Article written by Robert Muir of the Yarrawonga Chronicle Nov 17, 2021

View original article and support local media here: https://www.yarrawongachronicle.com.au/news/2021/11/17/5689895/sunshine-walk-raises-500

A Sunshine Walk by ConneXtions Yarrawonga of 5km plus a pair’s 10km run on Sunday, November 7 has raised $500.

The money will be used to support research, equipment purchases, staff development and delivery of Wellness Centre services at the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre.

Raymond, Rory, David, Ian plus staff member Amanda, her daughter Memphis, with other participants and staff Andrew, Lili, Lloyd and Michael all completed the 5km walk.

All decked out in their bright yellow tee-shirts, the group started from Silverwoods and made their way happily dancing, singing and walking along the foreshore and Chinaman’s Island over the Yarrawonga Mulwala Traffic Bridge to the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort. 

Benjamin and Kaye (staff) completed a 10km run setting off at the same time, running around Chinaman’s Island twice, lapping the JC Lowe Oval before crossing the weir bridge to the golf resort.

Advanced Practitioner/Workforce Coordinator at ConneXtions Yarrawonga Kaye Rourke said a Virtual Sunshine Walk aims to bring people together online to raise funds and awareness for the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that we can’t gather together as a community as planned this year, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t still make a difference!” she said.

“A virtual event will allow everyone including cancer patients who are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19, to participate in a fun day supporting a worthy cause, and to connect with our amazing Sunshine Walk community online.”

ConneXtions was established in Yarrawonga in 2017 following a a two-year consultation process with families and people in North East Victoria and Southern NSW interested in supporting people to live “a good life”.

Toni Reeves is a founding Director of ConneXtions. “We are lucky enough to have approximately 30 participants ranging from 4-years-of-age upwards,” she said.

Toni and Connextions staff believe that “the only way to truly alter the disability landscape is one person at a time; through thoughtful and meaningful engagement, participation, and connections with people in our community”. 

Yarrawonga has two accommodations houses that the participants rent themselves and for which they’re in control. These houses are staffed 24/7.