Long serving Bathurst Cycling Club member Toireasa Gallagher has been named a life member for her various roles at the cycling club during her time on the club’s committee.
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Throughout her time, Gallagher has filled the role as president, vice-president, secretary, club coach and club captain, after she begun volunteering in the background in her late teens.
The 36 year old has been a member of the cycling club since she was two years old and said the honour is great.
“It is wonderful to be recognised for the work you have done,” Gallagher said.
“I feel a bit too young to receive a life membership, but I have been involved with the club for a long time.”
Riding has been a part of Gallagher for her whole life, as she comes from a family of cyclists.
Her parents, Geoff and Ellen Ryan, have been involved in the cycling club for a long time and helped their daughter further her involvement in the sport from a young age.
Gallagher has been a strong cyclist for many years, riding at the Paralympics as a pilot rider for vision impaired rider Lindy Hou.
Alongside Hou, Gallagher received three silver medals and one bronze medal in total from the Athens and Beijing Paralympic games.
“The [Paralympic] team was fantastic and watching the athletes really inspired other people,” Gallagher said.
“Being able to help someone who is blind and for her to trust me riding at 60 kilometres an hour is great.”
“After watching Rio this year, it really hit me how special it was to compete and just how big the games are.”
“Any medal you win at the games is a huge honour.”
While Gallagher has been slightly inactive in recent times, due to her having a four month old baby, but plans to be back cycling for the upcoming cycling handicap event she sponsors.
The Toireasa Gallagher Women’s Handicap will be ninth running of the annual women’s race, with the course running for 25 kilometres around the towns of Perthville and Georges Plain on November 6.
Gallagher said no matter how fit she is, she loves competing and strives to do her best every time she puts on the helmet.
The Bathurst Cycling Club was formed in 1884, making it one of the oldest sports clubs in Australia, making Gallagher’s honour much more special.
