The Junee Crew at Collaroy Beach during The Big Three Trek 6.0. From left; Jason Ferrario, Rhys Diggins, Kylee Huard, Lisa Diggins, Michael Diggins, Charlie Harris and Lisa Harris. Photo: Supplied.
They found each other through the heartbreak of losing loved ones to brain cancer. Now that shared loss is driving them to do something extraordinary.
The self-dubbed Junee Crew has completed The Big Three Trek 6.0 – a gruelling 150 km walk from Sydney to Newcastle in just three days.
Now in its sixth year, the trek began in 2021 when three friends from a soccer team walked from Newcastle to Sydney to raise money after their coach lost his battle with brain cancer. It has since grown into a major annual fundraiser for the Mark Hughes Foundation.
The driving force behind the Junee group is Jason Ferrario, better known to many as the highly organised CEO of Wagga’s Murrumbidgee Turf Club.
Jason and his sister, Kylee, lost their brother Rick to brain cancer 17 years ago this month. Rick was a much-loved local rugby league player who died before meeting his youngest son, who was born just weeks after his death. He also left behind his wife, three other children and a grieving family.
Six years ago, Jason attended a charity ball in Wagga to raise money for brain cancer research. Former Newcastle Knights fullback and brain cancer survivor Mark Hughes was the guest speaker.
“I was just taken by his positivity and his attitude being a brain cancer sufferer himself,” Jason said.
“Three years ago I heard about The Big Three Trek which is a 150 km walk from Sydney to Newcastle, raising money for research, awareness and support for brain cancer and I thought I’d give that a go.
“In 2024 I was the only person from Junee that did it, but my sister Kylee and the Diggins and Harris families got involved.
“Kylee and I walk in honour of Rick, our brother.”
Michael and Lisa Diggins, along with their son Rhys, walked in memory of their son and brother, Zach.
“Our son Zach was diagnosed with an incurable brain cancer at 12 years of age,” Lisa said.
“His initial prognosis was 18 months. We tried everything and fortunately he lived for another six and a half years.
“His tumour came back a month after his 18th birthday and he passed away in October 2022.”
The Junee Crew that walked 150km in three days to raise money to find a brain cancer cure. From left: Charlie Harris, Michael Diggins, Lisa Diggins, Lisa Harris, Kylee Huard and Jason Ferrario. Photo: Marguerite McKinnon.
Lisa Harris and her son Charlie also took part, walking in honour of their nephew and cousin, Zach.
United by tragedy, the families have found strength in each other while raising money to help others facing the disease.
“The biggest thing I got out of the walk is that you’re walking with like-minded people and there are people on the walk that have brain cancer,” Jason said.
“Everyone on the walk has lost a brother, father, mother, sister, best mate from school or a grandmother and you keep changing who you walk with so you get to know each other’s story and you become what we call The Trek Family.”
For the Junee Crew, the three-day challenge was about far more than finishing 150 km. It was a chance to honour those they have lost while helping fund research that could one day spare other families the same heartbreak.
More than 80 walkers participated in this year’s event which raised more than $460,000 to help fund brain cancer research. Now in its sixth year, The Big Three Trek has raised more than $1.6 million and contributed to the Mark Hughes Foundation that has raised over $36 million and sold more than one million beanies for brain cancer cure.
The Junee Crew isn’t done just yet, with a Big Three Trek raffle featuring $12,000 in prizes, including two signed 2026 State of Origin jerseys, two premium tickets to this year’s NRL Grand Final, and a premium race day experience.
“Tickets are $5 and you could be helping raise money and win an incredible prize,” Lisa said.
The raffle will be drawn on 21 July. Tickets can be purchased online.
Meanwhile, Jason and the Junee Crew are already planning for next year’s Big Three Trek.
“I can’t wait to go again. I’m absolutely, absolutely blown away with the experience yet again,” Jason said.
