The 2019 Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Michelle Lee, rowed into the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on July 26, 2023. This year, on April 5, Michelle became the first woman to row solo and unassisted across the Pacific.
Michelle is a massage therapist from Sydney’s north-west but left this all behind a few years ago to chase her dreams of adventure. Last year, this led her to depart from Mexico on August 8, 2022, passing through five hurricanes, and outrunning a couple of sharks to arrive in Port Douglas 240 days later after paddling an impressive 14,000 kilometres.
Soccer legend Tim Cahill kicked-off a greyhound adoption day event at Gough Whitlam Park in Earlwood on August 13. Tim is the Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) ambassador and a greyhound adopter himself. Learn more about GAP and how to adopt a greyhound here.
To commemorate 50 years since the withdrawal of Australian servicemen and women from Vietnam, RSL NSW held a service on August 18, Vietnam Veterans’ Day, at the Martin Place Cenotaph in Sydney’s CBD.
RSL NSW says: “Vietnam Veterans’ Day was originally known as Long Tan Day, chosen to commemorate the men of D Company, 6RAR who fought in the battle of Long Tan on August 18 1966.
“Now 57 years later we pause on August 18 to reflect on the bravery, teamwork and endurance that Australians displayed throughout the war. It’s a day when we recognise all who served in Vietnam.”
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Our photographer Michelle Haywood has been out and about documenting what’s been happening in Sydney this July and August. You can also see her Matildas album here, her Building Support for Irish Unity album here, and her Pemulwuy opening and the Aboriginal Housing Company’s 50th anniversary event album here.
