Feb 10th 2005

Plenty of excitement and atmosphere with a good crowd for the BBQ breakfast provided by Mackay North Rotary Club at Frendeley Motors. The two Territorys were absolute head turners and would stand out in any crowd with their bold signage. Uppermost on our minds the question of “would the old cars stand up to the trip?” Muriel and the artists left early to start on the first mural at St Lawrence. The rest of the convoy rolled out under police escort a little before nine. A couple of laps around Sarina yielded many more goodbyes and well wishes. Then the heavens opened. Mr T and Mrs A got drenched and wind-whipped as the semi-trailers passed on the highway, so the rest of the convoy closed around them to provide a windbreak. Speeds were surprisingly good, with Mr T and Mrs A reaching 65-70kph on the flat. Mr T and Mrs A’s windows did not seal properly so the drivers arrived at St Lawrence soaked but very happy. Muriel was parked in the Council’s workshop to have the original Council Chambers painted on, which was then dried with Mary’s hairdryer. Pat and Margaret provided a great dinner at St Lawrence Hotel, and entertainers Cassandra and Kim delighted a large crowd of locals. page top

 Feb 11^th

We arrived on schedule at Marlborough’s fascinating historical museum. We practiced arranging our display boards, printed by Mackay’s Stickers and Signs and Sun City Signs. In no time we had a very professional and informative display of what we were doing and why. Local artist Lynette Leigh and Mary painted ‘Pine Mountain’ on Muriel. Next stop for Muriel, Rockhampton Showgrounds. Local artists Jennifer Ewell and Carmen Beasley painted a comment provoking impression of Rockhampton. The cars visited the Rockhampton Heritage Village. The green T is owned by the Village. We received our first big donations from Rockhampton Rotary. On the way to the caravan park, Muriel escaped wedging under a low overhead bridge. We came to a screeching halt (the passengers, not the bus) and had to be guided back through the traffic. Vehicle maintenance – oil change with Bimrose Lubricants and a rebuild of Mr T’s front end using a baked beans tin to cut some shims. Could have sold the Territorys a couple of times today. Huge exposure for Frendeley Ford and all the Ford dealers. Found a Reliance station and topped up all the tanks – not using as much as we thought we would. page top

 Feb 12^th

A ’32 Roadster and other vintage cars and two vintage motorbikes joined the convoy at the Rockhampton Ford send off. Arriving at the ‘School of Arts’ in Mount Morgan we were welcomed by the mayor, Stan Lean. Mount Morgan saw Muriel painted with a landscape of the mine. The convoy proceeded to ‘Gladstone Duckponds’ for the handover to the Gladstone City Council. D.G. John Kerr atended. Artists Dawn Larosa and Amy Gallagher painted the local aluminium smelter along with some turtles. Had dinner with our home hosts. Fitted an electric fan to Mr T as the normal fan belt keeps running off the pulley. Top off the  tanks at Reliance. page top

 Feb 13^th

We left from Reef City Ford at Gladstone. Muriel, the green T and the artists were set up at the Riverside Parklands joined by local artist Carol Plant. What a sight! 45 local vintage cars and 25 vintage motorbikes assembled. The majestic procession rolled into Bundaberg under police escort greeted by a good crowd. An unsuspecting Japanese tourist (Muramatsu Hokuto) was persuaded to paint his local town Kyoto and Mount Fuji. Good to see the Bendigo Bank staff supporting the function. Our group dynamics might be tested tonight. We would all be together in the one big room – one shower and one toilet between fifteen. Need to find the Reliance depot in the morning. page top

 Feb 14th

Snoring demerits issued and then onto a great reception at Childers. A German couple were so impressed that they determined to organise a similar event in Germany. Another sausage sizzle then off to Maryborough to be joined by 15 vintage cars and motorcycles. Albert, Mary and Maria rode in a 1914 Model T experiencing a genuine blow-out. The convoy was announced by the town crier and greeted by “Mary” dressed in period costume. Mick Bianchi had the honour of firing the cannon. The Mayor welcomed us and hosted a civic reception lunch. A painting of the beautiful town hall was done later in the day. We continued to Gympie for a display and dinner at the Gympie Mining Museum. A gaslight parade had been organized. The cars made it through the twists and turns. Muriel baulked and took a wrong turn up a hill notorious for wrecking the back axles of trucks, so did well to scale it. Members of Gympie’s Community Bank committee were keen to meet us and talk with us.  page top

 Feb 15^th

Arrived at Cooroy. Mrs A’s spark plug were breaking down, so into the local auto parts store. “Sorry sir, we don’t carry plugs for a Model A.” But all was not lost as a customer overhearing our plight volunteered, “I’ve got one at home. I can probably find some plugs!” - amazing. In Maroochydore, the convoy set up camp at ‘Cotton Tree Park’, and a beach scene was painted on Muriel. The local paper, Channel 7, ABC radio and Channel 9 interviewed Ralph. Channel 7 gave us excellent coverage over the journey. Good donation from North Ford Nambour. page top

 Feb 16^th

We were received by the mayor at Rotary Park in Redcliffe,. Local artists Tricia Reust and Cheryl Nugent painted a beautiful pelican in full flight. The mayor was very taken with the bus mural. Good support and FPV display vehicles from local Ford dealer. Margate Community Bendigo Bank’s manager helped out all day. We thought we would avoid peak hour traffic coming into Brisbane but by 2.30 it was heavy enough for us to require assistance. Our motorcycle escort was absolutely brilliant, clearing intersections and waving us through red lights to arrive safe and intact at Metro Ford’s $10million showroom. The highlight of the cocktail party was the appearance of Craig Lowndes and Steven Ellory. Craig crank started Mr T first time but declined a test drive. Over $2000 raised. Quick maintenance check then off with our billets. page top

 Feb 17^th

An early start saw us set up in King George Square along with three of Metro Ford’s FPV cars by 7.00am. Mary, Albert and local artists Peggy Osborne and June McCotter painted the Story Bridge and the Castlemaine Perkins Brewery. Lots of interest with people stopping all the time and a group of Chinese tourists wanted to replicate Mr T’s Journey back in China. What have we started? Two police bikes and a car escorted us out of Brisbane. Treated like royalty again. We set up at Nova Ford Caboolture and painted hot air balloons and a dreamtime snake discovering John Nielsen’s latent talent. Another $1000 for A.R.H.R.F.  page top

 Feb 18^th

Proceeded to Kilcoy. Filled up at Reliance – over $600 in one go. Mary painted a ‘yowie’, sailing boats and grapes to represent the winery. Lunch at the Heritage Centre in Yarraman, and Tarong Power Station was added. Local artists Peggy, Graham, Trevor, Sam, Laura and Kelly joined to paint a surreal image of peace and local features while the High School band played in O’Neill Square. Kingaroy Car Club arrived in force along with a very wild T-bucket Hot Rod to set up a display. Trooper worked on the nagging overheating problem in the Model A. A Rock ‘n Roll band belted out some tunes before our home hosts collected us for the night. page top

Feb 19^th

On the way to Queensland Dairy Museum at Murgon, an air line blew on the bus. Roy put out the witches hats, luckily we were on the only overtaking lane. Murray saved the day and we were on our way in under two hours. By this time Houston Ford had dispatched their mechanic from Kingaroy Other mechanics appeared as word spread.  A metal cow was painted and named in honour of Muriel and will be displayed at the Museum. The TV crews were buzzing and there was plenty of media coverage. Ice creams all round at Ban Ban Springs. An escort of four vintage cars and a vintage truck joined the convoy going into Gayndah. The request for a lungfish to be painted was made easier by finding a live lungfish in a tank. New points for the Model A resulted in almost 100% gain in power. Great hospitality from Gayndah Rotary and the Historical Museum - fired up their 100 year old traction engine. page top

 Feb 20^th

We left for Mundubbera detouring to a rural property, where there was a huge collection of vintage vehicles of all kinds, including a unique replica of the world’s first car, and the Queen Mother’s magnificent Crossley (one of only two in the world). Found some steep hills. Al had to reverse up one in Mr T. On arrival, Mary did a magnificent painting of the local Auburn Falls. There was a huge welcome at the town hall. Left for Monto and then Biloela to be given dinner by the local Rotary Club at their historical Museum. They were incredulous that we could make the journey with so few members.  page top

 Feb 21^st

Longest stage of the trip – 320k to Emerald. First stop at Dululu where the local pub fed and revived the team. Fresh fruit was a welcome treat. Arrived at Rotary Park in Emerald to be joined by local artists Gaye Steel and Barbara Ritchie to paint sunflowers, cotton and the Fairbairn Dam. It seems the further inland we travelled the more interest we attracted. People were more aware of Rotary and the cause for which this journey was organised – the promotion of mental health awareness. By the time we got to Emerald we were lapping up the appreciation (and donations). Last chance to top up with fuel until Sarina. page top

Feb 22^nd

Left Reef City Ford after another sausage sizzle and with a big donation from Emerald Sunrise Club. Went to Clermont Museum, fresh fruit specially trucked in from Rockhampton. Painted a piano in a tree representing the 1916 floods, which had wiped out the town. Arrived at Moranbah Civic Centre, joined by 24 students from the local primary school who helped paint the bus, and made their own copies for themselves. The Rotary Club put on dinner and music (P&R Duo). Here we celebrated the Centenary of Rotary. Moranbah was the last overnight stop on this most incredible journey, and we were feeling both elated and sad.page top

 Feb 23^rd

The team was aware that the end was nigh, but we all voted that we would actually prefer to continue round the rest of Australia together. Arrived at Nebo Centenary Park, mad rush to finish painting the bus before arriving home. Painted the Nebo pub and Mount Fort Cooper. Ron Devine painted a bottle tree and Dot did the touching up. Roy had to finish stenciling the names of towns, Gordon painted vines and Mary and John Nielsen painted a dolphin. Everyone signed Muriel as an acknowledgement of great teamwork. Schoolchildren from Nebo came to watch and we had a very fitting celebratory sausage sizzle. Arrived at Sarina half an hour early so we waited on Homebush Road. The whole crew got out of the bus, had a group hug, and proclaimed “we did it”. Did two laps under police escort around town and finally arrived HOME at the Cultural Hall, to be greeted by a crowd of around 200. Sarina Lions and Apex looked after the food and the bar which was a great demonstration of service club solidarity. Lots of speeches, congratulations and group photos. We raised over $10,000 for the cause, promoted Sarina and Mackay like you wouldn’t believe, and didn’t we just have the best time! page top

 Credits & Thanks

We would like to thank Reliance Petroleum, Bendigo Bank, Tradecorp International and Harvey Norman for their generosity, Telstra Country Wide for communications, Woodman’s Mitre Ten for the paint and all other sponsors who made this journey successful. Special thanks go to all of the Rotary Clubs along the way and the various Historical Societies and Museums. All the Ford dealers looked after us. However, Wayne Frew from Frendeley Motors was exceptional providing the two Territorys for the trip. We all wanted to take them home. Their drivers fielded so many enquiries along the way, “Go on tell us, what are they really like?” If you want to know, take one for a drive. It will be very hard to give back. Muriel rejoins the Busfox Mackay fleet as its most colorful member. We had outstanding co-operation and support from Karl and Anna and their team before, during and after the event.

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