4 minute read
Women’s Spirit Project:WSP
WOMEN’S SPIRIT PROJECT
Frank to Schanck Walk
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The achievements of The Women’s Spirit Project (WSP) over the last year have been exceptional: they highlight the extraordinary and often underestimated the power of women, when they come together with a shared vision and mission.
WSP Founder Jodie Belyea said “Onein-four women experience mental health issues, family violence and/or social isolation”. A grassroots volunteerled initiative, WSP provides primary prevention programs for women doing it tough.
The WSP project has filled a gap that has grown exponentially during the pandemic, offering greater numbers of women from all walks of life, an opportunity to be inspired, empowered, and supported by other women to transform their lives through fitness, health, and wellbeing activities.
The ‘Frank to Schanck’ 70km challenge provides a focused goal for women from all backgrounds to work towards. These women collectively walked 3,500km over the three days—a huge feat. “Fitness, health and wellbeing are crucial to living a balanced, purposeful and passionate life,” said Jodie.
As the sun rose over Port Phillip Bay in late April 2021, the first steps were taken by 70 willing participants who embarked on a 3-day hiking challenge in the name of sisterhood and comradery. Fighting through mental, and physical fatigue, and of course, let’s not forget the blisters that reminded them of the distance travelled, as they supported each other to achieve significant milestones and transform their lives.
In the lead up to the challenge, they helped each other—physically and mentally—prepare through the building of confidence and essential life skills. They then found themselves needing to actively provide support, and more, during the walk itself. “This [earlier] intuitive feeling [about participating] was confirmed on day two (my birthday) when climbing Arthur’s Seat… the climb was one of the most mentally and physically gruelling things I’ve had to face for a very long time, and there were many times when I was ready to give up the challenge. However, there were a group of women that would not allow this. Through my physical struggle they helped by taking my backpack from me, they patiently counted ‘10-steps-and-stop’ for the better part of the climb, they gave me water at every interval, and they never stopped encouraging me. These beautiful women would simply not allow me to fail. How honoured was I to witness what can only be described as the purest forms of compassion and kindness toward another, a virtual stranger?” Successful ‘Frank to Schanck’ participant, Julie M said.
The WSP ‘Tribe’, as they refer to each other, twisted and pivoted on at least three occasions, since March 2020, as they designed and delivered virtual and face-to-face activities.
WSP hosted a Celebration on the Saturday evening of the trek, to celebrate the achievements of all involved. Pressroom Philanthropy was delighted to have joined in the evening, sharing in tears of joy, the laughs, and the triumphs with the participants of ‘Frank to Schanck’—but it was not until after the trek was completed that some of the best stories started coming out. So many inspirational stories. Stories of strength, persistence, generosity, satisfaction, kindness, pride, and much more.
Portarlington
Bellarine
Indented Head
St Leonards Port Phillip Bay
Day 1 Seaford
START Frankston
Mt Eliza Frankston South
Swan Bay
Queenscliffe
Point Lonsdale
Portsea
Sorrento
Rosebud Safety Beach
Dromana Mornington
Moorooduc
Mount Martha
Day 2
Arthurs Seat Hastings
French Island
Day 3
Boneo Main Ridge Merricks
WWW2021 Frank to Schanck APRIL 30 - MAY 2, 2021 70km over 3 days
- Jodie Belyea, Founder Women's Spirit Project.
Cape Schanck FINISH Flinders
Phillip Island
The evening was attended by many members of the WSP community including Peta Murphy MP– Federal Member for Dunkley and Paul Edbrooke MP – State Member for Frankston who shared their own stories of overcoming adversity and who applauded the efforts of all involved. The participants embraced the WSP spirit and thanks to the encouragement, support and their belief in one another meant that every woman who started the trek, completed the trek.” said Jodie.
Pressroom Philanthropy was proud to support the WSP’s ‘Frank to Schanck’ Walk including the printing of signage, marketing collateral and supporting the production of a video which captured the breakthroughs, and possibilities realised by the participants during the trekking challenge.
Their latest program, Spirit Of Transformation has just launched. This will run from March to June 2022.
The Women’s Spirit Project is a grassroots, volunteer-led initiative which aims to inspire and empower women experiencing disadvantage to transform their lives through fitness, health and wellbeing activities. Find out more at www.womensspiritproject.org.
