Pittwater local Michael Dean-Jones will be traveling Australia’s east coast in a beat-up car to raise thousands of dollars for cancer research.
What could be better than two mates hitting the open road, wind in their hair as they make the mammoth journey along the eastern seaboard from Rockhampton down to Hobart?
Well, what if the catch was that you would be doing the over 2,500-kilometre drive in a car worth less than $1,500 – a ‘shitbox’?
This is the journey Bilgola Plateau local, Michael Dean-Jones, will be making in March next year together with his co-driver, Peter Turvey, to compete as part of the ‘Shitbox Rally’.
It’s all in the name of a good cause, with their team – ‘Not Dead Yet’ – raising funds for the vitally important work of the Cancer Council while providing some cheer to the communities of the rural towns they’ll pass through.
“To qualify for the Shitbox Rally, you need to raise a minimum of $5,000 for the Cancer Council,” Michael begins.
“The drive will take us down to Hobart via the Artesian Basin, using mainly dirt roads, and we’ll visit some of the remotest parts of this fabulous country.”
Since its inception, the Shitbox Rally has raised over $30 million for the Cancer Council. These meaningful funds go towards ground-breaking cancer research projects across Australia.
It’s sure to be a drive full of fun, plenty of laughs, and perhaps some obstacles along the way, but the boys are up for the challenge.
“We’re both over 60 – I’m in my 60s, and Peter’s in his 70s,” Michael, a former Avalon resident, tells Peninsula Living.
“The team name ‘Not Dead Yet’ is all about us not sitting back in retirement, we’re out there still doing things, and still having a go.
“I’ve had people close to me pass away recently, and I thought, ’If I can do something that would maybe make a difference, that would be great.’”
On the road, they’ll be stopping in several remote towns where the locals will be waiting with some warm hospitality and, hopefully, some hot food, too.
“Part of the purpose of the rally is to stop at these little country towns, and, respectfully, bring them some excitement,” Michael explains.
“They’re probably not used to having too many visitors.
“It will give us a chance to rest at the end of each day and enjoy a nice meal, before we’re back at it again the following day.
“The charitable component of it is very important, obviously, but equally important is that we’re going to be breathing life into some of the most remote communities in Australia.”
Accompanying the teams for the rally will be an experienced collective of bush mechanics, who are well-versed in the art of repairing cars the old-school way.
If damage to Michael’s ‘shitbox’ proves unfixable with the limited means available to the mechanics, he’ll still complete the rally by assisting the other drivers.
“The rally organisers have told us that they never leave anyone behind,” Michael says.
“If something were to happen that means the car is not salvageable, it would mean we would then take on a support role.
“If that happens, well, so be it, we’ll know that we gave it a crack.”
To donate to Michael and Peter’s fundraiser for the Cancer Council, visit shitboxrally.com.au and search for ‘Not Dead Yet’.
By David Shilovsky