north east regional extra | July 29 - August 4, 2020
nemedia.com.au
1.
July 29 - August 4, 2020
Running the world By BELINDA HARRISON
WITH a full-time job running a 100-head beef cattle stud with husband, Brian, in Lurg, it’s a testament to Karen Morham’s love of coaching that she volunteers her time and travels to Wangaratta twice a week to train future athletic superstars. Karen’s working life started with the National Australia Bank (NAB) in Melbourne - where she was born and raised. After meeting and marrying Brian, they set up their home in Wallan and added four children over the next 10 years. But Karen’s dream was always to work in the fitness industry. “Sport has always been a part of my life,” she said. “When I left school and tried to become a physical education teacher, the university board said they didn’t see me staying in the sports industry. “I guess I had something to prove and never gave up on my dream. “While I was working at the NAB, I studied fitness at night school to become a qualified fitness instructor and gained experience by working with Craigieburn Leisure Centre and as a sports trainer with Wallan Football Club. “After our children were born, Brian and I decided it was time for a lifestyle change. “We wanted to raise the kids in a country community and perhaps own a farm one day, so when the opportunity came up for Brian to work as a diesel mechanic in Finley, NSW, we moved north.”
Karen and Brian purchased a 50 acre farm and Morham Maine’s - a Maine Anjou Beef stud - was born. Karen assisted the primary school with sport, opened her own gym, worked as a sports trainer for Finley Football Club and was involved in Finley Little Athletics Club. “Our son, Aaron, was developing into an excellent distance runner and after representing Finley High at state cross country, he was given the opportunity to go to America with Sports Travel Australia to compete in Nevada. “We were so excited and I went to support him, which is where my career as a distance athletics coach started.” Karen was invited to assist the cross country coaches on a tour to America and became a permanent member of the team, coaching the track and field group on the Track and Field Tour to Canada. Karen was also appointed as an athletics coach for the Berrigan Shire International Children’s Games in Taipei. In 2014, the cows were outgrowing the farm so Karen and Brian sold up their NSW life and bought a 240 acre farm in Lurg, Victoria. “Lurg is beautiful and I can commute to either Wangaratta or Benalla within 30 minutes,” Karen said. “I love that Wangaratta is big enough to have everything I need, but small enough that I don’t feel the hustle or bustle - I love the town and the country vibe.”
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◆ Karen Morham has coached junior athletes to national and international success. PHOTO: Kieren Tilly
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YOUR GARDEN
ANIMAL CARE
WINE TALK
YOUR HEALTH
with BELINDA
with HUNTER
with ANITA
with SOPHIE & BELINDA
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