IT IS almost a year since Peter Tripovich told The Advertiser about his audacious plan to walk around the Australian mainland.At the tender age of 78, the retired farmer likened his ambitious trek to a leisurely stroll across the back paddock of his Bamawm property.
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It is fair to say some of his friends and family, this scribe, and possibly a few readers were sceptical the wiry man would achieve his aim.
Even Mr Tripovich himself only rated his chances of completing the journey as "50-50".
Twelve months on, many of those doubters are already eating humble pie.
Mr Tripovich will amble into Perth on Thursday or Friday, marking a major milestone in his walk and kickstarting celebrations for his 80th birthday.
With more than 11,000 kilometres completed in the past 11 months, Mr Tripovich is now confident he will finish.
"I feel as though I've come through the worst of it now," Mr Tripovich told The Advertiser yesterday morning while walking about 200 km north of Perth.
"It was really hot when we were up around Fitzroy Crossing in early November; the road temperature was up around 60 or 70 degrees.
"But once we got to Broome and closer to the sea breeze it cooled down and everything has been okay since then."
Mr Tripovich will stop in Perth for the rest of the month, allowing him to catch up with his wife, Jan, celebrate his 80th birthday on February 25 and promote International Childrens Care - the charity he has been raising funds for throughout his trek.
The organisation, which has already raised $19,000 from Mr Tripovich's efforts, has a number of media and community appearances lined up for its star benefactor.
He will be making school visits, doing media conferences and possibly even be interviewed for a profile on the ABC's Australian Story.
ICC volunteer co-ordinator Jessie Anderson said Mr Tripovich's efforts had generated a lot of interest in the charity, which cares for Third World orphans.
"One of the things I have found most impressive is what Peter is doing is the personal sacrifice he has made for the children," she said.
To find out more about ICC
and its Peter Tripovich fund
visit www.iccaustralia.org.au or
phone 5622 0703.
