Sometimes we just need to set a goal to get motivated and get moving more, which is a recurring plea to older Australians from health professionals.

Friday is International Day of Older Persons and what better time to shine a light on the achievements of older Aussies? Let's start with this story about 89-year-old Brisbane man Athol Alcorn. But we'd love to hear from about you if you or a friend or a family member have done something out of the ordinary.

A YourLifeChoices fan wrote: "After taking care of his wife Estelle before her passing, Athol sought in-home care with local provider, Home Instead. Despite his age and being legally blind, he wanted new adventures and activities that would challenge him.

"One afternoon he told his caregiver Beverley he was going to walk Kokoda. Beverley tried to dissuade him, but Athol was determined.

"An adventure company provided Athol [then aged 87] with a long list of requirements. After almost two years of training, he was ready. However, four weeks before departure, Athol received a devastating call from the company saying it was too big a risk to take him.

Athol takes up the story. "I was absolutely shattered. Everything I had trained for had gone down the drain, or so I thought.

"Beverley started googling, found Brian and Mal at Mount Coot-tha. I trained hard with them and on 16 September 2019, I flew to Port Moresby with the team and completed the Kokoda Trail.”

Athol hasn’t given up looking for the next walking challenge and has written about his adventure in a poem titled Kokoda. He has also completed a book of poems and is giving them away to friends and family.

Are you working towards a goal? Do you know someone who has done something special?