More than 400 Tasmanians have walked and raised over $88,000 for migrants and refugees in this year’s Big Tassie Walk, which finished with a celebration in Montrose on Friday.
The campaign, now in its second year, is run by Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania (MRC Tas) every October to raise awareness and money for people building new lives in the state.
More than 50 people from businesses, councils, community groups and families, along with MRC Tas staff and clients, gathered at Montrose Foreshore for the event, called The Final Stretch.
MRC Tas said 429 Tasmanians took part this October. By Friday afternoon, the campaign’s online tally showed more than $88,000 raised and 23,336km walked.
Astri Kirkland, who arrived in Tasmania 22 years ago with two suitcases and is now a community advocate in the north-west, tops the individual leaderboard.
“When I arrived, I didn’t know how anything worked here,” Kirkland said. “What got me through was people who reached out and made room for me.”
“I’ve walked on my own this month, but I’ve never felt alone.”
Leading the team leaderboard is the Sea Hags, a cold-water swimming group that walked more than 1,000km and raised more than $3,000.
MRC Tas chief executive Gillian Long said the response had exceeded expectations.
“Every kilometre walked and every dollar raised will make a real difference for people starting again in Tasmania, from settlement and employment support to health and mental health programs,” she said.
The organisation’s board chair, Peter Gutwein, said his walk from Burnie to Hobart in 2024 first sparked the campaign.
“Two years ago, I set out on a walk hoping to start a conversation,” he said. “This October, hundreds of Tasmanians have carried it forward, one step at a time.”
With conversations about multiculturalism and belonging continuing nationally, organisers said the response sent “a clear message about the kind of state Tasmanians want to live in”.
MRC Tas said demand for its services exceeds funding. Money raised will go towards caseworkers, counselling, employment pathways, youth programs and aged care.
The walk officially closes on Saturday and donations are still open.
