Prostate cancer charity drive ventures along Southern Rail Trail

PARTICIPANTS in the Biannual Prostate Cancer Australia Day Charity Drive began the harness drive fundraiser in testing conditions at Alberton West Recreation Reserve on Friday, finishing at Koonwarra on Monday with sunshine and a temperature in the mid twenties.

All proceeds from the event were donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, dedicated to reducing the impact of prostate cancer on Australian men, their partners and families.
“It was raining and coming in sideways,” event organiser Leanne Prosser of Toongabbie said of the first day.

A diversion was required at Hedley, with the rail trail “washed out there” and drivers guiding their animals on a detour of a few kilometres, going through the bush then crossing the South Gippsland Highway.

“We wish the (car) drivers would slow down,” Leanne said of that challenge.

After a trip of approximately 26 kilometres, day one ended at Welshpool Recreation Reserve. 

On Saturday, it was on to Bennison, stopping along the way to enjoy a packed lunch at the Toora horse yards, the day’s journey being a little over 16 kilometres.

Sunday took the intrepid travellers to Buffalo Hall, breaking the almost 27-kilometre day’s riding at Hoddle Station.

A further 22-kilometre stretch was undertaken on the final day, participants resting at their Meeniyan lunch stop before continuing along the Great Southern Rail Trail towards their destination at the Koonwarra saleyards, the end of the journey.

Leanne was accompanied by granddaughter Mia Jones, the pair pulled by Welsh Pony Manny.

Fiona Mottram of Woorarra West brought dogs Texta and Saffy along for the adventure, Daisy the mini mule acting as their ‘engine’.

Participants came from localities such as Mirboo North, Yarram, Lancefield and Traralgon.

The first running of the Australia Day Charity Drive was in 2018, between Toongabbie and Maffra on the Plains Rail Trail and it’s been held every couple of years since.

Leanne said this year’s route was ideal as it offered less likelihood of unsuitably hot conditions for the horses, ponies and mules and wasn’t too far from home for participants.

Venus Bay Men’s Shed ferried everyone back and forth to their floats each day, making its bus available for the purpose.