The Endeavour Foundation’s Nathan Woolhouse said some of the older vehicles were suffering a few signal light problems through dust infiltration and bogging hadn’t been a big issue this run, but the cool mornings were getting everyone off to a great start each day.

“They’ve been waking up well,” he said.

Just over 50 cars and more than 135 people are involved in this year’s rally, providing a challenge to the staff at the Wallangarra Railway Cafe for Saturday night’s dinner. Nathan said though that the meal was fantastic and people raved about it.

Camping conditions were ‘fresh’, perhaps encouraging participants from warmer climes such as Townsville to don another layer or two. The rally kicked off from the Gold Coast on June 15, to reach Yamba on June 23.

It is again being accompanied by seven Australian Army vehicles – courtesy of the 7CCSB (7th Combat Service Support Battalion) – providing mechanical aid. Based at Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera, Queensland, the 7CSSB has been a generous supporter of the Great Endeavour Rally, donating  support services each year since 2014 offering welders, electricians, mechanics, and more to assist any teams in need.

Nathan said there’s also been a fair bit of ‘bush mechanics’ going on, and it’s amazing how you can rustle up three carburetors in the back of nowhere.

The rally often stops in at schools (the first one on this trip was a school of 25 students) but logistically the Wallangarra Railway Station made a great stopover on this timetable.

“It worked out well,” Nathan said.

The rally includes the Canetoad Cruisers who last year raised the most for the cause, at more than $50,000. Their record is under threat from Team Classic who has already accumulated $47,000.

Nathan said the goal for this year is a total of $330,000 and they should come close. The money will go towards good virtual technology equipment so that Endeavour clients can learn in a safe environment before those skills are transferred to the real world.