Starting Each Day

Each day I have a starting point for the walk. For consistency (and to allow recovery time and a decent breakfast) every day starts at 8.30 a.m. The finishing time will vary depending on the distance covered in the day.

Day One: Orange Public School

A beautiful school in the city of Orange, the hospitality of the Principal, John Webb, and the community of the school will provide an excellent starting point for my walk. The school is involved in its local Relay for Life each year and has made a substantial contribution to cancer awareness in its own community and to the Cancer Council project s funded through the Relay. I am looking forward to a brief time with the community of the school as I set off.

http://web3.orange-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/Home.html

Day Two: Bathurst Public School

Thanks to the hospitality of Principal, Kathryn White, and the community of this beautiful school located in the middle of Bathurst city, I will have the opportunity to start my longest day with school children. No doubt this will make me feel at home. The fresher air of the Western Plains may not be the same, but the welcoming nature of children is the same the world over.

As with Orange, the architecture of this school is a wonderful reflection of the time when universal education was becoming a priority for Australian society. It may present its challenges for those who provide modern educational program in buildings designed for a different era, but it provides a wonderful link to the values of public education for over one and a half centuries.

http://www.bathurst-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Day Three: Lithgow Public School

Lithgow and my school, Castle Hill, have something in common. Both schools teach French as part of the syllabus. I wish I had spent a little more time attending French classes at my school so I could greet the students of Lithgow in two languages. I hope the generosity of Principal, Kerry Griffiths, and the staff and students will extend to forgiveness for my lack of French skills.

Lithgow is a city that is changing in its nature. I am looking forward to getting to know some of those who live there and am grateful for their willingness to support the Cancer Council through assisting my venture.

http://www.lithgow-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Day Four: Wentworth Falls Public School

Nestled on the western side of the Blue Mountains, Wentworth Falls is the my starting point on Friday, 15th May. This is "Walk Safely To School Day". I think I may be accused of taking it to extremes. The Principal, Liz Strasser, and the community of Wentworth Falls school will be looking at the concept of walking a little differently as they host my departure.

This is an exciting day for me as I will be retracing the steps of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson, the first European settlers to cross the Blue Mountains. When I walk up the western face of the mountains on Thursday, I emerge very close to where these three first saw the Western Plains. While I am tracing their steps backwards, I am looking forward to the opportunity to do this. I am also looking forward to having a footpath for the remainder of my walk. It should be a relief from walking on the comparatively uneven surfaces of the road shoulders and bush tracks of the previous three days.

http://www.wentwthfal-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/

Day Five: Panthers

Panthers have generously offered to host my start on the final day of my walk. I will be joined at Panthers at 8.30 a.m. by the CEO of the Cancer Council, Dr Andrew Penman, who is walking the first ten kilometres with me. He is celebrating ten years of Relays in NSW and the wonderful work they have done to raise funds for research, community information and care over that decade. Andrew is a little faster on his feet than me but I am sure that he will make concessions for the wear and tear of the previous four days of walking.

Panthers are great supporters of the Penrith Relay for Life which is held the weekend before I commence my walk. It is great to see corporations and community organisations getting behind such an important cause. Their participation motivates the volunteers who give their time to organise fund raising activities.

http://www.panthers.com.au/