The 12th annual Conquer the Corrugations walk will highlight resilience and adaptability with a theme inspired by Cape York’s cattle industry. Photo: Nic Braun.
A new theme leaning into Cape York’s agricultural industry is keeping the messages of resilience and adaptability strong at this year’s Conquer the Corrugations walk.
Participants in the 12th annual mental health event will trudge from Coen to Archer River – about 46 kilometres – over two days on 3 and 4 October.
This year’s theme, Cape York Peninsula cattle, pays homage to the considerable challenges faced across the region following ex-tropical cyclones Narelle and Jasper.
“We’ve had Jasper hit the southern part of the Peninsula, and then this year, we’ve had Narelle hit the northern part. We kind of figured that a cattle theme just makes it really real, because that’s one of the main industries in this region,” co-founder Emma Jackson said.
“Cattle have to adapt to the hot, they adapt to the cool, they adapt to whatever the environmental challenges might be. Cattle are quite powerful; Cape York has some of the hardest conditions in Australia, and they survive and thrive.”
Conquer the Corrugation began as a small walking event to honour co-founder Debbie Jackson’s son and Emma Jackson’s nephew, Dillon, who lost his battle with mental health.
While the heart of the event remains the same — providing a space for those struggling with mental health to open up and keeping Dillon’s memory alive — Ms Jackson said anybody, no matter what kind of challenges they faced, was welcome to take part.
“It’s not just for people who have been affected by suicide or mental health; it’s for anybody and everybody, and it’s not only for people who have done it before — it’s an open community event where everyone is invited,” she said.
“Initially, it did start because of Dillon taking his life, but we all face different levels of challenge, everybody’s impacted, and it’s turned into an event that helps people build tools and strategies to better cope with the challenges of life.
“It’s a family-friendly event that, yes, the purpose is to bring people together, create a safe environment, and have people talk and share their stories, but it’s also become an event that’s fun. It’s got a physical challenge as well as a bit of an emotional challenge.”
Mental health services such as Queensland Health and Royal Flying Doctor Service will also take part in the walk to facilitate conversations and support Conquerors on the mammoth two-day journey.
To register, go to trybooking.com.
If this story has raised any issues for you, you can contact Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line on 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467, Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au. In an emergency, call triple zero.
