Territory mourns passing of local sporting icon Karen Schneider
THE Territory is mourning the loss one of its most beloved businesswomen, sports physiotherapist Karen Schneider.
Northern Territory
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THE Territory is mourning the loss one of its most beloved businesswomen, sports physiotherapist Karen Schneider.
Karen, 65, was a founder of Territory Sportsmedicine at Parap alongside Dr Geoffrey Thompson and touched the hearts of thousands in the NT sporting world and beyond over her life journey in Darwin and the Territory.
A passionate member of the NT sport community, her passing has been met with grief and sadness.
Hundreds upon hundreds of tributes have flowed for this remarkable woman with a warmth and kindness that endeared her to so many.
Fellow Territory Sportsmedicine co-founder Dr Thompson said Ms Schneider’s passing has been a devastating loss for her work colleagues.
He paid tribute to the impact she had had on the Territory’s sporting landscape.
“Karen’s professionalism and genuine care for so many athletes in the Territory is an enduring legacy for us to proudly maintain in her honour,” Dr Thompson said.
Dr Thompson and Ms Schneider began their work partnership in 1977 in a humble Wanguri clinic.
“Kaz loved of all sport and there began an amazing long term shared sports medicine journey – two bushies, not in it for a lot of bucks, who loved physical activity and saw it as a part of getting people back on the field again and overall health,” Dr Thompson said.
He says among his friend’s many good qualities were her readiness to be there for others.
It is something he remembers all too well during his own battle with cancer 12 years ago.
“In the same year that Kaz was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and I had to go to Adelaide to have major surgery,” he recalled.
“The first person to greet me apart from my family when I got off the plane to offer support and help, of course, was Kaz. So here is a person mulling along with the same diagnosis, she was there with bells on to help. I still have the card she gave me when I got off the plane, which just says ‘Call on me’.
“She was always available and would readily give up her time any hour of the day or night to help others.
“All the words that are being said on social media about Kaz are true. Everyone has a great story to tell about her. She was a beautiful, friendly, giving person. I have never met a person who had an axe to grind with Karen in the entire 25 years I was associated with her.
“Outside of Darwin there was 12 Masters Games, Arafura Games, and she would co-ordinate the eight or nine sports medicine doctors, some 20 physios needed.
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“This amazing lady touched the hearts of so many people, she had a heart of gold and I miss her greatly and countless others will too.”
Karen Schneider’s funeral is at Christ Church Cathedral Darwin on Smith Street on Friday at 2.30pm.
She is survived by her children Murray, Katie and Anthony and their families.
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