Oxfam Australia

It's a wrap for TRAILWALKER Melbourne 2011

Sun, 3 Apr 2011 10:04:43 +1000

Congratulations to all TRAILWALKER 2011 participants for the taking the challenge and helping to support Oxfam Australia’s vital work around the world to help poor communities overcome poverty and injustice.

To walk 100kms in less than 48 hours is an astonishing achievement. The 2011 event has already reached over $2.3 million and thanks to your hard work and dedication, Oxfam Australia is on its way to reach our $3 million target.

This year’s Melbourne 2011 event has been memorable in so many ways.

Team Yettlum Meat broke the trail record set in 2009 by 12 minutes, crossing the line in 10 hours and 23 minutes.

Out of the 2860 people who started the event, 2332 participants (eighty one percent of walkers) crossed the line in under the 48 hour time set with the last team finishing at 3.05am on Sunday morning. The average team finishing time was 28 hours and two minutes.

Ninety five percent of teams finished the event with at least one team member crossing the line and fifty four percent of teams finished as a complete team of four.

An event of this size couldn’t happen without the help of our 900 volunteers who generously donated their time and skills over the weekend. Oxfam Australia and the Trailwalker team thank them.

Well done team for another successful Trailwalker event. We hope to see you all next year.

A Trailwalker proposal!

Sat, 2 Apr 2011 20:40:06 +1000

What would you like to see waiting for you at the 100km finish line? Champagne? Clean socks? How about your partner on bended knee with an engagement ring?

Well for Kay Wotherspoon of Team 706 that was a reality, and what an amazing moment it must have been to experience the elation of walking 100km and getting engaged all at once.

Here at HQ we love to hear Trailwalker love stories and wish the happy couple all the best. May they have many long walks together hand-in-hand!

Coming in thick and fast!

Sat, 2 Apr 2011 20:09:00 +1000

Well it's 7pm on Saturday night and we have 138 teams yet to cross the finish line. They're a speedy bunch, this lot!

Not only have we seen a Trailwalker record broken this year for the fastest team, they're also helping quickly us get closer and closer to our fundraising target which is currently at $2,336,156. Got to love high achievers!

The boss is over the line!

Sat, 2 Apr 2011 18:04:32 +1000

Well he made it... Oxfam Australia Executive Director Andrew Hewett has just crossed the finish line.

I'll admit, there were doubters within Oxfam. Some thought he might not make it, but it looks like all of his training has indeed paid off. With his team The Old Flames 1 he made it to the 100km mark after 35 hours and 44 minutes, spot on their estimated time. Go Andrew, you've done Oxfam proud!

Elite runners home in record time ...

Sat, 2 Apr 2011 15:04:21 +1000

As almost 3000 Australians attempt to complete a gruelling 100km trail in 48 hours for Oxfam Australia, Melbourne TRAILWALKER 2011 has already been a record breaking event with the first team Yelttum Meat home in only 10 hours 23 minutes more than an hour and 19 minutes faster than their nearest rival Phil lost his insulin pen.

Starting at 8.30am, the team of four Rohan Day (from Aspendale Gardens), Clint Van Beveren (from Elwood), Chris Wight (from Fitzroy North), and Michael Clarke (from Lilydale), crossed the finish line to break the current record set in 2009 by 12 minutes. The team previously set a TRAILWALKER record in 2008.

Rohan Day, from Aspendale, said that the team ran the entire 100km and attributes their success to the ongoing training they have done since the beginning of the year and a fantastic support team of five people.

“We are ecstatic to break the Melbourne TRAILWALKER record but we couldn’t have done it without our support crew who have been training with us since beginning of the year. We are extremely lucky to have one dedicated support crew for each runner. It’s a collaborative team win,” Mr Day said.

Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne challenges 700 teams of four to walk 100 kilometres from Jells Park in Wheelers Hill to Wesburn Park in the Yarra Valley in under 48 hours and raise at least $1000 each for Oxfam Australia.

The first team to complete the 100km course – having set off in the first wave at 7.00am - was Phil lost his insulin pen. Two members, Stephen Whitehead and David Overend, were part of the fastest team in 2010, and broke their personal record by 47 minutes by running the 100kms in 11 hours and 42 minutes.

Despite the surprise of having a later starting team covering the course quicker, team member and Mount Waverly resident, Steve Tabone, said he was very happy with the team’s results.

“We had no idea there was a team that fast behind us until the last 15kms. But it pushed us to run even faster to reach the finish line. It has been a great day and we are extremely happy with our result and for team Yettlum Meat,” Said Mr Tabone.

Victorian Shadow Treasurer and Minister of Industry Tim Holding MP and Team Holding also performed a personal best by finishing the 100km endurance event with a time of 13 hours and 28 minutes, two hours and 24 minutes ahead of last year.

Mr Holding said he was ecstatic with his team’s effort and the overall spirit of the event.

“It’s fantastic to be a part of Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne, one of the toughest endurance walks and an event with such a long history and strong community following.

“It’s been rewarding not only to achieve a personal best time but to help Oxfam Australia raise much needed funds for people living in poverty both at home and overseas,” Mr Holding said.

Finishing the trail in fourth place, Crew Crosbie Girls team were the first all women’s team to cross the in 12 hours and 24 minutes.

In a doubly impressive feat of endurance, a dedicated team of Papua New Guinean runners called Trek96 finished the event in sixteenth place, after running 96km of the Kokoda Trail on Sunday March 27 before catching a plane in time to participate in Oxfam Trailwalker and run another 100kms.

The 2011 event has already raised $2.3 million to support Oxfam’s work. Oxfam Australia Executive Director Andrew Hewett said Australians could help the agency reach its $3.0 million target by showing their support for teams taking part.

“To walk 100kms in less than 48 hours is an astonishing achievement. These are everyday Australians who challenge themselves to the limit to raise money for Oxfam’s work to help people around the world find lasting solutions to poverty,” Mr Hewett said.

Oxfam TRAILWALKER has raised $30 million for Oxfam Australia’s work over the past 12 years, supporting the organisation’s work which includes providing water and sanitation, health, emergency response and food security in countries across South and East Asia, Southern Africa, the Pacific and Indigenous Australia.

Friends, family and fans can check on the progress of teams, or make donations, through the Oxfam TRAILWALKER website www2.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker/melbourne/

250 teams finished hooray! Many more heading towards checkpoint 7

Sat, 2 Apr 2011 15:04:06 +1000

As of 4.20pm, already 250 Oxfam Tailwalker teams have crossed the finishing line, after a gruelling 100km walk. It looks like the majority of teams 131 in total are heading toward checkpoint 7. If all goes to plan we should hopefully see the group in 5 to 6 hours time, fingers crossed!

Teams continue to walk 100kms

Sat, 2 Apr 2011 12:04:42 +1000

As team continue to stream onto the finishing there still many teams on the trail.

Heading toward checkpoint 7 is Andrew Hewett, Executive Director for Oxfam and his team the Old Flames 1. This is the first time Andrew has participated in the event and it looks like the team is walking in good time.

Walking to the same checkpoint is inspirational Peter Edwards and his guide dog Barry who has added challenge of walking the 100km trail blind. His team the Young Visionaries are local Melbourne participants who raised so far $7,785 for Oxfam Australia. What a great effort to both teams and we look foward to seeing you and the rest of TRAILWALKER participates at the finishing line!

Hold on Mr Holding

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 20:04:48 +1000

Shadow Minister for Industry Tim Holding MP and two of his teammates from Team Holding didn't have any trouble finding the finish line for this bushwalk. They've just crossed the finish line, with a superb time of 13 hours and 28 mins. As well as an impressive time, they've also managed to raise more than $4600 for Oxfam Australia's work. What a brilliant effort!

Yes We Can!

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 18:48:00 +1000

Congratulations to team Yes We Can who who are currently the highest fundraising team, to date having raised just over $40,246! What a fantastic achievement to team members Graeme Head, Harry Korras, Nick Diamond and Peter Kyriopoulos.

Well done to all Oxfam Trailwalker participants, through your hardwork and commitment to Oxfam Australia we have raised over $2.3 million, every step closer to our target of $3 million!

Teams set a cracking pace

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 18:37:59 +1000

It's not even 4pm and already we already have seven teams making their way to Checkpoint 7. For those not down with Trailwalker speak, Checkpoint 7 is 93km into the 100km trail. Woooowzers that's fast!

Only 7km to go for Team 456!

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 18:35:00 +1000

Team 456 have just passed through Checkpoint 7, which means that they only have seven kilometres to go. David Overend, Ray Boulter, Stephen Whitehead and Steve Tabone call themselves "Phil lost his insulin pen" (Not sure who Phil is, but he certainly doesn't have time to go back for that pen now!) and at this point are looking very likely to be the fastest team in Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2011! We better get that champagne to the finish line because at this rate, we could have a winning team within the hour...

We have a winner, and a record!

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 18:34:00 +1000

Congratulations to Team 463, Yelttum Maet, who have just crossed the finish line and broken the record for Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne! Chris Wight, Clint Van Beveren, Michael Clarke and Rohan Day came through with a smashing time of 10 hours and 23 minutes,crossing the finish line at 6:53pm. Not only did they win, break the record, they also managed it with a sleep-in today by starting in the 8:30 start. How did they do it? Stay tuned, we'll have quotes direct from the team shortly...

Coming up from behind!

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 18:33:00 +1000

In breaking news, currently our winning team set off at the 8:30 start, an hour and a half after a third of the teams set off. Team 463, who call themselves "Yelttun Mate", at just after 3pm are between Checkpoints 5 and 6. What an effort! Stay tuned for more details as we follow their amazing progress!

And they're off!

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 18:30:00 +1000

This morning 3000 people set off on the Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne 2011! It might have been April Fools Day, but there was no kidding around as 720 teams geared up for a seriously long walk. It was a beautiful, crisp and sunny morning and conditions are set to be perfect all day. So far because of their extraordinary efforts, they have raised over $2.2 million for Oxfam Australia's work to help people around the world overcome poverty.

GO TEAMS!!

Where's the big boss?

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +1000

...last spotted at Lysterfield Lake.

This year Oxfam Australia's Executive Director Andrew Hewett is competing in Trailwalker, and for the first time will experience the pain and glory that thousands of Australians have put themselves through to support Oxfam. He was last spotted coming into Checkpoint 4 with his team the Old Flames. They're aiming for a steady pace to complete the walk in 35 hours, so are certainly off to a great start.

TRAIL UPDATES: Current Track Conditions and Closures

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +1100

The following sections of the trail are still closed due to damage. In mind of your own safety and in order to protect the parks and tracks from further damage, we advise that you DO NOT TRAIN on these sections until further notice. Parks Victoria have the jurisdiction to fine any persons found on closed tracks or parks.

Current closures:

Start to Checkpoint 1

Gravel footpath between directions D & E is currently closed due to flood damage and will not be used for the Event. Please use alternate trails during training. An updated map with be available next week.
Churchill National Park is currently closed, so you can only walk to the 24 hour car park on Churchill Park Drive.
The main Dandenong Creek Trail is now open but visitors are urged to use caution due to flood damage from recent heavy rainfall. In particular at Ferntree Gully Rd underpass, Wellington Rd underpass and Eastlink underpass as these are subject to flooding with only moderate rainfalls.

Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2 – entire section closed

Due to extensive storm damage many parts of Churchill National Park and Lysterfield Park are considered dangerous.
The only area of Lysterfield Park currently open is the Lake picnic area. Please note opening times have been changed to 10.00am to 5.00 pm.

Checkpoint 2 to Checkpoint 3

Hill Climb Track between directions P & Q - an alternative is to use Coles Ridge Track to Grants Picnic Ground then cross Monbulk Rd and take Clematis Track to Sherbrooke Lodge Rd. From Sherbrooke Lodge Rd continue to O'Donohue Track and follow this until you reach the intersection of Hillclimb & Sherbrooke (direction Q in map book) to rejoin original trail. This will add approximately 1km to the distance.

Checkpoint 6 to Checkpoint 7

Don Road – a reminder that we have advised teams NOT to train on this section of road as it is an 80km zone and not safe for walking on. On Event weekend there will be a number of traffic management treatments in place to ensure your safety. Click here for the alternative training walk for this section.

We will keep you updated as and when these section reopen.

Current conditions:

Start to Checkpoint 1

The main Dandenong Creek Trail is now open but visitors are urged to use caution due to flood damage from recent heavy rainfall. In particular at Ferntree Gully Rd underpass, Wellington Rd underpass and Eastlink underpass as these are subject to flooding with only moderate rainfalls.

Checkpoint 2 to Checkpoint 3

Birds Land Reserve between directions C & E - the tracks around Monbulk Creek Retarding Basin are now open and repaired.
Bellbird Reserve between directions G & H - repair works are currently under in this section however it is still open.
Lovers Walk between directions I & J - repair works are scheduled for 15th to 18th March during which time the track will be closed. It is currently open however the track is in a poor condition so please be careful.

We always recommend you check conditions yourself before you head out. Check out CFA, Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria.

TRAIL UPDATE: Hillclimb Track update

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:02:08 +1100

Hillclimb Track, between Checkpoint 2 and 3, directions P to Q in your Map Book, has been closed by Parks Victoria.

We are now hopeful that Parks Victoria will be able to repair the track in time for the Event. For now it is still considered dangerous and therefore teams are not permitted to train on it.

We will keep you posted on further updates as we receive them.

To check the status of park closures go to the Parks Victoria Website

TRAIL UPDATE: Changes to Trail for Event Weekend

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:02:34 +1100

Due to the damage of some areas of the trail, as a result of the heavy rainfall over the past couple of weeks, we have had to make some small changes for the Event. Maps will be updated on the website in the coming week, however in the meantime here is a summary of the changes made.

Start to Checkpoint 1

Directions D & E - Gravel footpath will no longer be used. You will use Dandenong Creek Trail through Jells Park South instead.

Directions Q & R - Kangaroo Track & Channel Track will no longer be used. You will use Army Road instead.

Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2

Directions B to E - Bellbird and North Boundary Tracks will no longer be used. You will use Bayview & Stonemasons Track instead

Directions G to H - Acacia Nature Trail will no longer be used. You will continue along Casuarina Track instead.

Checkpoint 3 to Checkpoint 4

Directions A to C - Lloyds Track will no longer be used. You will use Tan Track instead.

Directions D to H - The track around the back of the toilets in Alfred Nicholas Gardens will no longer be used. Instead you will use the main track all the way to the back gate.

TRAIL NEWS: Check before you go!

Fri, 4 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +1100

If you're thinking of training on the Trail we highly recommend that you ALWAYS check with authorities before heading out there. At different times of the year the Trail is subject to; flooding, fire, controlled burns, fallen trees and other natural hazards.

We recommend you check conditions yourself before you head out. Websites to check are CFA, Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria.

On the Parks Victoria website look out for information under the following headings:

Churchill National Park
Dandenong Valley Parklands
Dandenong Police Paddocks
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Jells Park
Lysterfield Park
Yarra Ranges National Park

Also be aware that Park Victoria will close the parks during the day if it gets extremely hot or any tracks become damaged.

If you get into any trouble when walking in Parks Victoria areas or notice any damage to track you can call the 24 hour Parks Victoria Information Centre for help on 13 1963.

Please be careful out on the trail when you are training, and follow standard safety procedures: carry one or more phones, take plenty of water and food, tell someone you're going and when you'll be back.

TRAIL NEWS: Handy Trail Tips - Checkpoint 4 to 5

Thu, 3 Feb 2011 17:02:09 +1100

Team Rabble did a training walk from Checkpoint 4 to 5 overnight and passed on some handy hints that may be useful to all teams:

Black Hole Track: between F and H is narrow and pretty overgrown. Caution needs to be taken as it is quite steep sided. We strongly advise that you have a really good night light...and SPARE batteries !

Rifle Range Gully Track: between points H and I has many trees down across what is a very narrow overgrown track. Be careful as there are also a lot of blackberry brambles along this whole section to trap the unwary face/arms etc! And lots of ankle wrapping tree roots.

NB: Parks Victoria have plans to remove the trees down on the tracks and cut back the overgrowth in the coming weeks.

Olinda Creek Track: make sure that you stick to the main path - the one that does not meander up and down the hill ( the hilly version being Pipe track.) There is one section about halfway along Olinda Creek between M and N where this was a little confusing as there is no sign, just remember to stick to the lower, much larger gravel path.

At direction P have patience: the bridge is a little further past the toilets along the track than you think and the track is not well defined.

Thanks Trisha, Michael, Richard and Sandy for these helpful hints. If anyone else notices trees down on the trail or have some other handy hints please let us email us.

Printing Corrections

Mon, 6 Dec 2010 10:12:18 +1100

Thanks to our eagle-eyed participants for bringing two small printing errors to our notice:

Event Handbook (Page 7)
Checkpoint 3 should read Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve and not Grants Picnic Ground.

Map Book CP3-CP4 (Map 1 of 2)
Between markers G and I there are two more markers, one labelled "3.5km" and one labelled H. Both these markers are incorporated in written instruction H, which starts at the first marker.

NOTES ON MAP BOOK DIRECTIONS

Mon, 6 Dec 2010 10:12:03 +1100

There has been some reports of confusion on a couple of sections of the trail. Hopefully the notes below clarify the direction in the map book:

• Lipscombe Track – The track disappears at you get to the houses. Continue behind the houses and down the hill until you reach the main road – Monbulk Rd.

• Alfred Nichols Gardens between Checkpoint 3 & 4 - at direction E the path becomes smaller and might appear to disappear, but you should walk around the water tank and behind the toilet block (keeping it on your right). Then continue on gravel path heading away from toilet block, it’s only a short distance to the main path again.

Follow us on Twitter

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 10:47:00 +1000

In 2009, Oxfam TRAILWALKER launched its own Twitter site, using the name OAUSTRAILWALKER and the hashtag #OTWM. Our Oxfam TRAILWALKER staff is taking turns at posting Tweets on the subjects of:

The Trail itself, including trail updates, health & safety, and weather
Fundraising tips, including links to Teamspace pages
Training walks – yes we go out on the Trail and we’re happy to see you there too!
Key milestones in the lead up to April 2011, such as 'Briefing Night', ‘Info Night’ and Training Walks
Support Crew tips and tricks
Supporters and Sponsors, without whom …

We also encourage our followers, whether they are Trailwalkers, Support Crews or general Oxfam supporters, to use this facility to keep each other informed on these topics – if you’ve had a brilliant fundraising idea, share it on Twitter and let people copy you. If you’re doing it easy in training, share it on Twitter so others can emulate your success. And don’t forget to use #OTWM so others can search for your Tweets easily.

Finding Out More

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +1000

If you’re reading this, chances are you are interested in participating or being a volunteer in 2011, or you have previously made a donation to support a Trailwalker team in their commitment to walk 100 kilometres in 48 hours. Have you ever wondered what happens to your donation after that?

Our website is a great resource for learning more about our programs!

For example, this video explores one of our projects in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, which is working with children orphaned by HIV to improve their lives. If you want to know more about Oxfam Australia, our website is a great place to start.

If you're interested in participating, we're open for business on October 01 2010 - keep coming back to the site to register from that date.

If you would like to join our ranks of awesome volunteers, we'll be open from December 2010 and we'll publicise details closer to the date.

No matter how you want to be involved - thank you for contributing.