Tick abseiling off bucket list
The promotional blurb describes it as “a once-in-a-lifetime experience you’ll never forget”. It is not an exaggeration.
Anglicare Victoria is looking for 200 people to sign up for its fund-raiser Altitude Shift and abseil 113 metres (27 storeys) from the top of the St James building at the corner of William and Bourke St in Melbourne’s CBD.
Warragul woman Alicia Hart, along with some of her colleagues at the Anglicare office in Morwell, have already signed on the dotted line to do just that on April 28 and 29.
Alicia has abseiled “somewhere once while on holidays” and isn’t sure if there’ll be any training runs beforehand but says she is assured there will be no compromising on safety.
“I don’t mind a bit of a hair-raising experience every now and again,” 38-year old Alicia says.
Her team of workmates have already started fund-raising, each participant has to pay a $150 entry fees plus raise at least $850.
The money raised through Altitude Shift will go towards helping young people living in “out of home” care.
Anglicare Victoria is the State’s largest foster carer housing more than 400 children each night.
Chief executive officer Paul McDonald said living beyond their comfort zone was a gruelling everyday reality for many Victorians.
The abseiling fund-raiser is a chance for others to step out of their comfort zones to help those less fortunate, he said.
Participation is open to groups and individuals over 16 years of age with prizes offered for the most money raised.
“If you have ever wanted to give abseiling a go now is the perfect time to tick it off the bucket list,” Mr McDonald said.
Further details and registration is available at www.altitudeshift.org.au
A World War I recruiting train Warragul Railway Station in 1916.
The recruiting train would travel the regional areas before travelling back to Melbourne.
As well as the recognisable “recruiting” banner, there are also several posters on the train. They read “Men Wanted, Enlist Now” and “The Trumpet Calls”.
On the front of the train is “King & Country” emblem as well as a banner “Australia Will Be at There”. The Warragul station, captured in the background, is still being constructed at the time of the photograph. Scaffolding can be seen and the verandah is not yet built.
Photograph and information courtesy of the Warragul Historical Society.
If you have any additional information about this photo, contact The Gazette on 5623 5666 or editorial@warragulgazette.com.au.