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Australian adventurer (1942–2021) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Anthony Beer (8 March 1942 – 3 July 2021) was an Australian adventurer who was the first person to run across the Simpson Desert, Australia.[1][2]
Beer was born in Walcha, New South Wales and grew up on a rural property, near Ingleba, New South Wales. Beer attended school in Ingleba, Walcha and Armidale.[3][4] Following school, Beer was a tent fighter in Selby Moore's Boxing Tent and was known as 'The Beast'.[3][4] Beer lived in New Zealand for some time and worked as a professional deer shooter. During this time Beer summited Mt Cook via the Grand Traverse. Beer also worked in Australia as a deckhand, rigger, scaffolder and various roles in construction.[5][2][3][4]
In 1977, Beer cycled across Australia from Perth, Western Australia to Port Macquarie, New South Wales in 36 days. Beer was not assisted by a backup crew.[6][3][4]
In 1978, Beer walked across Australia from Port Augusta, South Australia to Karumba, Queensland in 52 days. Beer was not assisted by a backup crew.[7][6][3][4] In 1980, Beer became the first person to run across the Simpson Desert, Australia.[1][2] Beer ran 420 km across the desert in 6.5 days, starting at Alka Seltzer Bore, South Australia and finishing at Birdsville, Queensland.[5][1] Beer was assisted by a backup crew which included adventurers, Hans Tholstrup and Neville Kennard. The trip was sponsored by Australian entrepreneur, Dick Smith.[8] A documentary was made about this trip called "The Runner".[8][9]
In 1996/1997, Beer kayaked solo across Australia from Port Alma, Queensland to Murray Mouth, South Australia. Beer paddled up the Fitzroy River and then towed his Kayak on a trolley behind a bicycle over the Great Dividing Range to Goondiwindi, Queensland. Beer then kayaked from Goondiwindi to the Murray Mouth. Beer travelled a total of 4,562 km in 146 days. Beer managed to complete the trip despite contracting Ross River fever. Beer wrote a book about this trip titled "The inland sea man: across Australia by kayak".[3][4]
In 1999, Beer cycled around Australia in a figure of eight, travelling a total of 18,350 km to raise money for the Garvan Institute of Medical Research. Beer was not assisted by a backup crew.[4]
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