Sitting on the plane en route to Melbourne and this is the first chance I’ve had to blog in ages! It’s been a whirlwind first few months of 2012 and the year of the Water Dragon couldn’t have started more auspiciously, or with more excitement, for Dragon Sisters. It’s actually a treat to sit still on the plane and gather a few thoughts.

It’s been an honour and privilege to work with Katrina Fong Lim these past months – she is an amazing lady who is I know is going to be the best Lord Mayor Darwin City has seen for a long time. When I was approached to take on the role of Campaign Manager for Katrina’s Mayoral Candidacy, there was no doubt in my mind that this was exactly the kind of project I would love to work on: a cause I believe in, great people to work with and a lady of integrity who can do great things for Darwin.

The only stumbling block was that Dragon Sisters had already committed to projects running through the first quarter of the year and we had in fact had to turn away public workshop and private coaching requests until later in the year. I had already committed to some key projects and it was only through the team work and the willingness of other Dragon Sisters to radically increase their workload to free me up, that I was able to join Team Katrina.

It is always a joy to work with like-minded, professional, genuinely nice people and Katrina and her team tick all those boxes. One of the things that we are most proud of is that many people (media and political individuals alike) commented on what a ‘clean campaign’ we ran, which just goes to show that you can win without getting down and dirty! I’m convinced that other than Katrina’s personality of shining integrity and honesty, the voters valued the style and calibre of the campaign, which was reflecting of Katrina’s personal traits. The Katrina campaign has been an absolute delight and Katrina’s election is the icing on the cake!

In tandem with my Team Katrina commitments, one other project which has had my absolute personal attention has been the Australian Dragon Boat Championships 2012 event (where I am off to as I write, ready for the event starting 30^th March). As a life member of the Australian Dragon Boat Federation and having worked closely with AusDBF serving as a board member and Marketing Director in past years, the organisation remains dear to my heart. Understandable, not only because it’s a fantastic sport with warmly wonderful people, but also because AusDBF have been so generously supportive of the Dragons Abreast Australia charity I set up over 13 years ago for dragon boat paddling breast cancer survivors.

The 2012 National Titles being held over 5 days at Melbourne’s Docklands, is going to be a spectacular event with over 2500 competitors, the pageantry of the Opening ceremony, an array of media and VIPs and excitingly, the announcement of the 2012 Auroras, Australia’s premier elite racing teams who will wear the Green and Gold representing our country at the 2013 World Dragon Boat Championships. I shall be on the ground for the event duration; the first time the Nationals have run over 5 days (instead of 3) which is testament to the worlds and Australia’s fastest growing team water sport.

I am struck by the synchronicity of having just come from the election of a Chinese heritage Lord Mayor, to the celebration of an ancient Chinese heritage world embraced sport. It is truly the year of the Water Dragon for Dragon Sisters, so watch out Melbourne, the dragons are coming – including one very excited Dragon Sister!

Michelle