Written by Anne George
*I volunteered on the glorious Mornington Peninsula, but the fun and feel-good vibes of volunteering are the same no matter which Coastrek location you're at!
After four times as a Coastrek participant, I have a confession to make.
I was a little torn. Could I trade my hiking poles for a hi-vis Volunteers vest?
My Coastrek volunteer experience was on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, and I know I am biased, but it’s THE BEST. The wild, remote location, jaw-dropping views, the challenge of sand, hills, bush track and stairs, wind on your face and sun on your back, the people, the precious shared experience with friends. Truly magnificent.
I had hiked this beautiful trail many times before as a trekker and a Coastrek Community Ambassador, but this year, I wanted to try something different – and was truly rewarded. Swept up in the excitement of thousands of trekkers, my FOMO quickly transformed to JOVO – the joy of volunteering.
Put simply, no matter what role you play, Coastrek is big love in the great outdoors! 
Anne George volunteering at Coastrek Mornington Peninsula
As a Coastrek Community Ambassador for the 2025 event, the Coastrek team arranged a unique volunteering experience for me. While the standard Coastrek shift is allocated to a specific time and location, I was tasked with moving to different sites across the day and experience start lines, luv stops and the finish line, all so I could share the complete Coastrek Event Day volunteering experience with you!
My day began in total darkness, as I used my head torch (yes, everyone needs one!) to navigate from my car parked at Jarman Oval towards the hum of generators and glow of floodlights and neon purple signs at Quarantine Station, Point Nepean. The 30km start site team had clearly been there for several hours!
I signed in and picked up my iconic purple hi-vis COASTREK VOLUNTEER vest and bright blue, Beyond Blue cap. Then there was an important choice to make. Pom poms and inspirational sign, or cow bell? (Oh, how I love the sound of cow bells these days. It means joy and achievement!)
Thirty minutes later, after an inspirational pep talk from Coastrek Founder, Di Westaway OAM and Beyond Blue CEO, Georgie Harman AO, the 630am Wave began. It was so exciting to witness the delight, determination and pride on the face of every Coastrekker as they streamed past me and my fellow volunteers. To connect and see those smiles as they disappeared up their first set of stairs (the first of many!!) was an emotional moment. I had the thrill of seeing my friend Jen and her team start their very first Coastrek. 
Coastrek Founder Di Westaway OAM giving her inspirational pep talk at the Start Line!
And I loved that in true Melbourne fashion, some trekkers were happy to wait until they had coffee safely in hand before setting off at a strolling pace! (After all, Coastrek is a challenge, not a race!) These trekkers enjoyed a very personal send-off from us, including a bit of a dance party.
With the 7am Wave soundly farewelled and the sun well and truly risen, I set off for my next stop – Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club. This is the second Luv Stop for 30km trekkers (11km mark) and third Luv Stop for 50k trekkers (27km mark).
Luv Stops are the place for trekkers to relax, recharge, check their feet, fill water bottles and take a loo break. I loved hearing the chatter from teams emptying sand from their shoes, checking for blisters and gleefully confiding in me that they were missing school pickup today – Woo Hoo! 
Finish line fun!
With many 50km trekkers starting to really feel the distance at this Luv Stop, volunteers play a big role, bringing the energy, encouragement and recognition – and the volunteer teams here from Telstra and KPMG were all over it.
The Telstra volunteer team were keeping trekkers happily fuelled with snacks and drinks, and I joined the KPMG squad for cheers and chats. Manav, Mark and Denis told me they had a total of 25 KPMG employees at Mornington that day.
“We have one day of volunteering leave at work and our team decided we wanted to do something more interactive this year. One of our colleagues emailed Beyond Blue, got on a call with them, and found out there was this walk happening that needed volunteers. We thought it would be a nice chance to engage with people and help,” explained Manav.
“It's been great weather and such a cheerful day. It reminds me of being back in my home country, where I used to volunteer. This is my first time volunteering in Melbourne, so I'm really enjoying it,” Denis told me with a huge smile.
[Short break for cheering, clapping and cow bells for arriving teams]
“And when you greet people and see those smiles, you know, after having a hectic week and their routine lives, when we cheer, for that moment, we smile at each other, and we feel like we are in the same place.”
I honestly think Denis summed up the Coastrek volunteer experience in that one sentence.
Because everyone was there for one reason. We all knew we were making a difference – for others, for ourselves, for our community. For mental health. And we were doing it together.
Around 1030am, I went to pick up my family, who were also staying in Mornington to join my adventure. We headed for the 20km start line at Portsea Front Beach, and volunteers were everywhere – from KPMG, Telstra and of course, charity partner, Beyond Blue – wearing their biggest smiles under those unmissable bright blue caps.
What a vibe at the 20km start line! With 1400 trekkers setting off - many from workplaces - there was an amazing atmosphere and even more amazing outfits. (Kudos to the winner of Best Dressed Team, dressed as Minions. They nailed it!) 
Best Dressed Winners - The Minions!
I especially loved having my 15-year-old daughter with me to finally see what all the fuss was about. After several years having mum disappear for hours of training and weekends away for Coastrek events, she finally ‘got it’. As we stood together and watched the 20k teams surge past us, her smile said it all.
Finally, it was back to beautiful Point Nepean, where incredibly, the first teams had crossed the finish line and were enjoying their well-deserved recovery treats. Again, wherever you looked, amazing volunteers from ANZ, Charter Hall, and Beyond Blue were hard at work, bringing the joy,
As well as celebrating that unforgettable ‘finish line moment’ and giving each trekker their all-important medal, volunteers working the finish line shift help in the Woo Hoo tent, making sure refreshments are continually stocked for thirsty, weary trekkers. I even had the chance to help take photos of proud teams at the ‘We Did It’ sign, another highlight of the finish line.
I loved being a part of the volunteer crew and helping every single Coastrekker feel like a true legend. If you’re looking to jump into an incredible and truly meaningful volunteer experience, go for it. You’ll be doing something very special for mental health - your own, and the larger community.
And I guarantee the glow of that sea of smiles will stay with you.
If you want to deliver the encouraging, motivational sparkle that Coastrek vollies are known for, register your interest today!
