About Us

Amelia Murphy (Chair)

Hi I’m Amelia!

I worked as an Intensive Care Nurse for 20 years. I absolutely loved it but it didn’t leave much energy or time for anything else in my life. I needed to do something different. So……….. Long story short, I went and became a volunteer cameleer and school camp facilitator, living in a swag west of Leigh Creek.

I came back looking to make some changes to my life. I hadn’t hiked or bushwalked before and wasn’t very fit but wanted to get back to being outdoors, especially the Desert!    Lucky for me, I found this wonderful group of Wise Women Walking. It really is the wisest, friendliest and most supportive group. Six months later I found myself in Central Australia walking the Larapinta Trail. That’s where I am in the photo.

I enjoy walking with WWW for all the positive benefits it has on both my physical and mental wellbeing. I like to do things differently, to take and explore the roads less travelled. I figured when there wasn’t a camel available, a really good way to do this was on foot so I better keep walking!

Shirley Brown (Vice-Chair)

"I've always loved the outdoors with a fair chunk of my working life spent out of normal office environments. Now I'm retired and can undertake some longer distance trails I have been eyeing off for years.

I joined WWW just over a year ago when I moved back to Adelaide after living in the country for many years and have enjoyed sharing the local trails and the benefits of walking with like-minded women.

In the last few years I've walked the Kumano Kodo, The Great Ocean Walk and The Coast to Coast as well as various trails in Italy. Walking really is the best way to see any country."

Melanie Chant (Treasurer)

Hi I'm Melanie. I am the current treasurer for WWW and have walked with the group for many years on and off.

I love being in the outdoors as often as I can in between working, looking after my four grandchildren and running my own business.

I also love to travel and have done many road trips in various parts of Australia, the UK, Europe and America. Still plenty of places left to visit on the bucket list.

I love our walks in all the amazing parks we have locally and enjoy talking to all the interesting people we get to meet.

See you on the trails!

Liz Garrett (Secretary)

I grew up in country SA and always loved being out in the natural environment with all its intricacies and wonders, so throughout my work and travels near and far, I've sought out that connection with nature in the bush and the ocean too.

Returning to Adelaide in 2019 after nearly 30 years away, I knew I had to get back into the hills; fortunately, an adventuring friend moved back around the same time, so we walked some sections of the Heysen Trail and explored other trails as part of a small group.

Looking for more regular, consistent and challenging walks, as well as meeting new people with a shared interest, I joined WWW in 2024. I really enjoy the inspiring conversations with interesting women on a variety of trails in stunning landscapes - particularly on weekdays! 

Cherie Rothery

I love the outdoors, and admiring all the flora and fauna around me.  Hiking in nature gives me so much peace and really is a mental health boost.  When not injured (which is rare these days!), I also enjoy competing in Ultra events (50km plus) and hiking up super steep climbs!  

One of my most memorable experiences was hiking 254km of the 500km ‘Walk the Yorke’ as part of an adventure race called, ‘Sink of Survive’. I did this with a team-mate who did the other half.  We competed as a tag team, switching over every 10-30km so one of us was always walking to ensure we would get to a designated checkpoint by a certain time to avoid ‘sinking’ and being taken out of the race. Fortunately we both completed the 500km between us in the required 7 days and we ‘survived’. The photo is me coming through Cape Elizabeth on my way to Port Hughes.

Kristen Willson

I have always loved being active outdoors. I am also passionate about preventative healthcare and the benefits that time spent outdoors has on both our physical and mental wellbeing.

I am so excited to now have the opportunity to be able to support others to get out on the trails, both as a leader with Big Heart Adventures and working behind the scenes on the WWW committee.

Nada Blachly

My favourite walk in Adelaide is Chambers Gully.  I love it because there's a good balance of trails so you get to enjoy the surrounds and also feel like you've done a decent walk at the end of it.  There are lots of birds and creatures on the trail if you take the time to stop and listen. Plus an amazing view of the Adelaide plains from the top.

Outside of Adelaide, I would say my walk in Tasmania on the Tassie Trifecta last year was my favourite.  The walking trails are well maintained and there's a breathtaking view around every corner.  I felt like I was immersed in nature and surrounded by ruggedness and beauty every step of the way.

Karin Verschoor

I have been an outdoors person my whole life spending many weekends camping and bushwalking in the Flinders growing up.

My background is in Horticulture, and Conservation and Land Management. Now retired I still volunteer a few weekends a year for National Parks and Wildlife Services SA doing weed control and track clearing.  I enjoy 4Wdriving, camping and hiking and love to travel.

I joined WWW to connect with like minded women who enjoy being outdoors and walking for health and wellbeing.