ADSA Walk 2015 - ADSA Walk - Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Walk for Research and Awareness

Albany to Perth

12 September 2015 to 18 September 2015

ADSA Walk Team members, Carnaby Cockatoos & the Stirling Ranges

The Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Walk for Research and Awareness 2015 started in the historic town of Albany with a Walk Around Town
on Sunday 13 September 2015. The ADSA Walk Team enjoyed lovely weather while seeing the sights of this charming town in the centenary year commemorating the embarkation of the ANZAC force from Albany. Thank you to all the Albany locals who joined us to start our 4th annual ADSA Walk for Research and Awareness and to Rotary Albany for the delicious sausage sizzle.

Start of the ADSA Walk 2015 – Albany

Monday 14 September 2015

Having started the ADSA Walk 2015 on Sunday with a Walk Around Town in Albany the ADSA Walk Team on a wet Monday morning began the long walk to Perth from Bakers Junction, on the Chester Pass Road just outside of Albany. Conditions were very challenging as each team of ADSA Walkers completed their 5km or 10km section passing through the Chester Pass and stopping at the Bluff Knoll Café for lunch. Burgers fresh off the BBQ and hot drinks revived everyone with a warm fire in the Café to dry us off.

The ADSA Walk Team at Bluff Knoll Café

Thank you to Jacqui and all the staff at the Bluff Knoll Café for making us so welcome. The sun came out for the afternoon stretch from Bluff Knoll Café to Gnowangerup. A few of the Walk Team took advantage of the opportunity to snap some photos of the wild flowers that proliferated along the edge of the road and a quick photo in front of the Stirling Ranges. Once we arrived in Gnowangerup everyone was in great spirits and ready for a fun night at Kobeelya House in Katanning.

Bev and Lyn with wildflowers and the Stirling Ranges in the background

Dancing Orchid

Tuesday 15 September 2015

On Tuesday after a chilly but sunny morning the ADSA Walk Team started from Gnowangerup walking through open farm country on the Great Southern Highway. Lunch was in Broomehill at the picturesque Holland Memorial Park where everyone enjoyed excellent coffee from the local Café. The day ended in the community of Woodanilling a hidden gem just off the Great Southern Highway. Thank you to the Woodanilling Shire staff for their warm welcome and support for the ADSA Walk 2015.

The ADSA Walk Team shaking the tin in Woodanilling

Our youngest supporters in Katanning

Wednesday 16 September 2015

Wednesday morning started back at Woodanilling with everyone feeling fine after a wonderful stay at the historic old Kobeelya manor house. There were several ghost stories floating about, but fortunately if there was a presence everyone slept so well that the ghosts could have held a dance party and we wouldn’t have heard a thing. The Great Southern Highway was a delight for our Walk Team and on arrival in Wagin everyone piled into Cresswell’s Emporium for cake, coffee, and awesome gifts and souvenirs. Cresswell’s is a classic old style general store with the hospitality to match.

Rose Marie and Lee at Cresswell’s Emporium

The ADSA Walk Team with supporters from Wagin at the Giant Ram

Lunch was waiting for us just around the corner at the Giant Ram Park. The Giant Ram is a fantastic landmark and was an excellent rest stop for the ADSA Walk Team. Rose Marie had a surprise visit from a local family she had assisted. They came to thank her for all her help at a very difficult time and then joined us for lunch at the Giant Ram. The afternoon found us winding our way through Narrogin to end the day in Cuballing. We then spent a chilly night at the Lions Dryandra Woodlands Village in the centre of the unique Dryandra Woodlands.

Thursday 17 September 2015

Thursday started frosty but fresh with the ADSA Walk Team excited to be completing the road walking in Brookton at the end of the Great Southern Highway. Everyone was in a playful relaxed mood making for some great photos in Popanyinning, Pingelly, and Brookton. Thursday night was spent at the Serpentine Retreat which borders on Serpentine National Park. A place for reflection and healing the ADSA Walk Team enjoyed their stay immensely taking time to sit around the outdoor fire and share their thoughts with each other.

Kerry, Steve, and Billy enjoying a well-earned break in Pingelly

Jo checking out a new ride in Pingelly

Daniel and Cleo ‘Wandering’ which way to go

Michelle and Shirley having a laugh at the Pingelly Pub

Kerry our Coach Driver re-living the good old days in Pingelly

End of the road everyone at the old Brookton Train Station

Friday 18 September 2015

The last day of the ADSA Walk 2015 started at the Armadale Train Station with the ADSA Walk Team taking the train into the Perth Train Station where they were met by Prof Anna Nowak, Prof Bruce Robinson, their medical research teams, ADSA supporters, family and friends, for the walk up to Parliament House.

Everyone at the Perth Train Station ready for the walk up to Parliament House

Murray Street Mall

Harvest Terrace

Group photo at Solidarity Park

Lee sounding the siren and officially ending the ADSA Walk 2015

CHEQUE PRESENTATION TO PROF ANNA NOWAK OF QEII MEDICAL CENTRE ADSA WALK 2015

On Monday 23 November 2015 the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc kicked off Asbestos Awareness Week by presenting the proceeds of the Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Walk for Research and Awareness 2015 to Professor Anna Nowak at the at the QEII Medical Centre. The dedicated ADSA Walk Team and Sponsors raised $85,000 for medical research into a cure for asbestos caused cancers.

Professor Anna Nowak said, “As a medical oncologist, I treat a majority of people in WA with mesothelioma, and I’m heavily involved in a range of research which truly spans bench to bedside. Where we want to go with all our research is into clinical trials in patients with mesothelioma, so many of our laboratory questions are focused on how we can best take treatments through to the bedside to benefit people with the disease.”

Mr Robert Vojakovic AM, JP, President of the ADSA said, “Our dedicated Walk Team covered the distance from Albany to Perth taking in the Chester Pass and Great Southern in just five days. I am very proud of their marvelous efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos exposure and their lifesaving fundraising. As there is no way the circumstances that led to past exposures can be changed it is essential that a cure is found for these insidious asbestos caused cancers.”

Thank you to:

Prof Anna Nowak, Prof Bruce Robinson, and Robert Vojakovic AM, for their kind words addressing the ADSA Walkers their families, friends, and supporters, at the winding up the ADSA Walk 2015. Also a big thank you to Dr Greg Deleuil, the AWU, the CFMEU, Slater & Gordon, the Research Team from QEII and NCARD, ADSA Staff, friends, family, supporters, and of course the ADSA Walk Team.

Thank you also to:

Garry our irreplaceable Pilot Driver.

Steve our Walker Coordinator.

Kerry our excellent driver and Adams Coachlines.

Randall and James of Randall’s Roasts our fabulous cooks.

Osborne Park Pharmacy

Rotary Albany

Vicki Clark

Spudshed

Minuteman Osborne Park

Tony’s House of Tender Meats

Mondello and Mondo Doro