Man walkers celebrate milestone

The Man Walk Redcliffe group is poised to celebrate its biggest milestone yet.

The popular walking group, which provides an opportunity for men to walk, talk and support each other, will complete its 500th walk on Saturday, December 2.

Redcliffe ‘Manbassador’ Denis Brennan says he joined the group unexpectedly four years ago.

“I don’t know how I got here, but after half a dozen walks or so, Adam White – the founder of the Redcliffe Man Walk – had work commitments, so he just kind of passed it onto me. I kept telling him to go and get lost,” Denis laughs.

“It was about three or four of us to start with, and then it’s just grown big time.

“I’ve been doing it now for four years … somebody said something to me, and I came down for a walk. It was that easy.”

With now more than 90 groups across Australia, Denis says it’s mind-blowing to see how far the Redcliffe group has come.

“I think it’s an honour to hit 500 walks. You know, to be involved in it and to see so many blokes walking, just blows you away,” Denis says.

“Men don’t talk to each other, sitting across from each other – eye to eye – they won’t talk. But, if you walk down the path with someone beside you and you aren’t looking at them, it just comes out.

“Blokes tell you some unbelievable stories – really good stories – and you respond and tell them things, and the next minute, you are friends. We’ve had blokes that have been here now for three and a half years or more, and I think we classify ourselves as pretty good mates.”

Not only is The Man Walk important for combatting social isolation, but it’s about building community and giving men a positive and inclusive environment to reach out if they need help.

Denis anticipates a big turnout for their 500th walk in December.

Former Australian professional rugby league football player Greg Oliphant is expected to join the group for the milestone stride along the foreshore.

The Man Walk Redcliffe group walks every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6.30am, meeting at the Redcliffe Jetty.

Men who wish to join The Man Walk can do so by simply turning up.

You can also request to join the private Facebook group.