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Illuminate with KATE WOOD-FOYE
THE GUTS, GRIT AND GROUNDWORK OF REMARKABLE REGIONAL E N T R E P R E N E U R S , I N N O V AT O R S , LEADERS AND GAME CHANGERS.
photo by Nashyspix
Mel Cockshutt is the ultimate motivator, encouraging people to push past their perceived personal limits. Mel shares her love of the ocean, family and fitness to enable people to take a huge leap of faith on themselves and make an impact on their community.
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ou are a master connector, motivator and use the power of fitness and love of your coastal community to inspire others to be the best version of themselves. What inspired you to want make an impact? Nippers, running, swimming, netball, water polo and volleyball were part of my childhood and included participating and well as helping. My mum and dad helped run swimming club and nippers in the very small towns of Lennox Head and Alstonville, so I have always been surrounded by people who want to make a valuable and tangible impact on their community. In my adult life I was introduced to Triathlon in my late twenties and 10 Ironman and countless triathlons later, this is very much a happy place. I continue to mix my love of sport and helping others achieve their goals, be the best they can be (in the context of their lives and pressures going on for them) or overcome their fears, as well as helping organise community events. It’s never been a conscious decision to move through my careers. I tend to just start conversations just because I am
102 GREATER PORT MACQUARIE
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interested in what people are doing, and My love of the ocean is something that I opportunities have always just come up where think is just in the depths of my soul. Canberra I could teach, mentor or coach and they was where I got my first job opportunity. challenge me on many levels (which is what I During those 11 years I helped design and thrive on). I hope that I empower people to take implement public policies in the transport and that leap of faith with law and order space, themselves and help and helped change the them in some small way criminal laws of Australia. Together, the to fill their lives with fun It was incredible to know Port Macquarie activities or satisfying that you were part of a work projects that make team that was making community has a difference to them or Australian history. But it raised over $160k for their community. To see came with long hours. Tour de Cure the energy that grows I met my husband Todd from within people and started a family, so I and then that energy wanted to find a simpler becomes a driving force in their lives is special. life near the ocean again. We competed in the My life is definitely richer for it. first Ironman in Port Macquarie and we knew You have held a multitude of high impact this could be our home. Surf Clubs have always roles in the community, both inside been in my life so it was my first volunteer stop and outside the corporate world, from (20 years Volunteering this year – wow I am international business and law to disability getting old!). This, and the Triathlon Club, and support. Can you share some of your a leap of faith by Neville Parsons and Les Bailey journey from Lennox to Canberra and to give me a job at Holiday Coast Credit Union back again, becoming a part of a new and there began my life in Port. Community events, in particular sporting community in Port Macquarie?
