The first St Aloysius College Walkathon was held in 1983, beginning at school at 4pm and ending in the Parklands at 6pm.
The 1983 SAC Annual records that ‘On a pleasantly warm Wednesday afternoon, the city was inundated with a snaking crocodile of students which seeped from the school grounds and proceeded to entwine itself around the inner city area and the Parklands.
Watchful teachers (many avoiding the more physically demanding task of walking) eagerly manned checkpoints under shady trees whilst more energetic staff members pedalled furiously from one spot to another dispensing encouragement and cool drinks. In all, the course covered approximately seven kilometres and terminated at the school’s tennis courts in the Parklands. Here staff, students and friends enjoyed a barbeque ‘family” tea’.
In 1993, the Walkathon was replaced by the Mercy Day Carnival but was reintroduced as an annual school event in 1999. Secondary students walked 10 kms along the River Torrens Linear Park and the Primary students walked to Victoria Park, with everyone returning to school for a sausage sizzle.
Students raised money through sponsorship for the walk, with these donations supporting our Mercy Works projects, which included Catherine House, the Adelaide Day Centre and the Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre.