Volunteer hungry for more

By Elizabeth Lillis
BERWICK local Wayne Peterken will be a volunteer at this year’s Oxfam Trailwalker event.
In the event, to be held from 23 to 25 March, teams of four people attempt to complete a 100km trail walk in 48 hours.
Mr Peterken said he enjoyed helping out at the event, which raises money for Oxfam’s work towards ending world poverty.
Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne begins at Jells Park, Wheelers Hill, and progresses through three national parks before finishing at Wesburn Park in the Yarra Valley.
Last year 480 teams competed in the event and raised $1.8 million through sponsorship.
Mr Peterken said that after volunteering at the event over a number of years, this year he would coordinate a checkpoint at Woori Yallock Primary School, ensuring timing equipment was used properly to provide information and collect data on the progress of the walkers.
`”Volunteers do eighthour shifts in different roles. There are marshalls, catering staff and sweep teams that follow behind to ensure no walkers are left behind,’’ he said.
The event is a physical endurance challenge and participants come from all walks of life.
Mr Peterken said he was at the finishing line one year and saw the walkers complete the event.
`”It was great to see them so excited at finishing the event,’’ he said. `”Some of them were in pain but they were so happy.’’
Mr Peterken is one of more than 700 volunteers who will assist at the event.
Oxfam Australia is an independent, secular, nongovernment organisation working in more than 23 countries and among indigenous Australians. It works to end global poverty by saving lives, strengthening communities and campaigning for change.