Walking warriors News from Launceston Grammar caught up with alumnae (1977) and former Head Girl, Linda Quatermass about her Walkathon recollections from years past.
Linda, who was the biggest fundraiser for their chosen charity, Royal Guide Dogs For the Blind Association, says for those who braved the walk from Elizabeth Town to the Launceston Town Hall it had a bonding effect on each participating student whose experience was unlike today’s Grade 12 walkers in respect to creature comforts. “Spare a thought for the walkers back in those days, when ‘hi tech’ had no meaning,” says Linda. “Warm meant flannelette shirts, greasy wool socks,
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army greatcoats or jumpers in lurid colours knitted by your gran. “Decked out for a night on the road, our group of walkers were fed dinner at my parents’ farm in Sassafras and then driven in the school bus to our starting point. “Eagerly jumping off the bus keen to get started, I remember the first XV111 heading off together at a trot into the void; the rest of us following in their wake.
“We walked through the night aiming for Westbury where breakfast was promised. It seemed like a great adventure; an all-nighter camouflaged in school colours.” For Linda most of the night was a blur with trucks pelting past their horns blasting, coins being flung at them and after the whoosh of the passing vehicle, the enveloping darkness. “I remember the joy of trudging into Westbury where breakfast and a seat, was promised.
News from Launceston Grammar
