Anzac Day trek numbers doubled

Ahead of Anzac Day this year, 50 people set out at midnight from Corrimal’s Anzac Grove on the Illawarra’s second Trek4Vets event, a 20km hike through the escarpment and along the coast that returned in time for the Dawn Service on April 25.

“It was incredible,” said organiser Brendan Hunt. “The first year we had 21 people turn up, which was good for the first year. But we had 50 people this year, which was absolutely amazing. A really good mix of people, a great turnout and we all got through it unscathed. No injuries, there was a bit of mud up the mountain and whatnot, but we all got through it.”

Ranging in age from 14 to 57, the trekkers set off at midnight on Railway Street, heading up through suburbia and into the escarpment.

“We trek along there for quite a few k,” Brendan said. “Then we actually come back down and head through Woonona and straight to the coast, all the way along the coast and then back up Railway Street in time for the Dawn Service.”

Head torches, water and good shoes were essential, he said. “We recommend longer socks, like above ankle socks, just because there's a few leeches up there in the escarpment. And we also encourage people to throw a bit of weight into a backpack and bring that along with them. A bit of added discomfort just makes it a bit harder and reminds you of why we are doing what we're doing.”

The annual trek raises money for Mates for Mates, a charity that helps veterans and their families, but the event is primarily about paying your respects to Australia’s servicemen and women, Brendan says.

“The motto or the creed of it is to sacrifice a night's sleep, find a bit of discomfort, bridging that gap between veterans and civilians.

“So all marching as one to sacrifice the night's sleep and to pay our respects to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

“It's all about honouring Anzac Day in a more unique way. Rather than going out on the beers and playing two-up, you know, the traditional Anzac Day – which is also still quite important, it's quite a nice tradition that we have – we’re just about kicking the day off, paying our respects and, and sacrificing that night's sleep, finding that little bit of discomfort to pay your respects to those who have given their lives, and given everything for us so that we actually have the lifestyle that we have in Australia.”

Before relocating to the Illawarra, Brendan served for six years in the Royal Australian Air Force. “I was based out at Richmond and I was an aircraft technician, so I was working on the big C-130 Hercules aircraft.”

Now full-time at Fire & Rescue NSW, Brendan moved to Corrimal about 18 months ago, after discovering the region when his brother-in-law moved in Bulli, attracted by the relatively affordable house prices compared to Sydney but also the region’s strong community.

“My wife are right into our fitness … we’d go for runs along the coast and just saw how beautiful it was. But more so, people would say good morning to you and they'd pass you in the street and say hello … what a good community.”

He started doing overnight Anzac Day hikes during the pandemic. “I'm good friends with one of the co-founders. My wife and I had actually done our own little mini Trek4Vets, right in the middle of Covid lockdown. We just met up the three of us, and marched down the coast and back for five hours, and then tuned into the live ABC Dawn Service.

“We did that for two years in a row during Covid. Then I said to him, I wanted to run one down south, where I live. Once restrictions were lifted, he gave us the green light to expand.”

Trek4Vets now takes place in seven locations around Australia. Taking on the escarpment with a group at night requires some careful planning, Brendan said.

“Just getting everyone through – that, for me personally, is the hardest thing being the trek leader. Maybe people might have done a three- to five-hour trek before in their lives, but I think doing it at midnight and marching for five hours is quite a big shock to the system.”

Climbing up and down the escarpment was the most challenging part. “It's pretty steep at the start. It's quite a shock to the system getting up into the escarpment, which is good because you get the hardest bit of the course out of the way. Then coming back down, again, fairly steep and it's a bit of a tricky little goat track.”

Brendan – the proud father of a newborn – thanked his wife, for literally holding the baby while he led the 2023 trek. “She’s a pretty incredible woman,” he said.

This year’s challenge went really well. “I've got a few people that I lean on pretty heavily. Thanks to the guys who helped me out, Shane, Greg and Dane, they were the other three guides.”

“A huge thank you to all the people that took part. It was an incredible turnout and a really, really good bunch of people. Also, a shout to Cass from the Yard Gym, that’s where I train. And Brendan from Resin Brewery, he did a lot, helped with advertising and putting up posters.”

Thanks to the team, the 20km trek proceeded just as planned.

“We got back about quarter past five,” Brendan said. “So we had about half an hour to get changed, I put out some bananas and biscuits and tea and coffee for everyone. So we all got warm and dry, had a bit of refreshment and then were in time for the Dawn Service at six o’clock.”

To donate or register interest for next year's event, visit the Trek4Vets website