ROC Inc. RIDE FOR RESEARCH

18th – 22nd March 2024

1
Days
0
km
1
Riders
Ride for Research BeginsMarch 18, 2024
Its On!!

Thank You to our Major Sponsors

Bendigo Bank"
Bendigo Bank - Community Bank Oak Flats
MM Kembla Copper"
MM Kembla Copper
Osar on Main"
Oscar on Main - Surfers Paradise
Renewable Energy Partners"
Renewable Energy Partners
Orica"
Orica

And Event Sponsors

Elstion Financial Services
RWM Community Financial Services
Eve Health Brisbane
Zanetti Recruitment
ALLENWARGENT Property Buyers
Face Value Dental
Joan Pease Member for Lytton
Alstonville Laundry
Josh MacKenzie Electrical

Latest Donor Comments

  • Donna Chown on Nick VerhoevenGood on you, Nick! A great cause close to every woman’s heart. Enjoy the ride!
  • Sue Radnedge on Jeff CollierWe all hope for cure.
  • Peter Letten on Sheree OsborneGo Shereeee!
  • Lola & Emily on Stephen ReaburnGood on you Steve! All the best with the ride, we look forward to hearing all about it! Lola & Em
  • Lionel Torrens on Sheree OsborneGreat work Sheree. Keep going.
  • Rob Riedy on Ride for Research 2024As a U3A Bright support rider
  • Chris Mintoff on Simon ChuGood luck Simon - such a great cause!
  • Rochelle Foolkes on Rohan SmithGreat work for a worthy cause Rohan.
  • Anonymous on Gordon SouthamEverybody has at least one woman in their life. Everyone should acknowledge that this pathologies are a possibility.
  • Liz Hepple on Simon ChuInspirational work everyone!!

Top Donors

  1. Stephen Mitchell

    $29,200.00
  2. Brian Whaling

    $10,000.00
  3. Oscar On Main

    $5,000.00
  4. Mary Smith

    $5,000.00
  5. Renewable Energy Partners

    $5,000.00
    Renewable Energy Partners are proud to be a major corporate sponsor of Ride for Research 2024
  6. MM Kembla

    $5,000.00
  7. RWM Community Financial Services Ltd Garry White

    $2,000.00
    Important cause, local people support by a local bank. Great combination!
  8. Ric Zanetti

    $2,000.00
    Great work Ben! Looking forward to following your journey. ZRC is stoked to be able to support you and the cause.
  9. Andrew Fried

    $2,000.00
    AllenWargent Property Buyers are delighted to support the cause. Great stuff Ben! We look forward to following your journey.
  10. Rodney Cowan

    $2,000.00

Meet the Riders

Richard Odgers

Richard Odgers Hi my name is Richard, or Rich as my friends also call me. I live in Brisbane and am a full-time Carer. I was brought up on a sheep farm in western Victoria and I joined the Australian army when I was 18 in 1988. My father died in the same year after a ten-year battle with an extremely rare condition. There was very little understanding about it, but the specialist tried every different method they could think of to stop or slow the tumour or growth in his nose growing towards his brain where it finally killed […]

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Josh MacKenzie

Josh MacKenzie Hello, I’m Josh MacKenzie, the proud owner of JME Electrical, residing in Wagga Wagga with my wonderful partner, Liz and two children. My brother Ben is another rider in the Ride for Research 2024 team. While he pedals his way through Brisbane, I’ll be joining in from Wagga Wagga where we will keep each other’s training schedules on track. I also probably hold the title of being the closest R4R 2024 rider living to Bright, so not too far to travel for me. Unlike my brother Ben, who thrives in the realm of financial services recruitment up in […]

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Sonny Pearce

Sonny Pearce I met Pete at the University of Queensland in the late eighties while studying Human Movement Studies. As he’s probably going to read my profile, I’m going to say that he was my favourite lecturer and a very patient and motivational post grad supervisor! Unfortunately, I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting Claire. But I was saddened hear about her cancer diagnosis knowing the toll it must have on her, her friends and family especially Pete, Rebecca and Megan. I’ve been unable to physically participate in the previous fundraising events as I’m located in Melbourne. So I was […]

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Matt Sunde

Matt Sunde I have been an avid road and gravel cyclist for much of my life. I previously competed in multiple Ironman and half Ironman events. I’ve also been lucky enough to have ridden my bike over many European mountain passes with my wife Nicola. I also love the outdoors and have trekked in Nepal four times and done many great multi-day hikes in New Zealand. I am originally from NZ & moved to Australia in 2003 to pursue a career in nursing. I work in a very busy Emergency Department as a Registered Nurse at Tweed Heads Hospital. Cycling […]

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The Cycling Lovers

Alice Hawes and Peter Dawson (The Cycling Lovers) Engaged couple, Alice and Peter, love cycling nearly as much as they love each other. Peter works as an aerospace engineer and Alice as a general practitioner. Despite sounding like the punchline of some joke about rocket scientists and doctors, they have the most fun outdoors, enjoying road and gravel riding, hiking, and kayaking. This love is so strong, their first date was a road ride and they recently got engaged during an exciting end to end gravel ride on the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. When they aren’t out on an adventure, […]

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Rohan Smith

Rohan Smith Rider Profile – Ride for Research 2024 Meet Rohan Smith, a father of twins (Liam and Jacqueline) and fiancé to Jennifer Hall. Rohan is an adventure seeker. He will try his hand at anything that comes along. He loves to spend his days outdoors. Rohan moved from Melbourne to Rockhampton in 1998 to take over a Newsagency with his brother and sister-in-law. He lived there until 2018.  Rohan and Jennifer moved to the lovely town of Tweed Heads where they opened a café in 2018/19. Most days you will find Rohan at the cafe. He lives in the […]

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Laura Taylor

Laura Taylor G’day friends! I’m Laura. Cheers for visiting my page! There’s so little research available for Rare Ovarian Cancer, this ride is a way we can make a direct impact to the lives of those affected by it. For me, being active is a big part of my life. I’m happiest when I’m outside in the sun. In beautiful places, pushing myself physically and mentally. I’m psyched to be able to channel that energy into a cause that’s close to home for me, with the Reaburn family being dear friends of mine for the past 10 years. Joining in […]

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Mark Costin

Mark Costin  Meet Mark Costin, a passionate adventurer and endurance sports enthusiast based in Townsville, North Queensland. With a deep love for nature and an annoyingly contagious zest for life, Mark seizes every opportunity he can to spend time in the great outdoors. Whether he’s hiking or trail running through the bush, covering challenging terrain on his mountain bike, paddling his kayak or whitewater boat or taking his trusty road bike out for an early morning spin, Mark finds immense joy in all of it. Perhaps Mark’s greatest passion of all is for adventure racing – A sport in which […]

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Jeff Collier

Jeff Collier Hi, my name’s Jeff Collier and I’m from Murwillumbah in northern NSW. I have lived in the wonderful Tweed Valley for most of my life and I have been married to Cate for forty years. We have four adult children and eight grandchildren who also live in the Tweed so there are plenty of family gatherings and celebrations. I retired two years ago after a long and enjoyable career working and managing the local swimming pools for Tweed Shire Council. I now have more time to spend time with family, riding my bikes, helping out with community projects […]

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Gordon Southam

Gordon Southam Hi, I’m Gordon Southam from Nobby Beach Queensland. Peter and Claire Reaburn are two of my Miami Masters swimming buddies. While Peter taught me the benefits of the “pull-buoy assist”, Claire is the one who demonstrates what it means to train hard and swim fast. I was used to, and had accepted, her regularly beating me in practice. However, after learning of, and witnessing her battle with Rare Ovarian Cancer, while she continued to swim past me (even when she is “a bit tired”), well Claire is simply inspiring. I was on travel (China) and missed this year’s […]

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Stephen Reaburn

Stephen Reaburn Hi, I’m Steve Reaburn from Melbourne, Victoria. My cousin Peter Reaburn, whose wife Claire has been diagnosed with rare ovarian cancer, has taken on the task of fundraising for research on this form of cancer that we know very little about. My wife Shashi and I have been together 20 years and married for 14. Although we have no children of our own, we both have a desire to help our extended families where possible. I still remember my first ever brand-new bike – a Chrome BMX for my 11th birthday back in 1984. Riding this bike all […]

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David Reaburn

David Reaburn I’ve been addicted to endurance sports for the last 20 years. It probably started from riding to work through London, then back in Australia in the early 2000’s I switched from a mountain bike to a road bike – the rest is history! Pretty soon i did Around the Bay, then started on triathlons and then Ironman triathlons. Nowadays I mostly just ride & love the sport. I love competing in road races and feeling fit and healthy. It’s a tough sport, but nothing good in life is achieved when it comes easy. I work a demanding job […]

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Vicki Lee

Vicki Lee My name is Vicki Lee, and I am really looking forward to participating in this ride and raising some well needed money towards cancer research. As a breast cancer survivor of 7 years, I fully understand the heartache of enduring cancer treatment.  I lost my beloved husband to leukemia in 2015 as well, so I can fully understand just what Claire and others are going through. I consider myself lucky and am grateful that I managed pretty well through chemotherapy, surgery and radium.  I fronted up at oncology every week in a different fancy dress outfit (sometimes not […]

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Ben MacKenzie

Ben MacKenzie Hello, I’m Ben MacKenzie, an Associate Director at Zanetti Recruitment & Consulting, based in Brisbane. I pursued my Masters in HR with a focus on Employment Law, originally considering a career in law. However, after a chance meeting with Ric Zanetti, I’ve been working alongside him for the past eight years in Financial Services Recruitment. I’m originally from Wagga Wagga, NSW. I’ve always been a really active person. Aussie Rules and NRL are favourites, with the Sydney Swans and the Newcastle Knights being my teams. I won a premiership with Collingullie Ashmont Kapooka Football Club before relocating to Brisbane […]

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Vicki Andersen

Vicki Andersen Hi, I’m Vicki. A mum of 2 grown up girls and 1 grandchild, Jack. I love all things property and own an Interior Design business, Coastal Design and Renovations. I am a fellow yogi at Main Beach and look forward to riding alongside Bec Ginley and Jenette Fisher in support of Claire and ROCInc. This charity fund raiser is a great opportunity to get back on my bike and to also be able to give back and help this community of females battling rare ovarian cancer. I have always enjoyed being sporty and like to run, mountain bike ride, […]

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Nick Verhoeven

Nick Verhoeven Hi, I’m Nick Verhoeven from Townsville in Sunny North Queensland. I’m married to Ronnie and we have 3 kids, twins Shannon & Jordan (28) and Alyssa (19). Claire is my cousin. I have the best job in the world because I am a Professional Mountain Biker. Well actually, I run a Mountain Bike Academy with over 80 students at a local School, Coach a few kids in the area and work for an Outdoor Education Company as a Mountain Bike guide, so since my income is Mountain Bike related, I’m happy to run with Professional Mountain Biker. I’ve […]

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Megan Reaburn

Megan Reaburn As the last name suggests, I am the daughter of Claire and Peter Reaburn who started Ride for Research in 2022. I live in Brisbane with my partner Tom and work in renewable energy development while also completing part-time a Masters of Education that feels like it’ll never end! I’ve always loved sport and have played netball my whole life, but staying consistently active as an adult is something I’ve struggled with until a few years ago. With parents like mine it was inevitable I eventually fall in love with maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle. I spent […]

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Renee Cowan

Renee Cowan  Hi, I’m Renee, and I’m ready for this ride to hand it to me! I’m 34 and I married the girl of my dreams in 2022, who also happens to be Claire’s daughter. The love that the Reaburn family has shown me over many years, and the love they have for each other doesn’t even have words. It is the type of love that could change the world…or at least mine. I have played teams sports from the wee little age of 6, I’ll have a crack at anything, and love that winning feeling. I played soccer for […]

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The Stinsons

Jason and Sue Stinson A couple that rides together stays together!   We met as teenagers during our first year of high school and grew up together on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. After both graduating from Queensland University of Technology, we moved interstate & then overseas to advance our careers in the education and hospitality sectors. We are happily married for more than 25 years with two wonderful children who are both students at The University of Queensland.   Last year we repatriated to Australia having spent the past twenty years living abroad in China & India. We are […]

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Yogis that ROC

Rebecca Ginley and Jenette Fisher – Profile Yogis that ROC! Meet Bec and Jen, the go-getter yogis on a mission to raise awareness and research funds for Rare Ovarian Cancer Incorporated (ROCInc). Their motto? “Stronger Together!”   Rebecca Ginley, a Main Beach local and owner of “Yoga by the Beach with Bec” is a community yoga instructor to not only Jen, but fellow yogi Claire Reaburn who is their inspiration for this challenge.  Claire and her husband Peter, who together, are fighting to beat this disease and are dedicated to supporting ROCInc in their research for girls and women. Bec […]

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Peter Reaburn

Peter Reaburn – Profile My wife Claire has the dubious honour of being the oldest women in the world diagnosed with Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour (JGCT), a very rare form of ovarian cancer. I’ve been involved in sports since childhood. Initially it was swimming at club then state and national level in surf lifesaving. I played Rugby Union during winter, swam and surfed all year round, and competed in surf lifesaving during summer. An active childhood and youth.  Later in life I immersed myself in masters swimming then triathlon winning several state age-group titles in long course. In 2005 I […]

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Sheree Osborne

Sheree Osborne – Profile The appeal of this fundraiser, for me, is multifactorial. Personally – I feel the need to support this cause, as my Aunty Claire (Reaburn) was diagnosed with Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour, a rare form of ovarian cancer. I have the utmost respect for my Uncle Peter (Claire’s husband of 34 years) in organising this fundraiser to make a very real, and very positive change, for Claire. And for every other female who will be diagnosed with ovarian cancers over the coming years. Career-wise, I work at the University of Queensland in the School of Biological Sciences. […]

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Simon Chu

Simon Chu – Profile My name is Simon Chu, much more a lab rat than a cyclist!! I completed my PhD at Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research (now Hudson Institute of Medical Research), where I studied the role of the estrogen in the pathogenesis of an uncommon ovarian cancer known as granulosa cell tumours. This led to my interest in the impact of specific molecular signalling pathways that are responsible for these tumours arising, and looking for ways to target these as a form of cure. After gaining my PhD, I continued his work at Prince Henry’s examining the […]

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Peter Smith

Peter Smith – Profile Peter Reaburn and I first met in 1977 on the beach at Coolangatta, while competing in the Queensland Surf Life Saving Titles. We discovered that we were studying Human Movement Studies together at University of Queensland and have been friends ever since. We played rugby and touch football together, surfed together, and went to each other’s weddings. After Uni, I became an Air Traffic Controller (ATC), working in Mt. Isa, Sydney, Newcastle, Archerfield, and Brisbane. I retired in 2014.  As an ATC, I still was involved in sport and exercise. I taught aerobics, coached rugby union, […]

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Stephen Mitchell

Stephen Mitchell – Profile Family – Lynnette (my wife), Katelyn 22 and Jonathan 16. My daughter Katelyn was diagnosed in September 2020 with Juvenile Granulosa Cell Tumour (JGCT), a very rare form of ovarian cancer. Katelyn has had 2 operations, 1 to remove a Tumor and the 2nd to remove an ovary. At the time of her diagnoses the lack of information about this form of cancer lead Katelyn (also leaning on Lynnette and I) to decided that her treatment would be ‘watch n wait’. In Late March 2023 Katlyn was back in hospital due to a reoccurrence which was […]

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