Team Members

• Kerry McLeish - Herron Todd White, Toowoomba
• Karen Dixon - Herron Todd White, Mooloolaba
• Elisabeth Ranson - Herron Todd White Australia

We are back from our 3^rd year of rallying, really dusty, really tired but definitely uplifted. There was an enormous sense of accomplishment, pride and satisfaction when a cheque for over $400,000 was handed over to the Endeavour Foundation, the result of much hard work and fundraising by over 380 people.

This was perhaps our most exciting journey. The roads and conditions were extremely harsh but we saw some amazing sights and some truly beautiful country.

We began our journey in Mackay. We lined up at the Endeavour Workshop for our final inspection and registration. With much anticipation we gathered up our navigation manual and prepared the car for the rough roads ahead.

DAY 1

The first day took us 600 klms to Mingela. There was little more than a pub at Mingela and our cars and tents lined the street as we bedded down for our first night. We enjoyed a belly warming baked dinner and then sat down to watch the mighty Blues win the final State of Origin game on a big screen that was set up behind the pub. The course today had been really rugged in parts and some cars were still limping in at 11pm.

Starting off in Mackay

The first hurdle for many teams

Elisabeth "roughing it" with a hairdryer at Oak Park

Just a little bit of dust...

DAY 2

We were packing up our tent by 6am as the first car was due to leave at 7am. We were headed for Oak Park at the end of a 475 klm journey. Oak Park is a fantastic bush race course in the middle of nowhere that attracts thousands of people to its annual race meeting. We travelled over some roads today that were little more than goat tracks and crossed the Burdekin River before reaching the race course and pitching our tent for the night. There was a fabulous bar set up and the locals put on a hearty meal for us. There was a stage and dance floor set up and a Country and Western singer belting out tunes late into the night. I have no idea what time it was but the karaoke kicked in and the stars began to rise.

DAY 3

Today we were headed for Chillagoe and 460 klms closer to the Peninsula. The roads are getting dustier and harder to drive. There were plenty of tourists on the roads with us so you really had to have your wits about you. We travelled a couple of wide, sandy river crossings as well as some rugged, challenging tracks. We arrived at the rodeo grounds at Chillagoe and pitched our tent for the 3^rd night in a row. So far the nights had been pretty cold, around minus 1, so we were pretty keen to get closer to the coast and further north where the weather was warmer. We had a 745 klm trip tomorrow so we needed an early night.

DAY 4

6am starts are really tough but we could only think about the motel room and the hot shower that was waiting ahead at Weipa. The roads were wide but corrugated and made up of thick bull dust. This makes for seriously dangerous conditions when you add huge road trains, hundreds of caravanning tourists and 130 odd rally vehicles to the mix. We had a few more squeaks in the car by the time we reached our motel. We arrived in enough time to see the sun set on the Gulf of Carpentaria. It was more than spectacular. Our resort was right on the water and a huge deck overlooked the Gulf. It felt sooooooooooo good to have the dust washed away and have a nice cool drink while taking in the inspiring views. Everyone had a gigantic day so needless to say they were out to de-stress and have a bit of fun. The bar had closed and only a hand full of people remained on the deck when they spied the "Little Tikes" cubby house next to the door and I'm not sure who came up with the idea but we decided to see how many people would fit into it. Believe it or not, the record was 10. Not sure if that qualifies for the Guinness Book.

DAY 5

"The Tip", here we come. Only 399 klms to go. We packed up our bags and headed for the car park. Someone last night had really had some fun. I don't know how many rolls of Glad Wrap it took but one of the 4 x 4s was completely wrapped with a return address to Endeavour Toowoomba on the bonnet. We all had a good laugh. We needed it because we had another day of dust and corrugated roads to contend with. After the ferry crossing at the Jardine River we will be in "dry" country. There are extremely tight laws on how much alcohol can be taken into "dry" areas with enormous fines of $37,000 for anyone caught breaching the limits. We made sure we complied and drove onto the barge that would take us across the crocodile infested Jardine. We got to camp, at Seisia, well before dark but had to hurry to make camp so we could make the last 40klm drive to the Tip. The roads were very rough and narrow with next to no sign posting. The tip was a short walk over a rocky hill and we were elated to reach it. We lined up for photos under the sign post and celebrated our success with other rally goers by having a "bonnet" party on the little beach as the sun was setting over the Cape. Experiences like these are priceless.

Kerry & Karen enjoying a sunrise at Weipa

We made it to the Tip!

Hard to believe 10 grown adults could fit in there

Tropical Luau night

Crossing the Jardine River

DAY 6

After our success conquering the Cape, we had a lay day in Seisia. We booked our spots on the ferry to Thursday Island and set off to see the sights. Thursday Island is a lovely, tropical place. We took a little bus tour then headed to the most northern pub in Australia for a cold beer. After a tasty seafood lunch overlooking the ocean, we headed off to the souvenir shop and another quick beer before our ferry was due to leave. It's amazing how clear, blue and inviting the water looks. It's unfortunate its full of crocs and sharks.

We had our first theme night tonight so when we got back to camp we donned our sarongs and headed to the local fishing club for a tropical luau. The music was good and the locals entertained us with traditional dancing of the Torres Strait.

DAY 7

We were sad to leave the Tip and head south as we knew we were on our way back. We had to cover 450 klms today to reach our destination, Coen. The local school was home for the night. By now a few of the cars were a little worse for wear. Dust and corrugations made Car 97 a casualty with its entire front end pushed in. Technically it was a "write off". She was towed into camp and greeted by a host of car enthusiasts. After a closer inspection, one of the other drivers said "I think we can fix that". They all agreed it was possible and parts and tool boxes began to appear from all over. They pulled an "all nighter" but it was all worthwhile when the cheer went up as Car 97 drove up the road and lined up in starting position the next morning.

DAY 8

388 klms and Coen to Cooktown. Today was "Undies 500" day. There were plenty of boxer shorts on display and we were right in there with our Australian flag boxers. After all, we are "Aussie Maids". The dress code at the Cooktown RSL is not that tight because we were all allowed in.

We had a motel room again tonight and a relaxing moment by the pool was a welcome reward after a hard day's drive. Not too much time to rest though as we had to get dressed for the Toga party. We donned our hot pink sheets and curtain ties and headed for the RSL. There was a delicious baked dinner waiting and a few ralliers helped out behind the bar when the lines got too big. Only 2 sleeps left until the finish line.

DAY 9

Another long day ahead. We have 711klms until we reach Ewan. It's our final night camping and we are pretty happy about that. After 5 straight days in the dust we will have some relief on bitumen for a few hours today. We went through some picturesque country on the Atherton Tablelands and some rugged hills behind Herberton before reaching our camp at Ewan Race Course. We were all pretty tired by now and we pitched our tent as the sun went down. The showers were pretty basic but hot so we washed off the dirt and headed over for dinner. Things were a little quieter that night. The 22^nd Endeavour Rally was drawing to an end.

Proud "Aussie Maids"

All dressed up for the Toga Party

Heading down the range to Townsville and the finish line

The culmination of a lot of hard work and effort

DAY 10

Our final day had arrived. Only 160 klms to Townsville and the finish line. We reluctantly packed up our car for the last time and headed off, in fundraising order, to the Endeavour Business Centre in Townsville. It's a rewarding experience visiting these workshops and the clients proudly dish up morning tea and take us on guided tours.

We proudly paraded down the Strand and the first car crossed the finish line at around 12 noon. There were media cameras and plenty of loved ones there to greet us. We had great support from our Herron Todd White office in Townsville. We shook each other's hands and patted each other on the back for a job well done. We made a quick trip back to our hotel room to clean up for the final presentation dinner.

The celebrations began at around 4.30pm. It was surprising how well we all scrubbed up once the dust was gone. As it turned out, this was our most successful year. We scooped the pools. We won the Women's Division. We won the 4 x 4 Division (post 1985 vehicles). We won the Encouragement Award and a trophy for 6^th highest fund raisers. No less than 4 trophies.

This was the culmination of a year's hard work and effort. We raised $21,000 for Endeavour and challenged ourselves beyond our comfort zone. We owe a debt of gratitude to all our sponsors for their support and donations. It is so fulfilling to be able to help Endeavour in some small way. This is our real reward. The experiences of looking up into a clear star filled sky, standing on the very tip of Cape York and cocktails at sunset on the Gulf of Carpentaria are an added bonus.

Many cars will return again next year and many new comers will join the fold but rest assured if you ever take part in an Endeavour Rally you will keep that experience in your heart forever.

Platinum

• Herron Todd White
• Westpac
• Tegatech Australia
• McDonald Printing Group

Gold

• Power Tynan, Accountants 
• Creating Leaders
• ICT Partners
• VPN Solutions
• Keytech Australia
• Westpac Agribusiness
• PI Direct
• Basline Training & Consulting

Silver

• Ray White Commercial (Toowoomba)
• Browns Bookstore
• Sowerbys Towing & Smash Repair
• Jigsaw Training Academy
• Toshiba Australia
• Plumbers Today
• Downs Microsystems
• Hutchinson Builders
• New Hope Coal Australia
• Struxi

Bronze

• Customvac
• Macquarie Consulting