Pic & Story Richard Bruinsma

A Nambour businesswoman is busy hiking local hills and mountains in preparation for a trek on the spectacular-but-rugged Larapinta Trail in the Northern Territory, while also raising funds for The Smith Family charity.
Caroline Goodwin is hoping to raise at least $3500 for the charity, and has organised a movie night on May 2 to help achieve that goal.
“The Larapinta Trail is about 230km, but we’re doing about 110km over five days – so we’re going to average about 20kms a day and 26kms on one day,” Ms Goodwin said.
“Apart from the physical part of it, we also have to do some fundraising for The Smith Family – they help disadvantaged children with educational needs, from books to uniforms and tutoring, so it’s quite a worthwhile cause.”
Ms Goodwin is hosting a showing of the classic film Casablanca on May 1 at Maroochydore Cinemas. Tickets are $20 each, and there are some amazing prizes up for grabs for those who come dressed in Casablanca-style outfits - prizes are two nights’ accommodation at The Avenue at Montville, two cooking classes at The Spirit House Restaurant at Yandina, and a 60-minute massage and soy wax candle.
When it comes to the actual trek, to be held from July 29 – August 4, in temperatures from 3 degrees at night and 27 degrees during the day, is she excited or scared?
“A little bit of both, I guess, I just hope I don’t let the team down, but I am quite excited and no doubt, I will be fairly nervous as the time gets closer, but I’m just looking forward to doing it and just getting out and seeing the spectacular scenery and the remoteness as well,” she said.
“That’s initially what got me into the trek, because I’ve been out to the Kimberleys, and Cloncurry and the areas just down from Darwin, and I just love the colours of the outback, so that’s the first thing that got me into it, I thought, ‘Oh, I’ve got to do this’.”

Ms Goodwin is inviting locals to grab some friends and have some fun supporting a worthy charity. Tickets for the movie night, on Thursday, May 2, are $20 at eventbrite.com.au/e/57867182300 

Enquiries can be directed to: 0422 903 052.