Samuel Johnson and Tim Costello join Andy and Scrubby’s BIG Walk Against Gambling for their Melbourne leg.
Andy Hope has been battling gambling addiction for 40 years.
On his 60th birthday, he set off on a walk around Australia to raise money and awareness for gambling harm. Joined by his dog Scrubby, Andy has already walked from Coffs Harbour, into Victoria and this Sunday he will make his way into the Melbourne CBD.
Samuel Johnson has his own story to tell about how gambling has affected his life.
He’s a Gold Logie winner known for his charity rides to honour his sister and raise funds for cancer through his charity Love Your Sister, but this week he’s excited to walk alongside Andy and share in his efforts to prevent more Aussie’s being harmed by gambling.
Tim Costello has been advocating to reduce harm from gambling for more than 30 years, and knows that sadly Andy’s experience of four decades of addiction is not unique.
Tim Costello said, “Andy is walking around Australia because he doesn’t want to see other Australian’s lives impacted by an industry that has been allowed to wreak havoc in this country for decades. I am so proud to join him, he’s a hero, taking this extraordinary trek and I hope everyone who hears his story is inspired.”
Date: 30 November 2025
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Meeting Point: Floral Clock, St Kilda Road
Walk ends: Collins St Baptist Church steps
Addresses from Tim Costello and Andy on the church steps
About us:
The Alliance for Gambling Reform is a national advocacy organisation working to reduce gambling harm in Australia. We partner with other organisations and with local councils to reduce the alarming level of gambling harm in Australia, we work to change the laws and rules governing the gambling industry. We do not seek to ban gambling. Rather we seek to influence government to minimise the harmful behaviours of the gambling industry and to give voice to those who are impacted by gambling harm.
Contact details:
Martin Thomas (CEO) is available for interview on 0477 340 704
