On August 31, 1994, I arrived in Australia from Canada.

I was 33 years old, and although I had fallen in love with an Aussie, I don't think I could have imagined just how much that decision would change the course of my life.

This year marks 32 years in Australia

Thirty-two years of experiences, challenges, opportunities, friendships, adventures, heartbreaks, achievements and more than a few unexpected twists and turns. When I look back, my Australian journey has certainly had its ups and downs.

I got married in 1995. Great

I bought a house in 1997. Great

In 1998, I was diagnosed with MS. Not so great

Between 1995 and 2002, I climbed the ranks at Australia Post. I loved the opportunities, the learning and the challenges that came with each new role. But eventually, my health meant I had to leave full-time employment. Definitely not so great

Then, in 2001, something happened that would become a huge part of my life. I started the MS 24 Hour Mega Swim. What began as an event grew into something much bigger than I could ever have imagined. I ran it for 20 years, and together with an incredible team and community, we raised $11 million to support people living with MS. Bloody great!

And the best part? The event is still being run by MS Plus today.

In 2003, there were more health challenges, including an ovarian cancer scare and bowel surgery. Not so great

But then came 2005. I found para sport. I started as a swimmer, then became a rower and represented Australia. Eventually, in 2011, I switched to cycling. And suddenly, the woman who had once wondered what MS meant for the rest of her life was preparing to become a Paralympian.

London 2012.

Rio 2016.

Tokyo 2021. Fantastic!

Along the way came World Championship titles from 2013 to 2019, along with plenty of other medals and moments I will treasure forever.

Then while racing in Tokyo during the road race, I crashed. At the time, it certainly wasn't great. But somehow, even that became a positive. I was unable to finish that race and go home with the team, but I got to stay in Tokyo and become a tourist instead. I saw a side of Tokyo I never would have experienced if I hadn’t crashed. Sometimes life has a funny way of turning something that feels devastating into something unexpectedly wonderful.

Then came 2024. Another serious health scare that almost took my life. Definitely not great.

And just when I thought I had probably had enough excitement for a while, 2025 delivered a bad bike crash that left me hospitalised. Not great

Then came a hip replacement. But I'm choosing to call that one great, because I'm now partially bionic!

And perhaps that's one of the biggest lessons my 32 years in Australia have taught me. Life doesn't come neatly packaged. There are highs and lows. Wins and losses. Moments when everything goes exactly as planned and moments when you wonder what on earth is happening. I've certainly had my share of both.

But somewhere along the way, I also became an author. I wrote books in 2015, 2021 and 2025, with another one planned to come out in 2027.

I became a speaker.

I found new passions and new challenges.

I discovered that retiring from international sport didn't mean retiring from life.

And through all of it, there has been one constant that has made this country feel like home.

The people.

Some of the friends I have today, have been in my life almost since the day I arrived. Others came through my sporting journey. Some appeared during difficult times, some during the celebrations, and some simply stayed. They have become my family. A huge, sometimes wonderfully chaotic, incredibly supportive family.

And that is what I think about most when I look back over these 32 years.

Not the medals.

Not the health scares.

Not the hospital stays.

Not even the achievements.

I think about the people. The friendships. The laughter. The adventures. The moments shared. The people who stood beside me when life wasn't easy and the people who celebrated with me when it was.