The Mowerman rolls into Murwillumbah

CLAUDE “The Mowerman” Harvey rolled into Murwillumbah recently as part of a 15-year campaign that has seen the 80-year-old push a decorated lawnmower more than 25,000 kilometres around Australia while raising more than $2 million for child protection organisation Bravehearts.

Harvey said he chose the unconventional method deliberately to stand out and draw attention to his cause.

“I decided to push a lawnmower because I thought to myself, if I just walk, nobody will take notice of me,” he said.

One of the highlights of Harvey’s journey was crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, where confusion over his decorated lawnmower briefly sparked a security scare before he was greeted by then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull at Martin Place.

“My favourite place was crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” Harvey said.

 

Harvey said he typically sleeps in hotels, motels and private houses while travelling, saying the journey is less lonely than it might appear due to constant interaction with locals.

“You’re always meeting people,” he said.

“I just go in each state where I know I’m raising a lot of money for this cause, because this is serious business, child sexual assault.”

The idea for the journey was born after Harvey discovered two young girls known to him had been victims of sexual abuse at just three and four years old.

“That’s only a baby,” he said.

“Three years old is only a baby.”

“I decided that I’d get a lawnmower and decorate it and push it around Australia.”

 

Harvey said he did not begin the journey immediately and instead spent about 10 years preparing mentally and physically before setting out.

“I decided that I had to get myself mentally and physically prepared to do it and I joined the karate club,” he said.

Harvey said he had visited Murwillumbah “a couple of times” with his lawnmower and had particular praise for The Austral Cafe and Bakery.

“Before my wife passed away…we used to come down there for a feed and their food is beautiful,” he said.

He said the cafe had offered him food since arriving in town.

“They’ve been offering me food ever since I got in,” he said.

Donations can be made at fundraise.bravehearts.org.au/claudethemowermanharvey