Australian actor, Samuel Johnson, took a cruise on the Thunderbird in the Gippsland Lakes with a bunch of local women, and a sprinkling of men, as the sun set over Lakes Entrance last Wednesday.

The former star on The Secret Life of Us is in East Gippsland to raise awareness about his cancer charity – Love Your Sister – and is leading the campaign for personalised treatment once cancer is detected.

Samuel said he was happy to give acting away for the time being to campaign for a cause close to his heart.

His sister, Connie, died of terminal breast cancer in 2017.

Addressing a transfixed audience on the Lakes Entrance foreshore prior to boarding the Thunderbird, Samuel said that Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, had pledged to offer personalised treatment to those diagnosed with cancer by the year 2030.

Somewhat indignantly, Samuel says that’s too long to wait and is on a 700-day tour around Australia to raise funds for a campaign to convince the Minister to offer such treatment far sooner.

Travelling with his other sister, Hilde, the pair is enjoying being in Gippsland with Samuel revealing he has 72 first cousins in the area.

He says his family has frequently holidayed in beautiful Metung. Samuel is 157 days into his 700-day tour.

PICTURED: Prior to sailing off into the sunset on the Thunderbird at Lakes Entrance, Australian actor, Samuel Johnson, strikes a pose with the boat’s captain, James Peel, and Rachael Morrison, who organised the voyage on behalf of the local community.