Student Spotlight - Ryan Donovan
This GOTAFE student is taking on a mammoth challenge for an important cause.
The idea of a 1000km trek on the other side of the world with just a small motorbike between your legs – and an even smaller bag on your back – isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
But for GOTAFE student Ryan Donovan, that is exactly what he has signed up for – all in the name of an important cause.
Currently studying a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing (ACM40418) with GOTAFE as part of his Bachelor of Veterinary Technology at Charles Sturt University, Ryan is a great example of the benefits of GOTAFE’s partnerships with local universities.
He and a group of friends are tackling the ‘Mongolian Monkey Run’ in September.
The gruelling trip across tough terrain – and potentially tougher conditions – is all in the name of fun, charity and getting out of your comfort zone, and is organised by a group called ‘The Adventurists’.
“My best mate James and I…were meant to do one in Morrocco before COVID hit, and obviously that then got cancelled,” Ryan said.
“(Eventually) we did a dirt bike trip on our own through Vietnam which was pretty wild.”
Around 50 people will attempt this year’s trek, with Ryan among a group of five friends tackling it together.
“We fly into the capital and then they drive us out to the Gobi Desert near the China border,” Ryan said.
“They’ll give us a bike and a pack and say see you at the other end.
“We’ve got 10 days to do the 1000km up towards Russia, but there’s no set route.
“They’re little 50cc bikes, you can’t really carry much – just basic rations, mechanics tools and a little tent.
“We’ll sleep on the side of the road or if we come across some towns we might find some nice people to give us a roof for the night.”
The Adventurists partner with Cool Earth as their major charity partner – raising around $8 million across more than a decade of events.
But Ryan has been able to partner with a charity close to the hearts of the veterinary industry.
“I’ve been following Sophie’s Legacy for a while and it’s a really important cause,” he said.
“None of the others in our group are vets but they were happy to support it too.
“I’ve never really run a campaign or anything like that on my own.
“They’ve set up a page on the (Sophie’s Legacy) website, so far we’ve raised about ($3500) but we’d love to reach that $5000 goal and further – we want to raise as much money as possible.”
Sophie’s Legacy focuses on rising mental health concerns across the veterinary industry, offering support, visibility and advocacy – as well as striving to be a driver for positive change.
And while the winter nights are cold in Wagga – where Ryan currently lives while studying remotely – they’re nothing compared to what the group might face in the Mongolian desert.
“Balancing the necessities against the weight limit of the bikes has been (logistically hard),” he said.
“It might get to minus-five degrees at night, but we’ve also got to make sure we’ve packed enough food.
“The people we have in our group have some unique skillsets, I’m a mechanic by trade, James is a farm boy, one is a builder – he’s good at maps and drawings so we’ll rely on him for navigation.
“We’ll all be supporting each other (which is what it’s all about).”
