Rutherglen local Anthony Bozanic walked 90km to Cobram in the name of mental health.
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Anthony Bozanic has raised more than $6000 for mental health after walking 90km from Rutherglen to Cobram, as part of the Black Dog Institute’s One Foot Forward campaign.
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After seven months of training, Anthony set off from his Rutherglen home at 7am on Thursday, October 22, beginning a three-day trek that tested him both physically and mentally.
The first leg to Bundalong covered 35km and took six hours and 18 minutes, with Anthony receiving encouragement from locals along the way.
The owner of Warrabilla Winery met him down the street, offering a donation and water before walking alongside him for a short distance.
He also received support from Nick, a local cafe owner, who stopped to make a donation and shake his hand.
“It was nice to have that local support,” Anthony said.
On day two, Anthony walked 32.5km from Bundalong to Burramine in just over six hours, but admitted the challenge was becoming increasingly difficult.
“It was definitely challenging physically and mentally,” Anthony said.
“There were moments when I wanted to pull the pin, but I didn’t because I knew I had everyone’s support, I’d raised so much money and that I needed to do it for myself.”
To keep himself going, Anthony listened to music and motivational podcasts, while messages of encouragement from friends, family and supporters helped him push through.
The final leg from Burramine to Cobram covered just under 23km, with a painful injury to his left foot leaving him limping for much of the four-hour and 43-minute walk.
“I was much slower because I’d done a bit of damage to my left toe and pretty much had no skin left on my small toe,” Anthony said.
“I had a few nice surprises though, with [Anthony’s partner] Justine’s sister and her partner walking with me for the last 8km, then Justine walked with me for the last five, so it was nice to have a few people at the end.”
Anthony finished up his trek at Federation Park in Cobram, where he was met by family and friends.
After three days of walking, he marked the occasion with a well-earned beer, followed by a massage in Cobram the next day.
Anthony said he originally wasn’t sure if he could do it, but after pushing through the pain barrier and completing the challenge, he was feeling proud and accomplished.
“I always thought I wanted to do something positive for mental health and now that I’ve done it I definitely have a sense of pride,” he said.
Anthony thanked the five local businesses that sponsored him, as well as the seven businesses across Cobram, Rutherglen and Chiltern that placed donation tins in their shops to help raise funds.
With this first challenge behind him, Anthony is already planning something for next year.
“My plan is to do it again next year, but bigger and better,” he said.
Anthony Bozanic with partner Justine Wescott.
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