TOUGH YEAR
The year 2020 will go down in the annals of many not for profits as a dog of a year. Not only was the impact of COVID 19 extremely significant in curtailing activity but add to that the dreadful fires in the eastern states and SA and one sees a fund-raising bottom line which is not impressive. The community response to the fires was nothing short of exceptional both before and after the COVID impact and most deserving. However, predictably other fund-raising efforts were made more difficult due to donor fatigue and other more pressing needs.
Because of social distancing Trojan’s Trek could not conduct the annual Charity Walk fundraiser in SA, instead, organised by Reuben Vanderzalm, a virtual walk was held during October. It was successful but fell short of our usual target. A dedicated group of AEP gym attendees encouraged by Caelum decided to make the effort to wring out a little more by running a special gym session. Eight gathered early on 30 October (Veterans’ Health Week) at the Daws Road gym for a dedicated workout to aid the cause raising $555. The oldest Charity Walk T-shirt competition was won by Brian with a 2013 model. My sincere thanks go to the group for their dedicated welcome support.
Moose Dunlop OAM
Operations Director
As part of Veterans’ Health Week, the VMCC organised speakers to address a common health issue faced by men. I refer to prostate cancer, an illness faced by 1 in 6 men to 70 years old. About 30 attended, with two women and a few serving members among the group. Following some very relevant and personal experiences, I spoke to the group about the Trojan’s Trek Foundation and our achievements. One of the men attending, Desert, fondly recalled attending the very first pilot program run by Dogs in about 1997 under the auspices of Operation Flinders. For me, it was of interest that, even after 23 years he recalled the value he gained from attending. He even suggested he was due for a re-charge!