Support my 192km March On challenge to help our heroes march on

Please support me to help our heroes march on

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I did the thing… and then a little bit extra

Today was my final walk for the March On Challenge and not to flex, but I didn’t just hit my goal, I hit 101% 😌 That extra 1%? Just me reminding my goal who runs the show. Life’s felt a bit heavy lately. The kind of heavy you don’t always talk about, but you still carry. Some days, the weight wasn’t in the pack. It was in my head but I carried it anyway, the way we all do, one foot in front of the other. Showing up each day even when I didn’t feel like it, even when the weather was trash, even when my brain was louder than my legs. It ended up becoming something I didn’t realise I needed. Honestly, this challenge stopped being about the kms pretty quickly. It became about watching that “mates carrying mates” spirit unfold in real time, especially over on the Facebook group page. People donating kms. People backing strangers. People helping others get across the line. That quiet, steady humanity… it hits you right in the chest 🤍 I’m so grateful for everyone who supported, donated, or even just followed along. Every little cheer‑on, every “proud of you,” every quiet nudge of support… it wrapped around this challenge in a way I didn’t see coming. You turned a month of walking into something bigger, softer, and more meaningful than I ever expected.

9km to go

A weekend spent with my best mate

Only 20km to go!

I walked with my best mate today. She even donated the km she walked to the cause :)

Rainy day kms

Clocked a few more kms today. Inside…on a treadmill. Not my favourite vibe. I’m defs more of a fresh air, outside in the world walker, but the rain had other plans.

138 down…54 to go!

More kms clocked, more headspace cleared. Only 6 days left!

Weekend kms: powered by sunshine and shenanigans

Didn’t clock a solid chunk of kilometres over the weekend courtesy of a girls’ getaway that involved far more dancing than planned. I may have forgotten to hit “start” on the tracker, but my legs can confirm the distance was well earned.

Walking off my feelings like it’s a sport

I’ve recently discovered that my mental health strategy is basically “walk it off”… which honestly tracks for someone who’s been pretending to be fine since forever. Honestly though, life has felt a bit heavy lately. Not in a dramatic “cue the violins” way, more like an annoying little weight that climbs onto your shoulders uninvited and refuses to get off. You still do the school run, still answer the emails, still smile politely like a functional adult while internally muttering, “I’m fine… which is girl‑code for ‘Bleep, bleeeeeeep I’m holding it together with vibes, spite, one functioning brain cell, and copious amounts of caffeine.’” Then I go for a walk, usually near water, because that’s my reset button. The lake, the shoreline, even just the sound of it does something to me. Throw in a good sunset and I’m basically fixed. The heaviness loosens, my mind quiets down, and for a little while everything feels less crowded in my head. So I’ll keep walking, mainly because stopping feels worse and also because I’m mildly competitive with myself.

6 more kms in the bank…still -1 car fob

Did some walking today to retrace some of my steps from yesterday. Unfortunately didn’t locate my lost car fob but it was nice to do a walk with my best mate

Appreciation post

Thank you to my supporters and your donations 🫶🏼

Kokoda reached. turning home

Well… I’ve officially reached Kokoda, which feels mildly heroic considering most of this journey has been powered by stubbornness and snacks. No dramatic victory speech though because now it’s time to turn around and head back. The kilometres keep adding up, the cause is worth it, and apparently so is my refusal to quit halfway.

Sneaky lunch walk

Decided to get out and walk a few laps around the precinct.

Marching on for the cause…staying for the margs

Tonight’s walk was a casual one with company, which was nice ☺️

Support my challenge to prevent veteran suicide and save lives

In Australia, ex‑serving men and women are over twice as likely to die by suicide than the general population. Read that again. Now think about someone you know...a mate, a colleague, someone you care about. The idea that it could be them stops me in my tracks.

Anyone who’s spent time with former ADF members knows the stories, the humour, and the bond that comes from being pushed to the edge together. What you don’t always see is what stays with them after service. The exhaustion, the identity shift, the silence they default to, and the weight that keeps pressing long after their day is done.

They’ve pushed their bodies and minds past limits most people will never come close to, spent months or years away from the people they love. Some have had to walk away from service, not by choice, but because their body or mind simply couldn’t keep going.

Transitioning out brings its own set of challenges. New pressures, new uncertainties, and a loss of the structure and identity they’ve known for so long. This is where Soldier On can make a real difference. Their mental health services and programs can genuinely change, and sometimes save lives.

This March, I’m walking 192 km to support Soldier On (the distance to Kokoda and back). It won’t fix everything, but doing nothing isn’t an option either. This is one real way I can show up. A small drop in a very big ocean, but something that goes towards making a difference...even for just one person.

If you’re able to donate, it would mean a lot.

Your support goes directly to those who need it most.

Cheers,

Mel