Helen, a customer of CHL for over 10 years, once crossed finish lines nationwide as a marathon runner. 18 marathons between 1980 and 2000, including an impressive three in one single year.
Now living in the semi-supported accommodation of Heritage Court in Oakden, Helen reflects on a lifetime of resilience, from pre-dawn training runs in Modbury to racing up the hills of Quorn in regional South Australia, where she proudly became the first female across the finish line. It’s a story that begins not with a love of sport, but the opposite.
“I hated sports as a kid,” Helen laughs. “I didn’t start running until I was 24 – my husband encouraged me.”
What followed was a passion that took Helen across Australia. She competed in marathons in Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland and all over South Australia, clocking over 100 kilometres a week in training, often before or after long night shifts at a nursing home. In fact, at one point, she combined work and training by running the 14 kilometres to and from her job.
A single mum to two boys, Helen fit her running around life’s many demands – a remarkable feat. One of her most vivid memories is running the City to Bay Fun Run with a persistent ankle pain. She pushed through, aiming for a personal best, only to find out later she had completed the race with a stress fracture.
“My friend had to piggyback me to Magic Mountain after the race so I could rest before heading home,” she chuckles. “Turns out I had a fracture the whole time!”
That same grit and joy is what shines through today in the way Helen speaks about Heritage Court — the place she now calls home.
“The meals are great — I don’t have to cook! But more than that, I’ve made wonderful friendships. The housekeepers really care, they go above and beyond. It’s a place that feels like home.”
Now 10.5 years into her time at CHL, Helen continues to be an active and valued tenant. She’s a committed churchgoer at Enfield Uniting Church and has worked with CHL’s Tenant Advisory Group to co-host a Biggest Morning Tea event to raise funds for the Cancer Council — a cause close to her heart. Though her marathoning days ended after a hip replacement at 58, Helen hasn’t slowed down much. These days, she swims regularly to stay active and continues to inspire those around her with her gentle wisdom and lived experience.
