News
31 October, 2026
Local Rotarians complete 3-day trek for families
Yass Rotarians recently helped raise more than $40,000 for families around the world who’ve lost their homes to disaster or conflict, by completing a gruelling 3-day trek for ShelterBox Australia.
Yass Rotarians recently helped raise more than $40,000 for families around the world who’ve lost their homes to disaster or conflict, by completing a gruelling 3-day trek for ShelterBox Australia.
The charity is part of the global ShelterBox network, specialising in emergency shelter.
The trek took place less than two months after flash floods swept through Nepal, where emergency shelter is still urgently needed.
ShelterBox teams are working with Rotary and local partners to deliver tarpaulins, tents, solar lights and other essential household items, including to communities only reachable by helicopter.
“I visited Nepal last year and did a trek there," said Yass Rotary Club member Paul Twohill.
"The flash floods certainly motivated me to raise awareness of the disaster in Nepal and the importance of ShelterBox and raising funds for it.”
Mr. Twohill was joined by fellow Yass Rotary Club member Mandy Wade, and they were among 16 other trekkers including Neil Penning (Goulburn Rotary Club), Andre Raadgever (Leeton), Jason Cox (Nowra) and Jacqueline Evans (Berry).
The Rotary Clubs of Yass, Tumut, and Batemans Bay also supported the trekkers during their adventure.
The annual fundraising adventure raises awareness and funds to support families uprooted by tropical storms, earthquakes, and flooding.
This year’s Trek for Shelter covered more than 70km along Stage One of the iconic Hume and Hovell Track south of Yass.
Trekkers walked through native forests, rolling farmlands, and alpine streams from Cooma Cottage to Fitzpatrick Trackhead via Wee Jasper.
“To see it all come together so successfully, with everyone working together and supporting one another, was incredibly rewarding," said Ms. Wade, (who was central to organising this year’s event, helping bring together volunteers, logistics, and local support).
“The main highlights were meeting and being with a great group, raising the amount of funds that we did, seeing some amazing countryside and learning a lot more about ShelterBox,” Mr. Twohill added.
So far the fundraising group have managed to raise $43,753; with 238 donations and 15 fundraisers.
"The camaraderie, the scenery, the conversations and the incredible support we received from the Rotary clubs and wider community made it a truly memorable experience,” Ms. Wade added.
Members from several other local Rotary Clubs also supported the team with logistics and by preparing meals.
ShelterBox Australia CEO, Mike Greenslade said the support from local Rotary clubs made a huge difference.
“To be walking and raising funds with such wonderful people has been a real privilege,” he said.
“I can’t thank everyone involved enough. Events like these demonstrate what a special organisation ShelterBox is, where ordinary people do extraordinary things to help others in need.”
Ms. Wade added that from conversations with the trekkers, it was clear that everyone had their own reasons for participating.
"For some, it was a cause close to their hearts; for others, it was the opportunity to be involved in a Rotary-led event, knowing there would be support along the way while also challenging themselves physically and enjoying the health benefits of being outdoors," she said.
“Nepal was always at the forefront of our minds.
"Knowing that families were facing the devastating consequences of disaster, including the loss of their homes and shelter, gave our journey an even greater sense of purpose.
"We were fortunate to be able to enjoy this incredible experience, while raising funds to help provide essential shelter and supplies to people who desperately needed them.”
ShelterBox stores shelter materials in strategic locations around the world, and tailors its aid to what communities need.
As well as Nepal, ShelterBox is responding to the world’s most neglected displacement crises, supporting people with shelter and other essential items in Cameroon, Somalia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Burkina Faso.
Shelter Box has also responded twice in the Philippines this year.
Some of the trekkers are already thinking about tackling the next section of the Hume & Hovell Trail (82 kms from Fitzpatrick Trackhead to Blowering Campsite near Tumut) next year.
The whole Hume & Hovell Trail stretches for 426kms from Yass to Albury, and takes anything from 18 to 26 days to complete (depending on your level of fitness).
To find out more about the trek, visit https://hume-and-hovell.raiselysite.com/.
And to learn more about ShelterBox Australia’s work, visit www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au.
For information about the Yass Rotary Club and potential membership, initial contact can be made through their website at https://yassrotary.org.au/ or by email direct to yassrotary@gmail.com.
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