Pat Daly – Our Oldest Member Posted on: 02 February 2026

When you reach the ripe old age of 88, you think there’s not much else that can be thrown at you. Unless, of course, you have a mammogram and you receive that dreaded phone call asking you to come in for further testing. That was in October 2011, and by December Pat had a mastectomy and was preparing for all sorts of treatment and medication. Those weeks after the breast cancer diagnosis were a blur for Pat and she was very confused about what was going to happen to her. In fact she told her friends that she was going into hospital to have a vasectomy!!!

Pat was a fighter and responded well to the treatment and the prognosis was very good. When she was 90 Pat moved from Gympie to Bribie Island to be closer to family and became involved with the Dragons Abreast Australia group on Bribie Island, where she decided she would like to have a go at this “paddling business”.

Pat had never been a sporty person, but she absolutely loved paddling and wanted to not only enjoy being out on the beautiful Pumicestone Passage, she wanted to compete in the regattas. This she did with great enthusiasm and was a wonderful inspiration to other paddlers, especially newer members who had doubts about their abilities and what they could achieve.

Pat attended regattas at Currumbin, Tin Can Bay and Kawana and finally decided to hang up the paddle when she was 93. Ten years on Pat has just celebrated her 103rd birthday! Now in Aged Care, Pat loves reminiscing about her days as a breast cancer survivor paddler. She loves playing cards and delights in beating the grand kids at Uno and Dominos. Pat remains a Life Member of Dragons Abreast Pumicestone.

There are lots of morals to this story but if she had to choose one it would be “I am blessed beyond measure”.

The Dragons Abreast Australia family wish you a very Happy Birthday. What a privilege it is to share your paddling journey. Pat is certainly our oldest member, and we are grateful to have played a part in a life well lived after a diagnosis of breast cancer. What a Woman!