Fifty teams and 150 entrants crossed the finish line of the 34th Great Endeavour Rally, dubbed Cairns to the Cape, on Sunday 10 September after a memorable, 10-day driving adventure.
Thanks to our rally family, supporters, volunteers and employees, our 2023 Great Endeavour Rally has raised an astonishing $761,284, smashing the previous record by more than $150,000!
Event Specialist, Nathan Woolhouse, praised those who took part for their extraordinary efforts to support people with disability.
“We’re grateful and humbled by the generosity of those who take part in the Great Endeavour Rally, from the drivers and navigators to our support crew and volunteers, without whom none of it would be possible,” said Nathan.
This is a record-breaking donation that is not only the result of travelling across beautiful far north Queensland but of our rally entrants’ efforts to get their rally cars road-ready and raise funds all year round.
Ipswich couple, Ainsley Barnes and Jamie Livingstone, who make up the rally team DDSR, took the trophy for highest fundraisers, raising an astonishing total of $69,023 on their fourth rally.
“It means a lot to us to be able to help other people,” Ainsley said.
It’s a cause close to our hearts because Jamie’s sister, Heather, works at Wacol social enterprise.
Another employee we support, Matt Creswick, had been on a previous rally as a passenger but dreamed of taking on the rally as a driver.
This year, the rally family made Matt’s dream come true by raising funds for a modified vehicle so he and his co-driver, Peter Lawson were able to take on the rally from the driver’s seat.
“To drive from Cairns and experience all the places on our journey up to Cape York was absolutely amazing. I just love driving,” said Matt.
The views were incredible, from desert to country to rainforest back to desert and country.
It didn’t really hit me until I saw a sign and realised this was the furthest I’d ever been.
Peter added that the rally has been on his bucket list since his Dad attended the event in the 90s.
It has been a dream for a long time to drive in the rally.
Thanks to Matt and the rally family, the modified vehicle enables us to offer more people we support the opportunity to participate in future rallies, both as drivers and passengers.
Matt encourages people with disability to give it a go.
It was an incredible adventure and I recommend anyone with a disability to try and come on the rally, it’s worth the experience whether you drive or not.
Stay tuned for when we announce plans for our 35th Great Endeavour Rally. For now, here are some day-by-day highlights of Cairns to the Cape, in pictures.
Day 0 – Scrutineering and Welcome Dinner in Cairns
Day 1 – Smithfield (start) – Koolburra (end)
Day 2 – Koolburra (start) – Merluna Station (end)
Day 3 – Merluna Station (start) – Bramwell Tourist Park (end)
Day 4 – Bramwell Tourist Park (start) – Loyalty Beach (end)
Day 5 – Layover day at Loyalty Beach (Cape York – the northernmost tip of Australia)
Day 6 – Loyalty Beach (start) – Moreton Telegraph (end)
Day 7 – Moreton Telegraph (start) – Chilli Beach (end)
Day 8 – Chilli Beach (start) – Musgrave Road House (end)
Day 9 – Musgrave Road House (start) – Cape Tribulation (end)
Day 10 – Cape Tribulation (start) – Cairns (finish)
We pay respect to Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands, rivers and seas on which we live, work and drive. We also pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Australians today.
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