General News
16 March, 2026
Dimboola to welcome Deanna Pope
A Melbourne-based charity walker, Deanna Pope, will bring her 750-kilometre EB Butterfly Walk through the Wimmera later this month, with Dimboola set to play a key role in both her journey and local fundraising efforts.
Ms Pope will walk from Melbourne to Adelaide from March 18 to April 8 to raise money and awareness for epidermolysis bullosa, a rare and painful skin condition.
Her Wimmera leg is expected to take her through Dadswell Bridge, Horsham, Dimboola, Nhill and Kaniva.
Ms Pope, who lives with EB Simplex, said the walk was her way of shining a light on families living with the condition every day.
“The idea for the EB Butterfly Walk came from knowing that raising awareness for a rare disease like EB requires something big,” she said.
“Through this walk, I hope people learn that EB is a real and incredibly challenging condition that affects families every single day.”
She said the challenge would test her physically, particularly the long-distance walking, which can take a toll on her skin.
“Physically, the toughest part will be the sheer distance, walking day after day for 750 kilometres and managing the impact that will have on my skin with EB Simplex,” she said.
Ms Pope said she had steadily built up her endurance.
“I have taken part in short fun walks of 5 to 10 kilometres,” she said.
“My longest walk was 50 kilometres in one day.”
Her training for the event has already been substantial.
“I have walked over 760kms in training since late December 2025,” she said.
“I have also walked close to 950,000 steps in that time.”
Ms Pope said support from regional communities had already lifted her spirits.
“I have been so lucky to have the support of the people and councils in the Wimmera Area, as many are providing accommodation for us along the way,” she said.
Dimboola organiser Bec Schultz said the town would focus on hosting Ms Pope during her stopover on March 26 and helping boost support for the cause.
“We’re focusing on Dimboola,” Ms Schultz said.
She said Dimboola Golf Club would host the Butterfly’s Table fundraising dinner on the day, with chef teacher Cat Clarke catering the event.
“It’s going to be canapes on arrival and a three-course meal,” she said.
“We’ll be doing auctions and raffles, and Deanna and also Simone, who works for DEBRA Australia, will speak and share more information and awareness about EB and DEBRA Australia.”
Ms Schultz said organisers hoped for a full house.
“We can fit in 80 at the maximum, so we’d love it to be a sellout event,” she said.
She also thanked the Hindmarsh Shire Council for providing accommodation while Ms Pope travels through the region.
“Hindmarsh Shire are sponsoring their accommodation through staying at the caravan parks at Dimboola and Nhill, so that’s very generous of them, and we really appreciate their accommodation,” she said.
Ms Schultz said community support would be vital in making the stop in Dimboola a success, with organisers continuing to seek raffle prizes, auction items and ticket sales in the lead-up to the event.
Ms Pope has already walked more than 760 kilometres in training since late December and raised about $20,000 ahead of the trek.
She said the message behind the journey remained simple.
“The message I want EB families to hear is that they are not alone,” she said.
Those who would like to contribute to Deanna's journey can donate through this link.