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Note: This journey has been completed, you can see how it went here.

MR T’S INCREDIBLE JOURNEY, in prospect:

“They’ll call me MISTER T when we’ve finished!” is the confident claim from 79 year old T Model Ford, Mr. T. T is (2004/2005) being expertly restored at Al Hourigan Panelbeating in Sarina in preparation for an Incredible Journey of 2500 km. “I’m excited that Rotary is having its 100th birthday in 2005 and that I’m invited to the party along with you and all my friends.”

T revealed that his owner Al Hourigan, President of Sarina Rotary Club was Planning an Incredible Journey to celebrate Rotary’s 100 years and to raise funds for ADHD and Asperges Syndrome.

It will be a two week long party stretching from Mackay to Brisbane and back. “We’ll have a huge send-off from Friendly Motors Mackay on the 10th February 2005.” “Rotary Clubs along the way will host parties and arrange local functions. We hope to raise over $100,000.”

“It will take us a week to get to Brisbane and then we’re coming back on the inland road to make it back to Sarina by 23rd February – Rotary’s 100th birthday. We are planning a Mega Party at the Sarina Showgrounds that Saturday 25th Feb.”

“We aim to meet as many people as possible and ask them to help Celebrate Rotary. It’ll be even better if they can afford to help the Australian Rotary Health Research fund. We know that with the money going there into PhD research scholarships, it will be well spent and benefit all Australians.”

T said that many of his friends wanted to come along for the drive “There’s a couple of Model As and another Model T busting to make the trip. Not only them, but there is a big Volvo bus coming along too.” The bus provided by BusFox Sarina will be a support vehicle but will also be turned into a giant mural along the way. “Kids from the local schools will help to complete a mural depicting Mr T’s Incredible Journey interwoven with theme of 100 years celebration of Rotary.”

Local identity, Tony Zarb of Tradecorp International, was the first major sponsor to pledge financial support, “We’re very keen to help our local Rotary Club in such an important event. We like to help out wherever we can.”

THE CAUSE:

The two elements – Celebrating the Centenary of Rotary and raising funds for Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (A.R.H.R.F.) tie together beautifully. This adventure offers unlimited possibilities for local clubs to capitalise on an unusual, newsworthy event which will provide a focus for
• Having some fun while
• Celebrating Rotary’s Centenary (23.02.05)
• Raising funds for A.R.H.R.F.
• Connecting with their community – tell them R.I.’s story and your own Club’s story
• Attract potential members

OUR VISION: MR T’s Big Journey

We will be “Lending a Hand to Celebrate Rotary” and:
• We will make the trip rain, hail or shine.
• We know that we will have our hands full keeping the cars on the road and making our various destinations on time. We need Rotary Clubs, Ford Dealers, Vintage Car Clubs Parents and Citizens Associations, Schools and other groups in each town along the way to lend a hand by organising functions or festivities at which we can appear and provide a unique and exciting focus. An opportunity like this will be unrepeatable.
• Money raised will go to A.R.H.R.F. and all participating groups will share the credit for funds raised and receive official acknowledgment. Our goal with your help is to raise $101 000.00 or more to fund PHD Research Scholarships that will investigate mental health and well-being issues. One of the areas of interest we will suggest as worthy of consideration for research is that of ADD, ADHD and Asperges Syndrome. Identification, treatment and support of those affected by these conditions are poorly understood. Due to the nature of the symptoms of these conditions the families, classmates, teachers and others in the community struggle to cope in assisting those affected maintain a quality of life for them and those around them.
• We will create an incredible network of contacts through the incredible fellowship generated from “service above self”. This network will live on if we all want it to. It will be able to be used for other purposes as people see fit.
• We will seek to involve major and minor corporate sponsors to provide publicity, donations in kind and cash to support the venture,
• From this, we should be able to offer support packages to groups along the way to assist with creating fundraising events. This support may take the form of guaranteed publicity for events, entertainment, supply of donated food and beverages, products for raffles etc.


THE PLAN:

We will depart from Mackay approx 2 weeks before the Centenary. We will break the run into stops calculated on:
• Distances able to be covered in a day at average of 35km/hr
• Who wants us where ie., we will need to negotiate with clubs and groups of clubs along the way that wish to support us.
• The Safari will take the coast road to Brisbane and an inland route on the return leg. See the “ITINERARY” for more information about places, dates and times.
• We will be available for school visits and appearances at functions.
• Our plans will continue to evolve as more and more organisations come on board. We will commit to keeping them regularly informed. The shape of events will become clearer as we receive replies from sponsors and those organisations willing to host functions. We hope to have firm outlines available by the end of August

We will return to Sarina in time for a major public celebration to commemorate the Centenary on 23.02.05. This will be our major fundraising event for Rotary Club of Sarina.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Individuals, clubs, organisations, businesses and companies can all assist by
• Becoming part of the organising team • Helping with publicity
• Organising a fund raising event as part of the itinerary
• Sponsorship by either donations in cash, kind or services or a combination of those
• Bringing in other people or groups to help support fundraising events.

If you would like to know more, contact us. If you think you can help out in some way then certainly do not delay in letting us know. We need to be able to communicate basic outlines by the end of August.


Yours faithfully,

Ralph Johnson
Treasurer, Community Service Director
Rotary Club of Sarina Inc.