Anyone around the streets on Sunday or Monday could not have failed to notice the number of colourful, accessory laden vehicles driving around Wilcannia and White Cliffs. Seventy non-4 wheel drive cars, which had to cost less than $1,500 to purchase or prepare.
Ten teams of cars, each carrying 1 adult and 1 child, started off in Hay on the 27th September, looped up to Cobar, then onto Wilcannia via the Tongo Road, up to White Cliffs on the Wanaaring Road, back to Wilcannia on the bitumen, then down through Sunset Strip to Pooncarie, to finish back in Hay on the 1st October.
Local club cars on display at White Cliffs. Photos: Wilcannia News
The kid friendly rally raises funds for the Cancer Council, and draws competitors from all states. Beginning 15 years ago the rallies have raised over $49 million. Along with cancer research the Cancer Council also operates home-away-from-home accommodation in the larger cities, for patients requiring cancer treatments.
There are many Wilcannia and Broken Hill residents who have had their treatment process made easier and less fraught through the Adelaide accommodation program which also caters for those from the Northern Territory.
Lunchbox Rally team members and cars at Wilcannia. Photos: Wilcannia News
This article appeared in Wilcannia News, October 2024.