Pru Menzies (front) was the Victorian State Co-coordinator for Dragons Abreast and the team manager for DAMbusters in the Australian Masters Games.PRU Menzies considered herself a winner even before she won several medals at the Australian Masters Games.
Ms Menzies, customer service manager for Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation, was one of many remarkable women who participated in the dragon boat racing events at the 12th Masters Games.
Ms Menzies, 53, is the team manager of DAMbusters, which is part of the Dragons Abreast Association. The DAMbusters won two silver and two bronze medals at the Masters Games in February, and more recently a gold medal at the Melbourne International Dragon Boat Festival, in March.
Ms Menzies said winning the medals was “just an added bonus” of the whole experience. She started Dragon Boat racing in 2001 after she survived breast cancer. It is promoted to breast cancer survivors as the consistent upper body movement helps with the physical recovery after treatment.
However, it is the emotional healing Dragon Boat racing has provided Ms Menzies that she has found most rewarding. Dragons Abreast Melbourne is a national organisation that promotes breast cancer awareness and education through dragon boat racing.
“We all have something in common, so we are able to bond and share experiences and most of all have fun,” she said.
Ms Menzies has previously been the Victorian State Co-coordinator for Dragons Abreast and helps to promote their principles of participation and inclusiveness.
Ms Menzies said that what she had learnt most from dragon boat racing was “there can be life after breast cancer.”
To get involved with Dragons Abreast contact 1300 889 566 to find your nearest group.
