The Mail featured a ‘My Community’ profile of Dave Stephens in the April 18 edition of the paper. The article discussed his love of folk music, Bueno chocolate, and connecting with country. Yet, there was more to his story.
Dave was about to embark on a journey across Australia by bicycle – from Wilson’s Prom to Darwin – to raise money for endometriosis. This is his second epic ride after cycling solo from Sydney to Perth in 2023 and raising $5000 for the cause.
“It was just this quiet illness that I kept hearing about in these stories from people who were close to me… and it hadn’t sort of entered the mainstream conversation with men,” Dave said.
Thus far, Dave has raised $3,114.78 on his travels and has a goal to reach $5,000. Before he left he advised his only fear was wild dogs chasing him, and so begs the question – where is he right now?
Dave had phone signal on June 5 and contacted The Mail to advise he had crossed the border into the Northern Territory.
“I have been chased by a Maremma at Murray Bridge, but the dingoes are friendly and curious. A few camp fire visitations, but [they get] spooked away easily,” Dave said.
“I keep finding pianos in tiny towns and pubs and ended up writing a little ditty that I’ve kept going on my mandolin – hoping to polish it up as I travel”.
Anyone wanting to support Dave’s fundraiser to raise awareness for a condition that impacts one in seven Australian women can donate here.
