By Mikayla van Loon
After setting off on a challenge to travel the length of the Murray River, from alps to ocean, in one day two female pilots have returned successful in their quest.
Taking flight on 29 November, Yarra Valley pilots Delia Jones and Theresa MacDonald left from Benalla at dawn and headed to Indi Springs to begin their official flight path.
They then followed the course of the river all the way down to Goolwa in South Australia.
“We are delighted that we managed to complete the flight on our first attempt. The weather cleared for just long enough,” Theresa said.
“We flew for nine hours and were greeted in Goolwa by a group of women pilots, who had arranged a celebratory evening at the airfield.”
Initially planning to return the following day, Theresa said unfortunately the weather wasn’t safe to do so but they “were pleased to have an extra day of rest”.
Doing all of this as part of the International Dawn to Dusk Challenge, the successful completion of their alps to ocean flight means Delia and Theresa are in the running to be crowned competition winners once entries close in September 2025.
And of course, while testing their flying skills and ability to achieve such a lengthy trip was a large part, Theresa and Delia also had people in mind as they were completing their challenge.
Two dear friends, Helen and Marjy, who embarked on pilot training with the two women some 20 years ago, sadly died of cancer and it was their memory which led to this challenge and charitable fundraising.
“The charity that we’re raising money for, a lot of people haven’t heard of, it doesn’t give medical advice but it gives peer support to women who come through cancer,” Theresa said in November.
Counterpart, sloganed by ‘women supporting women with cancer’, provides a community and support to women who have all been through a form of cancer or are going through it.
Hoping to raise $5000 for the charity, the pilot team was able to do just that, presenting it to the organisation upon return.
“On Tuesday (3 December) we presented Counterpart with a cheque for $5000 at their end of year morning tea,” Theresa said.
