<div><strong>WHAT I’M UP TO: </strong>
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<div>‘The Big Paddle’ - Ater a 10-year hiatus, I've picked up the paddles and have been hitting the open water, training in Darwin (where we live). Whilst playing in the strong tides and trying to avoid local wildlife, I decided I'd mix it up and paddle unsupported from Brisbane to Sydney this Spring.
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<div>Long story short, I felt like going for a quiet paddle but it seems I might be able to do more than just put a few strokes together down the East Coast while on my little adventure. So, after careful consideration, I've decided to raise funds for <em>Soldier On - </em> a not-for-profit organisation close to my heart that focuses on delivering support services to both current and former Australian Defence Force personnel, and their families (more on this below).
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<div><strong>WHY ON EARTH I’M DOING THIS:</strong>
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<div>By no means do I consider myself a particularly good or talented paddler (Bonnie Handock's records could not be safer) but I do love a good challenge. I love seeing people from all walks of life overcoming their own individual adversity, pushing beyond their perceived boundaries or limitations and kicking goals. I find it inspiring, and it energizes me seeing people grow in this way. I’ve been preparing physically and looking forward to this challenge for the last 12 months, however, the biggest challenge is no doubt going to be from within.
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<div>Similarly, I hope that someone in a tight spot might find inspiration from a dude from Darwin paddling unsupported from Brisbane to Sydney. I hope they find their own Big Paddle / challenge - whether that's achieving a physical goal that seems out of reach; landing the career/job you want when you feel like you're swimming against the current; achieving in academics when you feel like an imposter; improving your physical and/or mental health; putting yourself in an uncomfortable position for the good of others or for your future self; looking after those around you when it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders; or grinding to pay off your parents' home loan - the list is endless.
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<div><strong>RAISING FUNDS – SOLDIER ON:</strong>
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<div>If you're able to do so and feel so inclined, it would be excellent if you could donate to Soldier On - an organisation whose mission is to enable serving and ex-serving veterans and their families to not only survive but thrive.
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<div><strong>Why Soldier On?</strong> There are many great organisations that deserve support for the work they do and obviously those in the Services aren't the only ones who go through struggles, but I have chosen to support Solder On, an organisation that I wish I had reached out to when I was transitioning from full time service at the ADF.
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<div>When transitioning out of service, your world can be completely flipped upside down. The ‘rules of the game’ in your new environment completely change, and your once extremely close support network can feel out of reach. This transition can be extremely isolating. As many Vets can attest too, they too would've seen far too many strong people turn into shells of their former selves as they readjust into their new lives.
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<div>Soldier On is a support service that aims to bridge that gap and ease the transition to normal life, which for some sits somewhere on a scale from seamless to tragic. Lots of my close network and friends both serving and ex-serving have seen this first hand and know the need for further support out there, so I hope my fundraising can do a little to bring in some funding, raise awareness and even motivate someone to reach out to a friend or family member who may need an extra hand to take a paddle and help push them against the current.
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<div><strong>TO DONATE: </strong>
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<div><a href="https://gofund.me/1c67cae9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://gofund.me/1c67cae9" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://gofund.me/1c67cae9</a></a> or click "Donate" below and follow the prompts.
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<div>If you’ve made it this far – give yourself a pat on the back and thanks so much for reading.
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<div>If you have any questions or want to get in touch, please reach out via the <strong>contact me</strong> button. This is of course a solo mission so if you’re along the way and want to say G’Day, please also let me know. I will have my phone and an iPad with me whilst on ‘The Big Paddle’ but Em will also keep an eye on the Go Fund Me Account and email whilst I’m afloat.
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<div>Thanks again and if you don't hear from me pronto, I'm likely out paddling.
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<div>Cheers,
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<div>Deon and Em 
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Tom Belworthy

Erin Elkin

Anonymous

Olivia Williams

Peter, Kris and Jack Baillie

Callaghan Ferreira

Sophia Hodgkin

Emily Carroll

Jacinta Harwood

Sally-ann Staples

Bruce Hunt

Alice Wingers

Lara Walters

Thomas Howard

Joanne Chai

Meli Wingfield

Cathy Garrone

The Big Paddle for Soldier On

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