Port Douglas is the poorer with the passing of Lesley Stephens, one of the most versatile, resilient and courageous individuals who will leave an indelible mark in the community.   

Born on December 14 1946, in Cleethorpes, England, she came to Australia by ship at the age of seven with her parents and four siblings. She settled in Port Douglas in 1986.

According to her sister Janice Parkes, Lesley was always moving at a million miles an hour, and although prone to accidents, bounced back every time.

She had a bad car accident which resulted in her leg in plaster for six months; and then had an accident with a truck on her push bike when the truck clipped her handle bars and she broke her wrist and her pelvis.

Sadly, this was not the end of it. Lesley took up skydiving with her son Ross' encouragement and was obsessed by the sport. She completed more than 180 jumps before experiencing a horrific incident in 1996 while skydiving at Batchelor, in the Northern Territory.

She collided with another skydiver at 2500 feet and plummeted to the ground. She suffered multiple compound structures in her spine, legs and pelvis, cracked ribs and massive internal injuries.

She spent several weeks in hospital in Darwin and several months in hospital in Cairns. But in typical fashion, she bounced back, resumed personal training and was soon back on her bike.

“That's when she came with our sister Debbie, to visit me in Port Douglas in 1986 and never went home. She worked as a bar manager at the Central Hotel and loved cycling.

“She had already trained as a fitness instructor and started working at the Mirage Country Club gym where she met many famous people, but was most impressed to meet Clint Eastwood,” said Janice

Lesley gave fitness classes all week and would then drag her friends up mountains on the weekends – Devil’s Thumb, Good Sheppard, Thornton Peak.  She encouraged everyone to get moving and stay fit.

Her activities were endless. She joined a group of people, including locals Soozi Ellis and Paul Hulsebosch, on a seven-day hiking trip to Mt Hagen, Kegsugl and Mt Wilhelm base camp in PNG and then did the Kokoda Track. She also competed in a few triathlons.

Lesley founded the Whitelion Jungle Ride in 2009, a bike ride from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation to raise money for troubled kids through the Whitelion Charity.

In October the Jungle Ride will celebrate its 10th anniversary and its popularity is evident in that it initially attracted 30 riders, and now attracts 250. Leading Australian cyclist Stuart O’Grady became the Ride Ambassador two years ago. The event has raised thousands of dollars over the years.

Lesley was nominated for the Pride of Australia Medal for Courage in 2011 for her courage and determination to help others facing adversity.

As the years went by her body decided it wasn't as tough as she thought it was, and she had several major bone surgeries and also suffered from arthritis.

But she did find time to become a marriage celebrant and was delighted to marry some of her closest friends.

Janice said Lesley never complained although she suffered so much pain. In fact she always pushed herself to the limit.

She was courageous and so strong. She will be sadly missed by so many.

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The funeral will be held at St Mary's by the Sea on Wednesday, March 28 at 11.00 am. After the toast at St Mary's, there will be a celebration of Lesley's life at the Combined Club. 

Did you know Lesley? Let us know in the comments below.

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