The Nullarbor Plains get busy

Date: April 8, 2005
Source: Adventist News Network

The Nullarbor Plains will have seen some extraordinary traffic by the end of April. The six cyclists from the Circle of Courage Cycle Tour passed a German runner this morning on their way to Norseman. The runner and the cyclists are on their way from Perth to Sydney.

Achim Heukumers started running on April 2 and plans to complete his journey in a record breaking 44 days. He is raising money for the Oxfam Asian Tsunami Appeal and selling a range of health supplements.

“It is a remarkable coincidence for us to be on the same route at about the same time,” says Jonathan Duffy, team leader and director of health for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific, organiser of the Circle of Courage Cycle Tour. “It is a good thing to meet up with another person crossing the Nullarbor Plains for a cause.”

The team of six is cycling from Perth to Sydney to address issues of at-risk behaviour among young people in small, rural communities. They will be introducing the Circle of Courage model of promoting resilience and self-esteem in young people to the towns.

The Circle of Courage focuses on four areas—belonging, mastery, independence and generosity.

The cyclists set off from Murray Street Mall in Perth on April 5 will finish in Sydney on May 5. They will speak in 21 towns across Australia and will cover an average of 165 kilometres a day.