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David NG

2026 March On Challenge

Please support me to help our heroes march on

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Rambles of a rover - day 8

Welp, I've definitely got a bit of catching up to do with this little blog of mine... 😅 Regardless, g'day everyone and glad you're here, for I've got a few days of real good walks to get off my chest, even if one of them didn't quite go to plan yet... That shall come later, but let's start with the journey on Day Six. Edwardes Lake in Reservoir--however small the lap ultimately was, especially for walking all the way there, it was still such a beautiful slice of nature. Parklands, forestry, the water stretching as far as the eye could see... All I'd be missing was the sunshine, but even so, it'd prove such a pleasure to explore. Some 20,000 steps and 3 hours later, I'd be home sore but real satisfied. A great start to a weekend, and I certainly wasn't done. Day 7 took me over 3 hours and over 23,000 steps, and that grand journey all began on the whim of heading downstairs on the bridge near Flinders Street Station, rather than crossing it and continuing to the Royal Botanic Gardens. What'd follow was a 17-KM journey beside the Yarra River, which'd see me explore bridges, forests, and even roads as I got hopelessly, and happily lost. The idea was to reach Fairfield Boathouse for a lunch, cross Dights Falls and a lookout on the way, but it ultimately didn't pan out as such. Oh well, can always have another go whenever I'm ready. 😁👍 Day 8 was a far less strenuous walk which'd see me check out an almost local comic and toy fair in Thornbury. After a quick train ride, a good walk in the streets, I'd end up in Narrandjeri Stadium where it took place. A dirt-cheap ticket to check out all sorts of wares, from rare trading cards to classic consoles to comics and plenty more. Even sampled some delicious hot sauces, had small chats at times... But it'd really confirm that after years of attending such events and always seeming stuck, I found it better to pack it in, daresay for good. Another walk to Croxton later, I'd get to Melbourne Central for a long-desired lunch, then went to donate plasma -- or platelets, it'd turn out, to answer an emergency call. In doing so, would achieve a new milestone of 75 donations, and with it, get me a delicious Darrell Lea block as gratitude. Here's to 25 more to make my first triple, and who knows how many beyond that? That just about covers it on all my journeys, for up to now--hard to believe I'd almost cover halfway to my goal inside a week! Long as I mind any blisters, stretch and release the muscles real well, I reckon I'll be done in a matter of days.🤞🤞🤞 Until next time, March On friends, and see ya next time! 👋🏼😁

Rambles of a rover -- days 3 & 4

G'day everybody; first of all, apologies to not get my third day's blog done--that's why I've included it in this double header here. So day 3, and some of day 4 as well, would involve much more meandering upon footpaths than I'd intend--only so many houses and gardens a guy can go on about, before it gets boring. However, I'd end up passing old schoolyards of mine on the third day, and geez, did they ever offer a glimpse of grand leaps into the future. Gods know I'd get my share of memories--some fond, others not--as I'd wonder what could've been to journey way back in time. All as I continue to take steps, literal or otherwise, to carve success in something. Anyway, nothing out of the ordinary after that, so let's talk of day four... Today was a showcase of nature both wonderful and at times wild; wasn't even in at a reserve when I'd spot two foxes frolicking about a funeral home and petrol station. 🦊 On my biggest walk to date this month, about two hours total, I'd end up in reserves, brand new streets, down busy roads, and up nature trails. Had to revise distance in the end, at least going by Google Maps, but over 10 KMs later, I'd be back home, satisfied at another job well done. A fifth of the way there, almost, and just 4 days in... Progress is looking quite good! Here's to keeping that streak alive--looking forward to sharing again. Until next time, March On friends! 😁👍

My kokoda-style journey -- day 2

Steps Taken: 10570 Time Taken: 1hr 48min Distance travelled: 7.8 KM AVG Steps/KM: 1,355 Afternoon all, and welcome to day 2 of my trek across Melbourne and beyond -- hopefully, heaps of hidden gems to explore as I continue my updates. And I will admit, the weather today wasn't what I'd call ideal--in fact, the thought initially was to stay home and make up for it on Tuesday. But, in my heart of hearts, I've found that one excuse begets any excuse, that a day becomes two, a week becomes a month, and I'm back to square one. No more. No longer. No failing now. Not when I can help others, and help myself (lose weight, build habits etc.) as I do so. So it was off at about 20 to 7 or thereabouts--down familiar streets I'd go, trying to avoid dog crap on the concrete as I'd cross parks I'd never seen before, gorgeous murals on the backs of libraries, and old farmhouses and churches I'd miss on my first go-around. But while I'd ultimately collect that dog crap under my shoe (almost slipped in it, to boot!) I'd still be real glad to embrace the wind and rain--world's not always sunshine and rainbows, but your perspective can adapt. Anyway, that's 15 KM down and another 177 to go... Keep an eye out for more roving ramblings of mine, but until then, March On friends!

My kokoda-style journey -- day 1

Steps Taken: About 10,000 Time Taken: 1hr 32mins KMs walked: 7.3 Avg Steps per KM: Roughly 1370 It can be extraordinary what one discovers virtually right in their backyard... The entire time I've lived in the one place, I never came close to knowing that I could go back a couple of centuries in time just to walk for a half hour or so. To a collection of settlements and farmhouses, to a Lutheran church and cemetery, that beneath the early morning Sun poking out the clouds, could prove such a gorgeous sight. One's left to wonder of life without the advances made in 175 years. But then, perhaps nobody in those days cared--they kept their lives simple, full of hard work, and that was that. Suffice it to say, there's bound to be more hidden gems to get out and explore that I've never done... This March and beyond, that's what I will do. See ya tomorrow for another adventure!

A little note on accuracy...

G'day everyone, so the intent behind this blog post is to make clear how I'll track everything--how I'll prove accuracy in each and every walk I take this March, and thereafter. First, I have a Step Counter app that has, I believe, solid accuracy for steps and decent for distance. For tracking time, I use a multi-timer app, which works great as well. There are some spots I'll head to which I won't be able to use, say, Google Maps--for that, I'll see how well Step Counter works, and take an estimate based on average steps per KM -- I believe mine's at 1350 give or take. A lot of yap and yammer to say I'm going for 95+% accuracy, and how I shall do so, without live streams, location tracks or any of that. Cheers, and here's to Marching On!

A great reason to get off my bum!

If ever I needed a powerful persuader to get my steps in, toward the million and beyond I've set a 2026 goal for, then I'm glad Facebook showed me one. I've heard my share of songs and stories, seen the Shrine and memorials as a kid... Finally I can help give the fighting chance our soldiers deserve. To every individual and team I've so far seen, thank you for being the beacon--can only aspire to be the same. And best wishes and luck for March On 2026!

Support my challenge to prevent veteran suicide and save lives

Right now in Australia, at 42%, suicide is the leading cause of death for ex-serving males aged under 30 years old.

So, this March, I am walking to support Soldier On's mental health services and programs to help prevent veteran suicide and save lives.

It would mean so much to me if you donated to support my challenge so that we can show veterans and their families that they are not alone... we stand strong with them.

Together, let's help our heroes march on.

Thanks so much for your support.

So far, I have helped provide:

59

peer support
sessions

56

employment
support

3

psychology
sessions

...to support the mental health of our brave veterans to help them march on.

My Kokoda Track Journey

So far, I have marched:

246km

I’ve conquered Kokoda and back!

My goal to Kokoda and back:

192km

My Achievements

Thank you to my sponsors

Legend Rank

Champion Rank

Defender Rank

Ally Rank

$202.56

Steve C

This is awesome Dave! Consider this walk: Heidelberg Park to Westerfolds Park via Main Yarra Trail - if you google map "main yarra trail" you can pretty much start anywhere along the trail but Heidelberg Park was a nice place to start and work toward getting to Westerfolds Park and exploring the Westerfolds loop and back to Heidelberg Park - remember to bring water and some snacks !

$100

Tony & Maria

$100

Tony & Maria

$100

Matched Donation

$85.48

Phillip Grouls

$85.48

Matched Donation

$68.36

Stellios T

Great work Dave!

$64.67

Philip Grouls

$64.67

Phillip Grouls

Let's go!

$64.67

Matched Donation

$52.92

David Ng

$40.37

Gianni Fringuelli

$40.37

Tiarni Cornwill Rowland

$20

Elisabetta L

$20

Micky-d

One step after the other, moving forward - towards a greater future. Great work brothee

$20

Anita W-n

$202.56

Steve C

This is awesome Dave! Consider this walk: Heidelberg Park to Westerfolds Park via Main Yarra Trail - if you google map "main yarra trail" you can pretty much start anywhere along the trail but Heidelberg Park was a nice place to start and work toward getting to Westerfolds Park and exploring the Westerfolds loop and back to Heidelberg Park - remember to bring water and some snacks !

$100

Tony & Maria

$100

Tony & Maria

$100

Matched Donation

$85.48

Phillip Grouls

$85.48

Matched Donation

$68.36

Stellios T

Great work Dave!

$64.67

Philip Grouls

$64.67

Phillip Grouls

Let's go!

$64.67

Matched Donation

$52.92

David Ng

$40.37

Gianni Fringuelli

$40.37

Tiarni Cornwill Rowland

$20

Elisabetta L

$20

Micky-d

One step after the other, moving forward - towards a greater future. Great work brothee

$20

Anita W-n

Thank you to my Sponsors

$100

Matched Donation

$85.48

Phillip Grouls

$85.48

Matched Donation

$68.36

Stellios T

Great work Dave!

$64.67

Philip Grouls

$64.67

Phillip Grouls

Let's go!

$64.67

Matched Donation

$52.92

David Ng

$40.37

Gianni Fringuelli

$40.37

Tiarni Cornwill Rowland

$20

Elisabetta L

$20

Micky-d

One step after the other, moving forward - towards a greater future. Great work brothee

$20

Anita W-n

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