Stephanie Sebastian

One crazy goal and my personal challenge for the Coast-to-Coast Challenge 2026 3 Challenges: Belonging, Hope, and a Positive Future

3 Tasmanian Regions: Northwest, North, and South

3 Peaks: Mt Dial, Ben Lomond, and Mt Wellington

1 Goal: $4,460 for Tasmanian Children in NeedCan you help by encouraging and sponsoring me or by challenging yourself and others to get involved in the Coast-to-Coast 2026 Challenge?

Mt Dial: starting at Mt Montgomery Carpark, 4.1km to the top and 4.1km back, 400m elevation gain – Tuesday 26^th of May

Ben Lomond: 26km from the park boundary turn off to Alpine Village,1,050m elevation gain – Saturday 16^th of May

Mt Wellington: 44.6km to the top and back, elevation gain 1,271m – Sunday 24^th of May

Every km we cover over these 8 days – walk, run, cycle, or swim - can raise funds to give local children, young people and families all across Tasmania access to life-changing programs that bring about lasting, positive change! Sign up, find a personal sponsor, or sponsor one of our athletes.

Why I have set myself a crazy challenge to raise funds for children in need of aim and purpose:

Because I personally have met many children, young people, and families whose lives have been literally turned around because they had the opportunity to attend one of our holiday camps or programs or benefit from the support of our school chaplains.

From indignation to India – meet Annaliese (one of many stories)

Annaliese has always been a very determined young person. Being strong-minded, she often found managing school and relationships challenging and these often resulted in fists being involved. I first met Annaliese when she was in grade 4 or 5 at one of our primary age holiday camps in the north. Ten years ago, she was able to come to this camp because generous people like you made this camp possible for others and for her. Her school chaplain encouraged her and a group of other kids from school to join in and with a lot of patience, support, exciting activities, and adventures the first step towards positive change was made.

During her teenage years, Annaliese doubted very much that she would even live until her 18^th birthday because school, society, and the world was a foreign place that caused constant frustrations, anger, fear, and disappointment. With no aim, purpose, or hope but a lot of aggression and violence around her this world didn’t seem to be for her so she thought about taking her own life to get out of this mess sooner rather than later.

But another SU volunteer thought it would be so helpful for Annaliese’s whole family to have time away from a tough life and he managed to get them to the SU Family Camp North. While our first thought was, “Oh, that’s a bit of a challenge to organize funding for mum and five children”, we managed, and they were able to join in. But what happened then?

When I spoke with Annaliese a couple of days ago and when I asked her, thinking back how she found her very first Family Camp North years ago, she exclaimed: “That was honestly the best thing we ever did as a family.” It changed mum, it changed her, and it changed the relationships with her siblings. Mum can’t wait for the next opportunity to volunteer to support others by being the camp cook or even stepping up into the camp leader role.

Meanwhile, Annaliese managed her way through high school and college. Thinking back on flying fists, she can laugh about her impulsive nature. Just after finishing school and initially not exactly knowing where to from here, Annaliese decided to go on a mission trip to India with some other volunteers. She worked at a supermarket and saved up for this to learn about what it might be like for other young people in adverse environments – and this was another eye opener for her.

She has now started an apprenticeship and also volunteers to support kids younger than herself. One young girl at a recent camp seemed to seek Annaliese out to confide in her and share her story, her battles, fears, and worries. Annaliese could hardly believe that anyone would have confidence and trust in her or look up to her like that! Initially she felt, “Who am I that anyone should seek advice from me? What do I have to give or offer?” Cut a long story of friendship short, the young girl is now re-engaged with her education, the relationship with her family is healing, and the dramas seem to be over.

Can you help by encouraging and sponsoring me or by challenging yourself and others to get involved in the Coast-to-Coast 2026 Challenge?

https://fundraise.su.org.au/event/su-coast-to-coast-chaplaincy-challenge-26