Lunchtime City Joggers break the record for Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne 29 Mar 09
Team Melbourne Midday Milers blitzed their way into history with a stunning win in the biggest Oxfam TRAILWALKER held in the southern hemisphere running 100km in just 10 hours and 35 minutes, breaking the Melbourne event record set in 2008 by 52 minutes.
Anthony Lee, David Venour, Richard Does and Stephen Paine set off in ideal conditions along with the other 713 teams of four at the Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne 2009 event from Jells Park to Wesburn Park, Friday 27 March - Sunday 29 March.
Anthony Lee, from Wantirna South, said that the team ran the entire 100km and attributes their success to the ongoing training they have done through a lunchtime city jogging club called The Melbourne Midday Milers.
“We all run marathons and saw the Oxfam TRAILWALKER 100km as a new challenge, and started preparing for it in December.”
“We were determined to beat 11 hours, we we’re very happy with our time, and even more happy that it’s over now,” Mr Lee said.
The other Oxfam TRAILWALKER challenge is to raise the most money for Oxfam Australia’s work to help communities overseas find sustainable solutions to poverty. Currently leading the fundraising challenge is Team RSY who have raised nearly $20,000, an amazing effort.
Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne 2009 aims to raise $2.7 million for Oxfam Australia, and has to date raised just over $1.6 million.
Oxfam TRAILWALKER has raised over $21 million for Oxfam Australia over the past 10 years, helping the organisation to continue work in areas like water and sanitation, health, emergency response and food security in countries across South and East Asia, Southern Africa, the Pacific and Indigenous Australia.
Tamsin Loy, Melbourne Trailwalker Event organiser says: "I'd like to thank all the walkers for their dedication and training in preparation for this year’s challenging trail. Of the 714 teams who set out, 437 teams (61%) finished as a complete team of 4 and 85% of walkers reached the finish line. What a great achievement for the 2,856 participants who set out. In addition, the safety of our participants is paramount and we cannot thank Parks Victoria, the CFA, the Victoria Police, the SES, Ambulance Victoria and the Shire of Yarra Ranges enough for their extraordinary efforts in the lead up to and over the weekend."
Kathy McLinden, National TRAILWALKER Manager adds: We had 850 amazing volunteers covering 1170 shifts over the weekend that we'd like to acknowledge. They always manage to keep a smile on their faces, whether assisting walkers cross major intersections, guiding walkers along the bush trails or supporting them at each of the eight checkpoints along the way. We have raised just over $1.6 million so far and I would like to thank the many supporters of Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne 2009 who have donated to teams. Please keep those donations coming in!"
Along with the two Australian events in Melbourne and Sydney, Oxfam TRAILWALKER now takes place in six countries around the world including Hong Kong, UK, New Zealand, Japan, Belgium. New events are to be launched in Canada, Northern UK, Ireland and the Netherlands this year.
Supported by principal sponsor State Street, Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne 2009 has set event records with 714 teams of 4, the fastest finishing team and now hopes to set fundraising records too – so please donate!
Donate to one of our 700 teams or view results on our website www.oxfam.org.au/trailwalker. To find a team, enter the team name or walkers name into the search on the home page.
Sat 9:09pm - A sanitary blog 28 Mar 09
Spare a thought for our volunteers. Someone has to fill the portaloos, and one such volunteer recently came into the control centre boasting that she’d filled all of the toilets at checkpoint 8.
Yes, I too wondered what that meant, as it conjured up visions of last night’s slightly dodgy curry. But it’s not what you might think. When one flushes or washes one’s hands in a portaloo, the water doesn’t come from the mains; there are little Oxfam TRAILWALKER volunteers to have to visit each toilet and fill them … with fresh water that is.
Sat 9:50pm - It's goodnight from me, and it's goodnight from Tim 28 Mar 09
When you bank with Bendigo, there's always a level of interest.
Sat 8:38pm - The winning formula 28 Mar 09
From the 27th to the 29th of March, an event of international stature is taking place in Melbourne. It is often associated with the glitz and the glamour of Monaco, and is the place to be seen whenever and wherever it takes place, be it Belgium, Japan or the United Kingdom. Some attend simply for the thrill of racing, while others are driven by passion alone.
Oh, and there’s a car race taking place this weekend too I think.
Sat 8:16pm - Citizen Kane Toads 28 Mar 09
Following the example of this year’s record-breaking effort by the Melbourne Midday Milers (knocking 51 minutes off the previous record), is team 106, otherwise known as the Kane Toads. However, it must be said that – according to the results website – the Kane Toads have the somewhat dubious record of being the slowest team on the trail.
This may be, but it must also be said that our amphibious wanderers are pretty fast for the slowest team. They’ve already left checkpoint 7, which is only a hop and a skip from checkpoint 8, and a final jump to the finish.
Of course, there’s much more to TRAILWALKER than being first out of the pond, as the Toadmeisters have amply demonstrated making good use of our
Twitter updates. What better way to keep your friends and family abreast of your progress?
But more importantly,
look at the whopping fundraising total!
Sat 6:16pm - Winos on the trail 28 Mar 09
At around about quarter to five this afternoon, Tom Murphy’s team – Powered by Shiraz – crossed the finish line with a time of 33 hours and 44 minutes. This team caught my eye partly because my name is Tim Murphy, but also because I’m rather partial to being powered by Cabernet. Tom, Tim, Shiraz, Cabernet. Same same, but different.
For entertainment value alone, it’s worth reading
the team members’ tasting notes (at the bottom of their team page). I’m also intrigued by the fact that team member Ross Gilligan claims that he spent time training for the fickle Melbourne weather in Helsinki and Prague. Poor Ross, I really feel for him.
Sat 5:27pm - Photosynthesis II 28 Mar 09
Can you help me hold up this tree?
Racing stripes make your feet go faster
Billy doesn’t really appear to be puffing does he?
Sat 4:46pm - Them four 28 Mar 09
Having started from Jells Park at 7 AM yesterday, all-female team Us4 crossed the finish line this morning at 6:59 AM; which for all you budding mathematicians out there, is only one minute shy of 24 hours. And what’s more, the team appears to have completed the walk without going to bed. I think that means they’re entitled to a wee kip.
And just to have a Tim Shaw moment, I feel compelled to point out that there is in fact more to this story. More on Us4 from Tim Shaw if you like. Seriously though, Us4 have the second highest fundraising total of all the teams; a total that presently stands at $17,674. That’s blooming marvelous. Still, it appears that the ladies are always up to going the extra mile, as they’ve set themselves a fundraising target of $20,000. Go on,
help them achieve their target. You know you want to.
Still not convinced? Why not take a look at
Us4’s teampage? Like everything this team does – or so it seems – they’ve gone to a great deal of effort to keep us informed and entertained with their preparation for the event. In fact, their blog posts are so good that I think I might see if they’re interested in popping into the control centre to give me a hand.
Then again, after walking for 24 hours, I think they might be asleep. Somehow I get the impression that they’re probably professional dreamers too.
Sat 4:12pm The long and winding road 28 Mar 09
Speaking of Ringo Starr (or at least, that’s where I left off last night), the
Fab Four have just crossed the line with a time of 29 hours and 50 minutes. That’s longer than all of the Beatles albums put together.
Sat 3:45pm - Team Camaraderie 28 Mar 09
The day rolls on and the mountains around the finish are steaming in the heat. The walkers continue to roll in, cheerfully completing a mammoth 100km walk in support of Oxfam Australia's community work. We've been hearing some wonderful stories of team camaraderie out on the trail: teams encouraging each other and pulling each other up the hill. Good on ya teams!
At 3:45pm we've already had 420 teams finish the event, and we've also raised an astounding $1.6 million! Congratulations to everyone involved with the event for this amazing achievement.
Sat 2:30pm - Weathering the Walk 28 Mar 09
We couldn't have asked for better weather this weekend; blue skies with a light breeze and clear skies at night to shed a little starlight on our walkers. And it's a beautiful, sunny day here at the finish; a perfect day to enjoy the bouncing castle and face painting here at the TRAILWALKER Family Fun Day.
But spare a thought for the walkers; although it's a perfect day for a picnic I'm guessing that some of our walkers are wishing it was a little cooler. The walkers still on the trail have now been walking for just under 30 hours, and they'll be feeling it. But it's all for a good cause, namely Oxfam Australia's work fighting poverty and injustice around the world. To support a team and the work of Oxfam Australia, go to our
TRAILWALKER website and enter your team's details to make a donation.
Sat 12:50pm - Four Queens of the King 28 Mar 09
Team 405 Four Queens of the King have just crossed the line with a time of 26 hours and 49 minutes. This all girl team have traveled to Melbourne from King Island especially for the event, and have managed to raise a staggering $10,000! We spoke to the team and asked them how they achieved this and they told us through hard work and by coming up with many different, creative ways of fundraising.
The team would like to say a big thank you to everyone on King Island who helped them reach this point. Well done team!
Sat 12:15pm - Battling Through 28 Mar 09
There are some amazing stories reaching our ears as more teams cross the line. Tim Grimes from the Coolwalkers has just finished TRAILWALKER 2009 as the last remaining member of his team. Unfortunately the other members of team Coolwalkers had to pull out of the event, but Tim pushed through and just crossed the finished line! Congratulations to Tim, and comiserations to his team members. Fantastic effort.
Sat 11:00am - Family Fun Day 28 Mar 09
Saturday at TRAILWALKER is Family Fun Day! We've got TRAILWALKER colouring in pages, a bouncing castle, face painting, balloons and a raffle. And if you get hungry you can enjoy the fantastic spread laid on by The Good Food Room and the Wesburn Jr Football Club. So come on down and support the teams finishing today and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere here at the TRAILWALKER finish.
We'd also like to acknowledge the support we receive from the CFA. Without their help we would not be able to put on as good an event as we do. In appreciation of their fantastic efforts, our raffle, face painting, and bouncing castle, as well as collection tins spotted around the finish, are raising funds for our local CFA branch.
Sat 10:00am - Party at the Finish Line! 28 Mar 09
We've just hit the 27 hour mark with over 230 teams having crossed the finish line, and the TRAILWALKER blog has relocated to the finish line to be a part of the action. It's working up to be a fantastic day here at the end of the walk; the sun is shining as the teams continue to roll in.
Don't forget that you can track all the teams through the
team tracker website. Your team can also send updates to our website from the trail so keep an eye on the team results page.
Sat 8:50am - Good Morning Wesburn 28 Mar 09
Here at the TRAILWALKER Control Centre, in the tranquil surrounds of the Yarra Valley, where fresh rays of golden sun melt away at the morning frost and, in the distance, wooded hills give birth to new clouds, we are gearing up for another big day of TRAILWALKER action.
Congratulations to the over 150 teams who have so far completed the trail, and full support to the more than 550 teams who are still walking. Disadvantaged people all over the world are counting on you. Oxfam Australia works in 26 countries across
East Asia,
South Asia,
Southern Africa,
the Pacific and
Indigenous Australia; thank-you for your support!
Fri 8:30 pm The last post 27 Mar 09
It’s 8:30 pm and it’s been a long day in front of the computer, and as Ringo Starr was heard to utter, “I’ve got blisters on my fingers”.
Spare a thought then, if you would, for more than 600 teams who are still out there walking; no doubt with blisters on their toes that – in comparison - would make Ringo’s fingers look like those from a moisturiser commercial.
But alas, the stamina of the walkers is greater than that of a mere computer nerd, so as the bugle plays, I’m afraid this has to be the last post (for this evening at least).
Fri 7:45 Dogging it till the end 27 Mar 09
There were congratulations all round when Team Muttley, the reining TRAILWALKER champions, crossed the finish line at 6:17 PM. The doggedly bunch knew they were in for a hard slog this year and although they were bested by rival team, The Melbourne Midday Milers, they still managed to complete the course in a faster time than last year.
They may have finished second, but to all who saw them cross the line, they were top dogs. And boy, did they work like dogs to get there. But they did it because they had a firm belief in what they were doing, supporting Oxfam's work around the world to overcome poverty and injustice.
In the poor countries of the world, there are people working every day in conditions that are not humane. Tragically, some Australian companies sustain these practices by outsourcing their labour to foreign sweatshops.
Fri 4:30pm I love it when a plan comes together 27 Mar 09
In 2009, a crack walking unit was sent to Wesburn by a charity organization in order to commit, endure and achieve. These men promptly escaped from a park in Glen Waverley to the TRAILWALKER underground. Today, still wanted by Oxfam, they survive as walkers of fortune. If you have money to raise, if no-one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can sponsor …
The A-Team.
Fri 1.00pm $90 million goes a long way (...and speaking of a long way) 27 Mar 09
Did you know that to date Oxfam TRAILWLAKER has raised a total of $90million since it began in Hong Kong mid-90s? Australia saw it's first TRAILWALKER in 1999 in Sydney, and it came to the beautiful Dandenong Ranges in 2003.
$90million goes a long way when it's put toward figting poverty and injustice by Oxfam's skilled teams and fantastc partners. And since "a long way" is the order of the day - we thought it was worth mentioning!
Also worth a note, the TRAILWALKER reigning champions, The Good Guys Team Muttley have just checked in that they're setting out on the final leg of the walk, on the beautiful Warby Trail.
If you have a friend out on the trail - wherever they may be! - don't forget to support them here.
Fri 1.30pm Clear skies and smooth sailing 27 Mar 09
This year sees the largest number of teams ever recorded for a TRAILWALKER event, with 697 teams of four currently walking, running or crawling the 100km to the finish line.
Meanwhile, back in the Control Centre everything is running smoothly, with only one minor injury (pulled muscle) reported to the Event Emergency number. And with the weather looking lovely outside - a moderate 20 degrees with some cloud cover - it's perfect conditions for a gentle stroll through some of Australia's magnificent native bushand.
...Unless you're in the top ten teams (check them here) in which case stroll ain't the word for it, and you're probably not noticing the foilage so much!
Fri 10.30am Trekking for love... or Laos 27 Mar 09
The “trail-runners” (those incredibly athletic teams who run the 100ks) have well and truly passed Checkpoint 3. The top three of these are still the Melbourne Midday Milers, those Good Guys Team Muttley and the Upstreamfoundation.org. Averaging a breathtaking Checkpoint-per-hour, we can only assume they really love it...
They’re followed by another 50+ teams who’ve passed Checkpoint 2, and the rest of the pack rounding out Checkpoint 1.
We also take this moment to commend team RSY, as members Andrew, Chris, David and James have raised a whopping $18,000. That’s enough to build THREE whole school buildings and equip them with school books in Laos. This team are a regular fixture in our top-fundraisers Leaderboard, and so a round of applause to the guys as they trek on in 143rd place.
Whether you're Trailwalking for love or Laos, Oxfam thanks you... To support the teams, or give to a cause that counts, click here.
Fri 11.30am Hoplights hop right and.. errr…get poetic… 27 Mar 09
TRAILWALK devotees, the Hoplites, return again this year after a magnificent season of fundraising – which included an epic bowls battle – adding a fantastic $7,000 to our total fundraising efforts. The Hoplites are currently “Just loving it!” having powered through CP2, well on their way to CP3.
They’ve admitted the ambiance of the environment (presumably the bell birds and gumtrees) is inspiring poetic exuberance amons the team, and we can only hope this buoys them along their journey until the gatorade kicks in.
Meanwhile, the $7,000 they’ve raised is enough to provide enough chickens to set up a whole poultry farm in Zimbabwe... Buk-erk to that!
Hop to it and do your bit: click here to give now.
Fri 12.00pm Midday means Milestones! 27 Mar 09
As our top 2 fearsome foursomes,
Melbourne Midday Milers and
The Good Guys Team Muttley, head for Checkpoint 5 – the halfway milestone of the event - they find themselves coming to the lovely St Ives Showground.
Meanwhile we’re a little way off the $2 million fundraising milestone, currently sitting just over $1.5million.
Help us achieve this goal over the next 48 hours with a gift that celebrates not only the incredible efforts of the TRAILWALKERS, but makes Oxfam’s vital work in 27 of the world’s poorest countries possible too.
Keep an eye on the
progress of the teams throughout the weekend, as they walk, hop, skip or run the finishline in under 48 hours.
Fri 12.30pm 'Bag Boys' and bunion rescue: all praise podiatry 27 Mar 09
The Virgin Bag Boys, like many repeat TRAILWALKER participants, are just hoping to beat their 2008 time, preferably in one piece. They’re currently placed a very respectable 31st and find themselves exiting Checkpoint 3 in good form, although with “very sore feet”. Sadly that’s probably going to get worse before it gets better… but we’re sure the podiatrists-on-standby will do all they can to help.
At this point lets give a big shout out of thanks to all our incredible volunteers giving their time and expertise this weekend. The total event participation (including participants, support crews, volunteers and staff) will be around 5,000 people! We thank you for your commitment to a great cause.
On this note, the Virgin Bag Boys are also just shy of their fundraising goal, which would be enough to stock a rice bank for a village. If you’ve ever eaten rice, support them as they bag themselves another TRAILWALKER and donate here.
Fri 3:30pm Up there ... Mike Brady 27 Mar 09
When I was in prep - back in 1979 - everyone's favourite song was "Up There Cazaly" by Mike Brady. I was especially excited when I went to stay at my cousin's house, and my cousin showed me his brand new copy of the song on 45. That song brought down the playroom.
Cut to the present day, and Mike Brady is part of the 3AW team, along side another gentleman who featured prominently during my childhood; formerly of Hey Hey It's Saturday (Night), Wilbur Wilde was the man in the band with the sax appeal. Imagine my surprise when this morning - as I was waiting at the starting line of Oxfam TRAILWALKER - Mr Brady and Mr Wilde performed a duet.
However, this morning it was not "Up There Cazaly" that rang out across Jells Park, but "Up There For Oxfam". Quite right too. But Mike wasn't just there to entertain the troops, he himself is a regular trooper - he's walking the 100 kilometres with his team
Brady's Bunch. Incidentally, the other Mike Brady (from the telly series The Brady Bunch) provides yet another flashback to my childhood.
Why not sing "Up There For Mike Brady" to support the man and his team. Actually, if you can't sing - like me - perhaps you could show your support by
donating to his team.
Fri 4:00pm Photosynthesis 27 Mar 09
Yes yes, it's the SES (better than Advanced Hair). Where would Oxfam TRAILWALKER be without volunteers?
And so the cycle of recycling continues.
Wilbur Wilde, Oxfam's Brett Long and Mike Brady. Two thirds of these people are celebrities.
A leisurely stroll in the park ... for 100 ks.
Fri 5:30pm Local business done good 27 Mar 09
The Good Food Room is a Warburton café which we are proud to say, not only provides Fairtrade coffee from their café, but will also be supplying the tasty bean from the finish line at Wesburn Park.
Buying Fairtrade coffee helps to improve fairness and employment opportunities in poor countries through opening up of markets in the developed world.
But The Good Food Room isn’t content to stop there. The café has fielded an Oxfam TRAILWALKER team known as the Coffee Munchers, who are currently walking between checkpoints two and three. The good cup of Java is a long way off folks. Why not spur them on by helping them reach their fundraising target of $4,500.
Fri 7.00am - TRAILWALKER 2009 begins!! 27 Mar 09
After a dark morning, the light is hitting the Dandenong Ranges, as are the feet of the first intrepid Trailwalker teams. They begin Oxfam TRAILWALKER Melbourne 2009, with a 100 klm walk (or run for some enthusiastic souls/soles!) ahead of them over 48 hours of mild weather.
More information will follow soon... including progress reports and the starting lineup at 7am …
In the meantime, to support the brave walkers over the weekend – and help Oxfam overcome poverty through its work around the world – click here to donate to your TRAILWALKER team now.
And over the next 48 hours, keep an eye on the Team Results and Leader Board for the latest results throughout the weekend!
Fri 7:00pm RECORD BROKEN!!! 27 Mar 09
Today, at 5:38 pm, the Melbourne Midday Milers have shattered the previous record of 11 hours and 26 minutes, finishing TRAILWALKER in an astonishing time of 10 hours and 35 minutes. Yes folks, that's a full 51 minutes quicker than the previous time, or a decrease of 7.4% .
This is a tremendous victory for the Melbourne Midday Milers, may they live long and fulfilling lives. In anyone's reckoning, 7.4% is a massive gap, one that is well worth celebrating; but we should remember that there is another gap that is not so wonderful. In Australia, the life expectancy gap between indigenous and non-indigenous women is 20.1%, while for men it is 23.4%. Oxfam Australia sends a big thank-you to all the TRAILWALKER teams, whether they finish in 11 hours or 22 hours, for supporting our work to close the gap .
Fri 9.30am Girls on the ground! 27 Mar 09
With the first starters out of the way, we’ve just heard from one of our all-women teams, It’s only a flesh wound who's efforts today have raised enough money to pay for a water pump for a village in Southern Sudan. For all the water they drink in the next 48 hours, the effort they're putting in will help Oxfam provide clean water for communities who need it most all all. Which is why we're pleased to report that, despite their name, "flesh wound" remain unharmed so far.
We have a few all-female teams on the trail today, and about equal with the “flesh wound” are another group of wily-women-wanders, Mums with momentum. True to their name, these four mums from local Upwey have put a good hour’s walk behind them and with the support of the Upwey coffee shop, are championing ahead for a good cause.
We girls at the Event Control Centre salute you ladies!
Trailwalker Finish Party - Saturday, 28 March 23 Mar 09
There's a party at the Finish and you're all invited! Once again in 2009 we will roll out the red carpet for Trailwalker participants and supporters as teams come flying across the finish line at Wesburn Park. Make sure you tell your friends, family & supporters to come along to the finish, support the local community and help you celebrate your amazing achievement as we call your team across the line.
While we aim to call all teams across the line in 2009, the biggest party will happen on Saturday, 28 March when most teams arrive at the finish. The Finish Party will include a few extra activities, such as:
- Music & Entertainment
- Jumping Castle
- Go For Your Life Healthy Living Exhibition & activities
- Fresh Local Fruit (Aussie Farmers Direct)
- Cakes & FairTrade Coffee (Good Food Room - Warburton)
- BBQ, snacks and drinks (Wesburn Junior Footy Club)
- Color-In Carpet, Face painting & Kids activities
- Mr Whippy Ice Cream (Yes - there will be good weather!)
- CFA Truck & Smokehouse
- CFA Fundraising Activities
We look forward to seeing you all at the Finish.
TeamTracker - Your LIVE results website 23 Mar 09
During the event the Trailwalker website will become TeamTracker, a comprehensive team tracking website, allowing your supporters to track your every move, read your messages, generally be inspired by your amazing efforts and donate directly to your team. So while you're out there doing it hard on the trail, your supporters can be admiring you from a distance, whether they are at work, at home or on the other side of the world! Just tell your supporters to go straight to your team page to track your progress (that's the same web link you've been using all along).
Text LIVE updates to your team page.
Text your messages of joy, pain, suffering, tribulation or just whatever you're up to during the event and these messages will be posted directly on your team page. Your supporters can read your messages whenever they visit your page. Further instructions will be provided to all walkers at the Start.
Trail Update - Churchill Nat. Park & Dandenong Police Paddocks & Birds Land Reserve still CLOSED!!! 20 Mar 09
Although the Churchill National Park, Dandenong Police Paddocks & Birds Land Reserve will be ready in time for Oxfam TRAILWALKER next Friday, these areas reamin closed to the public for the time being. Parks Victoria are working hard to ensure that these areas are cleared in time for the event.
Participants are advised not to walk through these areas prior to the start of the event and to train on alternative sections of the trail between Checkpoint 3 (or from Belgrave) to the Finish at Wesburn Park. We appreciate your cooperation.
Oxfam TRAILWALKER Finish Party - Saturday, 28 March 09 (all day) 19 Mar 09
There's a party at the Finish and you're all invited!
Once again in 2009 we will roll out the red carpet for Trailwalker participants and supporters as teams come flying across the finish line at Wesburn Park. Come along, support the local community and help cheer your team across the finish line. This year’s Finish Party features: Music, Entertainment, Great Food, Fairtade Coffee, Jumping Castle, CFA Fire Truck & Smokehouse, Go For Your Life exhibition, Kids activities and much more. Heaps of Parking. Wesburn Park, Warburton Hwy, Wesburn (Melways 289 B9).
Trail Update - CP3 to Finish Now Open 05 Mar 09
And now for some good news about the trail......
Trailwalkers can train on the trail again from CP3 (Grants Picnic Ground) through to the Finish (Wesburn Park). If walking Mt Little Joe, please take extra caution, particularly over crossings and bridges as some participants have reported these are a little hazardous. DSE will be looking at these sections of Mt Little Joe in the coming days, so please exercise caution.
With the rain has come some welcome news that the Kilmore East - Murrindindi fire (which was threatening the Yarra Valley and Warburton Valley areas) is now listed as contained. While it is now safe to be out in those areas again you need to be aware that there may be some intermittent fire activity behind control lines over the ensuing days.
While Churchill National Park, Dandenong Police Paddocks and Birdsland Reserve still remain closed due to fire damage, the rest of the Dandenong Ranges that the trail passes through are open again.
Please remember to still check CFA, DSE & Parks Victoria for the latest information before you head out.
Trail Update - URGENT FIRE THREAT Warburton & Yarra Valley 25 Feb 09
Department of Sustainability & Environment
DSE has forecast a very high fire danger for the next few days in the Warburton and Yarra Valley areas. Residents have been told to implement their bushfire plans and if choosing to leave to do so last night or early this morning. We advise all participants NOT visit these areas at this time. This includes all trail and surrounding areas from Mt Evelyn (CP6) to Wesburn (Finish), including: Seville, Woori Yallock, Launching Place, Yarra Junction, Millgrove and Warburton and surrounding areas.
Always check the
CFA,
DSE &
Parks Victoria websites for current updates.
As soon as we have more information we will publish this in Trailwalker eNews and the Latest News & Trail Updates sections of this website.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns.
These communities have been very supportive of our event over the years and our thoughts are with them all at this time.
Trail Update - BIRDSLAND RESERVE & LYSTERFIELD LAKE PARK CLOSED! 23 Feb 09
Both Birdsland Reserve and Lysterfield Lake Park are closed due to a grass and scrub fire within Birds Land Reserve near Nixon Road, Upwey (Melways Map reference 83 J2),
Our advice this week remains that all TRAILWALKER participants should avoid the trail and seek alternative locations for training. As always check the CFA, DSE and Parks Victoria website for the latest advice on anywhere you decide to train.
Trail Update - Churchill National Park & Dandenong Police Paddocks are CLOSED! 13 Feb 09
Churchill National Park (CP1), located in Endeavour Hills, & Dandenong Police Paddocks remain closed to the public. This area is unsafe to walk through as there is a real risk of tree branches and limbs falling on top of walkers and causing serious damage!. As such, Parks Victoria have closed this area until further notice.
Parks Victoria is working to remove burnt tree limbs and other safety hazards and will notify visitors when the park is re-opened.
Oxfam lends expertise to Victorian bushfire response 11 Feb 09
Oxfam Australia is lending its expertise in responding to major disasters to help respond to the Victorian bushfire tragedy.
Oxfam Australia will provide logistics and other support to the Australian Red Cross, to assist them to cope with the scale of this disaster.
Executive Director Andrew Hewett said the aid agency’s focus on international relief means it does not normally respond to disasters in Australia, but the enormity of what’s happening in Victoria makes this a special case.
“Like all Australians, we want to do all we can to help the hundreds of Victorians affected by the fires.
“Oxfam’s experience in responding to major disasters overseas, including the Asian tsunami, means our staff do have particular skills in logistics and other vital areas that they can provide,” Mr Hewett said.
“Our hearts go out to those affected, and to the many professionals and volunteers who are still battling fires across Victoria,” he said.
For those who want to give funds please call the Australian Red Cross on 1800 811 700.
CHECK BEFORE YOU GO! 05 Feb 09
Due to the high tempatures and dry conditions lately the risk of fires along the trail has increased (as seen at Churchill National Park & Dandenong Police Paddocks). While we endeavour to keep track of any fires or incidents out on the trail, we recommend you check conditions yourself before you head out. Websites to check are: CFA, Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), and Parks Victoria
Also be aware that Park Victoria will close the parks if it gets extremely hot and the parks are full.
Please be careful out on the trail if you are training in these hot conditions, make sure you carry plenty of water, stay hydrated and try to keep cool.
