Meyers enjoys life highlight
"I raised about $50,000 for his charity, allowing underprivileged South African kids a chance at a better life."
“Meeting Francois Pienaar, as well as the Governor-General of Australia David Hurley and his wife Linda Hurley, was the highlight of my life,” Gary Meyers told The AJN.
Meyers, who survived two heart attacks in 2018, recently set off on an epic walk for charity, this time embarking on a multi-day adventure from Vaucluse Lighthouse to Canberra.
A long-term supporter of St Vincent’s Hospital, it was Meyers’ greatest walking challenge yet. He and his crew raised funds to support clinical care and services at St Vincent’s, stretching across cardiac health, mental health and domestic violence.
When he arrived at Government House in Canberra he was met by Hurley and a promised cup of strong coffee.
“My last challenge was walking to Canberra,” Meyers said. “It was 320km, which I did in under six days.”
One notable donation ahead of the walk came from former South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar, who wrote: “Gary, greetings from Cape Town. All the best with your walk from Vaucluse Lighthouse to Government House ACT. Walking 300km plus to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate is simply amazing. Strong legs, heart and mind Gary! Francois.”
Not long after he completed the walk, Meyers had the opportunity to meet Pienaar for the second time while he was on holiday in Cape Town.
“I first met Francois on a plane in about 2003 and I agreed to do charity work for his charity, called the Make A Difference Foundation (MAD). I raised about $50,000 for his charity, allowing underprivileged South African kids a chance at a better life.
“I was invited to his office for a coffee again in March this year in Cape Town, where we discussed Nelson Mandela and how the two of them became great friends.
“Francois is a very big guy and I was overcome by his intellect and warmth. We continue to chat by email and I will visit him again hopefully soon. His presence is friendly, kind and warm and he supports me and my charity in Australia.”
Meyers loves to walk, especially for charity, and he is already planning his next trek. “My next challenge again is for St Vincent’s,” Meyers said. “I owe them my life and a lot more.
“The walk is to Griffith in August, which is in excess of 600km – double what I did to Canberra. It will be cold, tough and a good challenge, but failure to me is no longer an option.
“My job on earth is to give back and I get a lot of joy from doing so.”
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