Just 4 Kids Motortrail 2007

Information about the Just 4 Kids Motortrail 2007

THE 2007 JUST4KIDS MOTOR TRAIL

BRISBANE - TOWNSVILLE

The 2007 Just4Kids Great Aussie Motor Trail is over for this year. What a fantastic trip it was.

From the “meet and greet” on Friday night at Nestle Inn in Brisbane to the final night gala dinner at Mercure in Townsville, it was fun and friendship all the way.

The weather was perfect and set the scene for 9 days of excitement and adventure in the outback that will be hard for us to beat next year – but we will certainly try!

I think the survey team did a really good job for their first attempt and everyone seemed happy with the route and the amount of dirt tracks we managed to find. Probably not enough mud for some of you but by the looks of the cars at the finish it should have satisfied even the greediest dirt mongers.

The accommodation, food venues and functions were fantastic and Shirley must be congratulated for all her hard work and effort. I am quite sure no one went hungry. I know here on the Coast, there were several people on diets in the weeks following the event.

Our intrepid film maker, Mark, should receive special thanks as he was certainly multi tasked on this trip. We normally let him wander off and do his “own thing” but this time he had added responsibilities which took him out of his comfort zone and he came up trumps.

Also thanks to Telford for being Mr Money Bags for Murray. No mean feat keeping an eye on Murray. Harry and Ingrid as Sweep were their usual terrific selves, keeping everybody guessing as to the hats, fun stops, princess award and any other crazy thing they could think of.

Shirl and Bill did a great job as Scout and didn’t get us lost once (even when instructions were missing – sorry!!).

Pete and Kevin had us all talking loud and clear and fortunately were not needed for any medical emergencies – not even a band aid.

Les and Vicky Calvert made such great stand in officials that they have probably won themselves that role for next year – see guys, you should never be too good at anything.

Thanks also to Linda who never stopped photographing – everyone, everything and anything. All Linda’s photos are available on this website.

Thank you to all our sponsors. What an amazing ride it has been from the first day that Murray, Mark and Kerin set out into Brisbane CBD and in 2 days were involved in at least a dozen interviews with prospective sponsors.

We were welcomed with open hearts from Luke at TJM, Simon from Toyota Corp, Nyssa at WIN Maroochydore, Bill from 4x4 Megastore, Des at 4BC, Tim from Grace Records Management and, of course, our own wonderful Rob from California Pools.

Then up to Townsville where we received the same warm welcome from Marco at WIN Townsville; David, Kathy and Bec at 4TO; Ruth, Marg and Peter at Mercure, and Darren from James Technologies.

The whole Cowboy connection could never have happened without the support we received from Stacey Bancks - without her we would never have had the pleasure of Shane Tronc’s company on the trail.

Stuart Gibson from NQSF has supported us from the beginning and we thank him for doing the BHP Billiton Bursary Awards in Hughenden and introducing us to the Sporting Wheelies.

We would like to thank Fern Duffie from Townsville Enterprise who gave up her own time to help out – free bus ride to the Cowboys Game and Magnetic Island Ferry on Hermit Park Bus Service, organised the Magnetic Island Mokes and registrations and looked after our people over on the Island for us, and still managed to have a great time at the Drive In and at the gala dinner in Townsville. Fern will be with us again next year and hopefully coming on the motor trail in August 2008.

A special thank you also to Peter at Engel for the fridge, which we sold at silent auction. Also to Susan and Geoff Phillips in Charters Towers and Craig Tunley in Hughenden. Both these functions were made that much better for their close involvement.

Leroy Loggins was worth his weight in gold – he was loved by everyone – the kids, the mums and, of course, by all of us. Thanks Leroy and please come back next year.

We would have managed to lug all that gear without Laurie and Paul Griffin – you might need a bigger Grace van next year guys.

And to our wonderful Entrants - the whole Event could not take place without you and your support. The amount in excess of $100,000 is testament to that. We hope you all had a wonderful time and will be back next year to do it all again. Please let your friends, colleagues, and families know what a great time you had and bring them along with you next time.

We will keep you informed of any fundraising events throughout the year and would encourage you all to do your own fundraising over the next 10 months to help the youth of Queensland.

The following donations were made whilst on the Trail :-

	Springsure Swimming Club – fees and equipment for autistic boy, Dougie Warner
	Arcadia Valley State School – basketball equipment (stand, ring, etc.)
	Pentland Youth Support Group – Ray Hankin
	Cameron Downs State School – Sunshine Coast Surf Camp for 9 children
	Hughenden – proceeds of function at Hughenden Showground went to the Special Education Unit
	Townsville Sporting Wheelies
	Toyota North Qld Cowboys Community Fund
	Central State School Special Education Unit, Charters Towers
	Charters Towers High School Special Education Unit, Charters Towers
	Muttaburra State School – tshirts for children’s special trip

Since returning from the August 2007 Just4Kids Motor Trail, Just4Kids has been supporting three children and their families through the ABAQ Programme.

This programme was devised in America to help the development of autistic children. J4K has obtained a grant to fund the study of Autism, and to look into ways of developing this programme further.

The 2008 brochure will be out soon and the Newsletters will be produced monthly leading up to the next Event in August 2008. Please visit our website www.just4kidsmotortrail.com.au for all up to date information.