My Kokoda Track Journey





Logged
131km
Goal to Kokoda
96km
I’ve conquered Kokoda!
So far, I have helped Soldier On fund:
568
peer support
sessions
341
employment
support
43
psychology
sessions
...to support the mental health of our brave veterans to help them march on.
Support My Challenge to Save Lives.
This March, I am conquering 96km to support Soldier On's life-saving mental health services to help our brave veterans and their families.
Why 96km? Because I'm taking on the length of the Kokoda Track to honour the courage and sacrifice of our veterans, both past and present.
Please support my challenge to prevent veteran suicide and help save lives.
Together, we can help our heroes march on.
Thanks so much for your support.
My Updates




Finished!!
Thursday 31st Mar



Day 24, 25
Friday 25th Mar Day 24 there’s a cyclone building off the coast and the weather straightening with a light sprinkle here and there last night was successful so let’s crack on get the job done tonight, honestly what am I thinking I found myself at the base of the road to nowhere again, ain’t gonna get up there by looking at it – three stops again this time wearing a fly net to eliminate those pasty buggers. Brought some gloves with me tonight put on for my decent to stop my hands from smoking man they make a difference, another 4K tonight total 113 km.
Day 23 reached 101km’s!
Thursday 24th Mar Up the dreaded Road to know where Hill and Tom Price again, 220 m of uphill over 23 m elevation my hands are smoking! Managed another 4 km tonight Share
Day 21,22
Wednesday 23rd Mar


Day 18,19,20
Sunday 20th Mar Day 18,19,20 march on challenge.Day 18, no kilometres achieved today just a session in the gym preparing for D day tomorrow. At a undisclosed location I managed to have a few frothy‘s and get a game plan together! Not only do I want to reach the 96km by pushing another 10km I want to also reach 100km mark which would mean a 13 to 14km push let’s do this.
Day 19, D day arrived - alarm at 4am dressed & ready, won’t lie feeling a little hazy I go to transfer into my chair and it’s wobbling all over the place, i’m thinking maybe something is under the Wheel it’s dark I can’t see, I transfer In and release the break to realise I’ve got a bloody flat tyre you’re joking ha ha Ha! (There may have been some other words said “may”) fair to say the day ended before it started you guessed it I transferred back into bed for a little bit more shut eye I dealing with that this morning!
Day 20, with new joggers and sticky push rims on I set out just after 0630H’s - The sun was up the flies were out it was going to be a ripper, must’ve been kid on a scooter day this morning kids everywhere great to see - dodging and weaving scooters and Bindi‘s probably achieve an overall extra km! I had a few asked me what I was doing and where I was heading some were following me for awhile until they realise how slow I was going and not getting any faster, off they shot! With a new combo I knock three minutes off my 5km time and average speed was up .3 this wheelie was marching!! (Shiny bits go faster 😎)
4KM’s TO GO!!!!
$132 Bucks off 3k… Common can we do it 🙏
The official march on challenge Paige announced on 19 March the total raised amount is $1.4 million how bloody awesome is that! Remember this is a non-for profit company every cent goes to the end user.
4km will be a “wheel in the park” - once the 96k done I’ll keep pushing throughput March for our Vets. Cheers guys n girls
Share

Day 14, 15, 16
Thursday 17th MarDay 14, Much needed 80,000km body service at Tom Price Physio getting bent twisted poked relieved.
Day 15, waiting for it to cool after sundown I hit the path, bugger me it’s hot! 37deg and 60% humidity at 7pm - short 3km tonight after seeing a few slithery long worms with teeth warming themselves on the path, headlights on the Wheelchair aren’t real good spotting these guys at the last second gets the heart rate going.
Day 16, another hot night but managed to get a few k’s done, it must’ve been socialise night with a beer in hand , I set out for 3k’s and only achieve 2.. In those 2km I stopped six times for a chat but with no beer for me, it just wasn’t gonna happen tonight although it was good to get some jaw exercise in!

Day 12 & 13
Sunday 13th Mar A spectacular creek that runs through a deep gorge, it had terrain that offered favourable conditions for defence in World War II. Many heavy battles occurred here, and it was the site of the largest battle in Australia's advance to Kokoda.
Our soldiers fought with great courage... but sadly, many lost their lives
Day 13, redemption day! Half a coffee and a mouthful of fire tonic raw apple cider vinegar and chilli I was ready, attacking some of the bigger hills earlier on, watching the red sky get brighter as the sun rise we were making good grounds. Daylight had come and we’ll 5 km down surprisingly feeling good and the flies were awake thank F!! 6, 7, 8km’s okay I’m starting to feel it now with a few more elevations to come heading home, certainly spoke too soon about these bloody flies they’re like protein bars 🤮! My first 10 K push was insight, you can do it you fat bastard I was silently saying.. self motivation on point! BOOM 10km’s in One hour and 50 minutes. I redeemed myself from yesterday’s piss poor efforts! Remember though, it’s not about me I done that for other reasons just like you guys putting your hand in the pockets. It’s 7.30am feels like 2pm, i’m tonguing for a beer ha ha, cheers guys 🍻
Days 8 9 10 11 done!
Saturday 12th Mar
Day 5, 6, 7
Tuesday 8th Mar

Day 6, 4k push & 2k skierg
Sunday 6th Mar

Day 5: 6km push this morning, conquered a few hills which slowed the journey nothing like a little bit of pain!
Saturday 5th Mar

Day 1, 2, 3 done!
Thursday 3rd Mar Day 1 & 2 were pretty full on for me but made good gains especially since a cyclone is building up north. On the skierg at home is tough but in the ideal environment! My spinal injury doesn’t allow my body to regulate temperature making it tough in our hot climate, so the ski erg indoors is ideal but not as exciting as pushing or hand cycling! Pushing has had its own extra challenges with strong winds building up and a little bit of rain here and there, Tom Price doesn’t have too many street lights to offer, finding some potholes I never knew existed. Day one I had to hide in the bus shelter for five minutes due to the wind just about pushing me backwards! It’s all part of the fun right?! Before I go hero to 0 I thought day three would be good to jump on the hand cycle and trek around town, the load on the body is there but less then pushing and I can get more of a breeze to cool me down on the 35° evenings. We are just over a quarter way through the 96 km so looking good, even better having lots of fun doing it with encouragement along the way which also helps. Will keep you posted, thanks for all the donations! Share



Day 1 man down
Tuesday 1st Mar
Thank you to my Sponsors

$1.02k
Black Magic Race Cars

$515
Ross Bennie
Very well done Matt, just shows you what shit, Grit, and Determination can do. Massive Effort

$261
Diamond Blue Consulting Pty Ltd
To the legend that is MATT! Pound that pavement hard, no more injuries please. Love following your journey! Doing everyone proud always. Great cause!

$208.80
Sterling Hockley
Great stuff Matt, you should be very proud of yourself.

$160
Cameron Wagstaff
Love your work Matt

$156.60
Anonymous
Talk about an inspiration, true dedication and commitment to the cause. Awesome effort mate.

$104.40
Ken & Wendy
Go Matt! You’ve got it in the bag. You’re a legend!

$104.40
Nez
You're a superstar! Thank you for what you've done and will continue to do to support others.

$104.40
Cameron Fernandez

$104.40
Bek Tournay
You're a bloody champ

$104.40
Matt Carey

$104.40
The Mactaggart’s
Well done mate very impressive

$104.40
Robyn Skinner
Your exceptional

$103.36
Joe Dirt
Legend 🤘

$100
Dylan Cr

$100
Anonymous
Good work cock'o

$100
Michael & Amanda Telford
Well Done Bro love the Telford Mob from Howlong 👍

$83.52
Georgina Suitor
You got this! Great cause - good luck I’m sure you’ll smash your goal in no time!

$83.52
Brian Mccully
On ya Matt. I am thinking about your arms.

$80
Indra Richmond-suherman

$64.73
Daniel
Hey Matt Take my hat off to you mate, love your goals.

$64.73
Julie & Chris
Awesome cause Matty 👍

$64.73
Chris Frewen
Nice work mate, Good Luck

$64.73
Anonymous

$64.73
Shane Grant
Well done mate

$64.73
Alan & Shirley Eriksson
All the best mate. You can do this.

$64.73
Christopher Suitor
Great cause Matt, thank you for your fantastic effort for this cause

$64.73
Feaksy
Keep on Pushing!

$64.73
Eloise Jarrett
Top effort for a great cause!

$64.73
Hayden & Sonia Powell
Onya Matt!!! Love your work!

$64.73
Perry Green

$64.73
Phil Green
Go Matt great job you are doing

$64.73
Anonymous
Legend!

$64.73
Paul Hindle

$64.73
Peta-maree Marchant
Great effort Matt. Well done.

$64.73
Katie Newey

$64.73
Andre
Up it Maddog

$64.73
Kimmy & Josh
Keep up the great work Matt, awesome achievement and cause.

$64.73
Paul Hitchcock
Good luck Matt!

$64.73
Bianca Clinch

$64.73
Calli Graham
Good luck Matt!

$62
Borat

$52.20
T Atherton
Awesome effort mate

$52.20
Jenny Joseph
Donated, you're almost there Matt. 😘

$52.20
Teresa And Steve Turner
You are an absolute legend Matt

$52.20
Rachael Oreo

$52.20
Bill Shoard
Good luck mate, you got this!

$52.20
Emily And Stephanie Bowes
We love you heaps Uncle Matt and are super proud of you, such an inspiration.

$52.20
Rochelle And Fred Hough
So proud of you Matt

$52.20
Terry Walis

$52.20
Carpo
Well done Matt.

$52.20
Luke Carlson

$52.20
Anonymous

$52.20
Brett Marshall
Go you good thing.

$52.20
Clodagh Campion

$52.20
Bec N Morf
On ya Matt!

$52.20
Peter Sawyer
Awesome effort mate.

$52.20
Belinda Civiletti

$52.20
Lance Giudice

$52.20
Janine Oliver
All the best Matt for your challenge, My father in law struggled with his mental health for years after returning from Vietnam. Wonderful you are creating awareness through your challenge.

$52.20
Sharon Jager
You are amazing. Thanks for helping funds to support our fellow veterans. I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart ❤

$52.20
Bowes Family
Well done Uncle Matt, we are all super proud of you xx

$52.20
Venezzia Whitmore

$50
Peggy
This is awesome Matt! You got this!!! 💪🏼🙌🏼

$50
Kara Byrnes

$50
The Walker Family
Good luck Matt

$50
Anonymous
Donated $50

$50
Aaron Winder

$38.63
Suzy Bearcroft
Go you legend

$38.63
Korewha Fam
You got this!!

$38.63
Caragh Mcguirk

$38.63
Paul Carey
Well done Matt. Inspirational with courage and bravery like a digger would.

$37
Jen Jen
Well done Matty!

$37
Renea

$26.10
Bel Christmas
You are amazing. Go Matt !!!

$26.10
Sam Humphries

$25
Jmtzm
Great work Matty. Keep it up.

$20.88
David Wilson
Thinking of you Matt as you "take up" this challenge. Good Luck & Best Wishes.

$20.88
Matthew Elliott
Keep it up! Awesome Job

$5.22
Keep up the good work mate, we will have a beer when you get home.