Cyclist visits South East to share message in hope of sparking change

CYCLING THROUGH LIFE: Teaspoons of Change global citizen d'Arcy Lunn arrived in Mount Gambier this week after a 500km bike ride from Adelaide. Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR

CYCLING THROUGH LIFE: Teaspoons of Change global citizen d’Arcy Lunn arrived in Mount Gambier this week after a 500km bike ride from Adelaide. Picture: MOLLY TAYLOR

A CYCLIST is travelling around the South East this week sharing the message every teaspoon of action contributes to big changes.

Teaspoons of Change global citizen d’Arcy Lunn will engage with surrounding schools, businesses and communities while in Mount Gambier, sharing the small but significant steps people can take leading to global impacts.

Mr Lunn has cycled 500km from Adelaide to Mount Gambier, spreading his message along the way and will loop his way back later this week.

“Our focus is looking at the small things we do every day and how they fit into the Global Goals for sustainable development,” Mr Lunn said.

“Every act has an impact, whether it be big or small and if lots of people contribute we can make a world of a difference.

“In 2015,193 countries committed to making the world a better place through the Global Goals for Sustainable Development and I want to help make these goals a reality.”

Mr Lunn’s movement started nearly five years ago in 2014 when walking 1000km and cycling 1500km across Japan.

“This trip made me realise it is the little things each of us do in our daily lives that, combined, will create a better world for everyone, everywhere,” Mr Lunn said.

“I have always had a passion for helping people, previously traveling to more than 90 countries over the past 18 years working in development aid.

“It is about every two years that I get itchy feet and need to travel again – in 2006 I cycled from Cape Jervis to Port Lincoln and back and have since rode around New Zealand, Rwanda and North America.”

Mr Lunn aims to make the 17 global goals a reality and will continue to enjoy his adventurous journey along the way.

“There are 17 goals and if they are completed it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030,” he said.

“When travelling around the world, a bonus is getting to connect with people that I would otherwise not meet.

“I spend most of my time overseas, but I grew up on Yorke Peninsula so a highlight is coming back and learning what has happened within my home state.”

With a qualification in teaching, Mr Lunn has a specific focus on the future generations and how they can form a healthy attitude in earlier years.

“I want to share ideas and show kids that we do not have to be anyone special or do anything fantastic, we can have an impact throughout our daily lifestyle,” Mr Lunn said.

“This is just an extension of my normal life and previous work routine.

“It is about sharing a story without a moral bashing, a guilt trip or telling people what to do, but just showing that when we do take action it has impact both locally and globally.”

Since completing his practical teaching requirements at Mulga Street Primary School, Mr Lunn had not previously been back to Mount Gambier.

“I had a connection with this town and I think that is why I am back again,” he said.

“Not much has changed since I was last here, but I love the new bike tracks and addition of the rail trail adding ease of access to the centre of Mount Gambier.”

Mr Lunn travelled through the Fleurieu Peninsula, Coorong and past Kangaroo Inn Area School to arrive here in Mount Gambier and will travel the next two weeks through Penola, Bordertown and Keith as he makes his way back to Adelaide.

He will be at the Mount Gambier Show with his bike and trailer and will welcome any questions from the public.