By RON LANE
IT has been a long time in coming, but gradually surf lifesaving clubs throughout Australia are starting to acknowledge the outstanding contribution made by the many club members in times of conflict.
Recently a group of 16 members of the Noosa Heads club – some present some past – took part in a 100km WWI Memorial Walk from Woodford to The Gap in Brisbane through the D’Aguilar National Park.
In the words of Noosa lifesaver and local organiser Peter Williams: “Each member carried a brick weighing 2.9kg inscribed with the name of a WWI veteran from Queensland killed in action. Each brick will be placed in storage until 2018, when a memorial wall will be built at Walton Street Bridge, The Gap. The walk itself was organized by Mates 4 Mates, an organisation started by soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Its purpose is to assist the wounded, injured and ill; current and ex-service personnel and their families.”
Peter went on to say: “The Noosa team was made up of two solo walkers and four relay teams. The relay teams consisted of four members walking approximately 25 kilometres each leg. Some of the sections of the walk took approximately 10 hours across pretty rugged mountain terrain resulting in some very sore feet and muscle soreness in the next few days. Everyone agreed that it was much tougher than anyone expected.”
Of the 140 participants who started, an estimated 30 per cent dropped out. However this does not come as a surprise when one takes into consideration that the course was mapped out by the SAS. It was recommended that the fitness required was rated as good to high.
“As well as the name on the brick of the fallen Queensland soldier, the walkers also carried small crosses with poppies attached in remembrance of grandfathers and great grandfathers of local Noosa people,” Mr Williams Said. “Also the success of this march was made possible by the support of our local sponsors, so to them many thanks.”
With global conflicts once again on the rise the respects shown by the lifesavers and supporters who participated in this march is to be applauded for it shows that those who have served and are now also serving are not forgotten. Lest we forget.
