Pilgrims resting at end of long first stage besides Gum Lane – left to right Perry Healey, Anna Healey, Peter Cleary, Peter Grist, Pru Gordon, Paul Trezise and Jaclyn Green.
The crisp air of a beautiful Saturday, August 23, settled over the rolling hills of Yass as a group of travellers gathered.
Their journey, a special 30-kilometre walk to Murrumbateman, was a testament to the Jubilee Year’s theme of “Hope.” It was a day for reflection, for connection, and for the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other.
The day began promptly at 8 a.m. with a heartfelt blessing at St. Augustine’s Church. The participants, a mix of young and old, wore comfortable shoes and carried small packs, their faces a blend of anticipation and quiet purpose.
From the church, they spilled onto the footpaths of Yass, beginning the first leg of their long walk. The route was a carefully planned one, designed by organiser Paul Trezise, who had himself walked similar paths in France and Spain.
It led them away from the main thoroughfare and onto the peaceful back roads, including the aptly named Gums Lane and the long stretch of Dog Trap Road. The path was relatively flat, a gentle, undulating ribbon of asphalt that wound through the picturesque countryside.
As they walked, the group found themselves enveloped in the quiet beauty of the landscape. The season was a generous one; everything was a vibrant, lush green, a stark contrast to the often-dry Australian summer.
The walkers moved at their own pace, some in pairs, others in small groups of three, and a few preferred the solitude of walking alone. There were moments of shared laughter and conversation, and other times of profound silence, each person lost in their own thoughts. The journey was not a race; it was a personal expedition, a chance to disconnect from the frantic pace of daily life and reconnect with something deeper.
Paul had ensured the journey felt authentic. Along the route, small, makeshift shrines were set up—simple tables with crosses and symbols for prayer and reflection. Participants could pause at these spots, collect their thoughts, or simply appreciate the quiet sanctity of the moment. And for a bit of fun, they carried special passports, accumulating stamps at each designated stop, a tangible record of their progress and a reminder of the unique experience.
Of course, a 30-kilometre walk is no small feat. The organisers were very conscious that not everyone could manage such a distance. To make the event inclusive, they offered a staged approach.
At 11 a.m., a second group began their journey, tackling a 19-kilometre section.
At 1 p.m., another group started a 13-kilometre walk, and finally, at 3 p.m., a final group joined for the last 6 kilometres.
This staggered approach meant that people of varying fitness levels could participate, and by the end of the day, all would converge at the same destination.
A support vehicle was never far behind, offering a welcome break and access to a portaloo, a small but significant comfort on such a long trip.
The average walking speed was kept at a steady 4 kilometres per hour, a pace that allowed for both progress and enjoyment.
When the last of the walkers arrived at the Murrumbateman Catholic Church hall at 6 p.m., a sense of shared accomplishment filled the air.
They were tired, some a little sore, but their spirits were high. The journey concluded with a community mass, a time to give thanks and reflect on the day’s experiences. Afterwards, a communal supper was served, where stories and experiences were shared.
Paul Trezise later reflected on the day with a sense of immense satisfaction.
“We were blessed with absolutely beautiful weather,” he said, “which is a bit dodgy at this time of year.” He was particularly pleased with the feedback.
“People enjoyed the tranquillity of the walk,” he noted. “It’s a really beautiful time of year, everything’s so green and lush, and people walk in their own place. They mainly walked in pairs or threes and had a lot of time to chat a bit or just a bit of quiet time.”
The ultimate measure of success, for him, was the simple fact that people wanted to do it again.
“They appreciated the experience and they would recommend it to a friend,” he said. This positive response made all the effort worthwhile. It also prompted a discussion about making the walk an annual event, perhaps linking it to the feast day of St. Augustine, which fell just two days later.
Paul was surprised by the number of participants, a total of 19 people. “That was probably more than I expected,” he admitted, “especially the number of people that walked the full 30 kilometres, because some people breeze through it, but other people found it quite a tough physical thing to do, but worthwhile.” He also mentioned that for those who couldn’t walk, another event was being planned. A “journey by vehicle” to Galong, a special location within the archdiocese, would allow them to connect with the Jubilee year’s theme.
Looking ahead, Paul hoped to attract a younger crowd next time. While the group was mainly composed of people in their 40s to 70s, he noted that this demographic was typical for such walks. “Hopefully, next time we might get a few more younger people, that would be really nice,” he said, acknowledging the need to engage with the youth in a way that resonated with them.
The day had been more than just a walk; it was a unique experience that added a new dimension to their lives. It was a journey of hope, a physical act of moving forward that mirrored an internal, spiritual one. As the group dispersed, heading back to their daily lives, they carried with them not only memories of the beautiful day but also a renewed sense of purpose and peace.
– Tully Potts
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