this website - mainly as a record for me - but also to give others maybe a bit of insight into various places and the challenges that occur. I get several "contact me" requests a month and I am only too happy to give out information I have gained along the way to others!!
A bit of my background .........
I was born in Whakatane, New Zealand, the middle child of three, and the daughter of school-teacher parents. I enjoyed a wonderful family upbringing in rural parts of the North Island of New Zealand - (Manawahe, Tapapa, Horotiu and Whangarei). It was a wholesome, enjoyable life with a great balance of schooling, music lessons, horse riding and holidays!
Upon leaving school, my career path can only be described as unpredictable with significant changes in direction as different opportunities presented themselves! From starting as a clerical cadet with the Department of Labour, to supervising in the "EDP" sector of the banking industry, and operating those marvellous old "main-frames" during the 70's. More computer roles in private enterprise followed during the 80's and then a fantastic period of self-employment manufacturing presentation dress rugs for the horse-racing industry and making new paddock rugs for horses. After the sale of that business working as a "temp" in both New Zealand and Australia has enabled me to enjoy a diversity of roles, through a variety of business activities. It has also enabled holidays to be fitted in at regular intervals!
For over 30 years I was involved with the breeding and racing of standardbred horses. While I no longer have any horses, I still watch with great interest how progeny of those I bred continue to do on the race-track.
I also adore dogs, and bred and showed Boston Terriers for over 20 years in New Zealand. I was a long-time Secretary for the Boston Terrier Club and active in the dog-show world including roles on the Ladies Kennel Association committee.
1999 saw a big change when, following the sale of our business, we moved to the suburb of Scarborough on the beautiful Redcliffe Peninsula in Queensland, Australia - Paradise!! Subsequently the area was reassigned and the part of Scarborough where I resided became part of the new suburb of "Newport" that was created. In 2018, I returned to Scarborough and "down-sized" to an apartment which would make it easier to "lock up and leave" to enjoy more holiday travels.
On moving from New Zealand to Australia, my "dog" involvement became that of a volunteer for Guide Dogs Queensland. To date over 60 guide dog puppies have been through my home at various stages of their education. They have mainly been Labradors, a few Golden Retrievers, and also some selectively bred Labrador / Golden Retriever crosses. Many have made the grade as guide dogs, others have had "career changes" with some going to corrective services, others as companion dogs for people with disabilities and others to be much loved pets.
Always a battler against weight problems, after 5 years living in Australia, my situation had become serious. It became apparent that I had to do something about it!! I had tried most diets without any lasting affect - and had reached a stage of being seriously overweight, totally unfit, had high blood pressure and unacceptable cholesterol levels. I changed to a healthy eating (and drinking) plan (thanks to the Weight Reduction Clubs of Queensland - Redcliffe Branch). I also started to exercise! The result saw me lose an amazing 36 kgs. I started walking in "fun runs" etc in the 50 - 55 year old female category - better late than never!!!!
I enjoyed these events so much, from a library book I taught myself to jog, and discovered the joys of road running - progressing from 5 km fun runs, to 10kms, to half-marathons and eventually completing the Auckland marathon. 5 years later for my 60th birthday present to myself - the Sunshine Coast marathon - 5 years older, 5 kgs heavier and 5 mins faster!!
Triathlons also became part of my life - numerous sprint distance events, and the furthest the Mooloolaba Olympic Distance event. Sadly my knees are now not the best so running is off my programme - but thankfully there are no real problems when cycling - hence my delving into longer cycling rides in recent years. Unfortunately running kept my weight under control much better than cycling does - and I need to get strict with myself once again to shed some extra kgs gained since I stopped running!
Along the way, my interest in bike riding grew - 5 times Brisbane to the Gold Coast 100km, the 100 mile (160km) "Century" ride from Brisbane to Noosa, 3 times the Moreton Bay 100, and some thoroughly enjoyable "touring" in New Zealand and South Australia.
I love overseas travel, and another "goal" of mine was to compete in an event in a different country each year, so besides the numerous events in Australia and New Zealand - I have done a sprint distance triathlon in Tipperary, Ireland, a half-marathon in Portland, Oregon, and an 8 km fun run in Paris, France. I became a regular "park-runner" in 2013 and also try to do these wherever I am in the world on holidays if an event is nearby - nowadays I only "parkwalk". I have clocked up over 100 parkruns and more than 25 volunteer days at my "home" run at North Lakes.
Long distance cycling has really gripped me now. Each ride has had its different set of challenges and overcoming these and completing the ride always gives a huge sense of satisfaction. The more I read, the more super rides there are in this wonderful world we live in. Who knows where I will go next - but while I can bike - it's biking I will do!!
I have documented all my rides in this website - mainly as a record for me - but also to give others maybe a bit of insight into various places and the challenges that occur. I get several "contact me" requests a month and I am only too happy to give out information I have gained along the way to others!!
Just some dog and horse pics!!
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