On this day in 1908 the naval cadets started a march to Melbourne to see the "Great White Fleet" as the US Navy ships were known.

The key word there is "marched" - there were no train tickets for these lads so with their hardy leaders they took off on foot, taking three days to march to the capital.

It is a remarkable tale on several fronts: it was a feat of great endurance, it captured the public's imagination and showed the parents of the boys obviously had faith they would achieve their goal without incident.

It is hard to imagine such an adventure being undertaken today.

Children's activities are more regulated - usually with good reason - and the prospect of a three-day walk to Melbourne would be a challenge for any youngster and their concerned parents.

And while we reflect on that historic walk today, two more recent walks by a Newlyn man have similarly captured the public's imagination.

Beijing's smog seemed to agree with Jared Tallent.

Although Geelong's Nathan Deakes might have been the more fancied walker, his withdrawal from the Games because of injury meant Australia's hopes in the 20km and 50km walks were redirected to the son of a potato farmer.

Coming into the Games, Tallent was in top form, winning a lead-up race that also gave him an inside view of the Bird's Nest stadium.

Yet few Australians would have known just what he was capable of.

Now they do.

Two big races in the space of a week and two Olympic medals have assured Tallent a place among our finest Olympic track and field athletes.

It will doubtless inspire fellow athletes in the Ballarat YCW.

In Beijing, Tallent was among a group of athletes who can trace at least part of their sporting careers to Ballarat. All of them have performed to the best of their abilities, some have shown they belong among the sporting elite.

As a nation, in terms of medals won, we have once more punched above our weight.

What appears certain now is that we will have a debate about funding of elite sport.

While there is a correlation between money spent and results won, this is not always the case.

A glance at the medal tally shows that some of the poorest countries on earth have shared in Olympic glory.

That too, is inspirational.