Fjord Terrothree

It all started when my friend Dave Catling invited me to join him in participating in the Frazer Coast Rally for a Cause Charity. To make it more interesting, Dave bought a Ford Territory for just $500, which became our “dunga

car” for the rally! During our team meeting, we came up with a Viking theme and named the car “Fjord terrothree.”

I took the initiative to create our logo, and Craig Baldwin, who runs TLA Photography, joined us as our third team

member. To raise money for the charity, we sold advertising spots on the Fjord terrothree and also organized money draws. We were incredibly fortunate to have the support of many businesses and generous individuals who contributed to our cause.

The event itself was quite an adventure. It began at the Harvey Bay RSL at 6 am on Thursday morning and concluded back in Harvey Bay at 3:30 pm on Sunday afternoon. As we left the RSL car park, we were given directions for the morning. Along the way, we encountered questions about landmarks and other information about the areas we traveled through. We even had a “Where’s Wally?” game to keep things fun. The Dunga Derby police set up roadblocks with games and fines to keep the fundraising spirit alive.

On the third day, we faced a mechanical issue with the tail shaft’s center bearing. This setback put us on a till tray

and forced us to switch to a spare car. Thankfully, Dave went above and beyond to find a replacement tail shaft with the help of Hi-Way Wreckers in Bundaberg. Craig and Scott, two of Dave’s friends, made a 5-hour round trip

to deliver it to us. They briefly joined us for a drink before heading back home. The amazing mechanics from “The

Grease Monkeys “ swiftly replaced the tail shaft in under 10 minutes. They were true legends for getting us back

on track so quickly. The entire experience was incredibly humbling. The charity we supported has helped over 250

families who are facing life-limiting illnesses or have been affected by tragic circumstances beyond their control.

This year’s Dunga Derby was the 9th edition, and it proved to be a record-breaking year in terms of funds raised.

In just over 6 months, our Dunga Derby teams managed to raise over $560,000 through their fundraising efforts.

But the fundraising didn’t stop there. Along our journey, we also raised funds for some special families. At Duaringa School, we met a family who had tragically lost their husband and father. The teams came together and

raised over $5000 to support this family during their difficult time. The school was thrilled to have us visit, and we donated a Ute tray filled with toys, books, sensory equipment, sports equipment, and more. This small country

school will undoubtedly benefit greatly from this generous gesture.

During our final night near Monto, we had the pleasure of meeting an incredible young lady named Bella. She had

suffered serious injuries in a horse riding accident, and despite recovering from most of them, she unfortunately

lost total vision in one of her eyes. Bella’s love for horses and Campdraft kept her going despite the challenges.Bella has had countless trips to specialists and surgeons in Brisbane, requiring numerous Angel Flight rides. When the total fundraising amount for the night was announced, Bella selflessly declared that the entire $10,500

would go to Angel Flight, so that more patients like her could receive the support they need. She addressed our group with confidence, compassion, and a whole lot of heart.

As for the Fjord terrothree, we have plans to make it even better before Christmas. Once registration opens up, we

intend to continue our fundraising efforts.

Overall, this was an amazing experience filled with the true spirit of Australian camaraderie!

Photo credits

• Middle sister photography
• TLA Photography
• Dunga derby by rally for a cause

Socials | Facebook: Fjord Terrorthree - Dunga Derby | Dunga Derby by Rally for a Cause

👉  This story excerpt is from Issue #17 of Kickin Up Dust magazine: September 2023