THE Drumley Walk is under reconstruction, with plans for the annual August event to be held in May as of next year.

As part of the rearranging process, this year’s walk will be shortened to a one-day, 16-kilometre event as organisers plan and prepare for its transition to the warmer months.

On August 17, for one last time, walkers will brave a chilly Beaudesert winter morning as they set out from the town centre.

The event will return to its full length, a four-day walking pilgrimage from Beaudesert to Southport, on May 4 to 7 next year.

The 65km journey follows the footsteps of Beaudesert Aboriginal identity Billy Drumley, who in the early 1900s trekked through farmland and bush to visit his sister Jenny Graham who lived at Southport with her many children and grandchildren.

This year’s shorter walk will still be inspired by Drumley, who encouraged children to be schooled, and older children to gain employment.

As in previous years, descendants of local Aboriginal identities will lead the walk and impart traditional language, stories and knowledge to walkers.

Walk director Rory O’Connor said the change of date, and this year’s shortened event, were both important moves for the longevity of the event.

“The Drumley Walk has grown rapidly since the first walk in 2005, which is great,” he said.

“This year we want to take our time and get the product right to make sure it can grow sustainably in the future. May is a better time of year for camping and it’s more accessible because it falls on the May Day long weekend.”

Mr O’Connor said this year’s August walk was being limited to Wednesday for the general public for financial reasons and for training purposes.

“Because of the costs involved with the walk, we can’t afford to do two major public walks in the one financial year,” he said.

“The August walk will be a training walk for our volunteers and organisers and a chance for us to consult with the local community for next year’s event.”

This year’s Drumley Walk will be held on Wednesday, August 17.

Contact the Yugambeh Museum on 3807 6155 for more information.