Aunty Pam Pedersen, a Yorta Yorta elder who has remained ever-present as a distance runner at the age of 80, was crowned National Senior Sportsperson of the Year at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Awards ceremony last week.
Held at the MCG, the awards aim to recognise outstanding achievement among First Nations athletes and coaches.
Aunty Pam’s continuing athletic feats would fit that bill perfectly, with no plans to slow down.
“It’s just the strength I have. I don’t know where I get it in order to do what I do,” she said.
“I’m just really focused, especially now after receiving this award, which is just amazing.
“To be in the room with all these other Aboriginal sportspeople just gives you a lift.
“I feel so proud to be recognised and receive this. It has really motivated me.”
In fact, with numerous distances already under her belt, including the remarkable feats of completing two half-marathons during the pandemic, her gaze continues to look ahead at upcoming runs.
About Easter next year, she intends to take on a 14km run in Melbourne as part of a Royal Children’s Hospital fundraiser.
Though currently dealing with a lingering illness that Aunty Pam describes as “like nothing I’ve had in my life”, she refuses to interrupt her routine or take time off.
“I’ve done the 14km two or three times before, but I’ve wanted to do different things and achieve,” she said.
“Part of it is I need to stop accepting engagements all the time so I can do well in this run for my people.”
Aunty Pam’s resolve never wavered, even during the significant health uncertainty 2020 would bring.
She described the importance of preserving her routine during the pandemic and not allowing herself to, in her words, “let myself go”.
“During COVID, I was still running five or six times a week,” she said.
“I was wondering what to do with myself when I was home all the time and thought, ‘You need to look after yourself’.
“I’d even make sure I had myself all dressed up for the Zoom meetings.”
It is a central tenet within her philosophy, the determination to raise the profile for better Aboriginal health outcomes through her continued achievements.
Proudly representing old and young alike, Aunty Pam says she maintains her regimen ― currently including three running segments, three gym sessions and a stint in the pool weekly ― to better get the word out about improving wellbeing within her community.
“I hope other Aboriginal people look at my age and what I’ve achieved,” Pedersen said.
“I want them to see that you can do this too. You can start running, walking, even for 15 minutes or swimming, even if it’s a 25m lap, and it will help you.
“I started doing this when I was 50 because I wanted to be a role model so they may get out there and be strong.”
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