Trek for Timor 2011 an outstanding success
1 Nov 11
The Trek for Timor 2011 on September 24 was an outstanding success with more than $94,000 raised to provide solar lighting to homes in the Remexio district of East Timor.
Once again Kangaroo Valley Remexio Partnership thanks all the participants and the donors who have given so generously to this long term project to provide renewable and more sustainable energy to the people of East Timor.
In cool damp conditions 300 runners and walkers finished the Trek, with 28 teams completing the 14 km and 45 teams the 50km walks.
Team Light House, Freckles and Moose and La Lao Halimar were the teams which raised most donations (each close to $5,000). ‘Just the three of us’ were 1st team in the 14km event, while Trail(er)Trash was the first to finish in the 50 km event, running the course in 6 hours and 25 minutes! The fastest walkers for the 50km were the Bullants.
The Trek is generally through a beautiful and varied landscape but approaching the halfway point of the 50km trail, and between Fitzroy Falls and Meryla Pass, there is a rather monotonous stretch of fire trail.
Hoping to distract the walkers along this section, Libby and Paul Turnock set up a series of 11 "installations" covering about 3 kms. Together the installations constituted a Song Quiz, with trekkers invited to guess the song being illustrated, then sing or hum it until the next one. The songs were well known, so most teams correctly guessed almost all of the them, and had a "photo op" after the 11th one where they could take a photo of their team on a dais under either a gold, silver or bronze "medal".
Here’s some feedback we have received from participants:
‘I’d just like to say a big thank you to all the organisers of T4T this year. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and appreciated all that you all did! The organization of it was seemless and our walkers and support teams really enjoyed the experience. In particular, the volunteers at the start, checkpoints, at the creek crossing, and along the way, were all very encouraging, professional and enthusiastic.’
‘Thank you so much for making the trek so much fun - loved the music trivia - more of it !! All the people at the check in stations were so nice and encouraging and made the day a fun one. Thank you all for the behind the scene stuff and I look forward to taking part next time.’
‘Congratulations on such a spectacular event – again. It was wonderful – every aspect – even the weather staying cool and overcast was a treat for the trekkers’
‘I loved the Trek. I cried as I walked through the mist, with all the birds, the trees and all of us walking together to Fitzroy Falls.’
‘Also please extend my thanks to the volunteers who were wonderful and also to the artists who created the music entertainment along the way.’
Special thanks to the amateur radio communications group WICEN who provided essential radio communications support, which meant that we were able to keep track of all the walkers between checkpoints; and to St John Ambulance personnel who gave us the reassurance that the physical well-being of all the participants was being covered.
We are most grateful to Scots College, Glengarry where the walk finished and where trekkers were able to receive medical attention, shelter, refreshments and transport back to the start and to Paul and Jenny Marcus who gave us use of their paddock for parking at the start of the walk.
KVRP thanks all the volunteers whose efforts were of enormous assistance and the following organisations and businesses who donated food, logistical support and equipment and prizes to the winning teams: The Falls Cafe at Fitzroy Falls; The Kangaroo Valley Tourist Association; The Cedars, Kangaroo Valley; Cedar Cottages and wildlife sanctuary; Bushcraft Equipment in Wollongong; IGA Berry; Berry Wood-fired Sourdough Bakery; Jing Jo Cafe/restaurant; Bella’s Cafe; Derek Lucas and Irene Huetter; and the Kangaroo Valley Club.
Finally the approval and cooperation of all the relevant land management agencies and other private property owners is greatly appreciated.
The next round of installation of solar lights in many hundreds of homes in three remote villages in Remexio has already commenced! This follows training of technicians and management committees undertaken in October by our partner organisation, Alternative Technolgy Association and three members of Kangaroo Valley Remexio Partnership – Lynne Keevers, Lynne Dooley and Trish Livesey.
Long time campaigner and supporter for East Timor, Rob Wesley-Smith from Darwin, lent some logistical support to the team.
They’ll have a comprehensive report on the project and their two weeks in East Timor in the December issue of the Voice. Les Mitchell