Wagga Veteran Takes First Steps to March On for Veteran Mental Health
This March, Wagga Wagga veteran and professional artist Hugh Semple is putting one foot in front of the other as part of Soldier On’s March On challenge – walking to raise funds in support of veteran mental health.
On 1 March, he completed a long-distance walk from the Victory Memorial Gardens to Kapooka in New South Wales to mark the beginning of his approach to the annual national challenge. Hugh, who was Veteran Artist-in-Residence at the Anzac Memorial Sydney Hyde Park in 2025, has set himself a goal to raise $20,000 and will tackle an 80-kilometre walk from RAAF Base Wagga to Anzac Grove in Gundagai later this month.
He served six years in the Royal Australian Corps of Transport. After joining the Army with the intention of making it a lifelong career, a serious shoulder injury sustained through the Army’s combative training program led to multiple surgeries and ultimately a medical discharge in 2021.
‘It was supposed to be a career that I was going to do forever,’ Hugh says. ‘But unfortunately it was cut short.’
Transition brought its own pressures.
‘I was trying to find that big picture thing,’ he says of the period after discharge. ‘Nothing really seemed to stick.’
Over time, Hugh rebuilt direction and he now uses painting to explore identity after service and the realities many veterans face when stepping away from uniform.
‘Identity after service is one of the biggest issues that we face,’ he says. ‘It hits career, relationships, family – everything.’
That experience shapes why March On matters to him.
March On challenges Australians to walk or run 96 kilometres across March, raising funds to help deliver life-changing support services, programs and activities to serving and ex-serving Defence personnel and their families.
For Hugh, participating in March On is a practical way to contribute to that effort. Following his Kapooka walk, he is planning further extended walks in and around the Wagga region later this month and hopes to draw local attention to the challenge.
His motivation remains grounded in service and in what he has seen – both during his time in uniform and since leaving.
‘We really need to do all we can to help people at the beginning of that – empathetically, supportively, with good humour and patience,’ he says.
Walking for change: Dean Summers in it for the long haul
Dean Summers is no stranger to walking long distances for a cause. Having completed a solo walk across Australia in 2019 to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health, Dean is now turning his steps towards March On 2026 to support veterans’ mental health.
‘I’ve faced times when I struggled with my own mental health,’ Dean says. ‘Taking part in March On gives me the chance to channel that into something positive and help others who might be going through similar challenges.’
For Dean, the event is both a physical and emotional challenge. He will start his 176-kilometre from Perth to Bunbury on Thursday, 5 March – heading off from the Perth RSLWA – building on his previous experience of walking 75 kilometres in a single day. ‘I actually never trained for this – I just got off the couch and started walking,’ he says. ‘The first leg from Bunbury to Norseman became my training. I’ve always loved being out in the environment, so I knew I could handle the distance.’
Dean’s connection to Soldier On is deeply personal. As someone who has survived an attempt to take his own life and experienced depression throughout his life, he knows the importance of accessible mental health support.
‘The last walk across Australia was emotionally draining,’ he says. ‘I had to debrief myself constantly, reflecting on why I was walking and who I was walking for. Mentally, it’s a big challenge – but it’s worth it when you know the impact it can have.’
When he walks for March On this month, just as he’s done in previous walks, he’ll be carrying a flag signed with the names of loved ones lost to suicide, a symbolic reminder of those he walks for and their families.
‘Every name added to that flag makes it easier to walk,’ Dean says. ‘Those names are not just numbers – they’re people. This is my way of honouring them and giving back to the community.’
Since announcing his participation in March On 2026, Dean has already raised more than $900 towards his fundraising goal, thanks to support from previous supporters and his own community networks.
‘I’m not just raising money – I’m raising awareness,’ he says. ‘It’s important that people know it’s okay not to feel okay and that there are spaces where they can reach out to get the help they need.’
Dean also highlights the wider impact of March On, which has provided vital funding for Soldier On since it started six years ago.
‘Events like this ensure veterans, serving personnel, and their families have access to mental health programs and support,’ he says. ‘Even if people can’t walk themselves, donating helps make a real difference. It’s incredible how every contribution, no matter the size, adds up to something life-changing.’
‘I hope my story encourages others to get involved, in whatever way they can,’ Dean says. ‘Whether it’s walking, running, or supporting someone who is, every step contributes to the wellbeing of the veteran community. You don’t have to do a full walk – just being part of it in your own way matters.’
Dean’s journey will be documented on social media throughout the walk, allowing supporters to follow along and share in the experience.
‘I’ll be posting hourly updates so people can see where I’m at and feel connected to the effort,’ he says. ‘It’s about showing everyone that mental health matters and that together we can make a difference.’
Every step, every donation, strengthens the resilience of those who have served – a cause Dean is determined to champion.
‘This is more than a walk,’ he says. ‘It’s about connection, support, and ensuring that veterans know they are not alone. That’s why I’m walking – for them and for the families who stand by them.’
Get moving in your local community
If you’d love to take part in March On in your local community, you can also join one of Soldier On’s community events happening across the country throughout March.
From coastal walks and riverside routes to park gatherings and RSL meet-ups, there are upcoming events in Melbourne, Perth (Kings Park and Swan River), Goulburn, Newcastle, Adelaide and Canberra. Some events require registration.
Whether you walk one kilometre or all 96, every step sends a powerful message – our veterans and their families are not alone.
To find an event near you or to register or donate, visit marchonchallenge.org.au.
If you need immediate or crisis support:
- Open Arms – 1800 011 046
- Lifeline – 13 11 14
- 1800-RESPECT
