TERESA van Kalken was born 53 years ago at the Maryborough Base Hospital, growing up on her family’s farm in Toogoom, where her parents owned a sprawling citrus property, Teresa remembers those early days warmly. 

“Growing up in Toogoom was great,” she says. 

“We just walked to the beach or rode our bikes around the area—it didn’t take long to get anywhere.”

Her childhood, however, wasn’t without challenges. 

At seven years old, Teresa had a life-changing motorbike accident on the farm when she collided head-on with her brother. 

Despite being instructed always to ride in the same direction, the siblings went opposite ways, meeting in a blind spot.

Teresa suffered a broken femur, and her brother sustained fractures to his eye socket and collarbone.

The accident left Teresa with a leg that stopped growing, resulting in a seven-centimetre length discrepancy. 

Over the years, she endured several surgeries, including a successful procedure at 18 that lengthened her leg to its proper size. 

Though the recovery process was gruelling—spending three months in the hospital—Teresa’s resilience shone through. 

Teresa credits her parents for instilling that sense of resilience and determination. 

Growing up on a farm wasn’t always easy, and witnessing her parents face challenges head-on taught her the importance of perseverance. 

“Farming isn’t the easiest job,” she reflects.

“Watching my parents struggle and overcome tough times made me stronger.”

Her first real job was at Madigan's, where she prepared and served seafood, and later she worked at a video store on the Esplanade, where she met her husband Stephen or Steve as he is better known, who happened to be best friends with the manager. 

Their frequent interactions soon blossomed into romance. 

Their first date was at a pizza shop, but what truly won Teresa's heart were the daily anonymous flower deliveries Steve arranged for two weeks. 

"It was so sweet," she recalls.

The couple eventually married and built a life together, raising two daughters, Jessica and Emma. 

Four years ago, Teresa faced a life-threatening battle with sepsis. 

What began as a seemingly minor pimple on her leg escalated rapidly.

Feeling unwell, she pushed through the day, only to find herself in the hospital hours later, fighting for her life. 

“My blood pressure was so low that the nurse told Steve I was just hours away from death,” Teresa recalls.

She underwent two surgeries and endured weeks of treatment. 

Ultimately, her resilience prevailed, and she emerged stronger, determined to make the most of life.

Today, Teresa takes time to enjoy life. 

A passionate runner, she recalls her first 5-kilometre run ten years ago, a milestone that sparked a love for fitness. 

Since then, she’s completed three marathons, finding joy not only in the events but also in the training and friendships formed.

“Staying healthy and fit makes you feel good, both physically and mentally,” she says. 

“If you feel good about yourself you present better to those around you.

There’s nothing better than pushing past your limits and achieving something you thought was impossible. The feeling afterwards is amazing.”

Now proud grandparents, Teresa and Steve love spending time with their grandchildren and find immense joy in watching them grow.

Teresa’s two dogs, Harper and Ruby, are her constant companions, bringing even more happiness to her days. 

A self-described “happy-go-lucky” person, she loves a good laugh, spending time with friends, and embracing life’s adventures.

Her motto? “Life’s what you make it, so rip off the band-aids and give it a go.”

By Kim Parnell

From What’s On Fraser Coast Magazine