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Darren Chester meets veteran Garth Murray in Bairnsdale to discuss charity walk across Australia

Gippslanders generously supported veteran Garth Murray and his assistance dog Max on their charity walk, food, accommodation, and donations. Their journey has raised over $40,000 for Mates4Mates, Act for Kids, and the Brain Foundation.

By news@gippsland - 17th March 2025 - Back to News

Gippslanders have gone out of their way to provide free food and accommodation to an Australian Army veteran and his assistance dog, who are completing a lap of the country for charity. Townsville veteran Garth Murray and Max, his assistance dog, are on an epic journey as they walk a lap of Australia to raise money for Mates4Mates, Act for Kids, and the Brain Foundation.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester with Townsville veteran Garth Murray and his assistance dog Max

Honouring Garth's service

Federal MP and former Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester met the pair and discussed Garth's progress over a cup of coffee in Bairnsdale. Mr Chester said Garth had been overwhelmed by the generosity of Gippslanders, who had helped out over the past week during a mixture of steaming hot days, then pouring rain.

Garth served in the Australian Army for 15 years and was deployed in Timor Leste and Iraq. In 2015, Garth suffered a broken neck and was diagnosed with adjustment disorder eight months later.

Supporting veterans' journey

In 2017, Garth was medically discharged, after which he began accessing services through Mates4Mates, one of Australia's leading veteran charities, actively changing the lives of current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families impacted by service.

"Gippslanders have once again shown incredible generosity by digging deep to contribute, in a range of different ways, to Garth and Max's important cause. Garth and Max were overwhelmed by the support of Gippslanders, whether that was monetary donations, free accommodation, shouted meals, errand running or donation of supplies from food, water and sports drinks to dog treats, clothing and footwear," Mr Chester said.

Community supports journey

The Orbost Club Hotel, NRMA Bairnsdale Riverside Holiday Park and Peppertree Apartments in Sale provided Garth and Max free accommodation. Garth also received free breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, coffee and beer courtesy of:

• Flat Bickie in Newmerella
• The Dock Espresso Bar and The Hunting Ground in Sale
• Orbost Butchers
• Orbost Club Hotel
• Big Bear Donuts and Float in Lakes Entrance

To date, Garth and Max have raised more than $40,000. You can follow Garth and Max's journey online via the 'Garth & Max's Australia Lap' Facebook page. For those in a position to do so, donations can be made at Personal Challenge - Garth & Max's Australia Lap page.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticized Labor's $13 million machete amnesty, calling it wasteful, ineffective, and unfairly punishing rural Victorians while targeting areas with no machete problem.
• Danny O’Brien urges Gippsland communities to participate in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, 1 March 2026
  Danny O’Brien encourages Gippsland communities, schools, and groups to join Clean Up Australia Day on 1 March 2026, protecting beaches, waterways, and local areas while building on last year’s success.