Call is out for help at Great Aussie Hike

THE organisers of an upcoming team-based endurance event starting at Blackwood Recreation Reserve have appealed for Moorabool locals to come and lend a hand.

Designed to promote physical activity, mental wellbeing and camaraderie, participants in The Great Aussie Hike can choose to take on the two-day, 100-kilometre challenge or have a go at an individual 50-kilometre leg on either day.

Day one (Friday 2 May) covers the route from Blackwood to Daylesford through the Wombat State Forest, while day two (Saturday 3 May) begins at Moorabool Reservoir and finishes in Daylesford, getting there via Hepburn Springs.

There is also a 30-kilometre option starting and finishing at Daylesford Showgrounds on the Saturday.

The hike’s founder and co-director, Anna Kelly, said she came up with the idea at the time when the pandemic and devastating 2020 Gippsland bushfires were coinciding.

“Originally it was a way that mates could walk together for a half an hour and (plan a fundraising event) for the end of COVID,” she said.

“(The first) was supposed to be a one-off, but by then we’d built a community and people were saying, ‘that really helped us, can we do it again and bring our mates?’

“We’ve raised $300,000 over the last few (so far), and that goes back to the great Aussie spirit of mates looking after each other.”

In terms of getting Moorabool locals involved, Ms Kelly said “we’ll never say no to volunteers.”

“Even if they’re just willing to stand there along the route, we’ll give them a high-vis vest and a bell to ring, or a sign, and that really helps people (go the distance).

“That’s what we’re all about.”

If you’re interested in offering some support, visit The Great Aussie Hike website or email Ms Kelly directly via [email protected] .