Outback driving raises funds for RFDS

A two decade driving partnership entered into its next chapter on Sunday, with more than 100 vehicles departing Bendigo for the Outback Car Trek.

Car enthusiasts are putting torque into action across the dusty roads of outback Australia this week – all in the name of charity.

More than 100 vehicles departed Bendigo on Sunday to traverse almost 4000km of dirt roads as part of the annual Outback Car Trek, which raises money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

The trek, which has been running for 35 years, this year heads to Mildura before crossing in to South Australia and through the towns of Burra, Arkaroola and Innamincka, then tracking back east through Queensland’s Hungerford, St George and Toowoomba, and concluding at Sea World in the Gold Coast.

For this year’s rally, Harley Kruse and his driving partner, James Calvert-Jones, have dusted off a 1966 Mustang, which has been wrapped in livery to promote News Corp’s annual National Bush Summit series in August.

RFDS Outback Car Track, Team JimIgga Harley Kruse & James Calvert Jones with their Mustang '66, Bendigo. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

The pair has participated in the rally since 2000 and Mr Kruse described the event as addictive.

“We both love driving, and getting on those outback dirt roads, having a bit of spirited fun … typically (finishing) in a town at the end of the day and a pub with cold beer,” Mr Kruse said.

“It’s the combination of camaraderie, outback experiences, and being able to go to places you’d never normally go as private citizens.”

Over the years Mr Kruse and Mr Calvert-Jones have traversed all directions across Australia, from Coffs Harbour to Darwin and Esperance to Broome, and have had the chance to meet many people involved with the RFDS.

“We’ve been all over the country with this, and when you have doctors and nurses coming to the event, we’ve heard (their) stories of medical emergencies and how they’ve been saving lives,” Harley said. “We’ve had a lot of interaction with people that work in the service over the years, and it’s been a great insight for us.”

Organiser Bill Patrick has been involved in the trek for 26 years, and said participants had a strong focus on the positive impact they could bring to the communities they visit.

“Our focus in the last 10 or 15 years has been to leave a very positive social and financial impact on rural communities,” Mr Patrick said.

Team JimIgga have been driving together for more than two decades. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Over the years the trek has raised $33.5 million for the RFDS, with organisers eyeing a goal of $1.25 million this year.

News Corp Australia Community Ambassador Penny Fowler said the rally was a worthy and important initiative.

“We are so delighted to have the opportunity to help raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service whose work is so important to so many people,” Ms Fowler said.

“While visiting all the many remote communities during the trek our fantastic vintage Mustang will also help promote the annual National Bush Summit which helps shine a light and find solutions to the big challenges facing regional and rural Australia.”

The National Bush Summit series will kick off in Townsville in Queensland on Friday, August 23 with state-based summits in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, NSW and Western Australia the following week.