Athletics star Raisa Kolesnikova was named Sportsperson of the Year at Dubbo's Australia Day ceremony on January 26, 2025.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Hello everyone. You know when you come to this country you have a dream. I immigrated to this country 45 years ago and then 43 years ago I was like one of you received my Australian citizen in town hall.
00:1843 years later I have so many dreams, so many goals, so many hobbies. I achieved them all. But this was never a dream to receive an award on Australian Day.
00:35So this is a really, really, really nice honour. And I thank you for people who nominated me. Thank you for Double Athletic Club. Thank you for people who recommended me and nominated.
00:49I feel very, very honoured and pleased that today I got the recognition.
00:55Just a couple of things I want to talk about the sport. Actually 45 years ago I immigrated from China, north west of China to Australia.
01:05When I got my citizenship I was feeling so, so happy. That was one of my happiest days. I knew Australia would be my home and I would never be pushed out or kicked out.
01:18This is my home. So my dream come true. I have so much goal in my dream. I achieved them one by one. Today I'm practising as a Chinese medicine in Davao for the last 22 years.
01:32And I have a sweet career. I love them all. I always want to be a health professional. I started with nursing and then I worked in hospital. And I want to see the world. I become a former international flight attendant.
01:46And I married to a Davao man. 33 years ago I moved to Davao. I have three beautiful children. I decided to study a new profession as Chinese medicine practitioner.
01:59And six years post-grad gave me an opportunity to heal many, many people in Davao and regional area. Many people who can't work, can't farm anymore.
02:10And they come to see me with my acupuncture treatment, Chinese herbal medicine. They gain their health back again. I just want to say that sport actually bring another new thing for me.
02:22So we have a very good hospital facility. We have a chemist. We have all the medication. But if you can't have a good health you can't avoid that.
02:32If you have a good health, not just eat well, you must move. I started this running for me 10 years ago when I was 55 years old.
02:41When my children grow up that time, also now I have a little spare time, I start shuffling.
02:48Today after 11 years now, I'm 66 years old and I ran a 50 class official marathon and many, many unofficial marathons.
02:58The proudest moment, as Susan read it out, is my sixth major world marathon. Sixth major. I finished completely in 2022.
03:09And the next most proud moment is last year August. I represented Australia. I went to Sweden, North America. I attended the Australian Masters Championship.
03:19And I met 8,000 world best champions and I competed in there from 400 to half marathon.
03:29Last year I actually ran for 50 meters, my race. And in January I ran 50 meters, 100 meters. I finished the 50k ultra marathon in Kosciuszko in November.
03:42So what I want to say is that exercise movement can bring a lot of good health. I want to encourage everyone to try to get up, walk half an hour morning, half an hour evening, and then just move.
03:56If you can't move, you know there's the best acupuncturist in town. It happens to be right here.
04:02You need to get yourself fixed, sorted, and get going.
04:07So next topic is about Australia's citizenship. It's so close to my heart. 43 years ago, after I set up my Australian citizenship in town hall, there was the proudest moment.
04:21This is the best country you ever can be. I traveled around the world as a former international flight attendant. Everyone asked me which country is the best.
04:30This is the best country. Love it, treasure it, never complain, never complain.
04:36Right now, people in pain, not getting enough, still getting paid. Where can you find a country like that?
04:43My mum, recently sick, she goes to the hospital. She's 90 now. She said they treat me everything. They treat me like a queen. I walk out of the resort even looking at my wallet.
05:00Where can you find a country like this? It's so true. I hope you all need to have your goals and dreams and contribute as much as you can to this country and become one of the best citizens.
05:13Love you, Australia.