This being the first entry in our travel tales it is hard to know where to begin. We have come so far but still have such a lot to organise before we saddle up.
In the last couple of years it feels like we have covered more territory than the early explorers attending meetings etc promoting our ride and trying to secure sponsorship. We thought the ride was going to be the hard bit, but it is becoming more and more obvious the enormous logistics that have to be considered before undertaking an event of this magnitude.
The idea for the trek has snowballed us into articles in local and regional papers and media; outback publications across the nation; Aussie Post magazine; this months edition of Australian Horseman; an interview with Outback magazine; and talk back on ABC radio around Australia. It has also moved as far as country singing sensation Lee Kernaghan who will be donating his time to do a live outdoor concert for us towards the end of the rides completion. Lee’s Grandparents were great mates with my own, so it is fantastic to have him involved.
As I take a few minutes to sit down and write this, it is becoming easier to reflect on our journey so far. There have been highs and lows already. Some of the ‘highs’ is the mateship that is developing within the crew. Firstly there was an idea, then there was Ian and myself doing the hard yards in the early days, and now we are a full crew of 12 who have spent every second Friday and countless days together through the past 6 months.
The earlier part of planning in the initial 18 months or so would involve a phone to Ian (or from him to me) saying something like “we better do a bit of work on the ride tonight hey ?” and we both knew that anything we did after 5pm involved at least one beer, and usually several! So it was good that Ian is a good note taker, ‘cause a lot of terrific brainstorms could have been lost on those nights!
Other highs include the amazing support of our sponsors and supporters. Being in business myself I can understand the ever-increasing pressure to support the growing number of charities. I can fully understand how hard it is for businesses and people to give their support, which is why our sponsors and helpers are so special and why we are so grateful.
Together with highs I must mention at least one of the lows. We lost Luke Childs in a car accident just recently. Luke was a good mate with a heart of gold, and an ambassador for Campfires Against Cancer. It wasn’t too long ago that I was introduced to Luke through another mate, Dave Guerin, at Thursday night drinks at the pub, but he was one of those blokes who was so easy to have a yarn with, you’d feel like you have known him forever. The funny thing was we both ride (rode) track work on the same track and never met that way – I’d like to think it was because our race horses were so fast that we didn’t have a chance to say g’day, but that probably wouldn’t be truthful. He was only 25 when he died on the 19th August 2001, but he sure did cram a lot of living in those few years. Thanks Luke.
In a little over 2 weeks, thanks to Bear, (Yola) we will be holding our first charity auction night in Tooma at the Tooma Hotel. Bear has basically organised the whole thing and items include – a beach holiday, a scenic joy flight over the Upper Murray, a brumby weanling, various other services and products from local businesses.
It should be a great night and a good chance for all of the support crew, Ian and myself to have a social outing together. You are all welcome to be at the Tooma Hotel, Friday 26th October 2001. I’m sure we will all probably give the bottle a little nudge that night, so stay tuned for the photos!
We are still searching sponsorship for our fuel and food costs if anybody knows anyone who may be interested. (Just thought I’d slip that in !!) In the middle of me writing this, I have now learnt that ‘An Australian Story’ wishes to join us on the ride with a film crew to do a documentary of the trip. I’m sure our sponsors will be happy about that !! That’s about it for this time around. We will try and update the travel tales page a couple of times per month, and then weekly closer to our departure.
Best Wishes,
Dan Phegan