Rotary Aussie Peace Walk

The Rotary Aussie Peace Walk is a new event built around a series of walks to take place in Canberra on the last weekend of March. The primary aim is ‘to create a fun and engaging festival with an international feel and a focus on peace and understanding’.

“We want to this new annual event to feel like a constantly moving festival,” says founder Chris Edwards of the Rotary Club of Hall.

The aim is to encourage teams of all ages to walk whilst representing their cultural heritage, their sporting team, organisation or business. There is a great prize for the most entertaining team that also shows a spirit of friendship or adds a ‘festival vibe’ to the weekend.

The Peace Walk is just as it sounds. It is NOT a race.

“We want participants to take their time; to chat with fellow walkers, to relax while getting exercise in the clean fresh air of the ‘bush capital’. If some want to stop for a coffee on the way, that’s ok. So long as they complete their chosen distances, they’ll earn the commemorative medal… that’s the challenge!” Mr Edwards says.

The Rotary Aussie Peace Walk is a two-day challenge. Entrants can take part on the Saturday or Sunday events but commemorative medals will only be awarded to those that complete one walk on each day.

“This is an ideal opportunity for some of Canberra’s multicultural groups to ‘perform’ as they walk,” Mr Edwards says.

When people register, they must choose a country to represent. Even though an entrant may be in a corporate team, or a sporting club team, all walkers must choose a country to support. Then, participants should wear something or carry something to identify themselves as representing their chosen country.

Imagine you are ‘as Aussie as they come’, but you are learning Spanish? The fun thing to do would be to choose to represent ‘Spain’. On the walks, wear something or carry something that identifies you as supporting Spain. You will undoubtedly attract conversation from like-minded people.

There will be prizes for individuals and teams that best represent the colour and character of a culture. Anyone could win if you are prepared to have some fun. For example, a team could choose to represent Scotland; dress up as Scotts and walk around all weekend talking like Sean Connery… that sort of behaviour will make the event fun.

As of today, 90% of entrants have opted to walk on both days. We already have entrants from all Australian states except WA and Tasmania. A Kiwi has entered in the hope that she can get here in March and we have one entrant from the Netherlands who has been stuck here since March last year.

All events on Saturday are on fairly level ground and take place around the picturesque Lake Burley Griffin. Walkers can choose from 7km, 12km, 21km or 42km.

The Sunday walks are a little more hilly, with 7km, 12km and 24km options. All Sunday walks have some sections through bushland. The 24km is spectacular as walkers go over the National Arboretum, Black Mountain, and through the Botanical Gardens.

To enter, visit Aussie Peace Walk online.

Funds raised from the event will support a Rotary health initiative in 9 Pacific Island nations (Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau, Kiribati and Nauru.)

Details here – https://aussiepeacewalk.com.au/give-every-child-a-future/ .

Program of events:

• Overview and key dates – https://aussiepeacewalk.com.au/event-info/
• Saturday – https://aussiepeacewalk.com.au/saturday-events/
• Sunday – https://aussiepeacewalk.com.au/sunday-events/

There will also be a black-tie Rotary Centenary Peace Dinner on Friday 26th March at the National Museum of Australia. All the details are on the Rotary Aussie Peace Walk website https://AussiePeaceWalk.com.au

The Details

What: Aussie Peace Walk 2021
When: Friday 26 to Sunday 28 March
Where: Around Lake Burley Griffin
Cost: Free to $80, find more on entry fees here
Register: Visit Aussie Peace Walk