Lowan Sist

Climbing for CFA Ferntree Gully

Like so many my life has been subject to impact from mental health issues amongst family and friends. I struggled with depressive illness in my early twenties and am aware that the right guidance and support can make all the difference. The lack of it can be devastating. In some cases, the worst fears have been realised and I have lost people, we all have.


In those cases where the path was changed it was usually due to informed and empathetic intervention and advice from agencies or carers that knew and had lived experience similar to what the person was struggling with.


On Saturday 10th September 2022, 600 Firefighters and other Emergency Service Personnel will “step up to fight depression, PTSI and suicide” by climbing the 28 floors of Crown Metropol Hotel wearing 25kgs of turnout gear and breathing apparatus.

This year, with your help, we aim to raise $600,000 for Lifeline, Fortem Australia and the 000 Foundation, to improve support services, fund research, remove stigmas and raise awareness of Mental health issues like depression, Post Traumatic Stress Injury and suicide, especially for those within the Emergency Service and Defence communities.


We must ask if we, our family and friends are OK and be able to respond if they are not.


• In 2020, there were 3,139 deaths by suicide in Australia
• Nine Australians die everyday by suicide, that’s more than double the road toll
• Over 65,000 Australians attempt taking their own life each year.
• Suicide rates in Defence, Emergency services and protective services is elevated compared to other occupations.
• 12% of Australians experience PTSI in their life time.
• PTSI is more prevalent in occupations with higher exposures to trauma, including the defence force, emergency services and protective services.
• For each life lost to suicide, the impacts are felt by up to 135 people including the family, friends, work colleagues and first responders at time of death.

So this year Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade members (of which I am one) are putting their feet where the stairs are and getting on with raising funds for this great cause. Your help in any form is appreciated and makes a massive difference. The cost of that cup of coffee invested in having a chat will make a difference. Or two cups if you can.


Thanks for reading my profile

9/11 Memorial
The Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb remembers the 343 Firefighters that lost their lives in the line of duty on 11th September 2001.

My stair climb race bib will include the name and photo of FDNY Firefighter Matthew L Ryan in memory of their sacrifice made on that fateful day. Read more about Matthew L Ryan.

So far, I've raised $4,338 of my $1,000 fundraising goal.

Race result

2022$4,338

8:07.683 Donned and started

Start Line Footage!

Crossing the Finish Line

Note: Some of the footage above may not include footage of you due to stream cuts or content changes for operational reasons

Recent donations from Lowan’s friends

  • $30
    Georgiana Cannata
    2 months ago ● Well done Lowan and to all the volunteer fire fighters

    Cheers Georgie, wonderful support from a wonderful person.

  • $50
    Lyndee Madden
    2 months ago ● Goodonya Lowan. Still maintain universal ranking as most fertile man in solar system. Well done

    Good onya Lyndee!

  • $150
    Tina & Kevin
    2 months ago ● Awesome effort Lowan. We struggled to carry our 25kg suitcase up the 500m Bellagio stairs. Had to spend the rest of the day resting with a wine! You are a legend to have done this and such a great cause.

    Happy to help next time! Cheers your support

  • $50
    Athena Katopodis
    2 months ago ● Congratulations on your amazing effort Logan and thank you for your voluntary work and helping our community

    Wow Athena appreciate this so much, thanks

  • $50
    michelle
    2 months ago ● Lowan that was such and incredible climb and for such a worthy cause !!

    Brilliant Michelle appreciate it

  • $25
    Matthew Silvester
    2 months ago

    Big help Matt appreciate your support

  • $100
    Emily Adelina Sist
    2 months ago ● I love you papa! So proud of you ❤️❤️‍🔥🌈✨🫶

    Cheers fluff! Thanks sooooo much! Love the support

  • $100
    Elliott Sist
    2 months ago ● Great work Dad! So proud of you for continuing to do this and support a great cause

    Cheers EBS! Sincerely appreciate you spending your hard earned on this. Means a lot and it’s a great cause.

  • $25
    Lisa
    2 months ago ● Good luck, Lowan. You’ve got this. Cheers Lisa

    Cheers Lisa, sincerely appreciate your support

  • $50
    MR DAVID A CREAGH
    2 months ago ● Go Spider

    Cheers Crazy! Just keep walking is my plan

  • $50
    Sarah Mandie
    2 months ago ● Go Lowan! A great cause and a massive challenge! I’m in admiration.

    Thanks so much Sarah, sincerely appreciate your help for the cause

  • $50
    Clare & Stephen
    2 months ago ● Great effort year on year, Lowan!

    Thanks Walker Folk. Appreciate your support year in year out too. Brilliant

  • $50
    Helen Sist
    2 months ago

    Helen thank you so much for this. You have a got a bit on and it means so much that you can still find time to support me

  • $50
    Sylvia Francisca
    3 months ago ● Go go Lowan! Supporting the great cause!

    Cheers Muggins! Appreciate your patience and support

  • $100
    Oliver price
    3 months ago ● Hey lowan, great to see you doing you bit for a good cause! Respect to you an your co workers for everything you do for the community!

    Thank you Oliver! sincerely appreciate you support

  • $50
    Jennifer Gibson
    3 months ago ● Good luck Lowan. Hope you make a personal best time.

    Cheer Jen, arriving with a pulse will be the challenge, thanks so much for your support

  • $50
    Glenis Gumley
    3 months ago ● All the best, Lowan

    Cheers Glenis for your support and encouragement. Apreciated

  • $50
    Bahe Balamaheswaran
    3 months ago ● Keep up the great work Lowan!

    Good on you Bahe! Thnaks so much for the contribution

  • $30
    Nicole Manning
    3 months ago ● All the best Lowan, I’m thinking first place?!

    Sadly my ability may not meet your expectation Nic! Really appreciate your continued support for this stuff

  • $100
    Sally Kotsa
    3 months ago ● Lowan, absolute champ 👏👏👏

    Brilliant Sal, love your continuing support

  • $100
    Caldwells
    3 months ago ● Great effort Lowan.

    Awww thanks gang! You would have only wasted it in espresso martinis. Thanks for the support

  • $25
    Patching Neil
    3 months ago ● Go for it Lowan.

    Cheers dude! Wonderful support

  • $50
    Kristy Welch
    3 months ago ● A brilliant person who always supports others, it’s not surprising you are making the climb again. Go get ‘em!! K&S xo

    Arrangements with magistrate sadly. However need to make the most of it. Thanks so much your team supporting my team

  • $50
    Tammy & Lloyd
    3 months ago ● Well done mate!

    Champions! Thanks for the support of this cause. Cheers

  • $250
    Nick Clark
    3 months ago ● Good on you Lowan!

    You ripper mate! Love your work and sincere thanks

  • $25
    Kameron Pham
    3 months ago ● Go Lowan!!

    Thnaks Kam, I climb so you don't have to! Appreciate your help

  • $30
    Katherine Lipnicki
    3 months ago ● Well done Lowan and the whole FTG crew - amazing stuff 💪🏻

    From all the team at FTG, thanks Katherine so much. We really appreciate your support

  • $50
    Jenny Hyde
    3 months ago ● Way to go Lowan! Good luck! 🙌👏🤩

    Cheers Hydes! Hope the floors are clean when I hit them. Appreciate you help as always

  • $50
    Michael Jones
    3 months ago

    Thanks Jonesy! Appreciate your backing

  • $25
    Stefanie Maccar
    3 months ago ● Amazing as always! Remember to wear a GoPro so you can have your own YouTube video!

    Good on ya Stef! really appreciate your help. Go Pro be good for the investigation too "well he made it to the 10 th floor, then....."

  • $50
    Rebecca H Redfern
    3 months ago ● Good luck Lowan!

    Cheers Bec, as you know it isn't about luck its about sweat and the burn. Appreciate your support

  • $100
    Pat Ryle
    3 months ago ● Go socky

    Cheers Champ. Appreciate the contribution and support for this great cause

  • $10
    David Rawson
    3 months ago

    Thank you David, sincerely appreciated and valuable contribution

  • $25
    Cheryl Martin
    3 months ago ● Great cause - go well Lowan!

    Brilliant Cheryl! thanks so much

  • $50
    Dimitrios (Jim) Koutsoukos
    3 months ago ● Go Tiges!

    Jimmy marvellous! greatly appreciated

  • $50
    Margi Garretty & Chris O’Brien
    3 months ago ● Great cause Lowan. Will benefit many of us.

    Margi thanks so much from chilly Melbourne. Really appreciate it

  • $25
    Piera Potter
    3 months ago ● Go Wizard Lowan

    Oh Wow PP! Thanks so much and hoping all really well with you

  • $100
    Mark Herbert
    3 months ago ● Dear Spider, I don't know how much longer those two shoe laces hanging out of your arse will support your weight + 25kg of kit, so I'd better donate while you can still make it. Yours &c, Herb

    They are matchsticks if you must know. And yes I have no idea how that still do it. Thanks all for ongoing support

  • $100
    Peter Murphy
    3 months ago ● Good luck Lowan!

    Cheers Peter I need it. Thanks

  • $50
    Helen Bowles
    3 months ago ● All the very best Lowan! 😊 Cheers Helen

    Go tigers Helen! Thanks so much for the support

  • $150
    David Copolov
    3 months ago

    Thank you David, sincerely appreciated and valuable contribution

  • $100
    Alf Maccioni
    3 months ago ● Good luck Lowan. I would need the breathing apparatus just to think about climbing these steps.

    Brilliant Alf, hope some left for the vespa fuel. Thanks so much

  • $100
    Vladimir Prpich
    3 months ago ● Well done Lowan. Massive effort. Wishing you an great climb.

    Cheers Vlad, thanks so much for your ongoing support and contribution to this cause

  • $50
    Mark Ruberto
    3 months ago ● Legend effort and good luck Lowan

    Thanks MR. From you that's a real compliment. Appreciate your support

  • $50
    Tim Shields
    4 months ago ● Lowan ur a legend go 4 it wish I was there to see

    Cheers mate! Go tigers and thanks for the support

  • $25
    Angela Reynolds
    4 months ago ● Good Luck Lowan I’m sure you will smash it again

    Cheers Ange, Rebecca training me

  • $100
    Anne
    4 months ago ● Go for it HB! Amazed and proud of your ongoing commitment to this great cause. Will be there at the end with a pie and some smelling salts. XXX

    Cheers Bloss! Your ongoing patience is a valued virtue.

Previous year’s results

2021$0

2020$73

2019$2,402

6:26.903 Donned and started

2018$2,001

6:54.440 Donned and started

2017$2,188

7:20.838 Donned and started

2016$3,443

7:39.237 Donned and started