Apart from getting behind a great cause, is there any other reason to hot foot it to the 2023 Be Wise Walk on Sunday, November 19?
Well – for starters, you can get to meet some of our tremendous supporters including Richmond AFL legend Matthew “Richo” Richardson (a regular at what is one of our key annual fundraisers).
SBS cycling commentator Matt Keenan is also taking part.
While the Walk is not quite the Tour de France, we reckon the local scenery is still rather fetching – with none of those nasty Pyrenean mountain passes!
(We like our hills flat, so that has to be a good thing … right!)
While more accustomed to wearing lycra, Matt will be lacing up a pair of runners and bringing his family to tackle the 8.4km of gorgeous walking trails along Melbourne’s Plenty and Yarra rivers – much of it under a spectacular canopy of mature trees.
Both are ambassadors for the Foundation. They’ve also recorded some very special messages of support for the day, which – in addition to an opportunity to remember Pat, aims to raise around $150,000 for violence-prevention education and programs for young people across Australia.
According to “Richo”: We’ve got to end the Coward Punch. It’s going to be a fantastic day and we’d love your support.”
Matt meanwhile: “Come and support it. It’s been going for seven years and it’s a great cause. We’re trying to change the culture and the language we use around the Coward Punch. Get on board.”
Registrations are now open. Remember, get in before October 24 to receive an event T-shirt. We reckon they look fabulous and we can’t wait to see as many people as possible wearing this year’s version.
Our top five tips for the day:
Parking: No need to take a deep breath and count to 10 – it’s all sorted! We’ve created two maps (at the end of this article) to show the best spots.
Dysons will again generously provide free transport throughout the day between the Lower Plenty Football Ground (80 Park Lane, Montmorency) and the starting point of the Walk at the Banyule Cricket Club’s Beverley Road Oval, Heidelberg.
First service is at 8.30am from the Lower Plenty Football Ground to the start of the walk at the Beverley Road Oval. Coaches will run every 10 minutes to get you to the starting line if you have parked at Lower Plenty and then every 10 minutes when you have finished the walk to get you back to your car if you parked at Heidelberg.
The drone is back: A Be Wise Walk tradition – we encourage everyone to take part in a group shot at the start of the walk, spelling out our key message. It’s a powerful reminder of why we’re all coming together as a community and what we’re trying to achieve – and with an anticipated 2000 walkers this year we reckon it’s going to make quite the statement.
Family fun: Please stay on after the walk. Live music, kids’ entertainment and food and refreshments will be on offer at Lower Plenty from 11am-3pm. This year it’ll include a jumping castle, face painting from Barry Plant, Mini Bakers from Bakers Delight and kids sport activities on the oval.
Grab a free photo: We’ll have photographers covering the walk. We’ll post the images on Facebook – so please download, share and help us raise awareness! (Extra brownie points for sharing the drone photo)
Walk to Anywhere: If you can’t make this walk, you can participate in the “Walk to Anywhere Week” from Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19, where you can walk any day, distance, anywhere in the world.
Register for the 2023 Be Wise Walk now
The Walk is proudly supported by Barry Plant Real Estate, Le Pine Funerals and YVE. For all the details on the day, including registrations, donations, team entries and fundraising tips, please tap here
Be Wise Walk Parking – Lower Plenty
Be Wise Walk Parking – Beverley Road Oval Heidelberg
