Heather Lee breaks more records, receives state honour

The incredible Mrs Lee completed her world record 10km walk in Queensland at the weekend before flying back to Sydney for the NSW Senior Australian of the Year announcement on Monday night.

Her time of 1:24.21 at the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast shaved more than a minute off the previous world record time, which was also set by Mrs Lee in April this year in Perth.

“I reckon I can probably even shave something off that, because part of it was on an incline,” Mrs Lee said. “It was only a slight incline, but it took its toll in about the sixth or seventh lap.

“I knew once I got to the ninth kilometre and I knew I had over 10 minutes to do the last one, I thought ‘I’m home and hosed’. So that was it, I could just really enjoy it.”

Mrs Lee said she was “gobsmacked” when her name was read out at Monday night’s ceremony 

“It was totally unexpected,” she said. “I’m not a brainy person but what I do, I do with passion, and somehow that must have resonated with the judges.”

Mrs Lee had to have a prepared message ready if her name was called, and had mulled over what that message should be in the lead-up to the announcement.

“I said [to my trainer] I do have a message, but what is the message? We worked out that I am actually the message,” she said.

“Standing up there, I am the message. I never define myself by age and I don’t like to define other people by age, and getting older is an achievement. 

“I live alone and I am 92 on Saturday, and independence is vital because I have spoken to those who have lost it.

“Make wellness your goal with diet, lifestyle and exercise to nurture your body, mind and spirit – that’s always been my mantra – and importantly stay in touch and keep in touch with this changing, exciting world.

“My motivation was from my husband’s dying words, ‘now is the time to show your mettle’.

“Why not make it yours?”