3rd time lucky

They say the third time’s the charm…so we’re putting it to the test.

In Autumn, 2027, we’ll be setting off from Port Augusta, bound for Townsville, HOPEFULLY in Melman, a 1999 Toyota Camry who we plan on adopting from Leah’s colleague, Tilly in September. Like any good Shitbox, Melman’s best days might be behind him, but we’re hoping he’s got one last great adventure left in him: getting us from Melbourne to the start line, across thousands of kilometres of outback Australia, to the finish line… and, with a bit of luck (and an unreasonable amount of cable ties), all the way.

For Dave, this will be his third Shitbox Rally. His first two adventures were unforgettable for all the right reasons… and a few of the wrong ones. So this year we’ve decided to embrace it with our team name, “3rd Time Lucky”.

We’re taking on this adventure for reasons that are deeply personal to both of us.

Dave first entered the Rally in 2024 in memory of his mum, Leanne, and his auntie who faced their battles with cancer with incredible courage. Coming back each year is his way of honouring them whilst raising money to help other families facing the same battle.

For Leah, the reason is different- cancer was part of her story as a teenager, but thanks to research, treatment and the people who dedicated their lives to helping young cancer survivors like her, she got the chance to grow up and live a wonderfully ordinary life.

That’s what this Rally is really about; every dollar raised helps fund research, support services and programs that give more people the opportunity to reach those ordinary milestones we so often take for granted; finishing school, building a career, buying a home, finding your person, growing older, and even making questionable life choices like driving a 27-year-old Camry named after an animated giraffe across the Australian outback.

Shitbox Rally is the largest community-led fundraiser for Cancer Council Australia, and every team commits to raising at least $5,000 before they can even turn the key. We’d love to smash that target, and with your help we can.

Whether you donate $5 or $500, sponsor Melman (and get your company logo sticker stuck on him), or simply cheer us on from home, you’ll be helping fund research and support that changes lives.

We’ll do our best to keep Melman running, our relationship intact, and our combined AuDHD pointed in roughly the same direction. The biggest challenge probably won’t be the outback roads, it’ll be convincing Dave that every interesting rock or quartz outcrop doesn’t warrant an unscheduled geological investigation. No promises though!

Thanks for coming along for the ride. We can’t wait to share the adventure with you.