Farewell Max Cherry

Tasmania has lost a sporting legend.  I have lost my coach, my mentor and my good friend.   The sudden death of Max Cherry has come as a shock to all who knew and loved him.  In spite of his 81 years, his passion for life gave him a sense of immortality.  Max gave me so much- there are no words to describe the magnitude of his influence on my life.  He was still teaching me right until the end.  We were at the athletics track the day before he died, and he reminded me to run hard right through the finish line, to avoid getting pipped on the line.  Max was always working on me- my strength, my speed, my technique and my confidence.   He used to tell me, ‘If Max believes in you, you need to believe in you.’ We were a pretty good team and we worked hard to achieve some challenges that could have been branded impossible.  We shared some amazing times together, and while I am devastated to have to say goodbye, I feel privileged to have known and loved him.  I will not forget him, nor the things he has taught me about athletics and about life.
-Donna