Be strong

Dragon Boat Racer

Neil didn’t realize how much of his life was dictated by work until he retired. “I was up at six, traveling to work, and often not home until seven at night. Now, I get to focus on the things I actually want to do.” And for Neil, that means winning gold medals in international Dragon Boat racing and staying active with his mates at the gym.

“When you’re in a team—whether it’s in the boat or at the gym—you push yourself just that little bit more,” says Neil. “You always find you can go further than you thought.”

“Moving here was the best thing we ever did. We’ve been here over seven years now, and there’s so much to do—but not enough time to do it all.”

- Neil Millgate

Neil’s fitness journey began at 60, inspired by his wife’s battle with breast cancer and her discovery of the sport. What started as a way to support her recovery quickly became his own passion, taking him around the world. In 2024, Neil competed in the World Championships in Italy, and most recently, he won gold at the Sydney Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Festival.

These days, you’ll find Neil making the most of his time. He’s at the gym three times a week, on the water for Dragon Boat training another three times a week, and even sneaks in a bit of kayaking when he can. “You could move into a place like this and just sit at home, but why would you? There’s so much happening, so many people to meet… Moving here was the best thing we ever did.”