Oxfam Australia's walk against want is a national event that raises funds for our long-term development work in 26 countries.

In 2006, walk against want will be held on Sunday 5 March in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia and Sunday 12 March in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and the ACT.

Walk against Want began in the early 1960s when a group of supporters walked 45 kilometres from Frankston to Melbourne. Together they showed their solidarity with people living in poverty around the world.

The walkathon-style event started as a symbol of the distance women walked every day for clean water. In 1967 it became Oxfam Australia’s first large-scale event.

From small beginnings, walk against want has become Australia’s longest-running outdoor fundraising event, raising more than $10 million for our long-term development work.

While 2006 will be the last year walk against want is staged as a national event, the tradition will continue.

Beyond 2006, walk against want will return to its community roots. With our support, Oxfam groups, schools, community organisations and the general public will have the option to continue staging their own walks.

The event has seen many successes over the years, creating an invaluable bond between Oxfam and the Australian community and raising funds for our long-term development work.

We would like to thank the hundreds of thousands of people who have participated in walk against want over the years. We hope you can join us again for the 40th walk and continue to take steps against poverty.

 

Funds raised from walk against want go towards our long-term development work in 26 countries, including Indigenous Australia. We channel funds directly to our local partner organisations working with poor communities. We work closely with our partners, who are accountable to our head office.

• » Find out where the money goes

Across Australia there are more than 60 walk locations with many organised in regional areas. These events are organised by a small number of staff with the support of hundreds of volunteers.

If you would like to organise a walk against want event in your community or school, contact the National Co-ordinator by Email.