This year our Chair, Tony Pearce, will embark on an unsupported, solo 2,400 kilometer paddle down the Murray River to raise awareness of the profound mental health challenges faced by our emergency workers, and to acknowledge the impact of that on their families.

The Paddle for Awareness will begin in late September 2025.

This journey is expected to take approximately 55 days, during which time Tony will paddle the full length of the navigable part of the Murray River starting in New South Wales and finishing at the mouth of the Murray in South Australia. Shining a light on the hidden toll that emergency work takes on those who serve our communities because the statistics are damning, and we must do better.

This solo journey down the Murray River will be both a physical and mental challenge for Tony, much like the daily experiences of our emergency workers. Along the way he will connect with local communities, share stories of resilience, and highlight the need for robust mental health resources and support systems. Aiming is to inspire action and raise vital funds to enhance programs that promote wellbeing for our emergency services personnel.

The funds raised through this year’s initiative will be used to help the all too often forgotten families of our emergency workers. ESF wants to keep up the momentum created at the fantastic 2024 Family Matters Expo hosted in association with the AFL emergency services match which saw families from across the sector come together in a fun atmosphere to be acknowledged, connect, and learn – because they too can be deeply affected by the job of their emergency services worker family member.