Marking 60-years

This year we marked 60 years of participation in the annual Walkathon, an event often described as a ‘rite of passage’ for the final year at the school where Grade 12 students walk 80-km in 24 hours to fundraise for a chosen charity.

Principal, Dale Bennett said the Grammar Walkathon is one of life’s great school memories for our students.

“It pushes them out of their comfort zone, tests their resilience and is a wonderful celebration of esprit de corp,” says Dale.

“However, it is not the test of character that it is remembered for. It is the purpose of being able to take an action that makes a difference to support individuals and their families who are facing significant challenges in their life.

“I am so proud of their efforts and proud that this is a 60-year tradition that embodies our school values and commitment to service.”

This year’s Walkathon recipient is the Sony Foundation Australia’s You Can Stay program, which delivers a national accommodation service for regional youth cancer patients who must travel to city hospitals for life-saving treatment, at no cost.

The program is a cause close to Grammar’s heart due to the support provided to one of our students at a time when it was needed most.

In 2021, Grade 12 Student, Miles Chilcott was diagnosed with cancer. The best treatment for his rare cancer was in Melbourne. The You Can Stay program provided Miles and his family with a 2-bedroom apartment at Quest at no cost while he was in Melbourne for his treatment over the course of many months.

Since starting the program nearly three years ago, You Can Stay has supported over 200 patients nationally with over 13,000 nights of free accommodation.

CEO of Sony Foundation, Sophie Ryan said, “Our You Can Stay program is about lessening the gap between city and regional health services to support youth cancer patients. We know that cancer does not just affect the young person, it affects the whole family and through You Can Stay, we are ensuring families are kept together as they face the toughest time in their lives.

“The Launceston Grammar’s Grade 12 Walkathon is an incredible example of the impact a community can have in addressing some of our most pressing social issues.”

History of the Walkathon

The Walkathon grew from a challenge by the late United States President, J.F. Kennedy, that a fit man should be able to walk 50 miles in 20 hours. Recent research has established that the challenge predates Kennedy and can be traced back to Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt, 26th US President (1901 –

1909), the man after whom the Teddy Bear was named.

Kennedy shared Roosevelt’s interest in health and fitness and decided to investigate the fitness of his White House staff by putting the challenge to them. He informed his Secretary for State Pierre Salinger that someone from amongst the staff would have to do the walk, someone who would inspire millions of out of shape Americans to do the same thing. Eventually it was Robert Kennedy, the President’s brother, and US Attorney General, who took the challenge on, along with four of his aides from the Justice Department. The walk started in sub-zero temperatures but by the 35 mile mark the last of the aides had dropped out. Kennedy went on to be the only one of the five to finish the distance.

The walk was widely reported in the world press and appeared in the Launceston Examiner where it was read by Headmaster Don Selth. He put the challenge to the prefects over a breakfast meeting and it was taken up by them. The Walkathon is now an annual event on our calendar.