Skip to the contentWALK FOR FARMERS
Sydney to Canberra
22 September – 2 October 2018
380 Kilometres. 10 Days. One Purpose.
Standing with Australian Farmers.
380
Kilometres
Walked from Sydney
to Canberra
10
Days
22 September –
2 October 2018
Countless
Conversations
Listening to
rural communities
Our
Nation
Standing together
for Australian farmers
Thousands
Reached
Through community
engagement and
media coverage
Walking for Those Who
Feed Our Nation
In September 2018, at the height of one of Australia’s most devastating droughts, I embarked on a journey that would become one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.
From 22 September to 2 October 2018, I walked 380 kilometres from Sydney to Canberra to raise awareness of the challenges facing Australian farmers and rural communities.
The Walk for Farmers was never about personal recognition. It was about giving a voice to the families who work tirelessly to feed our nation, often in the face of extreme hardship, uncertainty and isolation.
Every kilometre walked was a reminder that leadership is not only about speaking—it is about standing beside people when they need support the most.
Why I Walked
Australia’s farmers are the backbone of our nation.
They rise before dawn, work through droughts, floods and bushfires, and continue producing the food and fibre that sustain our country.
During 2018, many farming families were enduring one of the toughest droughts in Australian history. Crops had failed, livestock numbers had fallen, water supplies were critically low, and many families were experiencing financial and emotional hardship.
I believed Australians needed to hear their stories.
Rather than simply talking about the issue, I decided to take action.
The Walk for Farmers was my way of showing solidarity, raising awareness and encouraging communities across Australia to stand with our farmers.
The Journey
Day
1
Sydney >
Liverpool
Day
2
Liverpool >
Camden
Day
3
Camden >
Picton
Day
4
Picton >
Mittagong
Day
5
Mittagong >
Moss Vale
Day
6
Moss Vale >
Goulburn
Day
7
Goulburn >
Tarago
Day
8
Tarago >
Bungendore
Day
9
Bungendore >
Queanbeyan
Day
10
Queanbeyan >
Canberra
Australia’s farmers are the backbone of our nation.
They rise before dawn, work through droughts, floods and bushfires, and continue producing the food and fibre that sustain our country.
Along the way I met:
Farming families
Local residents
Small business owners
Volunteers
Community organisations
Schools
Emergency services
Local councils
Supporters from across Australia
Moments from the Walk
More Than a Walk
✓ The Walk for Farmers became much more than a fundraising or awareness campaign.
✓ It became an opportunity to build connections between metropolitan and regional Australia.
✓ Throughout the journey, I witnessed extraordinary generosity from local communities.
✓ People welcomed us into their towns, shared meals, offered accommodation, walked alongside us and, most importantly, shared their stories.
✓ Those conversations continue to shape my understanding of leadership and community service today.
Arrival in Canberra
After ten challenging yet inspiring days, I arrived in Canberra carrying with me the voices of countless Australians who wanted our farming communities to know they were not alone.
Reaching Parliament was never the finish line.
The true success of the walk was the awareness it created, the conversations it started and the relationships it built.
The experience reinforced my belief that meaningful change begins when communities work together.
Lasting Impact
The Walk for Farmers remains one of the proudest chapters of my public service journey.
It strengthened my commitment to:
- Supporting regional Australia
- Listening to community voices
- Bringing people together
- Leading through action
- Standing beside those facing adversity
These are the same values that continue to guide me today as a Councillor serving the City of Parramatta.
More Than a Walk
“The Walk for Farmers taught me that real leadership isn’t measured by titles or positions. It is measured by the willingness to stand beside people during their most difficult moments.
Every step reminded me that service begins by listening, compassion creates stronger communities, and together we can overcome even the greatest challenges.
That journey continues to inspire my commitment to serving the people of Parramatta and contributing to a stronger Australia.”
— Sreeni Pillamarri
