Carol O'Connell

Carol is the Coordinator of the Brave Hearts Dragon Boat Club, (BHDBC). The BHDBC is a project of the Brave Hearts on the Murray Incorporated, (BHMInc), and as such BHDBC does not have a President per se but rather a Coordinator who works collegiately with the governing BHMInc.

Carol has been with the BHDBC close to five years but in that time, she has been the Fitness Coach, the Assistant Coordinator and more recently the Coordinator. In a time where many sporting clubs are only starting to rebuild post COVID she brings to the Club very strong leadership qualities, including her boundless energy and infectious positivity.

These very qualities were further accentuated and demonstrated during the recent Flood Event in the Albury/Wodonga region last summer. The flood event in Oct – Dec 22 saw the Albury/Wodonga region record over four times the average rainfall.

Carol’s resolve, drive and determination steered the BHDBC through a period whereupon the Club was unable to train for a substantial period leading into AUSChamps held at our own home base at Gateway Lakes in April 2023. Further details related to her Influence; Resilience & Adaptability and Commitment and Dedication are hereunder.

Criteria for The Dragon Spirit Award:

1. Influence:

The North-East region of Victoria has dealt with several traumatic events over the past three years. From the devasting bushfires of 2020 to the 2021/22 COVID Pandemic and more recently the Flood Event in late 2022.

Owing to the frequent stop/start opening of the NSW/VIC borders during COVID and the associated lockdowns which materially affected the region it took quite some time for training to recommence; for training numbers to return and for people to have confidence to restart.

During this period Carol has been instrumental in leading the Brave Hearts Dragon Boat Club through these events. In April 2022 a highly successful Club Consultation Meeting was held to solicit opinions from Club Members on a range of issues including reinvigorating the Club. Carol steered her Committee of Management through the findings of the Club Consultation and this led to key documents such as a foundation Strategic Plan which incorporated a directorial Vision Statement and Mission Statement.

Moreover, these key documents paved the way for rejuvenated Club Working Groups to develop Operational Plans for Recruitment, Finance/Fundraising, Communications, and a major reconfiguration of the Property portfolio.

Carol’s influence was also felt with the Grant Award from a local Rotary Club for a newly manufactured Club Trailer and the award of a Victorian Government Emergency Sporting Grant which was used to manufacture new Dragon Boat Trolleys.

2. Resilience and Adaptability:

Through the implementation of reinvigorated Working Groups, the Brave Hearts Dragon Boat Club has met their 2022/23 Season Recruitment Targets and they have increased their financial position. The Communications Working Group made significant efforts to enhance their communications across multiple social media platforms and the Property portfolio was sub-divided into new entities with clearly defined responsibilities.

This was made possible by the resilient efforts of Carol to guide and work tirelessly within each Working Group as an Adviser and providing leadership, support, encouragement, and clear direction to their initiatives. This has provided a sound foundation for the incoming Season 2023/24 Committee of Management to build upon under her leadership.

In addition, Carol worked within her Committee of Management to redefine Committee processes, updated the Club Rules, the Club Handbook and Risk Management Plan. Furthermore, she has been influential in fostering better relationships within the Gateway Lakes User Group and networking with local agencies.

3. Commitment and Dedication:

The Brave Hearts Dragon Boat Club is a diverse and welcoming Club which caters for all paddlers. Carol has been resolute and unfaltering in her efforts to raise the public profile of the Club, to embrace our current membership and welcome newcomers. She has championed the revitalisation of the school groups program in the region and has invested a significant amount of time to the Club and to Club members wellbeing.

Whilst it is acknowledged that she has been assisted by a small nucleus of key assistants it is entirely through her personal drive, integrity, passion, and empathy that the Brave Hearts Dragon Boat Club has resurfaced as the Club of Choice in the North-East region of Victoria.