The Global Poverty Walk
Commencing on 2 February 2013, MPH supporter Matt Napier will walk from Perth to Sydney bouncing an AFL football to raise awareness of the urgent need for action to halve global poverty by 2015.
Part 3 - Port Augusta SA to Nhill VIC
Monday 1 April
to
Tuesday 30 April
Monday 1 April - Day 59
Today's Distance: 26.3 km
Total Distance: 2455.9 km
Similar to yesterday, just a 5 hour stroll down the highway today. We allowed a few shorter days this week as we are still a bit ahead of schedule and are committed to arriving into Port Pirie on Wednesday. The slower pace has allowed my body to recover nicely.
Rest area approx 21 km North of Port Germein.
Tuesday 2 April - Day 60
Today's Distance: 23.5 km
Similar again to the last couple of days, just another 5 hour stroll down the highway. Stopped off at Port Germein on the way, had lunch at the Port Germain Hotel and enjoyed a great chat with the publican. Discovered that it’s the pub that my Uncle’s brother drinks at – mug of the week was Graetzy!
Total Distance: 2479.4 km
Parking area 3km South of Port Germein.
Wednesday 3 April - Day 61
Today's Distance: 18.3 km
Total Distance: 2497.7 km
Got escorted into Port Pirie by the Fire Brigade, so good of them to do it. They also brought me another pair of shoes out of their Social Club funds. Thank you so much Port Pirie Fire Brigade, you made our day.
Port Pirie Beach Caravan Park
Thursday 4 April - Day 62
Today's Distance: 6.8 km
Total Distance: 2504.5 km
Did several interviews this morning and then met with the Mayor of Port Pirie before packing up and heading off for a short stroll to The Flinders Rest Motel in Warnertown. Were we had a great night the publician held a raffle on our behalf which helped us raise $72 and the oppurtunity to talk to a lot of locals.
Behind the Flinders Rest Hotel in Warnertown.
Friday 5 April - Day 63
Today's Distance: 16 km
Total Distance: 2520.5 km
Another short walk to Crystal Brook. The Lions Club have put us up at the caravan park and organised a bbq in the main street where we met a few locals and talked about poverty issues. Tonight we are dining with the District Governor of Lions and his family.
Crystal Brook Caravan Park - thanks to the Managers for putting us up for the night and to Don Pritchard from the Crystal Brook Lions Club for organising it all for us.
Saturday 6 April - Day 64
Today's Distance: 39.4 km
Total Distance: 2559.9 km
A full day of walking today. The roads are hillier and windier but it makes a change to be on country roads rather than the highway. Stayed at community camp ground at Yackamoorundie Park in Yacka on the banks of the Broughton River.
Sunday 7 April - Day 65
Today's Distance: 43 km
Total Distance: 2602.9 km
Walked 39km to Clare where I was met by John from the Clare Lions Club and a journalist from the Northern Argus. Then discovered that I had another 4km to walk to the caravan park! Having dinner with the Clare Lions Club tonight.
Clare Discovery Tourist Park - thanks to Lexi and the team for putting us up for the night.
Monday 8 April - Day 66
Today's Distance: 34.7 km
Total Distance: 2637.6 km
Stopped at Auburn for lunch and met a lovely lady who runs the CogsWebs Café which is a bike hire shop and café all in one. I then decided to walk on the Rattler Trail for part of the way to Rhynie. The Rattler Trail is a more recent extension of the well known Reisling trail which follows the contours and curves of the former railway line. After jumping back onto the road, we reached Rhynie and looking forward to a feed at the pub.
Rest area in Rhynie
Tuesday 9 April - Day 67
Today's Distance: 46.5 km
Total Distance: 2684.1 km
Feet really sore today but suddenly got a spring in my step when the Channel 7 News helicopter flew overhead to film me walking towards Adelaide. Pushed on another 7km after that and made it to Roseworthy around 6pm.
Staying in carpark behind BP Service Station in Roseworthy.
Wednesday 10 April - Day 68
Today's Distance: 8 km
Total Distance: 2692.1 km
We took our time getting on the road this morning as I only had 7km to walk before meeting up with the fire engine escort. It was great to be joined by the Gawler Heart Foundation Walking Group. We walked down the main street of Gawler with the fire engine behind us and finished up at the Gawler Cafe where we were met by the Deputy Mayor of Gawler and a newspaper journalist. Great day but ready for a rest now.
Gawler Caravan Park - thanks to David for letting us stay for several days at half price, much appreciated.
Thursday 11 April - Day 69
Today's Distance: 13.8 km
Total Distance: 2705.9 km
Spoke at a couple of schools today so walked part way to the first one which was Golden Grove High School where Wendy's cousins daughters attend. Spoke to 270 Year 9 students and then another 13 Year 12 students. Then drove out to Sandy Creek Primary School and spoke to 26 Year 5-7 students who also presented us with posters that they had made about poverty.
Staying at Gawler Caravan Park again.
Friday 12 – Saturday 13 April - Days 70-71
Today's Distance (13/4/13): 21.1 km
Total Distance: 2727 km
Friday: Had a rest day today and caught up with some of Wendy's family and then met State Member for Light, Tony Piccolo. We had a great chat with him on a range of topics from refugees and foreign aid to whether success should be measrured in more than just financial terms.
Saturday: Just a short stroll to the footy today! Went to watch two SANFL games, Nth Adel v Sturt at Prospect Oval and then drove back up towards Gawler to watch Central Districts v Norwood at Playford Alive Oval.
Stayed at Gawler Caravan Park
Sunday 14 April - Day 72
Today's Distance: 35.5 km
Total Distance: 2762.5 km
Back on the road today. Walking out through the Adelaide hills to Keith over next few days so we can stay ahead of schedule.
Had to take the back roads as pedestrians aren't allowed on the M1 - this morning was horrendous! The roads were hilly, windy and no shoulder. At least there weren't many trucks being a Sunday and the traffic going uphill only travelled at 40km/hr. A couple gave me directions to a parrell road at one stage and let me walk along the edge of their property so that got me off the roads for a bit.
Pulled the van into a carpark in a town called Littlehampton, right next to a pub!
Monday 15 April - Day 73
Today's Distance: 33.1 km
Total Distance: 2795.6 km
We had rain early this morning and it drizzled until midday. Starting to flatten out a bit now but still the occaisional section that's a bit tough. Should be fairly flat from here on though.
Carpark at entry to Monarto Zoo (14km west of Murray Bridge)
Tuesday 16 April - Day 74
Today's Distance: 41 km
Total Distance: 2836.6 km
Set off early this morning and made it into Murray Bridge. Discovered that I couldn't walk over the main bridge so had to detour through the main street to the second bridge which had a footpath the whole way along. Made the day a bit longer but really happy that I didn't have to dodge the traffic!
Staying in the carpark across the road from the Tailem Bend Foodland.
Wednesday 17 April - Day 75
Today's Distance: 48.8 km
Total Distance: 2885.4 km
Today we went through the towns of Coomandook and Yumali, and ended up at Ki Ki. Very small towns with a few houses and occaisionally a small store but it breaks up the long stretches of highway. Roads are great along this stretch - fairly flat, even surfaces with wide shoulder most of the way.
Parking area at Ki Ki
Thursday 18 April - Day 76
Today's Distance: 43.4 km
Total Distance: 2928.8 km
Today we went through the towns of Coonalpyn and Culburra and ended up at Tintinara. Bit of a struggle late today so it was good to finish but am getting back into the swing of it which is a real plus. Body holding up pretty well. Two more days and we head back to Adelaide for our official arrival and a few days rest.
Stayed in the carpark in front of the Uniting Church in Tintinara.
Friday 19 April - Day 77
Today's Distance: 39.2 km
Total Distance: 2968 km
Carpark next to BP service station in Keith.
Saturday 20 April - Day 78
Today's Distance: 31 km
Total Distance: 29999 km
Staying at a friend's house in Adelaide.
Sunday 21 April - Day 79
Today's Distance: 6.7 km
Total Distance: 3005.7 km
A fantastic day but very tiring so really looking forward to a couple of days off.
I walked from Prospect to North Adelaide on my own and was met by a journalist from ABC Online. I thought it was going to be just another interview where he took notes and wrote an article so I was a little surprised when he started talking into a microphone as if we were on-air. The article he then published on line and the accompanying audio of my interview is one of the best bits of media we have had so far. http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/04/22/3742382.htm
I then continued on to North Adelaide where I was met by a number of supporters from Habitat for Humanity www.habitat.org.au, The Global Poverty Project www.globalpovertyproject.com and Bright Futures Child Aid & Development Fund www.brightfutures.com.au. We were also joined by escorts from the SA Metro Fire Services and SA Police. During the walk through North Adelaide and past the Adelaide Oval we were filmed by news crews from ABC and Channel 7. Our final destination was the Torrens Parade Grounds where we were also met by supporters from Oaktree Foundation www.oaktree.com.au . It was fantastic to see so many people come out to support us and welcome us to Adelaide considering it was raining most of the morning!
You can view the ABC News report at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-21/walker-for-charity/4642274?section=sa
Monday 22 April – Day 80
Our first rest day in quite a while so Wendy spent the day doing all the domestic stuff such as washing and grocery shopping as well as catching up on emails etc. I started writing my speech for the ACES dinner on Friday. In the eventing we went to dinner with Wendy's extended family and I met many of her cousins for the first time.
Tuesday 23 April – Day 81
We met with Nick Champion, Federal MP for Wakefeild at his electorate office near the Munno Para Shopping Centre in Smithfield. We discussed a wide range of topics relating to, and impacting on, foreign aid including the role of diplomats, accountability, effectiveness of aid programs and refugees. Nick indicated that he thought we would see an increase to foreign aid but stressed that he felt the capacity of AusAid and the accountability of aid programs also needed to be addressed.
We then moved caravan parks to be closer to Adelaide and checked in at the Adelaide Shores Big 4 Caravan Park in West Beach. It is a massive park with camping, powered sites, cabins, dormitories, a pool, jumping pillows and playgrounds – all right next to the ocean!
In the evening we went to Oaktree's Generate program where I talked about the walk and why we decided to become a poverty ambassadors. It was great to share our story with so many young and enthusiastic people. We then joined the Australian Combined Emergency Services (ACES) football team for their presentation dinner and listened to two amazing guest speakers. Dr Griggs, head of trauma at Adelaide Hospital, talked about his time in Indonesia helping with the first response to the 2004 Tsunami. Jason Austin who became a paraplegic as a result of a motor bike accident involving drink driving shared his amazing and inspiring story describing his injuries, recovery and life after the accident but also reflecting on how the culture of drinking within football clubs impacted on his life and how he now tries to educate people about the dangers and realities of drink driving.
Wednesday 24 April – Day 82
We spent the morning shopping for clothes for the pre-game function at the Port Adelaide game. The invite specified no denim so I guess that rules out trackies!! In the evening we caught up with the ACES and ADF teams at their combined dinner. I had to duck out part way through to speak to the RESULTS national volunteers’ telephone hookup. The dinner also gave us an opportunity to catch up with Darren Adamson, the General Manager of Port Adelaide and Peter Rhode, the Football Operations Manager, and thank them for all the support their club have given our walk.
Thursday 25 April – Day 83 (Anzac Day)
Unfortunately we missed the Dawn Service at Glenelg as Wendy was feeling a bit unwell and we really needed to catch up on sleep. We had an appointment to meet a legend of the Queanbeyan Tigers Football Club at Glenelg and when we arrived we were surprised by the General Manager of the club who had actually flown over from Canberra to catch up with us (a Legend in his own lifetime but not quite who we were expecting!). We had lunch with him and then had to pop into Adelaide for a photo shoot with the Advertiser. He spent half an hour taking dozens of shots but unfortunately the one he chose to print is a little “soft” for my liking!