Oxfam Australia

Parks Victoria Notice - 1000 steps closure

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 16:03:18 +1100

The 1000 Steps / Kokoda Track Memorial Walk will be closed on 19 March 2010 for maintenance. Lyrebird Track between Link Track and One tree Hill picnic ground will also be closed whilst these works are conducted.

Go to Parks Victoria website for more information.

REMINDER: Check weather condition before you go

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1100

This weekend has given us a good reminder of the fluidity of Melbourne's weather, as some of our teams found out! Due to the recent storms and heavy rain some tracks may be slippery and eroded. With this in mind, we remind Trailwalkers to take care when training outdoors and remember it's always a good idea to check weather conditions on the trail before a training session.

For weather conditions and warnings go to the Bureau of Meteorology. Organisations such as the Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) feature bushfire-specific information which is current and extremely helpful. Also be aware that some parks will be closed in extreme weather conditions. You can keep an eye on park closures at Park Victoria website.

Common sense is the key for training in extreme weather. Refer to your Safety & Training manual for more information or check out our website.

Website undergoing technical updates

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 16:03:40 +1100

Please note we are currently experiencing technical difficulties with the Oxfam TRAILWALKER website as we begin the process of upgrading our servers. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Team fundraising totals which have been affected will be rectified.

Website down this Sunday AM for repairs

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1100

Please note the Oxfam Trailwalker website will not be accessible on Sunday 7 March from 8am to 3pm (AEDT) due do a technical upgrade taking place. Sorry for any incovenience caused.

Tree down in Alfred Nicholas gardens - HAS BEEN REMOVED

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +1100

The tree down in Alfred Nicholas Gardens has now been cleared thanks to Parks Victoria.

01 March 2010

There was a report of a tree down in Alfred Nicholas Gardens last week. The path is blocked off by tape due to a large mountain ash across it. You can easily detour by cutting through from the upper path to lower path via the steps. Will let you know once it has been cleared.

Trail Updates

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:02:59 +1100

We've made a few updates to our trail directions and you can find all the new information on the Trail section of the website.

Checkpoint 2 to 3
C – Still on Dargon Track, turn left at Nixon Rd (just after Sunset Trk) and then immediately right after gate into Monbulk Creek Retarding Basin. Follow the lake to Birds Land Reserve (keep the lake on your right) – this is a change to existing directions.

Checkpoint 4 to 5
FYI: KC Track is not marked and is hard to see. It is just to the left as Black Hole Track veers to the right – this is a just some more information, not a change in directions.

Checkpoint 6 to 7
M - When you come to a fork in the trail, take the left (high) side path. Then take the next right down gravel path to exit gate onto Dee Rd – this is a change to existing directions.

P - When you see high wire fence on your right hand side, turn right (just before water tower) and exit park gates onto Sussex St. Turn left and follow gravel road around to right, down to Kent St – this is a change to existing directions.

Checkpoint 7 to Finish
Complete update of instructions and map: CP7 – Finish Updated Map (PDF, 1MB)

Briefing Night - Thursday 25 March at Storey Hall, RMIT

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1100

The Oxfam TRAILWALKER Briefing Night date is now locked in. Please put Thursday 25 March in your diaries and join us at RMIT's Storey Hall.

What is the Briefing Night all about?
The Briefing Night covers important logistical and safety information for teams and support crews. Your Support Crew Info & Map Book and Vehicle Pass will also be distributed on the night. It is compulsory for at least one member from first- time teams to attend the evening.

Due to the popularity of this event we will be running two sessions; the first at 5.00pm and the second at 7.00pm. Please send us one RSVP per team via the RSVP buttons below.

When: Thursday 25 March; 5.00pm & 7.00pm info sessions. Q&A at 6.30pm

Where: Storey Hall, RMIT City Campus (enter Swanston St, near corner of La Trobe St). Click here for a full campus map.

Parking: Nearest parking options are Melbourne Central, A'Beckett St or on-street parking in nearby streets (these spaces are limited and metered).

Public Transport: Melbourne Central train station is 200m away. Trams 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 16, 24, 30, 64, 74 and the City Circle all pass by within 100m of Storey Hall

RSVP
5.00pm Session - RSVP 1 Person attending: click here
5.00pm Session - RSVP 2 People attending: click here
5.00pm Session - RSVP 3 People attending: click here
5.00pm Session - RSVP 4+ People attending: click here

7.00pm Session - RSVP 1 Person attending: click here
7.00pm Session - RSVP 2 People attending: click here
7.00pm Session - RSVP 3 People attending: click here
7.00pm Session - RSVP 4+ People attending: click here

Sessions run for approximately 90 minutes, and attendees are welcome to stay or come early for the optional Q&A time at 6.30pm. Please RSVP via the buttons above, or send us an email if you have any questions.

Oxfam TRAILWALKER merchandise now available

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1100

The official shirts for Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne are now available to purchase on the Paddy Pallin website. There are men's and women's tops available in black and grey.

Custom team printing is also available. Visit the Paddy Pallin website to download the order form.

Don Road Safety - between Old Don Rd & Ferngully Rd

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 13:02:32 +1100

We are concerned about he number of reports of Trailwalker participants walking on Don Road between Old Don Rd and Ferngully Rd (CP6 to CP7 - map book direction I & J). There is a small path on the left hand side of this section, although the path is not always clear the grass surrounding it has been cut giving participants plenty of room.

While this section of Don Rd looks like a nice quite country road it is frequently used by the local residents, has a speed limit of 80km/h and poor sight lines, making it dangerous for groups of people to be walking along it. We ask all Trailwalker participants NOT to walk on this section of road and stay on the path as outlined in map book instructions - as this is the safest route.

Watch for snakes on the trail!

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +1100

We share our beautiful trail with australia's flora and fauna, in particular snakes. Now we don't want to scare you but as the weather gets warmers, snake activity does increase. They thrive in warm weather and are most active on warm nights. Snakes are not naturally aggressive and always prefer to retreat. They will only attack humans if hurt or provoked - most bites occur when people try to kill or capture snakes. Snakes normally avoid people, but there is an element of risk so we ask you just to be alert.

We do not profess to be experts on snakes but we have sourced some helpful tips on what to do if you see a snake while training:

Watch your step!
Don't panic. Parks Victoria advise to stand still or stamp. Snakes nearly always move away when they feel footstep vibrations. Other advice is to just calmly walk the other way.
Use a torch and take particular care when walking at night and wear shoes or boots as protection
Remember to carry a first aid kit with you just in case.

Remember snakes are a protected species.

Check weather conditions before training on the trail!

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:12:17 +1100

Summer is upon us once again and it is a good idea to check weather conditions on the trail before heading out for a training session. Last summer brought with it tragic bushfires across Victoria in particular and with this in mind, we ask our Trailwalkers to take care this summer when training outdoors.

We will continue to update participants about important trail and safety information in eNews and through Latest News. However we recommend you check conditions yourself before you head out. Organisations such as the Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) feature bushfire-specific information which is current and extremely helpful. Also be aware that some parks will be closed in extreme weather conditions. You can keep an eye on park closures at Park Victoria website.

When the thermostat rises, your team should refer to these websites as well as other news sources to ensure you stay away from bushfire affected or threatened areas.
Common sense is the key for training in extreme weather. Refer to your Safety & Training manual for more information or check out our website.

As always we ask Trailwalkers to be careful out on the trail. Make sure you carry plenty of water, stay hydrated and try to keep cool when its hot!

Follow us on Twitter

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:12:09 +1100

Oxfam TRAILWALKER has 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 2010, such as ‘Info Night’ and ‘Superleg Sunday’
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.

Training on Don Rd, Launching Place

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:12:11 +1100

The trail crosses numerous roads throughout the route. Oxfam TRAILWALKER endeavours to provide marshals at busy road crossings during the Event. We ask participants to take special care at all road crossings and obey pedestrian lights, particularly during training.

On the new super leg section (between checkpoints 6 and 7), you should take particular care when walking along Don Rd (between markers C and F in your Map Book) as the road is narrow and the speed limit is 80km/hr. You should walk on the right hand side of the road, against traffic, in single file and as close to the verge as possible. If you plan to walk this section at night, then it is advisable to have head torches and reflective gear on, so that oncoming traffic can see you clearly.

Take care when training!

Take care training on the Melba Track

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +1100

A couple of teams have reported they found the Melba Track to be steep, slippery and difficult to walk on. This particular track falls half way between checkpoints 4 and 5 and has a very steep decline of (as highlighted in your map books).

We ask teams to support each other on the trail and for all participants to be very cautious of the slippery terrain and take it very slowly down the Melba Track.

To view the 2010 trail click here.

TEAM REGISTRATIONS CLOSED!!

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +1100

Registrations for Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne 2010 have now closed.

With 700 teams having registered since the event opened on October 1, we can now announce that all team places have been filled.

Want to join a registered team? Post an ad on the Singlesboard where you'll find teams looking for walkers looking for teams.

If you'd like to help us put on an amazing Oxfam TRAILWALKER event, then read more about joining our 800+ volunteers.

TRAIL: Planned Burn near Trail

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:11:52 +1100

If you are planning on training tomorrow (Saturday 7th November) please be aware that Parks Victoria are conducting a planned burn near Silvan Reservoir. The planned burn will occur just east of Silvan Rd between Chalet Rd & Boundary Rd to the edge of Silvan Reservoir. While the burn will not occur on the trail it is relitively close (within approximately 750m) so please be cautious and take care.

Happy Training!

You're our eyes and ears on the trail!

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 10:11:03 +1100

Unfortunately the Trailwalker Team are unable to be out on the trail as regularly as we would like or as our marvellous teams in training, we appreciate your support as being our eyes and ears on the trail. If you see anything let us know. For example; footbridges closed or damaged / fallen trees, new fences, gates or buildings erected on the trail or at checkpoints.

You can keep us informed by email carrief@oxfam.org.au or phone 03 9289 9489

Happy Training!

TRAIL: TRAINING ON THE TRAIL IN NOVEMBER

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +1100

Please be aware that until the end of November Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria will be carrying out the last of their spring Planned Burning.

We will regularly update the latest news section if there are Planned Burns that will affect your access to the Trailwalker trail. But you can also check for upcoming planned burns that are due to be ignited, or check for burns that have already been ignited, by visiting Burns Today on DSE website, particularly important if you are training in other areas. You can also listen to your local ABC or commercial radio station for updates about burns in your area.

You can also call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 for information on planned burns.

You can get more information on Planned Burning here.

Summary of 2009 Team Awards

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +1000

On June 23, the Trailwalker Awards Night took place at BMW Edge, Federation Square. The Awards night is a night to celebrate the success of Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne 2009 and to say thanks to everyone who made it happen. Here is a summary of our 2009 award winners:

FASTEST TEAMS
Fastest Team Melbourne Midday Milers
Second Fastest Team Upstreamfoundation.org
Third Fastest Team Best Boys
Fastest Over 40's Team Best Boys
Fastest Over 50's Team The Jana Spectres
Fastest Over 60's Team Henry 4 x 60+
Fastest Female Team Women on the Run
Fastest Mixed Team Partnerunning HardInTheSlush

SPECIAL AWARDS
State Street Overcoming The Odds Kathy Long (It's Only A Flesh Wound)
State Street Corporate Fundraising Award Deloitte
Asia Miles - TW Hong Kong Upstream Five Triple Two

HIGHEST CATEGORY FUNDRAISERS
Advertising, Media, Marketing & Sales The Roaring 40's $10,079
Retail, Hospitality, Tourism, Recruitment & HR The A Team $15,465
Sporting Clubs & Recreation The Tigers $21,313
Banking Sole Survivors $10,415
Construction & Property Kane Toads $13,853
Financial Services Nevermore $27,720
Government, Community, Defence & Emerg. Services The Hoplites $11,081 Health, Education, Science & Technology 4 Penny G $20,000
IT & Telecommunications Pronto Old Shane $14,538
Law Orangeutans $7,382
Manufacturing, Engineering and Mining The Proclaimers $12,278
Open Us4 $28,865

HIGHEST OVERALL FUNDRAISERS
Highest Fundraising Team Us4 $28,865
Second Highest Fundraising Team Nevermore $27,720
Third Highest Fundraising Team RSY $27,620

Check out the awards page on our website for more information.