Thinking About Home
Day 3 began at Kapooka.
When the team woke up, there was rain around. That brought mixed feelings. After the heat of the day before, the cooler weather was welcome. But no one was too keen on walking all day in the rain.
Thankfully, the weather held.
The group left Kapooka, came into Wagga, and walked from Victory Memorial Gardens through to the front gate of RAAF Base Wagga.
It was an 18km day. A lot of it was on paved paths. That can be hard going. It is not the same as walking through bushland or along dirt tracks.
Some days are scenic. Some days are steady. This was one of those days where you just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
But that sort of day can still give you space to think.
For Jill, Day 3 became a day of reflection.
She came on the walk to support others. But already, the pilgrimage has started to speak to her as well.
Jill’s Story
Jill originally signed up as part of the support crew.
Her husband, Mike, was part of last year’s walk. He has also been closely involved again this year.
Jill said Mike strongly believes in what this walk can do for veterans. Not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too.
The walk gives people time.
Time to slow down.
Time to reflect.
Time to think about life, faith, and the journey they are on.
For Jill, that has already started to happen.
“Although I originally signed up as support crew to help him, even over the last two days I’ve really started to feel grounded and think a little bit more about the meaning of life.”
She said she did not come on the walk planning to reflect on her own veteran journey.
But that is where she has found herself.
“I didn’t come to the walk with the intention, as a veteran, to learn about myself, but that’s where I am. So I feel pretty blessed by that.”
That is one of the simple gifts of pilgrimage.
You may start out walking for someone else.
But somewhere along the way, the walk begins to speak to you too.
The Walk to RAAF Base Wagga
The group walked from Victory Memorial Gardens through Wagga and on to RAAF Base Wagga.
The weather was kind. There was some sun, some cloud, and no real rain during the walk.
For Jill, arriving at RAAF Base Wagga was one of the best moments of the day.
She had never been there before.
Seeing the aircraft at the front gate, the memorabilia, and the celebration of Defence and the Air Force made an impression on her.
It was a fitting place to finish the day’s walk.
The ANZAC Way links places of service, memory, and Defence heritage. RAAF Base Wagga was a strong reminder of that.
The Hard Part
Every day has its challenge.
For Jill, today’s challenge was the concrete.
The walk was 18km, and much of it was on paths. That can be tough on the body. It feels different from walking on bush tracks or dirt roads.
Jill said she is looking forward to getting into more natural surroundings as the journey continues.
There is something grounding about being out in creation. But today was still part of the pilgrimage.
Even the hard, plain sections matter.
They give people time to settle into the rhythm of walking.
Step by step.
Thought by thought.
Kilometre by kilometre.
The Most Meaningful Moment
Before the group set out, they gathered for the morning reflection.
For Jill, that was the most meaningful part of the day.
The reflection included Psalm 121, a passage that means a lot to her family.
Her children learnt it while they were at Brindabella Christian College, so it has stayed with them over the years.
As a Defence family, and as a veteran, Jill said there have been hard times. The Psalm has been a reminder that God is with them in those seasons.
Today’s reflection asked the pilgrims to think about restlessness and home.
For Jill, that led to a simple thought:
“Home is where the heart is.”
She also shared one of her own sayings:
“The biggest struggle in life is contentment.”
That thought sat with her during the walk.
Being content where you are.
Seeing the moment as a blessing.
Finding joy in creation, faith, and the people around you.
Home can mean different things to different people.
But on Day 3, Jill’s reflection reminded us that home is not always just a place. Sometimes it is found in faith, peace, joy, and contentment.
Walking for Others, Finding Something Yourself
Day 3 was not only about reaching RAAF Base Wagga. It was also have a remembrance service at Tumut Cenotaph with the local sub-branch of the RSL. Remembering and walking for others who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
It was about what happened along the way.
There was a steady path.
There was Defence history.
There was a morning reflection.
There was a conversation about home.
There was time to think.
For Jill, the walk started as an act of support.
But already, it has become part of her own journey too.
That is one of the quiet gifts of pilgrimage.
You may begin by walking for someone else.
But somewhere along the road, the walk begins to speak to you too.
Follow The ANZAC Way 2026
The ANZAC Way 2026 continues to walk with veterans toward spiritual health and holistic wellbeing.
Follow the daily updates as the pilgrims continue the journey from country to coast.
