Best foot forward

MEMBERS of No. 26 Squadron have completed the Great North Walk, a journey from Sydney to Newcastle over a distance of 250km.

The exercise was a leadership, navigation and team-building exercise.

The exercise was divided into five legs, with squadron members completing between one and five legs.

Thirty-five personnel participated, with about 10 members completing the entire distance.

The trekkers passed through some of the most beautiful natural bushland in Australia, including the National Parks of Lane Cove, Kuring-gai, Brisbane Water and the Watagans. They saw waterfalls, creeks, mangroves, rainforest as well as urban landscapes around Sydney, Charlestown and Newcastle.

The group was assisted by a support crew which set up campsites each night and provided meals. Campsites included a scout camp at Thornleigh, a beach at Patonga, a grassy field by the Hawkesbury River under the Mooney Mooney Bridge, a chicken farm at Somersby and a backyard at Yarramalong.

A secondary purpose of the exercise was to raise money for Legacy. After the walk 26SQN Commanding Officer Squadron Leader Linda New presented more than $3600 to Newcastle Legacy President Warren Handley.

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