Mongrels Men founder and CEO Tim Hewson on the road for the 2026 Walk N Talk with a Farmer fundraiser. Photo: Supplied.
Spirits were high and the blister count still low as walkers arrived at Ariah Park on the second day of the 2026 Walk N Talk with a Farmer fundraiser.
On Tuesday (14 July), the dedicated crew had successfully completed nearly 60 km of a 145-kilometre quest to raise funds and awareness for mental health in rural communities.
A spritely Tim Hewson, founder and CEO of charity Mongrels Men, joined the first days of the walk after becoming involved with the inaugural event last year.
That epic 235 km walk from Walla Walla to Tallimba – led by mates Tony Hopper and Wayne Hueske – attracted an outpouring of community support and raised more than $60,000 for the cause and chosen charity Mongrels Men.
About Regional caught up with Tim shortly after his 25 km leg on Tuesday.
So, are you walking fit?
(Laughs) I’m walking … I actually do a lot of walking in the places and communities we visit but it’s more like 5 km not 25 km in a day. I’m here with some of the guys from the Sydney Mongrels Men community, who were part of the event last year.
We’ve already met a whole range of people from family and friends to trucks stopping along the way. It’s also been fantastic to re-visit connections made last year – we developed really good relationships because of that walk.
What’s the most critical factor in an event like this?
It’s always been about commitment. This is not just about raising awareness and conversations around mental health.
It’s about a commitment to ensuring the money raised is invested back into these communities.
We’ve already discussed keeping The Riverina Ramblers initiative going (a community project that connects people through monthly catch-ups, short walks and talk sessions in rural towns across the Riverina) and expanding it from Gundagai through to Holbrook.
It’s about providing that consistency of always having support, a safety net and structure in place when people need it.
What’s the biggest difference between city and country blokes on these walks?
Country blokes are much better at telling a story than city blokes!
What are the biggest benefits to an event like this?
It’s people – blokes – walking shoulder to shoulder. It’s an opportunity to scratch beneath the surface and it’s a less threatening situation to be able to really open up. Our bodies are busy so our ears, mouths and hearts are open.
It’s easy to catch up at the pub, but it’s still beers and bullshit!
This walk is linked to lives lost, you can turn up and give that a purpose and maybe have those important conversations. It’s also a great opportunity for blokes to check in on each other.
Mongrels Men founder Tim Hewson with fellow walkers during the first two days of the 145 km Walk N Talk quest to raise funds and awareness for mental health in rural communities. Photo: Supplied.
There’s plenty of time to talk on long straight roads.
There’s also been some walking off road, where the going has been a bit rough and bumpy … a bit like life.
Now, what about these famous man hugs of yours – are they happening on the walk?
(Laughs again) Always! We start and finish the walk each day with a hug. Yes, it’s raised a few eyebrows when blokes start hugging other blokes in the country. It can feel a bit tense at first so you just hold on a bit longer.
(Tim’s been a long-time advocate of starting and finishing Mongrels Men community meet-ups with a mandatory hug; it’s grounded in his work combating isolation and male suicide. His approach is based on the fact that hugging is a great ice-breaker, a vital tool for emotional connection and normalising physical affection among men. Tim is quick to point out the proven benefits and chemical reaction that comes with hugging it out including the release of hormones like oxytocin, which naturally lowers heart rates and counters the stress hormone cortisol. And, once you throw in other feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, the healing power of a hug is undeniable!)
Hugs aside, have you got a take home message for people in the communities where the walk is taking place?
I’d encourage them to think about the people they have contact with who they might not have seen for a while – to reach out and check in.
I think this walk symbolises many things about life – you start out with spirits high early in the process but things can get a bit tougher the more you walk.
When you are surrounded by friends, family, and fellow walkers in the community, you feel more able to keep going. That’s a nice vision for me.
Track the walkers’ progress through the Walk n Talk Facebook page, donate at mycause, or to find our more about the work of Mongrels Men, visit their website.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978.
Original Article published by Jodie O’Sullivan on Region Riverina.
