Illawarra cyclist Janice Fitzpatrick will ride 40 kilometres around Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin on Friday, 18 September, aiming to raise $15,000 for dementia research at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at UNSW Sydney. The 81-year-old will start at 9am from Acton Peninsula on Lawson Crescent, completing a lap of the lake that includes the steep climb to the National Arboretum Canberra. The fundraiser, titled Ride Out Dementia, honours Fitzpatrick’s late husband, Bernie, and their six-decade cycling partnership. Bernie died from dementia in September 2024. Her son will travel from Ballarat to join her, while a grandson will drive from Melbourne to take part. A Canberra cyclist has also volunteered to guide her around the route, with friends and supporters preparing to see her off and welcome her back. Fitzpatrick originally set an $8,000 target, but lifted it to $15,000 after donations passed $7,500.
Fitzpatrick and Bernie met as trainee teachers at Wagga Wagga Teachers College in 1964, raised seven children and later completed long-distance fundraising rides on separate bicycles and a tandem. She says cycling provided companionship and purpose as dementia progressively changed the English and History teacher over time. Fitzpatrick recalls that he recognised his decline when spelling mistakes began to appear, describing the experience as heartbreaking because the disease was taking abilities from Bernie without defining who he was. Rather than withdrawing after his death, she continues supporting the Corrimal Dementia Carers Group and the Illawarra Shoalhaven Dementia Public Forum. Her regular Friday rides with senior cyclists cover about 22 kilometres and are helping her prepare for the planned Canberra challenge. Pedal Power ACT has provided riding guidance, while supporters are organising a gathering in Canberra after the ride. Fitzpatrick says the community support means she will not be tackling the lake alone, even though she will be the person on the bike.
The idea for the fundraiser emerged after Fitzpatrick saw dementia clinician and researcher Professor Henry Brodaty recognised as the 2026 Senior Australian of the Year and contacted CHeBA. Brodaty, the centre’s co-director, said Fitzpatrick’s decision to turn a shared passion into research support was “remarkable” and praised her generosity, determination and continuing advocacy for families affected by dementia. “Every person who donates, turns up or simply shares her story is helping demonstrate just how strongly Australians want to see a future where dementia can be prevented and effectively treated,” he said. Fitzpatrick’s ride is intended to build support for research while keeping Bernie’s memory at its centre. She has described the couple as a team for 60 years and says cycling was one of the activities they loved, with Bernie riding until 11 months before his death. The event reflects her commitment to families living with dementia, offering the support and understanding carers need. For Fitzpatrick, reaching the finish line will represent more than a lap of Lake Burley Griffin: it will be a public act of remembrance and a call for progress against a disease affecting people across Australia.
Robert is the founder of AustralianSenior.com.
He studies Journalism and Communications at USC and studied TV Presentation at NIDA. He is passionate about advocating for seniors and presenting non-biased, fact-based news to enable those over 50 to thrive in an increasingly complicated digital world. He covers all areas of life and style, from pop culture to the economy, travel, and events with a passion for supporting rural and regional destinations and opportunities. If it's worth reading, it's worth writing about.
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