◦ Barbra Cowan was born, raised and educated in South Australia

 

◦ She trained and worked as a teacher, with a focus on Special Education, working hard to make the future

   prospects of countless young people better than they may otherwise have been

 

◦ Throughout her life, she engaged in outdoor activities, challenging herself and others to move beyond their

   previously known limits

 

◦ She travelled extensively, living in England, Japan and New Zealand – and in all of these places she engaged in

   hiking, sailing, skiing and other outdoor activities

 

◦ Barbra encouraged those she came into contact with to enjoy new experiences, meet new people and attempt new pursuits

 

◦ Over the last 8+ years of her life, Barbra fought cancer, ultimately losing the battle in February 2014, aged 45

 

◦ In the last 12 months of her life, she was also debilitated by lymphedema

 

◦ As an enduring tribute to her passion, drive and life philosophy, Butterflies for Barbra has been established with the aim of encouraging  interconnectedness between people of different nations through outdoor pursuits, and in particular the walking of the entire Heysen  Trail as the primary goal