Graham Woodrup, or Woody as he was so fondly called, was a visionary.
The Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay had a humble but successful beginning when Woody's wife Hester and a team of women challenged the Port Fairy Apex Club and another team of local Port Fairy identities to ride in relay from Mildura to Port Fairy in 24 hours. The idea was to raise money for the Port Fairy Hospital and from the very first ride, Woody saw the potential for this event's future.
His dynamic personality, his enthusiasm and his inspiration have seen the annual Murray to Moyne Cycle Relay grow each year. From 1987 when the teams raised $10,000 to 2009 when 1435 riders representing 150 organisations raised over $1.25 million for Hospitals and Health related organisations in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
Woody rose to accept many cycling challenges. His greatest personal success was his record cycling ride of 4380 km from Perth to Sydney in 10 days, 17 hours and 56 minutes in 1988, but other marathon rides and records were generously ridden to raise money for Port Fairy Hospital and Moyneyana House Hostel.
Tragically, Woody's life ended while on a training ride on 17th February, 1992. In memory of this marathon man of Australian cycling, the "Graham Woodrup Memorial Cycle Relay" or "Woody's Murray to Moyne" continues.
He has thrown out the challenge to so many in the past to get on a bike and have a go. He has set an example to us all to be generous with our talents by helping others.
Woody’s Murray to moyne ride