Toni Buti raises $20,000 for Alzheimer’s WA after crossing Bibbulmun Track finish line in rainy Albany

Typical Albany winter weather greeted Armadale MLA Toni Buti as he crossed the finish line of his 18-day trek along the Bibbulmun Track on Thursday morning. Mr Buti set off on the gruelling 1000km journey from the Perth Hills to Albany on July 4 to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s WA. The State Finance Minister was joined in the rain by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens and Alzheimer’s WA chief executive Ella Dachs for the final stretch of the walk from Princess Royal Harbour to the Southern Terminus on York Street. Mr Buti said he was inspired to take on the iconic trail after visiting Albany for the WA Trails and Recreation Forum in October. “I said I was going to do it and that I wanted to do it for a cause,” he said. “Having some personal experience through my mother-in-law having Alzheimer’s, I thought that Alzheimer’s WA was a great cause.” Mr Buti had raised nearly $20,000 for the organisation by the end of his journey on Thursday. After changing into a warm pair of clothes, Mr Buti celebrated his achievement with staff and clients of Hawthorn House. The Alzheimer’s WA facility provides a home away from home for people living with dementia through respite and activities, and support for their carers and families. Ms Dachs said she was extremely grateful Mr Buti had used his platform to raise awareness. “I think its absolutely incredible that he’s shown the courage and dedication to complete the track,” she said. “We have 44,000 West Australians living with dementia, and that doesn’t include the impact it has on families and friends. “It’s the number one cause of death for women in Australia, and the second leading cause for men, so it’s phenomenal that he has raised awareness for this really important cause.” Mr Buti ran the majority of the track and said the biggest challenge of the journey came early on. “The first leg from Kalamunda through to Albany Highway was quite mountainous and rugged,” he said. “Then there was a section along the south coast leading into Parry Beach which was really pretty demanding.” Mr Buti, who also holds portfolios in Aboriginal Affairs, Racing and Gaming, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests took leave to complete the trek but said plenty of phone calls were taken along the way. “On the south coast there seems to be plenty of reception so the phone was going off,” he said. “There wasn’t many days that — even though I was on leave — I wasn’t dealing with various matters, but that’s the life of a Minister. “Going on this trek was a really good way for me to think through various things in my life and also in my job as a Minister in the WA Government. “I was also reminded that I love the coast, just seeing that Great Southern Ocean was absolutely fantastic.” To donate visit, https://bit.ly/3IZ5x4Z.