ONE man’s journey across Australia to raise money for cancer research has reached the Wimmera.
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Western Australian man Ian Rettalack has been travelling on a horse-drawn cart since October.
Mr Rettalack began his journey from his home in Booyup Brook, Western Australia, 269 kilometres south-east of Perth.
He passed through Kaniva, Nhill and Dimboola earlier in the week and will camp at Horsham Showground from Friday until Tuesday.
He averages 25 kilometres a day.
Mr Rettalack said he started the epic journey in honour of his mother, who died from cancer last year, and his brother who is in remission from bowel cancer.
“My mum passed with cancer so I’m doing it for her,” he said.
“My brother’s got bowel cancer and he’s got a clearance, but mum had three clearances, so you don’t know once you’ve got it.”
Mr Rettalack has raised more than $34,000 in his nine months on the road.
“If I was a celebrity I’d be collecting millions,” he said.
As he spoke to the Mail-Times, Mr Rettalack was on the Western Highway outside Dimboola breaking conversation intermittently to wave truck drivers past.
“It’s just incredible the amount of people who come up and talk to you,” he said.
Mr Rettalack plans to be on the road for three more years as he travels Australia up the east coast, through Queensland and the Northern Territory before heading home down the west coast.
“The day I left was the day I started coming home,” he said.
Mr Rettalack has two horses and his kelpie Russ.
He admitted the frosty Wimmera nights had been a challenge.
“I just grin and bear it. I’ve got a job to do and I’m going to do it,” he said.
Mr Rettalack said people could donate to his journey by visiting www.facebook.com/RattlesRide or www.rattlesride.com.au.