Australian icon Russell Coight prepares police boss Graham Ashton for trek across Victoria

AUSSIE adventurer Russell Coight has strapped his swag to the bull bar of his 4WD and driven to Victoria to help our top cop with his fundraising walk in aid of former officers with mental health problems.

OUTBACK legend Russell Coight has closed his Darwin crocodile petting enclosure to teach Victoria’s top cop some survival skills.

Coight strapped his swag to the bull bar of his 4WD and drove to Victoria after being told about Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton’s fundraising trek through the wilds of the state.

Mr Ashton and Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt have joined forces to walk 1000km to raise $500,000 to help thousands of former officers with mental health problems.

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Russell Coight fills Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton in on several secrets of surviving in the bush. Picture: David Caird

Despite Coight’s prior convictions for stealing the identity of actor Glenn Robbins, Mr Ashton agreed to let Coight help him prepare for his October hike.

“Russell Coight is an Aussie icon for outback adventurers and, given his reputation, we couldn’t miss this opportunity to learn from his many adventures,” Mr Ashton said.

“Also, our budget didn’t extend to Bear Grylls.”

Mr Ashton was asked who he would trust to find him if he gets lost on his 23-day walk — Coight or the Victoria Police search and rescue squad.

Graham Ashton gets some advice from Russell Coight before his fundraising walk. Picture: David Caird

“Although Russell and VicPol search and rescue have been on many rescue operations together, unfortunately Russell has been the subject of those rescues — so I will probably go with our team,” he said.

The Herald Sun yesterday found Coight teaching Mr Ashton which native fauna it was permissible to kill and eat.

“I’ve always had a great respect for our boys in blue,” Coight said.

“I guess it runs in the family. My father, Russell Coight Senior, was forever helping police with their inquiries.

“In fact, they had a special title for him: Person of Interest.”

Asked what dangers Mr Ashton might face, Coight said: “In Victoria it would be snakes and frostbite.”

Russell Coight warns Graham Ashton of the dangers of snakes and frostbite. Picture: David Caird

Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton (right) and Police Association Secretary Wayne Gatt are in training for a 1000km fundraising walk across Victoria. Picture: Ian Currie

Coight said he had provided Mr Ashton with vital advice which could save his life.

“I have given Graham a signed copy of my guidebook Coight’s Camping Compendium,” he said before leaving to shoot another episode of All Aussie Adventures for Channel 10.

“It’s full of handy hints for city folk heading bush.

“It’s also edible, in an emergency situation, and — if nature calls — the last 20 pages are printed on soft double-ply paper.”

Details on how to donate: headtoheadwalk.org.au

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