|
Friday 18th August 2017
From Dave Sharp ... Safe Cycling Australia
Good morning Sharon
We have had a photographer from Melbourne ask if we can try to contact you, as she is in Cairns this weekend
She asked if I knew of anyone she could possibly talk with, and you were all I could think of, so my apologies
Mel is planning a national photo exhibition focusing on cyclists, their experiences, and those of their families, both good and bad
She was wondering if you'd be able to meet her, but we will all understand if you decline
I'll leave you the link to the video she asked us to share
She has generated a lot of interest, and we have a few folk that we know around the country who are hoping to help her highlight the fact that the person on a bike could literally be anyone
If I don't hear from you, have a good weekend
Please don't feel bad for saying no if you wish
Go to Melanie Newell Photography for more details on this incredible groundbreaking project
The Exhibition will be held during 2018
Brisbane, get in touch with Mel, and let's get her up here to hear our stories as well
 ... click HERE to watch the video ... 1 min 51 secs ... "mp4" file format ... 1.58mb
From Sharon
Hi Dave, and how are you ??
Yes, please pass on to Mel that she can contact me anytime over the weekend ... my mobile is 0419 679 537
When we talk, we'll arrange a meeting point like Tanya's Ghost Bike, etc, etc
Best wishes from Cairns
From Dave Sharp
Oh, that's wonderful ... thank you
I'll message her now
Sunday 20th August 2017
From Melanie Newell
Off to interview my first story ... feeling so nervous
Wish me luck
 ... click HERE to watch the video ... 1 min 28 secs ... "mp4" file format ... 4.09mb
From Sarah Dam
Good luck and enjoy your trip away !!
From Dave Sharp
I firmly believe you came to this point for a reason ... relax
From Melanie Newell
Thank you, Dave
It was amazing ... they are a beautiful family
I think I would have loved to have Tanya as a friend ... what an incredible human being !!
Thank you so much for organising
I was so afraid but I'm so glad I had the courage to do this
From Jeff Servaas
You have great stories to tell for all the riders out there who are misunderstood
You are giving us a human face
Be encouraged by this shoot to keep going and keep sharing their stories.
Sunday 20th August 2017
From Melanie Newell
Post Interview Update
Thank you David, from Safe Cycling Australia, for organising this meet up
The Roneberg family have changed my life
I hope how I share their story of the family and lives afterward will touch another and increase compassion and respect on our roads
"RIP" Tanya
 ... click HERE to watch the video ... 2 mins 00 secs ... "mp4" file format ... 3.24mb
From Dave Sharp
Thank you, Sharon Roneberg
From Sharon to Melanie Newell
It was a pleasure to meet such a lovely couple
We love talking about Tanya ... we miss her desperately but at the same time she is with us always
Trying to change peoples mindset can be a difficult task and we wish you well in the worthy task you have set yourself
Patience, care and concentration should be the rule for all road users
Best wishes from us all
From Melanie Newell to Sharon
Thank you so much, Sharon, for sharing Tanya with us
I can only imagine how tough it's been and understand it is not easy to talk about, but I hope that through what you've shared we can make more and more people aware of the damage that can be done from being recklessness and getting behind the wheel drunk
This has been a very special day for me
Thursday 24th August 2017
From Melanie Newell
This week I was welcomed into the Roneberg's home after Sharon and I met at her Daughters Memorial Site at Trinity Beach
I was humbled to be taken through their home and shown Awards and Memorabilia of Tanya's, both pre and post her tragic death
I have not yet been able to write the blog, and I was so emotional after meeting her Mum and Dad that I haven't been able to watch the video of our interview yet
And honestly, I don't feel worthy enough to write it because, who am I in the scheme of things ??
Tanya was a great many things ... cycling just happened to be what she was doing when she was taken from this earth by a drunk driver
For now, please soak in the fact that this is four years on, four years after her death
This is the impact it has on a family ... and this is just one room
A "cyclist" taken from this earth, is a person
With a family ... with a home ... we are people ... we are not statistics ... we are not just cyclists
"R.I.P" Tanya Roneberg
From Jeff Servaas
You are her voice in 2017, speaking out when Tanya's is no longer heard
From Karen Lechner
So touching, Mel ... must have been hard
From Geoff and Sharon and Tanya to Melanie Newell
Just so very, very beautiful !!
You are welcome here any day any time !!
Geoff and Sharon ... and Tanya
Reply from Melanie Newell to Sharon
Thank you, Sharon
I hope we meet again for a cup of tea and a run up The Stairs
I did a run on Friday and ran up the Lookout Stairs twice in Port Douglas ... and trying my best to do two at a time !!
The whole time I kept repeating "Let's run The Stairs one more time" and remembering your laughs as we did it together
It really had an impact on me ... you and your family have given me so much from our time together
I'm so grateful
From Geoff to Melanie Newell
We only met with you for a short time but know that you are a Terrific, Kind and Caring Person
And make sure you check out the Two News Videos I put in the "Visitor Posts" section
Best Wishes from Trinity Beach !!
( the videos can be watched by going to THIS page )
|
