If you talk to Clermont residents recently, it’s evident that our community has been going through some challenging times, including the tragic passing of Councillor Lyn Jones after a short, but determined battle with cancer. I can’t say I had the chance to meet Councillor Jones, but by all accounts, her contributions to the Clermont community will not be forgotten and are a credit to her and her family. Her legacy will live on for generations to come.
Given the tough times our Clermont Community has faced in recent months & witnessing first hand a member of my own families battle with this horrible disease, I thought to myself: “What can I do” to raise some money and importantly, increase awareness for a cause close to our community’s heart.
I have decided to do an event to raise money for our chosen cancer charities.
In the early hours of Saturday 2nd October, to raise money for our chosen charities (Cancer Council Australia & Goodwill Greetings), one of Townsville’s local hiking identities and photographer Wes Graffin and I will set off under headlamp in an attempt to hike 70-80 kilometres in under 24 hours across some of our region’s most isolated, unique and beautiful country.
I have designed a trail using GPS, satellite imagery and other software which will see us head off just after midnight from a designated location on Peakvale Station, roughly 80km southwest of Clermont.
We will hike cross country in a general southerly direction towards Mount Tabletop and traverse sections of the Drummond Range, Zig Zag Range, Theresa Hut Nature Refuge and the northern point of the Zamia State Forest.
Along the way, we will hike the headwaters and upper reaches of Theresa Creek & surrounding creek lines.
Our aim is to reach a designated point north of Bogantungan on the Capricorn Highway around lunchtime, before turning around and hiking in a general northerly direction, eventually taking up with the gorge and steep rocky country that form the headwaters of Tomahawk Creek.
We will follow Tomahawk creek from the headwaters, through the mid and lower reaches before turning northeast towards Mount Zig Zag and hiking across the Drummond Range back to the start point.
Wes and I have tackled many of the most challenging on & off trail hiking adventures across the northern region, however this hike will test us both.
Topographic maps and resources cannot always be relied on in remote areas, however I have calculated our elevation change for the hike to be approximately 1500m – 1700m & distance to be approximately 70-80km with our goal being to hike a minimum of 70km.
This fundraising event will be entirely on private property, and I appreciate the support offered by local landowners Chris & Nina in allowing us to complete this hike on their property.
DONATIONS (CANCER COUNCIL) – Link:
https://www.doitforcancer.com.au/fundraisers/michaelpugh/central-queensland-cancer-fundraising-hike
*We have created a fundraising page under the “Cancer Council” banner on their official fundraising site “Do It for Cancer”
DONATIONS (GOODWILL GREETINGS) – Link:
https://www.facebook.com/gwgreetings/
*Another local initiative raising funds for cancer research is not-for-profit business “Goodwill Greetings”, born when local landholder, Nina Hensley’s mother Louise Alexander passed suddenly from cancer in 2016. It features prints of Louise’s original paintings on greeting cards & other household items. As Louise’s greatest joy was bushwalking, her paintings are inspired by Australia’s wildlife & landscape. 100% of profits have been donated to University of Queensland’s Diamantina Institute with $1250 donated to date. Cards are also available at Theresa Creek Dam Kiosk & Gumby Gumby Australia.
*PLEASE SHARE THIS POST WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY & ACROSS OUR LOCAL AND REGIONAL COMMUNITIES & SUPPORT US BY DONATING TO OUR FUNDRAISING PAGE OR GOODWILL GREETINGS USING THE LINKS ABOVE. ALL DONATIONS, LARGE OR SMALL WILL BE WELCOMED & APPRECIATED.
**AFTER THE HIKE, I WILL SHARE A WRITE UP, IMAGERY & FINAL DISTANCES/TIMES/STATISTICS TO THE CENTRAL QUEENSLAND HIKE AND EXPLORE PAGE, TOWNSVILLE HIKE AND EXPLORE PAGE & CLERMONT COMMUNITY PAGE FOR THOSE INTERESTED.
