By Mikayla van Loon
True to their word, Lilydale RSL sub-branch members have joined one of their own in raising funds and supporting veterans in the March On Challenge.
Marking her fourth year undertaking the challenge, Nita Mcdougall inspired both RSL president Bill Dobson and vice president Terry Hickey to join her on the virtual Kokoda Trail.
“She’s set the example for next year because she’s inspired us to do something bigger,” Mr Dobson told Star Mail last year.
Teaming up under the Lilydale RSL banner, the hope is for more funds to be raised for veteran support organisation Solider On.
“Members of Lilydale RSL have formed a team this March to walk or run 96km – symbolising the length of the Kokoda track – in honour of our veterans and their families, support the team to take on the challenge and raise vital funds to help prevent veteran suicide,” Mr Dobson said.
Ms Mcdougall committed to the extra challenge of walking 400km this March but having walked 406km last year, she’ knows it’s possible.
As of Friday 14 March, Ms Mcdougall had walked a total of 172km and plans to walk the full length of the Warburton Trail one day next week, as well as some early morning laps around Lillydale Lake.
Solider On is the leading mental health support and veteran suicide prevention organisation in Australia, advocating for better outcomes for veterans of all ages but primarily younger vets and their families.
“Lilydale RSL are asking everyone to support the younger veterans as they have a 42 per cent higher rate of committing suicide than the general public, the statistics on their mental health is alarming,” Mr Dobson said.
For Australia’s older veterans, there’s pensions and supports in place, but younger veterans make up the majority of outstanding Department of Veterans Affairs support claims, according to findings in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The three March On participants and Casey MP Aaron Violi, who is a Lilydale RSL member, all met at Lillydale Lake on Wednesday 12 March, to walk some laps of the Lake and build up their kilometres while raising awareness of the cause in the local community.
“I was pleased to join Lilydale RSL president Bill, Terry and Nita for a lap of Lillydale Lake to raise awareness for veteran suicide, such an important issue that sadly impacts too many Australian families,” Mr Violi said.
“The men and women of the ADF serve our nation with honour and bravery. As a member of Lilydale RSL, but also as our Federal MP, I wanted to support Nita and the RSL as they walk throughout March to raise funds for mental health services and programs to support our veterans.”
With just two weeks left to complete the challenge, the walkers will be getting their steps up any way they can before they all gather on the last day of March for a celebration.
“Everyone is welcome to a sausage sizzle out the front of the RSL on 31 March at 12 noon, Nita our inspirational walker will cross the chequered flag to complete her 400 kilometres completed during the month of March,” Mr Dobson said.
Help support the Lilydale RSL’s mission by going to marchonchallenge.org.au/fundraisers/lilydalerslwalkers or to find out more about Solider On, visit soldieron.org.au
