Tail end charlie Our Travels:Day 39 Bairnsdale to Clayton

Another early interview for Ron and we were met at Sale this morning by locals Vic Allan and Keith Askew. These two gentlemen each own a US 1942 Willys Jeep, which are in immaculate condition and wonderful working order. Vic and Kevin met us on the outskirts of Sale, much to the delight of our crew and passing motorists. They then escorted us through the centre of Sale and waved us on our way. Many thanks to Vic and Kevin for making the time to meet us.

In Trafalgar we enjoyed a morning tea supplied by the local Lions Club, which had been organised by John Carey. Unfortunately he was at a meeting and therefore we were unable to meet with him. Sincere thanks to all community members who came to meet us.

Excitement is mounting within our close knit group that we are all so close now to completing the re-enactment in the time set down. This is our last full day together, after which we all go our separate ways back to our homes.

A wonderful reception welcomed us at Clayton South at the Allight premises. Allight Pty Ltd are distributors of the famous Perkins Engines. and have been a major sponsor of our event. Their Perkins 441 engine performed brilliantly throughout our re-enactment.

Also greeting us was the bubbly and enthusiastic Jo Fairbairn who represents the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. Jo presented a beautiful cup to Ron and the team on behalf of the Prostate organisation and advised everyone how delighted they are that this awareness and fundraising event has attracted more publicity than any other event they have staged. Evidently our event was only upstaged on three days by the auctioning of Edna Everadge's husband's prostate!

Ron was delighted and surprised to meet up with Allan Hawker, the navigator in the Custom Ford which accompanied 'Tail End Charlie' in the1957 rally. This reunion was a very special part of the celebrations. Ron also was able to thank the wonderful effort of all our team - Dick and Barbara Garnett from Gnowangerup WA, Allan and Carolyn Faulkner from Ongerup WA, Cedar Armstrong from Albany WA, Kim Whitfield from Wooroloo WA George Baldwin from Smoky Bay SA and Darryl Wait from Streaky Bay SA and for part of the journey, Jeff and Wendy Fordham from Badgingarra WA.

The men of the team enjoyed a tour of the Allight factory warehouse while the three ladies enjoyed a photoshoot (and a lot of fun) with the local press in their Prostate shirts and caps, and with Steel Blue Purple Boots on show.

Thanks to Kellie from Allight for her enthusiasm and for organising the BBQ which was enjoyed by all our team.

The team enjoyed a farewell dinner at Mornington, an opportunity to reminisce and talk about their homeward trip plans.

So here we are at the conclusion of our re-enactment of the part played by 'Tail End Charlie' in the Mobilgas 1957 Round Australia Rally. The support of all our wonderful sponsors and of the many people who have donated or purchased merchandise and had a chat with us, has been absolutely fantastic and awesome. We have met so many people whose families have been touched by breast or prostate cancer and it was these everyday people who spurred us all on to complete the task we set out to achieve.

Our fundraising efforts are still ongoing, however the total will be in excess of $20,000 and the final amount will be advised as quickly as possible. The Breast Cancer Foundation of WA and the Prostate Foundation of Australia will share equally in the distribution of these funds. All of our crew have self-funded their own expenses for the total trip and the amount distributed to the cancer foundations will represent 100% of the donations received.

All over? Not really - although the Melbourne to Melbourne has been completed in the 38 day period, the tractor is now continuing it's journey on to Gnowangerup where it will enjoy a well earned rest.

To Ron and Kerry - your team thank you sincerely for giving us all the opportunity to take part in this event - we are so pleased we did as we have met so many truly wonderful people. Bless you both - we thank you for the enormous amount of work you have both put into this trip and we hope that once you return home your lives will return to normal once again.

Our team also thank their family and friends for their wonderful support.

Your scribe - Carolyn Faulkner.

Vic Allen with his 1942 Willys jeep at Sale

Allan Hawker with Ron at Allight, Clayton

Carolyn with Kellie from Allight

Dick with the world's largest underpants

Jo Fairbairn Presents Cup to Ron

Kerry, Carolyn and Barbara share a joke.

Ron & Jo with Jeff Sutcliffe from Allight PTY LTD