Incredible Community Spirit and Inspiring Milestones: Diabetes Victoria at Around the Bay

Our Diabetes Victoria team arrived nice and early, eager to chat with riders taking off in the final wave.

From the first turn of the pedal to the final push, it was an unforgettable day in the community village, filled with camaraderie, passion, and purpose.

Connecting with Our Community & Advocacy

Before kicking off the Family Lap the Track, we had the chance to connect with Australian former professional road racing cyclist and gold medalist, Grace Brown, and our fellow charity partners, who also helped make this event so special:

• Beyond Blue
• Stroke Foundation
• Cancer Council Victoria
• Very Special Kids
• Variety – the Children’s Charity

Jane Robinson, Diabetes Victoria’s Head of Programs, Services and Development, was a friendly face at our official stand.

She spoke about our event activations, including the ever-popular Spin the Wheel and our state election priorities petition, highlighting how vital it is to push diabetes to the forefront of state election priorities this year.

Throughout the day, our stand continued to welcome visitors. We met so many wonderful people living with diabetes, alongside their loved ones, supporters, and friends. Seeing the diabetes community come together in such a strong, united way was incredibly moving.

Energy, Health Checks, and Post-Ride Celebrations

Over at the Swan Picnic area, our team brought the energy to Life! with practical support and fun. They led stretching activities to keep energy high and muscles warm and some took advantage of the 2-minute health check while they had a moment to rest.

Meanwhile, back at the main Community Village, the finish line was a hub of raw emotion as tired riders streamed through.

The weather was stunning, although some riders mentioned that early wind made the ride an even more demanding physical challenge.

As cyclists completed their routes, there was a palpable sense of accomplishment. There were tears, sweaty faces and big hugs as proud kids cheered on their parents amid family celebrations.

We were fortunate to welcome some truly inspiring guests to our marquee.

A massive shout-out to Derek and Oisin Hennessy, who visited us alongside Madeleine and Maebh. As one of our feature story families for Around the Bay, they raised almost $3,000 for Diabetes Victoria!

We are immensely grateful for their dedication and incredible fundraising efforts.

Members of the fantastic HypoActive team dropped by to chat with us. While they are famous for taking on the annual Murray to Moyne relay race, seeing Diabetes Victoria as a key charity partner for Around the Bay inspired them to take on this challenge, too!

Conquering a 100km or 220km ride is an extraordinary achievement for anyone, and particularly so for those managing type 1 diabetes on the road.

Looking Ahead

Events like Around the Bay prove how powerful our community is when we come together. Every dollar raised and every conversation started helps us advocate for better care, resources, and recognition for Victorians living with diabetes.

A huge thank you to everyone who rode, cheered, volunteered, or donated. The intense training, fundraising, and ongoing commitment to raising awareness about the vital work Diabetes Victoria does across the state is immeasurable by any fundraising amount. Our community made the day truly special!

Bicycle Network is Australia’s largest health promotion non-profit dedicated to making bike riding safe, easy, and accessible for everyone. Supported by over 40,000 members, the organisation champions better cycling infrastructure, safety campaigns, and insurance coverage across the country. If you would like to learn more about this or other fundraising opportunities with Diabetes Victoria, head to our fundraising page.