Charity is winner

By Melissa Donchi
EXTREME weather conditions didn’t stop locals from Healesville and Upper Yarra from taking part in the Melbourne leg of Oxfam’s Trailwalker on Friday, 23 March.
With 630 teams, the 2520 participants attempted to walk 100km from Jells Park to Wesburn Park — and very nearly didn’t make it.
It was the unpredictable weather that unsettled walkers with the conditions switching from extreme heat to torrential rain within hours.
They were able to take a break on Friday when part of the walk was cancelled due to the heat and fire threats but on Saturday walkers faced a flood of torrential rain which really tested their endurance.
Healesville dentist Tony Dineen said the heat provided a major challenge to walkers wanting to win the race.
“Some teams ran part of the race to avoid the heat,” said Mr Dineen who described Friday’s conditions as ‘roasting’.
Mr Dineen’s team came seventh with an all-girl team taking out first prize in under 12 hours.
Healesville resident Kim Halit got as far as Silvan before two members of her team pulled out of the race with injuries.
“Sadly our team didn’t make it to the end,” Ms Halit said, “but we did get pretty close.” Ms Halit and her team walked 55km in 15 hours raising close to $3000.
Oxfam’s trailwalker is described as the ‘world’s greatest team challenge’ with teams of four trekking 100kms of Australian bush in less than 48 hours to raise at least $1000 to help overcome poverty and suffering around the world.
Teams must have a support team of family and friends who can help the team through the event and commit to raising at least $1000.
Millgrove resident Virginia Plummer found her team on Oxfam’s ‘teamfinder’ website and described the walk as a great experience.
“It’s a chance to get out there and make new friends,” Ms Plummer said. “My team was made up of people from different nationalities which made it really interesting as well.”
“It’s also a great walk because it’s achievable for anyone with reasonable fitness,” Ms Plummer said. “The people from Oxfam were so great on the day, it was so nice to hear them encouraging us to keep at it and pushing us on.”
Oxfam’s Trailwalker takes place at two locations in Australia every year, Melbourne in March/April and Sydney in August. It also takes place in New Zealand, UK, Hong Kong and Japan.