Shane Muldoon is on a mission for rural men’s health. The Centralian is the driving force behind the Highway to Health Tractor Trek that will see him travel 1700kms on a 1951 TEA20 Ferguson tractor. Travelling along the Sturt Highway from Alice Springs to Walker Flat, South Australia, Shane’s aim is to raise awareness and help improve the health support services for rural and regional Australia. 

The awareness campaign is a direct result of Shane’s personal experience and his battle with prostate cancer. “I have personally faced challenges and frustrations with our heath support services. From the beginning with the uncertainty of the initial diagnosis and then all the way through to the treatment stages,” states Shane. “There are many areas that I found need to be improved and include communication between medical centres and their patients; reduced waiting times for specialist appointments and treatments and in general easier access to care. “If these points are improved, people who live in regional or remote areas can take control of their health to improve their chances of recovery, plus their quality of work and home life,” adds Shane.

The options in rural and regional areas are limited for health services compared to the metropolitan areas and its Shane’s passion and drive to improve the processes and procedures within the health system.

Shane kicks off the Highway to Health Tractor Trek on June 9 and he’ll travel for 18 days finishing on June 27. With a support crew consisting of two close friends, the trio will stop along the way and spread the word on men’s health in rural towns and regional centres. “It’s going to be a lot of fun and also challenging at times as we make the long haul to Walker Flat but we’re well prepared and it’s for a great cause , so we can’t wait to get started, “ says Shane. “We’ve also organised a big event for the night of June 26 which we’ve aptly named “A Night with the Tractor” at Pindarie Wines in the Barossa Valley, “ adds Shane. 

The event is in direct support of the Trek and will feature guest speakers from the medical and health industry including Australian of the Year Dr. James Muecke; Mary O’Brien – Are you Bogged Mate? and Jason Sprott from Mates and Melanoma. “The night is a great opportunity to have a conversation on health as well has having a feed and a drink with mates and all proceeds going towards rural communities in assisting with mental health programs and supporting rural health services,“ adds Shane.