Walking enthusiast steps out for record

A GROUP milestone nearly seventeen years in the making was set by a longtime participant of the Smythesdale Walking Group last week.

Jennifer van Maanenberg completed her regular group walk on Thursday morning to be met at Smythesdale Gardens with a surprise celebration of her 500th walk with the group which included her 96-year-old mother in attendance.

Ms van Maanenberg said she was shocked by the gesture.

“I’m a bit overwhelmed by all this,” she said. “Walking’s always been a big part of my life, and my husband and I have been part of this group since we moved to the area.

“I just love being out in the bush, that’s the main thing for me as well as the exercise, and of course you get to meet like-minded people to share that love with.

“It’s that love of the bush and that love of finding new places to explore and experience with new people that I don’t think we would’ve met before otherwise.”

Together with her husband, Ms van Maanenberg has been part of the group since 2007 after moving to Nittingbool, and they continued attending meetups while based at Lexton and Beaufort before moving to Smythesdale.

The celebrations included a presentation from group member Michael Moylan where Ms van Maanenberg received a cake, a trophy, and a new walking hat signifying her milestone.

Ms van Maanenberg’s husband Denny is coordinator of the group, and the pair have spent several years trekking together after meeting through a bushwalking club in Essendon.

He said her achievement was a source of inspiration for others in the group.

“It’s a good incentive because a lot of the people here are approaching that same milestone,” he said. “Some are 200 walks away, some a bit less, but this is the first time somebody’s achieved 500 walks.

“It’s a special moment for us and everybody’s really behind that and they’re looking forward to the day they might get their own celebration.”

Meeting every Thursday morning, the Smythesdale Walking Group averages six kilometres every session which range from five to 15 participants