AT the end of 2006, Penrith Golf Pro Jonathan Green, and his great mate local solicitor Mark Mulock were having a long lunch, when the discussion popped up on exactly what could they do to raise money for local charities that really needed funds.
“I reckon I could run to Katoomba” Greeny stated. “What if we walk to Orange?’ Mules asked. After to-ing and fro-ing they settled on “Why don’t we meet in the middle and walk to Bathurst?” And thus The Great Walk Foundation was spawned!
On the inaugural trek in 2007 there were 6 walkers who accepted the challenge. Greeny, Mules, Dave Crossman, Robbie Wearn, Darren Latty, and me. We started off from the Lapstone Hotel with one member of our road crew, the late great Jimmy Small, and headed up the mountain to cover the 160 kms between Blaxland and Bathurst.
By Springwood most of us couldn’t walk because of blisters. But we made it into Bathurst some 5 days later with every muscle and bone in our bodies feeling foreign to us all.
We quickly decided that from ‘now on’ we would start at Bathurst and finish at Blaxland (downhill). We also quickly learned that going forward to navigate such a walk we would need a lot more help, in particular a podiatrist and a physio, and “hey a doctor would be good too”! Enter Trent Baker, Sarah Green, Cam McInnes, and Tony Bowden.
In fact, the list of walkers has grown considerably over the years with many more local businessmen and women joining the team. Greg Nelson, Graeme O’Kell, Diane Azzopardi, and Sean Hogan to name but a few.
As the 18th edition of The Great Walk kicks off there has been 4 walkers who have completed every single edition of this marathon. Jonathan Green, Mark Mulock, Robbie Wearn, and Dave Crossman.
This year’s walk will be tainted with a touch of sadness after we lost the charismatic “Crossy” to a brain tumour last December. Crossy was the heartbeat of the Walk, being the first up in the morning to walk and the last to bed. Often amusing the locals along the way with a fit of laughter with his jokes, a dance move or 3 thrown in, as well as the occasional arm wrestle. He is going to be mighty missed.
So far the GWF has helped the following charities: Penrith Community Kitchen, Great Community Transport, The Haven, Life start Co-op, Springwood Hospital Aged Care, Blue Mountains District Hospital, Riding for Disabled, Nepean Hospital Kids Ward, Westcare, The Luke Priddis Foundation, and many more. In fact just over $2 million has been raised for those who truly need the assistance.
The Great walk Foundation is a registered charity so please be encouraged to make a tax deductible donation to the Foundation. I’ll put up the bank details at the end of this yarn. The walk started on Monday the 26th with Bathurst to Tarana being the first leg. Then Tarana to Lithgow, Lithgow to Blackheath, Blackheath to Hazlebrook, then the walk home on Friday the 30th from Hazlebrook to the Lapstone Hotel.
This Friday night there will be a celebration at “The Lappo” for all the walkers and their families and friends that anyone is encouraged to attend. The awesome cover band “Nuthin Fancy” will play and the night will be a blast.
The Great Walk Foundation would also like to thank their sponsors Mulgoa Quarries, Penrith Waste services, Direct Accounting, and Equiptrade.
I want to take this opportunity in thanking the thousands over the years who have been generous enough to donate to the Great Walk with every single cent going to those charities that most need it.
We all hope to see you along the way in what is going to be another fantastic adventure of fun, focus, and soreness. If you wish to donate here are the bank details of the GWF.
NAB – BSB: 082 778
Acc: 81 203 8012
Or email info@greatwalkfoundation.com.au
www.greatwalkfoundation.com.au
See you on the mountain…..
Don’t forget, if you’re looking for a new car contact my great mate at Sinclair Hyundai, Toby Hughes.
MG (random Westie) OAM
