Pittwater Life May 2024 Issue

News
Melinda stands fast to Assist
One of the biggest names in Australian
athletics Melinda Gainsford-
Taylor AM is showing no signs of
slowing down.
Since retiring from competitive sprinting
more than 20 years ago, the triple
Olympian, World Indoor Champion and
national record holder in the 200m has
delighted in being a hands-on mum and
sharing her insights as a media commentator,
a national selector for track and field
and a motivational speaker – while making
time to support a variety of charities.
With her children Nicholas and Gabriella
now young adults, Gainsford-Taylor
is channelling more energy into coaching
and mentoring at local schools and
holding regular running clinics for a
range of ages and abilities at The Sydney
Academy of Sport at Narrabeen.
The Collaroy Plateau local has been
based on the Northern Beaches since she
was a teenager after spending her early
years on the family’s farm in Narromine
in the state’s central west.
She says her strong work ethic and the
core value she holds dear – supporting
others – were gained from her parents;
mother Jill, who died in 2015 after a long
battle with cancer, and dad Brian.
“My beautiful mum had cancer three
AMBASSADOR: Melinda Gainsford-Taylor.
times which was obviously incredibly
challenging not only for her but for the
family as a whole,” Gainsford-Taylor said.
Her mum would have to travel to Sydney
– some 400km away – for treatment.
“I still remember to this day her
spending so much time in Sydney in hospital
fighting cancer… it was tough.”
When her mum was diagnosed a
second time, Melinda and older brother
David were living in a unit on the Northern
Beaches.
“Our family was lucky in that respect
– we had accommodation in Sydney and
were here to help look after mum while
she was having chemotherapy.”
Looking back, Gainsford-Taylor acknowledged
how hard it would have been
on her father who was trying to keep the
farm running while his wife was battling
cancer and he was unable to always be by
her side.
“I’m sure that’s what a lot of country
people find challenging – they want to be
with their loved ones,” she said.
Gainsford-Taylor says her recently
becoming an Ambassador for the charity
Can Assist, “feels right”.
Supporting country people with cancer
since 1955, Can Assist provides accommodation,
financial assistance and
practical support to people from regional
and rural areas of NSW.
“I’m honored to be in a position to help
city people become more aware of the extra
challenges country people face when it
comes to accessing cancer care,” she said.
“With the right support we can help take
some of the pressure off.” – Lisa Offord
*To find out how you can help, go to
canassist.org.au
26 MAY 2024
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