Reef Raiders welcome inspiring visitor with special jersey

Diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, Kate Hardman is travelling Australia with her family, making the most of every moment. On a recent stop in Port Douglas, the Reef Raiders rugby club welcomed them with open arms, and a special surprise.

During their visit, Kate was gifted a Pink in the Tropics jersey, a touching gesture from the club in support of breast cancer awareness and local women going through treatment in the Douglas Shire.

“It was totally unexpected and really moving,” Kate said. “It’s such a beautiful jersey, and the work they do up here is just amazing.”

The trip around Australia began in mid-March when Kate, her husband, and their children left Darwin in a caravan. Their goal: to see the country, make memories, and focus on living fully.

“We just thought, why wait?” she said. “Nobody really knows how long they’ve got, but with a diagnosis like this, it’s more of a reality. We want to live our life while we can.

“Our rainy day has come. So now we’re just doing it, living life, making memories, and taking every moment as a gift.”

Kate hadn’t heard of Pink in the Tropics before coming to Port Douglas but said learning about the group and its work has been a highlight of her journey.

“The support they give is everything,” she said. “You can’t get through something like this without people around you. What they do really does change lives.”

The Hardman family travelled across the top of the country, from Darwin through Mount Isa and into Far North Queensland, and plan to complete a full lap over 18 months to two years. 

Along the way, Kate says it’s been a joy to explore new places, meet people, and watch the kids thrive outside the classroom.

“The kids have been making friends at every stop, learning on the road, and just doing things they’d never get to do sitting in a classroom,” she said.

Although doctors have given a timeline, Kate prefers not to focus on it.

“I’ve seen people live longer, some shorter. It’s just unknown,” she said. “But I believe in staying positive. I’m living my life now, and I truly believe I’ve got many more years ahead.”