think you’ve got what it takes?

Contents

Australia’s original team endurance event. . . . . . 4

The trail that bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

support every step of the way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Preparing for the event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Event weekend support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Fundraising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

where your money goes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Strength in Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Your commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

FAQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Cover photo: Jason Malouin/OxfamAUS

This handbook is printed with vegetable-based inks, on an unbleached, coated paper made from 100% recycled post-consumer waste.

To view our privacy policy visit www.oxfam.org.au/privacy-policy

Very occasionally in life you get the chance to achieve something

extraordinary; something that will inspire others and prove something to

yourself. Oxfam Trailwalker is one of those rare opportunities. It’s an epic

journey that changes lives forever — including yours.

Photo: Jason Malouin/Oxfam

AUS

3

Australia’s original team endurance eventOxfam Trailwalker began in 1981 as a military training exercise for the elite Queen’s Gurkha Signals Regiment

in Hong Kong. It has since grown into one of the world’s

leading team endurance challenges, with 15 events in nine countries and counting.

In Australia, Oxfam Trailwalker takes place annually in four cities —

Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth. Teams of four get together

to walk or run a 100km bushland trail in less than 48 hours. Sub-

100km options are also available in Brisbane and Perth.

Since 1999, more than 64,000 people have participated in Oxfam

Trailwalker Australia, and have collectively raised more than

$70 million to support Oxfam’s important work fighting poverty

and injustice around the world.

Oxfam Trailwalker is an intense physical, mental and emotional

challenge — but one that is almost certainly life-changing, both

for participants and the communities you and Oxfam support.

United KingdomBelgium

FranceSpain

JAPANHONG KONGIndia

PerthSydney

Brisbane

New ZealandMelbourne

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The trail that bondsOut on the trail on event weekend, you’ll see teams

made up of friends, families and colleagues. Oxfam

Trailwalker participants are diverse and come from all walks of life, with everyday people joining together to do something extraordinary.

As participants, you’ll strengthen old friendships and make many

new ones along the way. Oxfam Trailwalker offers the unique

opportunity for workmates to become team-mates, as you train

together, fundraise together, start together and finish together.

Aside from the great sense of personal achievement, you will

be motivated by the fact that every step you take is helping

those who need it most. Oxfam Trailwalker unites colleagues and

helps people form strong and resilient relationships against the

backdrop of Australia’s beautiful bushland.

More than 10,000 corporate teams have already taken up the

challenge of Oxfam Trailwalker, utilising our personalised and

tailored fundraising support program with direct access to

fundraising staff, seminars and resources.

Each year, corporate groups also take part in the Oxfam

Trailwalker Corporate Challenges, which recognise the most

outstanding corporate organisation in each state for their

inspiring support of Oxfam Australia through fundraising.

“Participating in Oxfam Trailwalker

has been a great experience for all

the teams across Telstra. Personally,

I’ve met a whole group of new

people across the organisation,

with different backgrounds and

perspectives, but with one thing

in common — a determination to

finish the event in order to help

others. The training and camaraderie

(aka bonding) gives a sense of

perspective away from the day-to-

day of the office environment and

a real sense of achievement at the

Finish line. I’ve become fitter and

lost weight too!”

– Jonathan Harper, Oxfam Trailwalker Ambassador and 2015 participant representing Telstra

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Phot

o: J

ason

Mal

ouin

/Oxf

amAU

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Phot

o: J

ason

Mal

ouin

/Oxf

amAU

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support every step of the wayFrom the moment you register for Oxfam Trailwalker

until after you triumphantly cross the Finish line, our

staff will be on hand to assist you during your training, preparation and fundraising journey. Many of our staff have participated in the event themselves, and can

provide you with expert advice, as well as all the tools,

resources and ideas to ensure you have everything you

need to achieve your goals.

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Welcome Pack

To help you kick off your Oxfam

Trailwalker journey, a Welcome

Pack is mailed to your home once

your registration is complete.

The Welcome Pack contains

a Fundraising Guide, Training

and Preparation Guide, sample

fundraising resources available to

your team, and a Paddy Pallin gear

list and discount voucher.

Regular Oxfam Trailwalker eNews

Stay up-to-date with the latest

trail and event information and

news sent direct to your inbox.

Fundraising workshops

If the fundraising aspect of Oxfam

Trailwalker makes you a little

nervous, or you’re not sure where

to begin, we host fundraising

workshops to provide you with the

ideas and tools to kick-start your

fundraising and make the most

out of every fundraising activity.

Five-day-a-week staff support

Your local Oxfam Trailwalker staff

are readily available to help you

with any query or advice you

might need. You can contact staff

by phone or email. We are always

happy to hear from you!

Unlimited access to fundraising resources

Oxfam Trailwalker has loads of

fundraising resources to help

spread the word about your team

and brand your next fundraising

event including:

• email templates and social

media guides and tools;

• fundraising posters;

• Oxfam and Oxfam Trailwalker

information booklets;

• money boxes — a simple

way to collect donations;

• branded banners for your

fundraising events; and

• donation receipt books.

Resources can be ordered via your

Teamspace, or by emailing your

local Oxfam Trailwalker office.

Teamspace

Each team is provided with

its own Teamspace, which is

the online hub of your Oxfam

Trailwalker experience. Use it to

upload team photos, blog about

your training progress, promote

your fundraising events, reach

out to your social networks

and communicate your team’s

inspirational message. You can

also see a list of your online

donors, read their messages of

support and thank them. This is

the place to keep track of your

fundraising progress and the

progress of other teams, and see

who is moving up the leaderboard

in your fundraising category.

As a registered participant, you will receive:

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We also provide: Training walks

To help you and your team prepare for the event, we offer training walks to all

registered participants. The walks are a great way to get to know the trail, meet

fellow participants, break in your gear and ask questions of the Oxfam Trailwalker

staff along the way.

Preparation nights

In partnership with our long-time national sponsor, Paddy Pallin, we host

preparation nights covering:

• team training techniques;

• nutrition and hydration; and

• footcare and blister management.

Oxfam Trailwalker 101 Night

Around six months before the event, we host a 101 Night. Highly recommended

for first-timers, this covers the event in detail, from what to expect on the trail

and fundraising tips, to advice on training and injury prevention.

Briefing Night

Two weeks before the event, all teams gather to receive important information.

Oxfam Trailwalker staff will cover logistical and safety information for teams and

support crews, and provide a final rundown of the event weekend.

Support Crew assistance

Support crews are the angels out on the trail and we make sure they feel

confident about the event weekend. Support crew members will receive a

Support Crew Guide and their own issues of eNews, detailing everything they

need to know to be fully prepared for the event.

Preparing for the eventOn the website and in your eNews, you will receive regular preparation

tips including gear lists, training

guides, and health, safety and nutrition information.

Phot

o: R

icha

rd W

ainw

right

/Oxf

amAU

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Event weekend support

Checkpoint provisions and services

The main functions of the checkpoints are to record the progress of teams, to offer a safe location for participants to rest, to distribute basic food and water provisions, to provide essential first aid and medical support, and to act as a base for communications and emergency services if required.

Our hard-working volunteers

At every checkpoint, and all along the trail, you will be greeted by upward of 600 wonderful volunteers, who are there to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Podiatry, physiotherapy and massage clinics

Tight hamstrings, weary muscles and pesky blisters will be attended to by our allied health volunteers, available at selected checkpoints.

Photo: Jason Malouin/OxfamAUS 9

FundraisingIn the same way you develop a training schedule for

Oxfam Trailwalker, a team fundraising plan is also

essential to ensure a fun, easy and empowering experience for you and your donors. A fundraising plan helps guide your team’s understanding of your

fundraising events and activities, and the various

groups you may ask to support you during your journey. By breaking down your fundraising this way,

it becomes much more manageable.

“With the training and fundraising,

Oxfam Trailwalker provides me with a

great work-life balance. Life is busy,

but there are people in this world that

need our help and this is a fun, easy

and healthy way to make a difference.”

– Karen Franklin, team Keen Beans

• 4–8 x emails from each team member to their closest

friends and family asking for initial donations = $800

• 1 x movie night for 20 guests + $400

• Selling fundraising chocolate + $500

• 4 x Oxfam money boxes + $200

• Total = $1,900

Oxfam Trailwalker is a team event, both on and off the trail, so

dividing the fundraising between each member means each person

has their own individual goal to achieve. The minimum fundraising

goal is $1,400 and broken down per team member, that’s only

$350 over a period of 4–6 months! Of course, $1,400 is only the

minimum, so you can continue raising your fundraising goal.

As a first step, have each team member make a list of the four

people who are most likely to support them on their Oxfam

Trailwalker journey. Then, using one of our online email templates,

kick-start your fundraising by having each team member share

with their contacts the challenge they are undertaking, asking for

a donation of $50 from each. We know this approach works and

successful asks make a combined team total of $800, meaning

you are already halfway to the minimum fundraising commitment!

Here’s an example first step fundraising plan:

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Where your money goes

$1,000Will evacuate a woman and two

children from a violent situation

in Papua New Guinea and

provide a basic start-up kit for

a new life in a safer location.

$22 Will buy notepads and pens

for a school in Timor-Leste,

allowing students to take full

advantage of their education.

$259 Offers financial support

for a family in Bangladesh

to buy a cow, providing

them with nutrition and

an alternative livelihood.

$50Will help build a rainwater tank

that will provide a remote,

disaster-prone village in the

Solomon Islands with a clean

and reliable water supply.

$95 Could buy 50 banana plants for

a family in Sri Lanka, increasing

their income by $15 per month

after one year and providing an

alternate source of income.

Photos left to right: Tom Greenwood/Oxfam, Lara McKinley/OxfamAUS, Howard Davies/OxfamGB, Cinzia Pedrotti/OxfamAUS, Max Bastard/OxfamAUS. 11

You need to sign up to Oxfam Trailwalker

as a team of four. You don’t have to be

super fit to take part, all you need is

enthusiasm and motivation to train and

fundraise, and we’ll support you every

step of the way.

As well as our original 100km events

in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and

Perth — Brisbane now offers a 55km

distance and Perth a 50km distance, so

you can test the trail before taking on

the big one!

Oxfam Trailwalker is a global event, held

in Australia, India, New Zealand, Spain,

Japan, France, the UK, Belgium and

Hong Kong.

This goes towards Oxfam’s long-term

development work in communities

around the world.

Our volunteers will be there to hand

out food, massages and much-needed

encouragement as you conquer

the trail. Without them, this event

couldn’t happen.

The amount Oxfam Trailwalker Australia

participants have raised so far to

support Oxfam’s important work fighting

poverty and injustice around the world.

Is how much Oxfam Trailwalker events

have raised globally since it began

in 1981.

Strength in Numbers

12

Your commitment

With the right training, preparation and planning, nearly anyone can complete Oxfam Trailwalker.

We know from experience that participants who train on the trail, and do so regularly over a number of months, are more likely to have a positive event experience compared to those who don’t. You’ll also look forward to your regular catch-ups with your team!

Training for Oxfam Trailwalker is not about speed, or even the distance you cover, but rather the amount of time you spend on your feet to ensure excellent conditioning. Your team will perform better when training is consistent, when you challenge yourself gradually over time and, most importantly, when you train as a team.

It might seem daunting at first, but getting started is easy. Our Training and Preparation Guide advises those taking on their first Oxfam Trailwalker should head out for walks in your local area, through parklands or on terrain that’s easy on your feet and can support you through the strength-building phase. In your first month, you may only walk 4–6 hours, before you begin to implement a fortnightly weekend walk on the trail of between 2–3 hours. By creating a schedule that your team sticks to, training becomes manageable and doesn’t impede upon your everyday life, but instead creates an anticipated adventure to the great outdoors!

Photo: Michael Myers/OxfamAUS 13

Does my team have to have four people?

Yes. Each team must have four members

in order to take part. If you know more

than four people who want to participate,

you can form another team — the more

the merrier!

What are the registration fees?

Registration for all 100km event options

is $600 per team. Registration for the

55km and 50km options is $400 per team.

Registration fees are non-refundable

and non-tax deductible, as they directly

cover event costs. This means the funds

you raise as part of your Oxfam Trailwalker

journey really are making a difference.

Are there any benefits to registering early?

They say the early bird gets the worm and

Oxfam Trailwalker is no exception! Being

ready to sign up as soon as registration

opens means you will be eligible for many

exclusive offers, discounts and prizes that

teams who wait often miss.

Past participants can also attest that

Oxfam Trailwalker is so much more

enjoyable and stress-free when the team

has the maximum amount of time to train

and fundraise. By registering early, your

team can implement a fundraising plan,

with achievable goals through events and

activities performed over a long period

of time.

When does registration close?

Oxfam Trailwalker is one of Australia’s

oldest and most popular endurance

challenges and is always a sell-out.

Registration closes when all team places

are filled, so find your four and sign up as

soon as you can!

What is a Teamspace?

Your Teamspace is the online hub of your

Oxfam Trailwalker experience. You can use

it to reach out to your social networks,

promote your team fundraising activities,

share your Oxfam Trailwalker journey and

check out your fellow teams. All four team

members will receive login information

and have access to their Teamspace as

soon as they register.

Photo: Jason Malouin/OxfamAUS

FAQ

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Why is the fundraising minimum $1,400?

Oxfam Trailwalker is one of Oxfam

Australia’s largest fundraising activities

and the funds raised are vital to the

success of our project work around

the world. Oxfam works within counties

for a number of years to help set up

projects, then train communities to help

themselves. As such, we must budget

accordingly to fulfil program obligations.

A fundraising minimum across all events

guarantees financial support for our

program work for years to come.

Do I need to pay for extra fundraising resources?

Not at all! Once your team is registered

to take part on Oxfam Trailwalker, you’ll

receive a sample of resources available

in your Welcome Pack and you are able

to order many more online, including

money boxes, banners, posters, flyers and

donation receipt books. You’ll also have

access to our Oxfam Trailwalker staff, who

are full of fundraising knowledge and can

help you develop a fundraising plan suited

to your team to help you quickly and easily

reach, and surpass, your fundraising goal.

Do we sleep during the event?

Some teams do and some teams don’t.

The decision is entirely up to your team

and your agreed event strategy. If you are

planning on an estimated finish time of

more than 35 hours, it may be in your best

interest to get a few hours sleep. We also

recommend you don’t sleep for more than

three to four hours at a time, as it can

be difficult to get moving again after a

long sleep.

Do we need to carry everything with us?

During event weekend while on the trail,

you should be prepared to carry a range

of essential items with you in a small

backpack, including water bottles for both

water and electrolyte drinks, a first aid kit,

spare socks and shoes, a head torch,

a rain jacket, a mobile phone and some

light snacks. However, we wouldn’t expect

you to carry everything! That’s what your

support crew and checkpoint rest stations

are for. Your support crew will be able to

meet your team at selected checkpoints,

providing you with a change of clothing,

a hearty meal and equipment you may only

need for particular trail sections, such as

walking at night or during wet weather.

Is a support crew compulsory?

Yes. It’s important to have a support crew

to meet you at particular checkpoints

along the trail while also being on

stand-by as transport should a member

of your team be unable to complete

the event.

Why is a shorter distance only available for some events?

Apart from public support for the shorter

distance, we also have to consider the

accessibility of the trail, as well as its

potential for growth without negatively

impacting the trail and the environment.

At Oxfam Trailwalker, we are continually

attempting to improve our events and

if a shorter distance option becomes

available in your state, you will be among

the first to know!

What is the minimum age for entering Oxfam Trailwalker?

At this time, all participants must be

18 years or older by the Friday of event

weekend. We’re always looking to

engage more young people in the work

we do at Oxfam Australia, so check

out 3Things (3things.org.au), an Oxfam

Australia program designed to help young

Australians change the world.

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twitter.com/OAusTrailwalker

facebook.com/OxfamTrailwalkerAustralia

instagram.com/oaustrailwalker

ABN: 18 055 208 636

register now!WWW.TRAILWALKER.OXFAM.ORG.AUMELBOURNE BRISBANE SYDNEY PERTHOxfam Trailwalker Melbourne

132 Leicester Street, Carlton VIC 3053

Call: 1800 088 110

trailwalkermelbourne@oxfam.org.au

Oxfam Trailwalker Brisbane

PO Box 1429 Fortitude Valley QLD 4006

Call: (07) 3637 4647

trailwalkerbrisbane@oxfam.org.au

Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney

Level 3, 25 Cooper Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

PO Box 1711, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012

Call: (02) 8204 3919

trailwalkersydney@ oxfam.org.au

Oxfam Trailwalker Perth

5 King William Street, Bayswater WA 6053

PO Box 138 Bayswater WA 6053

Call: (08) 9262 8210

trailwalkerperth@ oxfam.org.au