For nearly 50 years, family and friends connected to the University of Western Australia’s Human Movement program have gathered on Rottnest Island to celebrate the end of the year, enjoying each other’s company in one of Western Australia’s most beautiful locations. What began as a simple end-of-year celebration has evolved into a cherished tradition and highlight on the calendar.
Over the past 15 years, a handicapped triathlon has been added to proceedings. A multigenerational and family-friendly affair, it encompasses the full spectrum of the human condition, from participants over 60 recovering from heart attacks, to four-year-olds still on training wheels. A true celebration of health and fitness.
The past two years have been especially meaningful. Children aged six to nine have run a fundraising stall, selling handmade bracelets, necklaces, and wind chimes to raise money for cystic fibrosis, a cause close to their hearts, as one young participant lives with the condition. Together, they raised $132 and offered a beautiful reminder that this long-standing event is about far more than sport: it is about community, compassion, and the love we share.
