A group of tractor enthusiasts based at Yarrawonga, known as Riverina Trekkers Inc. will be holding their annual ‘Two Rivers Run’ through sections of the Murray and Goulburn valleys.
This year, a convoy of more than 40 old machines will set out from Yarrawonga on Sunday, March 15.
The long parade of prized possessions will make its first overnight stop at Goorambat Football Club, before stopping at Murchison Football Club (Monday, March 16), Colbinabbin Football Club (Tuesday, March 17), Wakiti Creek Resort at Echuca (Wednesday, March 18), Wunghnu Recreation Reserve (Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20), before finishing at home at Yarrawonga Showgrounds on Saturday, March 21.
Tractor drivers from all across NSW and Victoria, including Hunter Valley, Wagga, Urana, Lockhart, Jerilderie, Yarrawonga and central Victoria, will lead the convoy, which will be hard to miss.
Event co-ordinator Robyn Cole, from Wagga, said some tractors would tow a caravan or a trailer containing tents and swags.
Each day’s chug-along is expected to end about 4pm once the destination has been reached.
At Colbinabbin, club training for both footy and netball will be followed by a public fundraising auction.
The town has been included as several locals are old Assumption College school friends of former Australian of the Year Neale Daniher, whose long journey through MND has been well documented.
Jim Morgan, formerly of Colbinabbin and now of Moama, is one of Neale’s mates.
“We all want to assist our old friend, who we call ‘the Reverend’,’’ he said.
‘’He is not able to participate in the tractor run but he is thrilled with what is planned to help the cause.’’
Funds raised through the rally will be donated to the MND Disease Research Institute of Australia and to the Daniher charity known as Fight MND.
Neale was diagnosed with MND in 2013. His 13-year campaign to raise public awareness and research funding has only been possible as his form of the crippling illness has progressed very slowly.
In most cases a diagnosis allows only between two and three years of struggle.
The long journey’s end at Yarrawonga will include an auction of goods and services in the table tennis pavilion at the showgrounds.
Offers of support and further inquiries to Robyn Cole on 0427 246 439 or Jim Morgan on 0417 571 967.
– Alan McLean
11°C