MATES!!! What is M.A.T.E.S ? might you ask?
M.A.T.E.S is Matty Hunters Murray river adventure of a lifetime!
The M.A.T.E.S acronym stands for?
– (M) Murray
– (A) Adventure
– (T) Trip for
– (E) Endangered
– (S) Species.
37 year old Matty Hunter is setting out on his custom built pedal canoe as not only a great way of having an adventure, but also too raise awareness & funds for the Australian Eco System Foundation which is one of Matty’s passion’s in life with his main passion for preserving wildlife being deeply entrenched.
The adventure will see him navigate the entire Murray river with over 2500k of river system making it quite the adventure.
Matty tells us he’s dreamed of doing the journey for years and says in his planning for the trip he’s had the pleasure of meeting many great knowledgable people who have witnessed the plight & demise of one of Australias great life lines, that being the Murray river thus for the reason why Matty has selected the Australian Eco System Foundation Inc. to raise funds & awareness for throughout his journey
His Murray adventure started in December near Cowombat flat in the Upper Murray High country at the Murrays source and will finish in March at Goolwa at the Murray rivers end (sea/ocean) meeting point with the adventure all up taking 83 days in total
A little about Matty – In his past he has lived at the Coorong in a shack and spent many years camping amongst the sand hills in ‘storm boy’ country. He also did some of his schooling in Meningie by Lake Albert and the remaining years in Murray Bridge along side the great Murray River. Over the years he has stayed at various other places along the Murray and its tributaries.
Matty love’s his adventures & has been living in his beloved Troopy travelling around Australia for a few years now, but has now parked it up for something that floats to take on this amazing adventure.
Matty is also a volunteer at ‘Secret Creek Sanctuary’ in Lithgow NSW.
where there is a breeding program in place for many of our much loved but endangered species, including quolls, tassie devils and dingos.
He would love, with your help to raise enough funds to build a interactive, information centre explaining and educating how we can look after our special, unique animals and also to rejuvinate the once mined creek into a platypus sanctuary.
Note: Matty will not be utilizing any funds from your generous donations to fund or get by on his trip. But in saying that if you see him on the river, a sandwhich or a cold drink will also be greatly appreciated.
How you can support?
Your support, donation and/or sponsorship to Australian Ecosystems Foundation will be appreciated and acknowledged, remembering that all donations above $2 are 100% tax deductable.
The trip is a little over 2500ks.
Matty will be averaging 35ks a day.
Some will donate $1.00 a kilometer for the entire trip others for a day trip.
But whatever you choose it will all go to looking after and nurturing Australias wonderful endangered wildlife and educating others.
So dig deep or raid the coin jar, it is all appreciated and one day you can visit and view what your donations have been able to create.
To follow “or’ keep updated + support Matty on his Adventure be sure to follow him on Facebook – [Here]
All the best Matty, from all us all at Team EOTM.
LIST OF ARRIVAL DATES
January
22 Robinvale
24 Wemen
31 Mildura
February
01 Dareton
02 Wentworth
07 SA/NSW
10 Renmark*
12 Lyrup/Berri
13 Loxton
14 Cooba
15 Overland
16 Waikerie
17 Hogwash*
18 Morgan
19 Blanchtown
20 Swan Reach
21 Walker Flat
22 Bow Hill
23 Mannum
24 Murray Bridge*
27 Wellington
March
01 Raukkan
02 Milang
03 Goolwa*