Wellah Walks
With support from Our Spirit Adventures, Spark Health is excited to bring 'Wellah Walks', a health and well-being program that will build and inspire positive Aboriginal youth role models in the Western suburbs of Melbourne.
In 2020 we selected Aboriginal females aged between 16-19 to become part of our 'Wellah Walks' program and take on the challenge to complete the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea from June 27th - July 7th.
Unfortunately due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, we were unable to travel to Papua New Guinea in July.
We will instead be hiking the landscapes of the Great South West Walk located near Portland on beautiful Gunditjmara country.
We have chosen the Great South West Walk as this is the traditional country of respected soldiers Uncle Harry & Reg Saunders who served in WWII in Kokoda.
We are excited to have the Wellah Women walk alongside one another on Gunditjmara country and can't wait to watch them take on this challenge and create long lasting memories and friendships.
The Wellah Women will have the opportunity to:
- Increase resilience and improve their health and well-being
- Grow leadership attributes
- Improve cultural knowledge and strengthen identity
- Learn about the history and culture of Gunditjmara people
Wellah Walk Workshops: As part of the program, the Wellah Walks Women will be expected to attend a number of workshops featuring inspirational Aboriginal leaders in preparation for the trail in 2020. The women have been connecting through the online platform Zoom to engage in the workshops during COVID-19.
Training Hikes: As part of the program, the Wellah Walks Women are expected to attend a number of training hikes in preparation for the walk in December.
Above image: Learning about the history of Kokoda Soldiers at Darley Camp Memorial where Australian Soldiers trained in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria before leaving for Kokoda
Above image:Training Hike at Lerderderg State Park, Victoria
MEET THE WELLAH WALKS SISTERS 2020!
Without further ado, meet the Wellah Walks Sisters.Please note these bio's were created prior to COVID-19 and the closure of the Kokoda track.
WE DID IT!
In 2019 we selected Aboriginal males aged between 16-19 to become part of our 'Wellah Walks' program and complete the Kokoda trail in Papua New Guinea during November 2019.
The Wellah Fellahs came together for 6 Wellah Together Sessions, 8 Wellah Walks Workshops featuring 5 awesome guest speakers and 4 training hikes across Victoria in prepartion to take on Kokoda.
On November 1st 2019 the Wellah Fellah Boys embarked on their journey to take on the Kokoda trail. The boys spent the next 10 days immersed in the footsteps and learning about the history of WWII and the legacy of many Australian Soldiers, including Aboriginal Soldiers Harry and Reg Saunders.
MEET THE 2019 WELLAH FELLAH'S
