Mat takes on 50 marathons in 50 days

Ashley Schipper

Ultra endurance athlete Mat Grills is taking on a challenge of epic proportions, running 50 marathons in 50 days in order to train his body for his next big event.

The Bargara man began his journey on 22 September and will crank out at least a marathon (42.2 kilometres) and up to 50 kilometres every day until 10 November.

“Everything I am doing is the build up to running from the Western most to the Eastern most points of the country next year,” Mat said.

“It's basically to practice, build up and test my body before the mammoth task ahead of me where I will run 100k a day.

“Last year I ran 100 half marathons in a row and this year I am running a marathon a day for 50 days, but 50km on my days off from work.”

During the 50 day challenge Mat will put the region's coastal areas, bush tracks and streets to good use as he travels along different routes.

Mat said he had been ultra running for more than 12 years and loved the challenge that came with each step.

“I'm constantly trying to push myself and explore the outer limits of human potential and this is another way of doing that,” he said.

“I have not done anything to this magnitude before.

“I have run much further in one go, but not the volume of doing 42.2 kilometres or more day after day for over seven weeks.”

And while he is known to complete some of his runs barefoot, Mat said he won't be sans shoes as part of this challenge.

He has secured zero drop shoe sponsor Altra and, because they are made specifically to keep your heel and toes level which mimics your natural barefoot position on a flat surface, he no longer feels the need to travel barefoot.

Mat said while he was on his own personal and physical journey as part of the 50 marathons in 50 days, he was encouraging others to join him on some of his runs while also adopting a vegan lifestyle.

“I encourage people to set their own challenges, push themselves and make no excuses,” he said.

“Ultimately I would love people to try and go vegan for 50 days but any sort of challenge, sport related or otherwise would be super rad!”

You can follow Mat's progress with the 50 day challenge on Instagram at Adventures and Activism or Strava at Mat Grills.

Bagpipes at the ready for Pipers Loch Doon concert

Ashley Schipper

The bagpipes will be played proudly and with gusto when the Bundaberg Caledonian Pipe Band holds its annual concert at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre next month.

It comes after the popular event was cancelled last year due to Covid, with the 2021 comeback concert aptly titled ‘Pipers Loch Doon'.

Local singer Suellen Cusack-Greensill is set to perform alongside the pipers, with performances also featured by the Rum City Highland Dancers.

Secretary Julie Myers said the Bundaberg Caledonian Pipe Band was the oldest in Queensland and had been a part of the region's history since its incorporation in 1884, for 137 years.

“The band has performed regularly over the past century at numerous local functions, which include Harvest Festivals, Railway Picnics, Bundy in Bloom, Light up Bundy, the opening of both Burnett and Tallon bridges, and welcoming Queen Elizabeth II to Bundaberg in 1954,” she said.

“The year 2020 would have been the band’s honour of leading every parade of ex-servicemen and women to Bundaberg’s Anzac Day Dawn Service since its inception in 1920.

“However, as we all know Covid dealt its hand, and this was not able to be achieved.”

Julie said instead, the band would celebrate the milestone this year.

“I don’t know of any other band in Queensland or Australia that would be able to own this recognition,” she said.

“The members are very proud to uphold the tradition of the band, which was built by their predecessors, and march proudly wearing the ancient Sutherland kilt.”

Julie said the upcoming concert at the Moncrieff Entertainment Centre would be the eighth annual concert the Caledonian Pipe Band had held, which doubled as a fundraiser event.

“We have taken this night back to the traditional Scottish tunes that most people have heard somewhere,” she said.

“Nine pipers and six drummers will bring a toe-tapping night with a couple of surprises along the way.

“Also, having the beautiful Suellen Cusack-Greensill on stage to sing, accompanied by Kate Hardisty on violin, will be a great highlight of the evening.

“Bundaberg’s own Suellen has performed all over the world and we have been grateful and privileged that she has performed at many of our concerts.”

Julie said the concert would evoke many emotions from the audience, with a range of music to be performed.

“To hear the sounds of a bagpipe playing, whether it is in a march or as a lone piper, is like no other,” Julie said.

“The instrument can play a haunting melody or a lively jig.

“I think the fact that it has lead men to war, and these days is played at commemorations and memorials, as well as festive occasions, does keep the tradition and the band alive.”

Pipers Loch Doon will be presented at the Moncrieff on 16 October at 7pm.

Book your tickets here.

Ray's passion for environment a lifetime adventure

Ashley Schipper

Ray Johnson is best known around the Bundaberg Region for his knowledge of rare fruits, native plants, and his passion in establishing the Gin Gin Landcare Nursery and Bush Food Garden.

In 2014, Ray was awarded Bundaberg Regional Council's Green Spirit Award for his community involvement and love of the environment.

“It makes it all the more rewarding when visitors come to the nursery and comment on how much they enjoy the experience, the friendly staff and an interesting lot of native plants,” he said.

Ray's profile has been featured as part of the Bundaberg Regional Council project called Our People Our Stories which aims to celebrate residents within the local community.

Born in Kogarah, Sydney in 1944, Ray completed his early education but at 15 was ready to go bush and leave the learning side of things to a later date.

His love was in the natural world and town life was not for him.

Over the next 11 years Ray worked around the country as a sheep shearer, cattle worker, timber cutter or anything else to bring in a dollar.

At 26 Ray became curious about the world beyond what he had seen so far, so for the next three and a half years he travelled Europe, Canada, New Zealand, USA and parts of Asia.

During his travels Ray took an interest in his Christian background and at one time spent four years studying theology in America.

It was here he met his wife-to-be and together they returned to Australia to spend the next 12 years establishing a place of worship.

As situations changed Ray and his wife Marsha then went on to spend the next eight years travelling and working their way around Australia.

A four-wheel-drive and an old caravan took them on an adventure of a lifetime.

Finally, becoming weary of the traveling life in 2004, they looked for a place to settle and Gin Gin was chosen as their final destination.

“Life has been good!” Ray exclaimed.

The couple have two children, seven grandchildren and love the place they now call home.

Marsha enjoys her art, while Ray, just like in the beginning, still has a love affair with the great outdoors and a passion for the environment.

If you want to catch up with Ray, he is never far from the Gin Gin Landcare Nursery, so head on over and have a chat.

Josephina’s art garden planted with passion

Morgan Everett

A strong connection to nature has led Josephina Beckers to create an intricate art trail in her one-acre garden, with all but one gum tree planted by hand.

The vision arose for artist Josephina as she wanted to curate a creative and wild space, filled with spirit, colour and passion.

“I love flowers and colour,” she said.

“They feed my soul more than a veggie garden for some weird reason.”

A garden created out of pure excitement has blossomed into a natural wonderland for Josephina to enjoy every day in her own backyard. 

“I knew nothing about trees, how big they would grow and what would be the best place for them,” she said.

“I just got enthusiastic and threw anything in.

“Of course, that means that some trees are not quite in the right place.”

In the past 12 months the newest vision to come to fruition was the art trail, Josephina said she wanted it to be inspiring, exciting and fun to walk.

“When I walk and work in my garden, I feel a profound spiritual connection with the land,” she said.

“I create beauty and love around me that fills my spirit daily, despite the drought or maybe because of it.

“It can take almost half an hour now when you walk slowly around and take the time to look at all the different little bits and pieces.

“The different parts of the garden all have a distinctive different energy.”

The garden currently features a variety of themed areas.

“At this stage we have a fairy-gnome garden, a rock garden with succulents, a veggie garden, a bamboo walk trail, a living labyrinth, a magical ‘gum tree forest’ with an energy circle, a mandala garden, and a mosaic section,” Josephina said.

With the challenge of drought Josephina said she has developed a love for bromeliads and succulents which are hearty plants that can thrive on very little water.

“At this stage the bromeliads provide most of the colour,” she said.

“I do try to get more and more edible plants everywhere.  

“I remember thinking that I wish to see the trees grow for the next 50 years!”