Locals to join arms and walk to Conquer the Corrugations

COMMUNITY Bank Surf Coast board member Charlie Earle is set to lead the charge in the inaugural Victorian Conquer the Corrugations event, which aims to support and raise awareness of mental health.

Set to take place on May 27 and 28, the 17km walk from Winchelsea to Inverleigh will see hundreds of locals join Charlie and come together to address their own “corrugations” in life or to support a loved one who is doing it tough.

The not-for-profit event, which is being funded by the Community Bank Surf Coast, Winchelsea RSL and TradeMutt, is being run as an extension to the original Conquer the Corrugations Walk in Cape York, an event that Mr Earle attended in 2022.

“Conquer the Corrugations all started in 2015 after a young man up in Far North Queensland tragically committed suicide, sparking the community up there into action to have more conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

“I had a close friend’s son commit suicide years ago and after seeing how fantastic the Cape York event looked through a story on the ABC, we thought we’d go along and see what it was all about.

“Three of us went up from the Surf Coast to the event and absolutely loved it. We ultimately thought it was a great idea to bring it back home.

“Mental health and emotions can overcome anyone – when things rattle you, it’s best to speak up and that’s what the Conquer the Corrugations event is all about.”

The 17km walk will start at the Winchelsea free campsite and journey to the Inverleigh Hotel and its neighbouring camp site.

Walkers will then have the option to camp out for the night and take part in a series of mental wellbeing workshops and enjoy a supplied meal.

The following morning, breakfast will be provided by the Inverleigh Lions Club and walkers will then set back off back towards their original starting point.

“It’s not about doing it the quickest, it’s about slowly walking together and talking about things and supporting each other.

“The biggest thing with mental health these days is people finding out that others have bad mental health when it’s too late.

“The idea of this is to just open those conversations. You can be someone who has never been affected or someone who has and still participate and conquer the corrugations.”

During the event, walkers will be encouraged to show their support by wearing a colourful TradeMutt sponsored shirt.

Trademutt will be donating half the proceeds from all shirt sales back into mental health organisations within the area.

Conquer the Corrugations is open to people of all ages and abilities.

Toilet and water facilities will be available throughout the duration of the walk.

All camping gear for the overnight stay will be carried via an event courtesy bus.

Some meals will be provided and others will be available for purchase.

For more information and to register for the event, head to conquerthecorrugations.com.au/Victoria2023