A Seventeen Mile Rocks swimming coach who spent more than 20 years working with local children is being remembered through a 78km September walk by his daughter Cara following his death from pancreatic cancer.
Doug Harvey, who died on 26 July 2026, was a familiar poolside presence during more than two decades of coaching children at Jamboree Heights, Jindalee, Dunlop Park and St Aidan’s.
His years in swimming connected him with generations of local families across the area, with his long-standing contribution now forming the heart of a community tribute led by his daughter.
More Than 20 Years Coaching Local Children
Doug was a Seventeen Mile Rocks local and was born on 2 August 1952.
For more than 20 years, he coached children across several nearby locations, including Jamboree Heights and Jindalee, as well as Dunlop Park and St Aidan’s.
That long period poolside made him a familiar figure for local children and families who encountered him through swimming over the years.
His death from pancreatic cancer has now prompted Cara to honour that contribution through a challenge extending beyond the pool communities where he spent much of his time.
Daughter Takes On 78km Challenge
Cara is walking 78km during September as part of the Remember September campaign.
The distance represents the campaign’s figure of 78 Australians who die from pancreatic cancer each week.
At the recorded campaign update, Cara had completed 16km of the challenge and raised about $1,181 towards a $10,000 fundraising target.
Her fundraising page says Doug’s pancreatic cancer had already spread to his liver when it was detected. Cara is using the challenge to support efforts towards earlier detection and more effective treatment options for the disease.
Seventeen Mile Rocks Community Legacy Remembered
The fundraiser places Doug’s years of local involvement alongside a broader effort to support pancreatic cancer research and people affected by the disease.
Remember September states that 12 Australians are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each day and identifies it as the third-biggest cancer killer in Australia. The campaign also says early-stage pancreatic cancer rarely causes symptoms.
For the Seventeen Mile Rocks community, Cara’s challenge also serves as a tribute to the years her father spent coaching children across the surrounding suburbs.
Her September goal remains 78km, with the fundraising target set at $10,000 in memory of a coach whose involvement with local families stretched across more than two decades.
Published 9-September-2026