VICTORIAN man John Olsen is about to embark on a monumental and unique Trans-Australian walk that will take him through our region.
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John is planning to walk diagonally across Australia from Cape York to Cape Leeuwin and anticipates it will take him a little over five months
John’s task is certainly a huge one but he has already done two transcontinental walks; the first, in 2004, north to south from Cape York to South West Cape, Tasmania, and the second, in 2008, west to east from Steep Point, Western Australia, to Byron Bay, NSW.
His Lions Club mates in Geelong believe there is a fair chance that John will be the first to complete the diagonal crossing of Australia on foot.
The primary purpose of this walk is to raise funds for Leukodystrophy Australia (previously the Australian Leukodystrophy Support Group).
Leukodystrophy is a degenerative genetic disease that affect the nervous system with no cure for leukodystrophy and the impact on families is devastating.
John’s partner, Vida, died of the condition early in 2014.
John plans to set out in late March or early April.
Based on his past walks, he estimates he will cover about 1000 km each month, taking just over five months to complete the 5100 km walk.
He refuses to use a support vehicle and relies on picking up food, water and other essentials along the way.
He pulls a purpose built, two wheel cart, which he fondly refers to as ‘Wilson’, and makes camp along the way as he sees fit.
John’s planned route takes him south from Cape York, cutting across to Normanton, and then in a relatively straight line through to Camooweal.
From there he will head south west to Alice Springs, and then make his way to Uluru before heading off along the Great Central Road to Laverton.
The next stage will take him to Kalgoorlie, westward towards Perth before turning south west again through Wave Rock and finally onto Cape Leeuwin.
He then plans to walk north to Perth before heading back home using more conventional transport.
Although generally adverse to modern technology, John will carry with him a satellite phone and an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) type device.
He has arranged to have regular Sunday morning contact with ‘Macca’ on the ABC along the way.
John has been a member of Lions for over 30 years and is currently a member of the Lions Club of Geelong Corio Bay.
The Club is working closely with Leukodystrophy Australia and all funds raised will go to that
John is hoping to meet local schools and community groups along the way.