

IT was a gloomy, grey day in Bendigo on Saturday, October 19 when 233 Shitboxes left town headed for Townsville as part of the Spring Shitbox Rally.
Dave Baldwin and Ern Meharry (The NAGA’S) in their Ford Courier were in Buddy Group 16, a diverse group from all over Australia with one thing in mind – the fight against cancer.
Cheered on by well-wishers along the road, many participants were unaware of the heat, fuel shortages and other challenges awaiting them.


The first leg to Pooncarie was relatively uneventful and camp that night was on beautiful green grass opposite the Pooncarie Hotel. From there things heated up as did the challenges. Where the NAGA’s would truly learn the value of teamwork and support via our amazing Buddy Group.
They had four days in a row well into the 40’s, glad C&M Automotive fixed the Air Conditioning. On day three, due to the recent rains, unable to follow the planned route from Milparinka to Innaminka via the Strzelecki track, the road authority sent them on a 280km long (and incorrect) detour via Noccundra in Southwest Queensland.
Using far more fuel than they budgeted for and restricted to 25L per vehicle at Innaminka, where the fuel tanker got stuck due to the rain, meant most rally cars struggled for fuel. Indeed, the fuel queue when they arrived at Beetoota on day four was a couple of kilometres long and again restricted, this time to 40L.
Support sent a vehicle to Birdsville (a two-hour drive each way) with lots of empty jerry cans to ensure enough fuel for the next leg.
This section also saw the first casualty amongst our buddy group. Two girls from WA, in their ‘Tribal Bohemians’ Mitsubishi Magna, managed to put a hole in their sump and seize the engine. Their luggage was rearranged and each lady hopped into another car to continue the journey.
On day six, another group car broke down on the bitumen between Barcaldine and Jericho. They waited in the heat for a support trailer to load the sick Falcon then headed north from Jericho along a slippery road smack bang into a massive thunderstorm, what a hoot, this drive was clearly the favourite. Dave and Ern set up their swags around 10pm that evening and sat down to dinner at 11.
The NAGA’s were relieved to finally make it to Townsville and reflect on a fun and challenging rally with new friends they bonded so strongly with in challenging circumstances. The comfy bed was pretty good too.
After a week recuperating on Magnetic Island, Dave and Ern drove their Shitbox back to Shepparton and will prepare it for another rally in the future.
Facts and Figures:
- Distance Bendigo to Townsville – 3720Km
- Fuel Cost – $950
- Highest fuel cost – $2.51/litre at Beetoota.
- 12 dead cars.
- Amount raised for Cancer Council $2,379,965.
- The NAGA’S raised $24,009 finishing 10th in the fundraising effort.
- “A big thank you to all our supporters, donors and sponsors -we had a ball and could not have done it without you,” said Ern.





