500 people in teams of two rolled into the Mackay Showgrounds last Friday in what is lovingly referred to as a ‘shitbox’, a car worth less than $1,000. While it looks like bogan heaven, these cars drove from Wollongong to Mackay for a cause, to raise money for the Cancer Council.
James Freeman who founded Box Rallies (Shitbox and Mystery Box Rally) after losing both of his parents to cancer within 12 months of each other said, “Shitbox Rally is not a race, but a reward for fundraising efforts. This is a chance to explore Australia, drawing teams from around the country to help achieve the extraordinary.”
250 cars took roads less travelled to explore the outback in an epic week-long journey traversing 3,600km of rough roads. There were diversions due to the deluge, but race organisers quickly penned a new route to ensure participants had safe passage despite heavy rain and flooding.
With more than $30 million raised since the rallies began, there was a $2 million goal for this rally, which was surpassed by the time the teams reached Charleville with the total already hitting $2.2 million with more to come.
With the race finishing locally in Mackay, not only did the local tourism industry get a boost, but St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) became the beneficiaries of thousands of dollars’ worth of barely used eskies, camping mats, shoes, chairs tents and other ancillary items that competitors donated after the journey. Councillor Laurence Bonaventura, a former Shitbox Rally participant himself, was on hand at the finish line to help Vinnies volunteers with gathering the donations.
Cr Bonaventura also donated a hamper to the Shitbox Rally on behalf of the Mackay Regional Council to be gifted to one of the Rally’s award winners at the presentations held at the Eimeo Hotel.
A truckload of donations was made to Vinnies at the end of the Shitbox Rally. L-R: Terry and Ann Hilder, Kerry and Laurence Bonaventura. Photos: Amanda Wright
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