Walk The Black Dog Kokoda

Kokoda 2023

We're fundraising for...


Walk The Black Dog founder Brad McKenzie is being joined by some old friends, Craig Spiller (Mildura-Bannockburn, 2015) and Jon Gilchrist (Great Wall of China, 2019), as well as first timer Dave Betteridge on the next mental health challenge for Black Dog Institute.

In November this year these four great mates will be travelling to PNG to tackle the Kokoda Track where they'll spend a week and a half battling the toughest of terrains and conditions.

As always, we all have our own personal reasons for undertaking this monumental challenge and we look forward to sharing some insight with you soon. You can follow our journey at www.facebook.com/walktheblackdog

Every single cent we raise is donated directly to Black Dog Institute to help them carry our their vital works in creating a mentally healthier world.

Mental illness affects 1 in 5 Australians every year, with the most common being depression and anxiety. Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all walks of life — individuals, families, workplaces and communities.

We are inspired by the work of Black Dog Institute and want to support them by raising money as part of my participation in Black Dog Institute's Hike for Mental Health: Kokoda 2023.

Please help them by giving whatever you can.

The more people that know about Black Dog Institute, the greater their impact, so please also spread the word by sharing our page with your friends and family. Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot to so many!

Thank you to our Sponsors

$5.04k

The Marn Golf Tour

Congratulations to Brad & his Walk the Black Dog Kokoda team on reaching their $$$ target for their Kokoda challenge. We now wish them all the best on reaching their personal goal of conquering Kokoda. This is a record donation from The Marn Golf Tour, so a massive thanks to all Marn's who attended and gave generously on our 15 Year Anniversary tour this year! A personal mention to Banjo Marn for his kind donation and tireless efforts walking around carrying the bucket and promoting the reason we raise money for Brad, his team & the Black Dog charity as a whole.

$2.72k

Jon Gilchrist

ROCK THE BLACK DOG MUSIC FESTIVAL

$1.24k

Bunnings Bbq Cash

$1.06k

Rtbd Cash Takings.

$1.02k

Lions Club Of Leopold

The Lions Club of Leopold proudly supports Black Dog Institute

$1.02k

Anonymous

$1.01k

Rock The Black Dog Merch Eft.

Money raised from merch and raffles, paid for using cards.

$1,000

Wtbd Lucky Numbers

$608

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Mobile Payments

$600

Ballarat Pest Control

Good luck, great effort!

$520

Lucky Numbers. The Last Ever!

$500

Helen Scacco

Amazing work by you all

$450

Guitar Auction

$287

Luke

Great job on the walk Dave and team. And a worthy cause, it’s always great to reach a goal 👌

$263

David Betteridge

$263

Ian Betteridge

$250

Lori

Your strong and steady steps will once again help others who need support, and your beautiful heart will keep you going when the going gets tough. xoxox

$250

Birregurra Automotive

Go hard Jon be safe and have fun. Bethune family

$220

Metalcotp Geelong

Well Done in supporting a great cause!

$211

Jeanette Mctaggart

Safe and happy trails- good on you !!!!

$200

Pete And Kate Large

Great cause Dave. All the best with the trek.

$182

Helen Betteridge

Super proud of you Dave. You smashed the Kokoda trail well done 💋🤍

$160

Sydney Betteridge Family Merch Sales

$126

Vic Titles Merchandise Sales

$106

Brian March

$106

Elaine Dalton

Enjoy the experience.

$106

Marc Ward

Thanks Brad. This is going to be truly awesome.

$106

Edward & Jacinta

We are so proud of you! What a journey it will be filled with many memories. We can’t wait to hear all of the amazing stories. We love you

$106

Gary Soyka

Hi David. Wonderful work the Black Dog Institute do. Good on you for combining the fund raising with honouring our veterans.

$106

Brett Launt

$106

Divine Grind Coffee

$106

Glenda & Allan Beechey

$106

Anna Argyros

$106

Mandy Skinner

$106

The Beck Family

Thanks Dave

$106

Ridgeway Family

Gilly Legend

$106

Bannockburn & District Mens Shed

Good luck with your challenge.

$106

Sue

I’m so proud of you cuz. Love to you and yours. x

$106

James Rockliffe

Good on ya Dave👍

$106

Gail Platt

Safe trip please come home not in a box!!!!

$106

David Allchin

Go Stevie!

$106

Anonymous

$106

Paul Edmondson

Good luck Crackles don't blow a thong out

$106

Ross Bolding

Well done dave

$105

Lynette Marchese

$105

Lis Fye

Good luck

$105

Brad Mckenzie

$105

Judy Henderson

Wearing hiking boots might be the go🤔and you could were a thong instead🤭🫣

$105

Anonymous

Go Team Thongs

$105

Matt Lapsley

$105

Kim Virt

All the best.

$105

Samuel Kolasa

Your a champion Uncle Dave I love you heaps 💙

$105

Brett Launt

Good on you Your a great brother and great father I love the fact I call my brother

$105

Jon Gilchrist

$105

John Steele

Keep us up to date with music venue etc . Be strong and good luck

$105

Lesley & Ian Barnes

Good luck mate.

$105

Sierra Publishing

Great work Dave and an amazing cause. Good luck with all your training. It's been fun being a small part of it. Look forward to hearing about your Kokoda experience

$105

Dave & Aneta Philpots

Dave, you’ve helped me out a few times so we are happy to help you out. I lived in PNG for a few years and I’ve seen some of the track so I know how tough it will be. Cheers Dave and Aneta

$105

Tim & Karla Hewitt

Thank you Dave

$105

The Beck Family

Good luck champion x what a great challenge you have ahead of you… you got this 👍🏻 Love the becks

$100

Mick Large

$100

Simon And Izzy

Good luck guys! Remind Craig to pack a snorkel for the river crossings!

$100

Kane Farrell

The tools of the devil shall not work against us.

$100

Robert Jackson

Fully supporting you on your journey across the kokoda trail to raise awareness for mental health. You're a fucking legend mate. Keep fighting the good fight. Robbie.

$83

Joel Villis

Proud to know you, mate. I hope one day I'll be in a position to join you one another walk. Keep on kicking arse.

$79

Judy Coates

Hey buddy. Very proud of you attempting this incredibly challenging walk. You’re an awesome human being. Love you and your commitment and tenacity. Go well, travel safe and know my support is there.

$78

Luke Cuddy

See you on the trek!

$70

Merchandise

$63

Anni & Ant Barkla

Merch 🤩👌🏻

$53

Maureen

Your amazing ❤️

$53

Coxy

All the very best Legends- fantastic effort- keep safe x

$53

Paul Walters

Great Job

$53

Wendy Torney

$53

John Elliott

Good onya Jonno!!

$53

Ann Steele

Well done

$53

Michelle Petkovic

$53

R Blackney

Well done Gilly

$53

Stacy Curtis

$53

Colin Grieve

$53

Bev

You are amazing Jon Gilchrist !

$53

Anonymous

$53

Caroline Lytzki

$53

Doug Hicks

$53

Penni Nash-gilchrist

$53

Garcia Fsmily

$53

Stephen Whitfield

Good luck to the team and safe travels.

$53

Helen Betteridge

Super proud of you Dave. I couldn’t ask for a better brother. Love you 🤍❤️

$53

Erin Mulvey

Good luck!

$53

Webdy Torney

$53

Cathy Forrest

So inspiring Dave, good luck on the walk, xx

$53

Nicci

Good on you Dave! Such an awesome initiative x

$53

Helen Frost

Don’t forget a spare pair of thongs

$53

Naomi

Love you Brother so very proud of you always x

$53

Maureen Lapsley

Go you beautiful man

$53

Matt Putland

$53

Gillian Handke

$53

Marie Oconnor

Go Craig 🎉

$53

Tony Peters

Good work Dave. I know the impact of the Dog. Give it buggery mate.

$53

Tarni

Well done Craig!

$53

Luke Rockliffe

Good on you Dave! Something that affects more of us than we know…

$53

Jade Stredwick

The world needs more Jon’s

$52

Michael Went

$50

Clinton Work

Well done mate. Happy to support you.

$50

Melanie Silk

We've got this 💪. Go team 🙌

$50

Jason Cruse

$50

Doug Hicks

All the best

$50

Jennifer Dekleva

Hi Jon All the best Jen

$42

Fi Mcintyre

Good on you Gilly!

$42

Emma Timms

$42

Anonymous

$40

Anthony Mignano

Keep it up 😁

$38

Rebecca Betteridge Pops

$32

Pete Biskup

Best of luck with the walk Craig. Great cause!

$32

Miranda Mckenzie

Funko Pop Sales

$32

Kirsten

Nice work!!

$32

Leonie

Good job Craig and good luck

$26

Murray Satchell

Enjoy. Should be a great experience. Should be a breeze after all those years trompong about the Maude Hills.

$21

Kali

You're a champ👏👏

$21

Paul Walters

$21

Boof

Great effort friend

$21

Anonymous

$21

Mikes Snake Removal

You can do it mate

$21

Donna Mckiernan

Onya….super proud buddy.

$19

Southern Classic Black Dog Merch

$16

Lesley Barnes

Merch

$11

Rebecca Cooper

$11

Sal - Just Cuts

$11

Hacky

Hope this helps

$11

Mark Mcclure

$5

Megan Anchen- Merchandise