Former Inspector-General for Emergency Management and current chair of the Emergency Services Foundation, Tony Pearce will pass through Moira Shire in April as part of his 2,400km solo, unsupported paddle down the Murray River to raise awareness of the mental health impacts of emergency work.
Tony Pearce has spent 45 years in the intelligence, security and emergency services sector and now he’s planning to paddle solo, 2,400 km down the Murray River to raise awareness about mental health.
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Tony was a former Inspector-General for Emergency Management and is the current chair of the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) but says he is undertaking his journey in a private capacity.
He will pass through Moira Shire as part of his solo, unsupported paddle down the Murray River which he hopes will help people become more aware of the mental health impacts of emergency work on Victoria’s 139,000 volunteer and paid emergency workers.
He will raise funds for the ESF along the way.
“This journey, which follows the Murray River from the mountains to the sea, will highlight the mental health challenges faced by those who serve our communities on the frontline,” Tony said.
“The ESF plays a vital role in supporting their wellbeing through sector-wide coordination and evidence-based programs.”
Tony's Trek started in 2023, when he undertook a solo 1,506km trek over 50 days through fire affected areas after the 2019-20 Victorian Bushfires.
Tony's Trek 2023 - One Step at a Time started a community dialogue about emergency services mental health and raised $240,000 which was used to fund six pilot residential wellbeing programs for volunteer and emergency workers suffering with their mental health.
In 2024 he embarked on Tony's Trek 2024 - Side by Side with 25 emergency services colleagues, trekking to Mt Everest Base Camp in Nepal, raising $40,000 which contributed to funding the ESF Lived Experience Program.
For Tony's Trek 2026 - Paddle for Awareness, he will start his journey on April 12 at Bringenbrong in the Upper Murray and over about 55 days he’ll paddle to the mouth of the Murray at Goolwa in South Australia.
Tony hopes to raise $50,000 to support emergency workers struggling with their mental health.
“I am attempting to raise $50,000 to fund another residential wellbeing program for more of our emergency workers suffering with their mental health as a result of protecting their communities,” Tony said.
“Along the way I will take every opportunity to shine a light on the hidden toll that emergency work takes on those who serve because the statistics are damning, and we can and must do better.
“I have had enough of seeing colleagues take their lives due to their mental health battles and others consigned to a life of total misery after retirement.
“The really sad part about these statistics is that they only relate to those who have been diagnosed and are in the Workcover system, but we know categorically that the as-yet-undiagnosed numbers are much higher.
“For context, there are 139,000 volunteer and paid emergency workers in Victoria and most people would either have a family member, friend or work colleague giving everything to protect their communities.
“It’s important that we do everything we can to protect those who protect us.”
The solo journey down the Murray River will be both a physical and mental challenge for tony, just like the daily experiences of emergency workers.
Along the way, he hopes to connect with local communities, share stories of resilience, and highlight the need for robust mental health resources and support systems.
His aim is to inspire action and raise vital funds to enhance programs that promote wellbeing for emergency services personnel.
“I am inviting everyone to support me on this journey, whether by following my progress, spreading the message, or contributing to the cause,” he said.
“Let’s paddle together toward a future where we have mentally healthy people and workplaces across the emergency services sector.”
You can follow and support Tony’s journey at https://www.facebook.com/groups/3954793511476192 and also via the ESF website at https://esf.com.au/.
Did you know?
• One in three emergency service workers experience high or very high psychological distress.
• 15% of all Workcover mental injury claims are from emergency services workers.
• The average emergency worker mental health claim costs $389,000 against a Workcover scheme average of $244,000
• Only 37% of emergency workers with a mental injury claim are back at work in six months.
• More emergency workers than ever before are unable to return to work at all.
