Local veteran David Trippier to walk 300km this month

An admiration and long held respect for World War II soldiers on the Kokoda Trail has inspired local veteran David Trippier to walk 300 kilometres this month.

David is taking part in Soldier On’s March On Challenge.

March On is a virtual walking challenge, calling on Australians to walk 96 kilometres, the length of Kokoda, during the month of March to raise funds to help prevent veteran suicide. 

However, David has set himself a greater challenge.  He sees his 300km challenge as more akin to the 39th battalion’s (made up of local residents) walk of Kokoda.

David joined the army when he was 17.  He retired in 2017 because of complicated mental and physical injuries after 28 years’ service.

Based at Townsville, he retired to Warragul to be closer to family.

Walking has been David’s go to activity to cope with both his mental and physical health.

During his time in the military David was deployed overseas on three occasions.

He recalls a lot of time spent helping mates and listening to them when they were struggling with mental and physical injuries.

“During my service things that I have had to do and see have taken their toll on my own mental and physical health.

“Since my discharge places lie Soldier On, Open Arms and Mates4Mates have been invaluable in offering support to myself.

“I would still be wandering around lost to this day if they hadn’t been there to help me,” he said.

David said the groups were there to give veterans a safe place to go when things were tough, and life was difficult.

“So many veterans have taken their own lives, but because of groups like these many more have been saved, he said.

David will be walking with his dog Spencer. “With Spencer and my RSL Active T shirt people may recognise me,” he said.

He plans to walk around Warragul as well as walks on the two towns trail and Mt Worth National Park.

He will be accompanied on occasions by Warragul RSL acting president Ben Vahland and other veterans.

Funds raised will assist serving and ex serving veterans.  The event has more than 4000 registered participant and has already raised more than $700,000 for the not-for-profit veteran support program.

Soldier On's services include a range of mental health and wellbeing, employment support and education programs, as well as activities focused on connections with family, friends, and the broader community.

David has a link on Facebook for donations fundraise.soldieron.org.au/fundraisers/davidtrippier

People without computer access can leave donations at the RSL Hall on Fridays between 5pm and 8pm.