12 incredible people are taking on the challenge of trekking the Bay of Fires, Tasmania in an effort to bring awareness and raise much needed funds for Jenny’s Place to allow them to continue to help local women and children escaping domestic violence.
The Bay of Fires Trek is a thrilling five-day journey through Tasmania’s rugged east coast. Led by expert guides, our hikers traverse wild, secluded beaches, kayak down the Ansons River, and camp in remote, stunning locations. Along the way, they’ll encounter unique wildlife, explore untamed landscapes, and immerse themselves in the raw beauty of one of Australia’s most pristine environments. This trek promises an unforgettable adventure in the heart of nature.
Introducing our Trekkers…
Fiona Provost
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? I truly loved being part of the Heysen Flinders Ranges Trek last year. It was such a special experience—sharing it with a wonderful group of women, filled with laughter, encouragement, and moments of challenge that made it all the more rewarding. The scenery was breathtaking and left a lasting impression on me. Tasmania is such a beautiful place, and I have no doubt it will offer the same kind of awe-inspiring landscapes and memorable experiences.
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? Yes, Heysens Trek last year with Jenny’s Place.
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? Supporting Jenny’s Place is deeply important to me because every woman and child deserves to feel safe, supported, and valued. The work they do provides not only shelter, but also hope and dignity for those facing incredibly difficult circumstances. Knowing that Jenny’s Place is there to walk alongside women and children during such vulnerable times gives me great comfort. By supporting them, I feel I can contribute in some small way to helping create a future where safety, respect, and opportunity are not privileges, but rights that everyone can count on.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? Through my fundraising, I hope to help create real and lasting change for women and children in our community. My wish is that these funds will provide safe spaces, practical support, and pathways toward healing and independence for those who need it most.
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? What excites me most about the Bay of Fires trek is the chance to experience a little of everything—the breathtaking scenery, the sense of accomplishment that comes with the challenge, and the rare opportunity to truly disconnect from everyday demands.
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? Snakes (the ones you eat) great pick me up!
Anne Marie Sheridan
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? My friend Jane invited me to join the group and as I value the work Jenny’s Place does within the community, it was a great way to get involved and make a difference and at the same time do something different and worthwhile for myself.
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? No, this is my first multi-trek.
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? By supporting Jennys Place and the work it does, I feel like in some small way I am helping to raise awareness and funds to help women and children in need.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? I hope it raises awareness and much needed funds and achieves some positive long term results for people who need the help and support.
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? I think all three parts excite me along with building new friendships with my fellow team mates.
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? Can you believe it may have to be my hair straightener!!!!!
Nicole Eslick
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? The scenery of Tasmania
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? I did the Heysen Trail last year for Jenny’s Place
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? The work that Jenny’s Place does is important to me because they are very important to the people in our community who need them.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? I hope that our fundraising gives those that need it some Peace and a feeling of Safety, at least maybe some resources
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? I’ve never been to Tasmania, so the whole experience excites me.
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? My neck gaiter/scarfe, great for keeping my neck covered.
Catherine Rae
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? Have been wanting to do something like this for a while, heard about this through a friend and jumped on board.
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? First.
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? I have had friends who have suffered DV. I have one friend who use to stay with me because it was not safe at home.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? Helping them to find the supports they need to get them out of their situation and keep them safe.
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? All of the above, and meeting beautiful, strong, independent women who want to make a difference
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? A walking pole.
Leasa Rutherford
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? I did a few hikes in the Dolomites this year & really enjoyed them. Even though I winged a little bit! I thought “I really think this is something I could get into”. I had been following the ladies trekking in Japan and reached out to Donna about the next trek I could participate in. I was lucky enough to secure a spot for this next one which was the Bay of Fires trek.
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? This is my first multi-day trek & I am only just starting out, so this trek looks like an amazing one to start my hiking adventures while raising funds for Jenny’s Place.
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? Supporting Jenny’s Place & the work they do for women & children is very important to me as I also volunteer for another children’s charity called “We Care Connect”. I see firsthand the need for services Jenny’s Place provides to help vulnerable women fleeing domestic violence to have a safe place to stay and get back on their feet to give themselves and their children a future to look forward too.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? I hope the fundraising from this trek can allow Jenny’s Place to continue the specialist services they provide to women & children in the community. Providing opportunities for their future, to feel safe & to build their confidence they need to reach their goals.
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? I am excited for it all really but I am looking forward to the challenge of this trek. Very excited to share my first trek with this amazing group of women joining me. Women supporting women to reach the same goal!
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? My anti inflammatory cream for my knees!!
Ali Kimmorley
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? The opportunity to be within our beautiful country, with amazing humans doing something for others.
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? This is fundraising trek number 11. I’m definitely addicted to hiking for a purpose!
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? Thankfully I have not have lived experience however when every day you hear of more women and children being impacted we can’t sit back and think it will fix itself by government throwing more funding towards the sector. We need to talk about it as a community to bring greater awareness.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? I would love to see the additional support Jenny’s Place can provide to children impacted by DV and homelessness through education, psychological support and a home environment free of violence that provides them with the best opportunity for a bright future.
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? The chance to disconnect. I find it is the perfect mental break from living a busy work and social life and is a chance for me to recharge the batteries.
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? A photo of my nephew Harry who passed away when he was 7 and is the reason I did my first ever trek walking the Kokoda Track. He continues to be my inspiration, and I have carried the same photo of Harry for the past 18 years since taking on the first trek.
Karen Irwin
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? Only been to Tassie once & did some hiking at Cradle Mountain… always wanted to go & see more. When this trek was mentioned at a Christmas party .. I thought YES I’m in .. the location… meet new friends & raise funds & awareness of a great much needed local charity supporting Women & children of the Hunter.
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? No .. this is my first time doing anything like this.
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? Jenny’s Place provides support, resources & so much more when these Women & children feel like there is nowhere to turn as victims of domestic violence.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? Provide the support when they need it most when they feel strong enough to leave a situation/relationship that is unhealthy or dangerous for victims of DV.
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? All of the above… I love walking/hiking and especially when it has amazing views and provides a challenge. I also can’t wait to get to know the 11 other amazing women.
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? Nurofen, water & lollies.
Jen Hughes
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? It’s a beautiful part of Tasmania and the challenge is different to what I’ve done previously.
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? This is my 4th hike for Jenny’s Place.
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? While not directly impacted by DV, it’s important to ensure there are services and support available to women and children escaping DV and experiencing trauma.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? To enable them to re-establish their lives safely and independently free from violence.
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? All of the above. It’s a beautiful place to disconnect, to be out of your comfort zone and think about the women and children who need support.
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? A pack of cards…..you can always find time to play cards.
Jane Lynch
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? I have been doing some recruitment work for Jenny’s Place and have seen firsthand what a wonderful and impactful organisation they are. Taking part in this trek felt like a meaningful way to support their work beyond the day to day. I’ve also been inspired by my incredible boss, Ali Kimmorley, who does two treks every year in support of Jenny’s Place. Hearing about her adventures has always made me curious and excited about taking on a challenge like this myself.
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? I have doing quite a bit of trekking over the years, however this will be my first multi day trek as part of a group so it’s a new kind of adventure for me.
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? Jenny’s Place provides essential support to women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. Their work not only changes lives — it often saves them. Everyone deserves safety and dignity, and supporting Jenny’s Place meas helping to make that a reality for more families in our community.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? I hope the funds raised will directly contribute to providing safe accommodation, counselling, and practical support for women and children escaping violence. Every dollar helps Jenny’s Place continue their vital work and reach more people in need.
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? All of the above! I’m looking forward to the physical challenge, the stunning scenery plus the opportunity to spend time with like minded women.
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? Lip Balm – it’s a small but essential item when out in the elements all day!
Karen Milner
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? I was helping my friend Jane Lynch raise funds at the Race Day when someone from the trek had to withdraw. I took the opportunity to step in, as I was truly inspired by the women already involved and the incredible work Jenny’s Place does to support victims of domestic violence and homelessness.
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? I’ve always loved walking and trekking. Many years ago, I completed a 10-day hike from Katoomba to Mittagong with my then boyfriend (now husband) though that was 30 years ago! This trek will definitely be a new kind of adventure for me, and I’m looking forward to it.
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? No one should ever feel unsafe in their own home. Supporting Jenny’s Place is important to me because it gives women and children a lifeline when they need it most, a safe place, compassion, and the support to rebuild their lives. I believe everyone deserves that chance.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? I hope the funds raised will help Jenny’s Place continue providing essential services, from emergency accommodation to counselling and advocacy. More than anything, I hope it creates opportunities for women and children to feel safe, regain independence, and move forward with dignity and hope.
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? All of the above! I’m excited by the challenge and the chance to push myself out of my comfort zone, but I’m also looking forward to the breathtaking scenery and the rare opportunity to disconnect from everyday life. I think the combination of those things will make it truly memorable.
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? Skin care and sunscreen, as a beauty therapist these are absolute essentials for me! Protecting and looking after my skin is just second nature.
Adele Stewart
What drew you to take part in the Bay of Fires trek in particular? A great opportunity with work support to work with an amazing charity and see an beautiful part of Australia.
Have you ever done something like this before, or is this your first multi-day trek? Yes have done part of the Camino in Europe.
Why is supporting Jenny’s Place and the work they do with women and children important to you? Because sadly dv is such a common occurrence it has touched so many people’s lives and the work that Jenny’s Place does gives such an incredible support in trying to break that cycle.
What do you hope your fundraising will achieve for women and children in the community? I hope that it will help support safe exits of women and give children a safety and an opportunity for a better life.
What part of the Bay of Fires trek excites you the most – the challenge, the scenery, or the chance to disconnect from everyday life? The scenery.
What’s one must-have item you’re packing in your backpack for this trek? Snacks!
Together, we can create change
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible trekkers, generous sponsors, and devoted supporters for making this journey possible. Your determination, kindness, and solidarity are helping to shine a light on domestic violence and the essential work of Jenny’s Place. Together, you are creating real change for women and children in our community.
But the journey doesn’t end here. Your support is still needed! By donating to Jenny’s Place, you can help ensure that vital services and safe refuge remain available for those who need it most. Stand with us and be part of a community united against domestic and family violence.
