Meet Our 2025 Ambassadors
Applications for the Ambassador Program opened on 15 October, and we were thrilled to receive over 55 submissions. It was inspiring to see so many athletes eager to represent the program and to read the incredible stories shared in their applications. With such a high level of interest, selecting just 10 ambassadors for this year was a challenging task.
Without further ado, we are excited to announce our ambassadors for the 2025 Busselton Festival of Triathlon! Ambassadors are listed alphabetically by last name below.
Vanessa Atienza – Hipolito
Vanessa grew up in the Philippines and never imagined becoming a swimmer, runner, or cyclist. Her triathlon journey began in 2013 when she first learned to swim, opening the door to a new world of joy and personal growth. As a Radiologist, Clinical Director and business owner, Vanessa values discipline and self-care, principles she brings to her training. Now based in Western Australia, she embraces the state’s beautiful outdoors as her training playground, enjoying open water swims and connecting with inspiring friends along the way. Guided by the motto “Believe, Achieve, Succeed,” Vanessa is committed to continuous self-improvement while having fun. As an ambassador, she’s passionate about connecting with others and inspiring them to start their own fitness adventures.
David Buitendag
Dave is a proud ambassador for the 2025 Busselton 100. At 48, he lives in Perth with his wife, Emma, and daughter, Hannah. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Dave discovered endurance sports 25 years ago through 24-hour mountain bike racing in England. Since completing his first triathlon in Busselton in 2013, he has competed in numerous middle- and long-distance triathlons, as well as trail running, gravel racing, and mountain biking events across Western Australia. As a cyber security and technology professional, Dave values maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle and treasures the chance to compete in local events alongside family, friends, and the inspiring community. Passionate about giving back, he coaches at his local tri club and supports various worthy causes, sharing his love of triathlon with others.
Eternity Hausen
Eternity is a 35-year-old Perth local with 18 years of military experience and a deep love for the ocean. With a background in mental health, Eternity is passionate about inspiring others, particularly those who have faced mental health challenges, to embrace fitness and resilience through sport. As a new triathlete, she is committed to supporting fellow Veterans in reconnecting with fitness and believes in the importance of diversity in sport. For Eternity, the Busselton 100 is not just a physical challenge but an opportunity to grow mentally and emotionally. Her goals are to build resilience, embrace the journey, and complete the event injury-free while inspiring others along the way.
Dane Jobe
Dane is a husband and father of two young boys, working as a Mine Control Supervisor, managing a fleet of autonomous dump trucks in the Pilbara remotely from Perth. Originally from New Zealand, Dane moved to Perth at 19 and found his passion for fitness through playing rugby at a high level. After finishing his rugby career in 2018, he turned to running events to stay fit and motivated. Seeking variety, he discovered triathlon – despite having no real swimming background beyond jumping off Coogee Jetty and swimming back to the ladder. Over time, he progressed through the triathlon distances, improving his swimming and enjoying the journey along the way. Dane’s goal for the Busselton 100 is to beat his previous time across all legs and aim for a sub-5-hour finish.
Sasha Johnson
Sasha comes from a competitive swimming background, bringing extensive endurance experience and a deep passion for community-driven events. Despite her relatively short time in triathlon, she has made an impact through both leadership and performance. As a coach and athlete, Sasha is preparing for her debut Ironman on home soil in December 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, she is excited to join the Busselton Festival of Triathlon as an ambassador, inspiring others to embrace the sport and connect with the Triathlon WA community.
Ella Phelan
Ella, 23, is a passionate triathlon enthusiast whose life has been transformed by the sport. Thrilled to be an ambassador for the Busselton Festival of Triathlon, she looks forward to competing each year. Busselton holds a special place in her heart as the location of her first professional race, where she’s experienced some of her most challenging and rewarding moments. Ella is excited to race again in her favourite distance and continue her journey in this incredible sport!
Arthur Pitt
Arthur is a proud Indigenous, Torres Strait Islander man with a passion for endurance sports. His journey into endurance events began in 2023 when he trained for and completed the iconic New York Marathon as part of the Indigenous Marathon Project. In 2024, Arthur discovered triathlon at the Busselton Festival of Triathlon where he tackled the Foreshore Sprint and was instantly hooked. Since then, he has fallen in love with the sport and is dedicated to sharing his personal journey and inspiring others — particularly fellow Indigenous athletes — to get involved in triathlon. Up the Mob!
Fraser Shand
Fraser is a triathlete and foundation coach with the Fremantle Triathlon Club, passionate about sharing the training journey with others. Specialising in middle and long-distance events, this year’s Busso 100 presents another exciting opportunity for him to give his best in the 30-34 age group. After narrowly missing the top step by just 20 seconds last year, Fraser is determined to go for the win in 2025.
Oliver Terry
Oliver competed in his first Busselton Festival of Triathlon in 2020, and 2025 will mark his 6th time being on the start line at the event. After living in Busselton in 2024 to complete the penultimate year of his medical degree, Oli raced in the elite field of the Busselton 100 for the first time in May. He has since made his professional Ironman debut at Ironman 70.3 Western Australia. This race holds special significance for him, as it is where his triathlon journey began, and it remains his favorite race each year.
Madison Toovey
21-year-old Madi, also known as the “Official Toovinator,” has been involved in triathlon for over ten years and came up through the Junior Pathway program. In the past year, she has become a coach, and transitioned to long course racing. She is absolutely loving the challenge. Her first Busselton 100 (2024) was a stellar experience, and she’s excited to do it all again in 2025. Madi loves the community involvement at these events and is eager to continue being part of the incredible atmosphere. Bring on the next adventure!
About the 2025 BFOT Ambassador Program
We searched for passionate triathletes of all ages and experience levels (aged 18+) to share their training journey (Individual or teams) and race day experience for the Busselton 100. Their mission? Create engaging content, craft fun event-specific material, and boost the festival’s visibility on social media and within their networks. Through the ambassador program, we aim to attract more participants and celebrate the sport.
