From its humble beginnings in 2015, where we raised $24,000 with a group of 9 cars, the 2018 event raised over $400,000 with 80 cars participating.
BATHURST to DUBBO
Everyone met up on the Thursday Night in Bathurst NSW to share a meal and a few drinks at the Family Hotel. Friday morning saw us gather at the historic Abercrombie House for a great breakfast and a welcome by the local mayor. We headed north towards Upper Turon, then on to Sofala and Sally’s Flat, before heading north to Hargraves. From there we travelled through Yarrabin and Goolma, then on to Gulgong for lunch. We made a $3,500 donation to All Hallows Primary School P&C to thank them for the great lunch they provided.
After lunch it was back onto dirt roads that took us to Coolah and Dunedoo before heading to our overnight stop at Dubbo.
DUBBO to PARKES
Saturday morning saw everyone into the cars ready for a big day, as we needed to cover 500kms of mostly dirt roads. We reached as far as Warren before heading south towards Tottenham for lunch. Once again, country hospitality and the local P&C were a winning combination, and resulted in another $3,500 donation to the local community.
The afternoon run from Tottenham took us to the historic town of Trundle, before we headed to “The Dish” at Parkes, for an impromptu game of cricket. Parkes had no trouble providing enough accommodation for our 200 participants, after all they can handle 25,000 people for the annual Elvis Festival.
PARKES to FORBES
Sunday Morning saw us passing through Bogan Gate (and hearing every bogan joke possible) then on to Condobolin for lunch. The trip notes took us past the “Utes In The Paddock’ Art Display at Ootha, only to find the property had been sold and all the utes were gone. Apparently they were in storage in Condo waiting on the council to build a new exhibition. Now re-established, it is be a great tourist boon for the town. St Joseph’s P&C excelled at country hospitality and were ecstatic to receive the $3,500 donation we made. The afternoon saw the rally head east to Forbes for our Awards Dinner and Charity Auction.
Forbes turned on the charm for us, and the Shire Council provided the Town Hall at no charge for our Awards Dinner. The local catering company “Eat Your Greens” did a great job, and the mood was decidedly upbeat. After the obligatory speeches and awards, everyone generously supported the various Auction Items that went up for grabs. It was another big night.
FORBES to ORANGE
Monday morning was a leisurely start with breakfast at Forbes Golf Club. We headed bush again and took all the country roads that pointed east before popping out at Mt. Canobolas. We had to reroute the rally around the bushfire damaged areas of the mountain, but found some great forest roads through the pine plantations. From there it was on to Orange, finishing up at the Robin Hood Inn, before heading back to Sydney and various other locations.