2025 Australian Masters Games, Canberra

Our Club has had a very successful trip away to the Australian Masters Games Canberra 2025 In the words of one of our newest members, Eleisha, attending her first Club trip with us, "A sincere thank you to everyone who contributed to making the Australian Masters Games in Canberra an amazing and very enjoyable experience. Particularly our hard working, thoughtful and patient coaches and team manager. You guys are incredible! " And a special mention for our Karen Shell who won a Silver medal in the Womens 20 SeniorC Breast Cancer Survivor 1000m race! You're an inspiration to us all Karen!

Twenty seven Gippsland Water Dragons recently attended the 20th Australian Masters Games in Canberra. Dragon boat paddling was held over three days with over 1,600 paddlers competing in teams from all Australian states and territories. Unfortunately we didn’t come home with any paddling medals however three of our team also competed in other sports and came home with a total of twelve medals. Well done Eleisha, Kim and Damien.

Eleisha Keogh

One of our newest dragon boat paddlers, Eleisha Keogh, in addition to paddling also competed in six indoor rowing events of varying distances and times from 100 m to 2,000 metres. Eleisha competed in the lightweight women aged 55-59 years. She was ecstatic to come home with five gold medals and one silver for the indoor rowing events. GWD Team mates Sally, Johann & Gary attended the indoor rowing & cheered Elisha on to this amazing result.

Kim Costin

Kim is a veteran competitor having paddled at four Masters games and played basketball in the past two . She also played netball for a silver medal at the world masters in Melbourne back in 2002.

This year, in Canberra, Kim played Women’s Basketball with two composite teams in two age divisions. Teams being the Myths and Legends with players from NZ, WA, ACT, Tasmania Queensland & Victoria.

After three days of dragon boat paddling Kim played 13 games over the next 5 days and came home with a Gold medal in the 65+ age division and a bronze medal in 60 +. The Gold medal game was very exciting with the game going into overtime and the winning goal being scored on the siren. Our GWD cheer squad of Sally, Johann and Gary were also court-side at the basketball cheering for Kim.

Damien McGoldrick

Gippsland Water Dragons were fortunate to have Damien McGoldrick from DA Gippsland Waratahs, paddle and sweep for us in the dragon boat events. Like Kim he is a veteran of many Australian Masters games competing in swimming and kayaking. This year Damien came home with an additional four swimming medals to add to his collection.