AUTUMN SHITBOX RALLY 2027
They’re incredibly excited… and probably a little crazy… to announce Samantha & Dave are taking on the Autumn Shitbox Rally 2027 as Team:… “Panic! At the Servo!”
They’ll be jumping into their ‘cheap as peanuts’ Shitbox and travelling from Port Augusta to Townsville over 7 days, taking on dirt roads, back roads, dodgy shortcuts and whatever the Australian outback decides to throw at them.
But this adventure is about so much more than driving an old car across Australia.
THE WHY
This rally is being dedicated to Matthew Schramm. Sam’s beloved husband and Dave’s great mate, who sadly lost his battle with brain cancer in December 2025.
Matt served in the RAAF for more than 25 years. He and Dave worked together, became great mates and shared some pretty incredible adventures, particularly during their years living in and exploring the Northern Territory.
Sam and Matt were together for more than 18 years, building a life full of travel, adventure and explored wild places from the NT to Tasmania, New Zealand and everywhere in between. Together, they have their beautiful son, Lucas, who is now 10.
When Matt was diagnosed, Cancer Council was one of the first organisations to wrap their arms around the family. They were there with immediate grief counselling and food vouchers when Sam had to stop work to care for Matt, along with providing much needed guidance and resources to help the family navigate one of the most difficult journeys they would ever face.
Their support meant more than they could put into words.
For years, Sam dreamt of doing the Shitbox Rally. Matt knew how much it meant to her and always supported her goal of taking on the adventure. Sadly, time wasn’t on their side.
While Dave was visiting Matt in hospital, Sam told him about the Shitbox Rally… something she had dreamed about doing for years, but never really believed would become a reality. Dave didn’t hesitate, he loves dodgy bush mechanics. He offered to be her co-driver and help her finally take on the adventure she had always hoped she’d get to experience.
And he meant it.
For Dave, this is a chance to honour his good mate Matt, the ultimate adventurer, while supporting Sam as she takes on something she has always wanted to do, and fulfilling a promise to Matt.
For Sam, it’s about learning how to live again while carrying grief, honouring Matt and finding a way to turn something incredibly difficult into something positive. It’s about finding that spark again the one grief can make you feel like you’ve lost and embracing the chance to do something incredible along the way. Most importantly, it’s about helping other families facing cancer and creating something meaningful from their journey.
Together, they’re looking forward to stepping outside the suburbs, embracing the adventure and seeing where two people, a fire breathing Shitbox called Bender and a little creative thinking can take them. Getting out amongst the remote Australian tracks, sharing the road with great people, making unforgettable memories and along the way, being part of something that can genuinely make a difference for families facing cancer.
With Anzac Day falling during the rally, the journey will carry an added sense of meaning, with Matt’s career in the RAAF making the timing feel particularly significant.
“Lest We Forget”
THE GOAL
They’re aiming to raise $25,000 for Cancer Council — and they’d absolutely love to smash it! Every dollar helps fund vital cancer research, prevention and support for families when they need it most.
So follow their journey, share their posts, have a laugh at their down right dodgy mechanical decisions and, if you can, throw a few dollars into their fundraiser, with donations being tax deductible.
Because every dollar brings them closer to their goal, and helps carry Matt’s legacy forward in a way that can make a real difference to others.
For Matt.
For the families walking this road.
And for the hope that one day, others will never have to experience this pain.
Port Augusta → Townsville
7 days - give or take
One salubrious Shitbox
One massive goal
PANIC! AT THE SERVO
Doing it for Matt.
Panic! At the servo are driving a $1,500 car from Port Augusta to Townsville to raise money for Cancer Council
They're doing what!?
Shitbox Rally is a 7-day challenge like no other. Participants drive cars worth no more than $1,500 through some of Australia's most stunning (and often rugged) landscapes, all in support of cancer research. It's not a race — it's a challenge and more importantly, a celebration of the power of community.
Yes, the cars break down, and yes, there are plenty of unexpected twists along the way, but that's all part of the fun.
The rally is designed to be a colourful and unpredictable experience, where teams travel in small groups, helping each other along the way.
And when the day's drive ends, we gather around the campfire, share stories, and reflect on the day's achievements.
This event brings together people who have been impacted by cancer in different ways — whether it's through their own battles or through loved ones. Together we'll make memories that last a lifetime while supporting the fight against cancer.
Donate NowEvery rally. Every dollar.
Directly to Cancer Council.
Box Rallies is the largest funder of cancer research in Australia — outside of the government. Every dollar supports Cancer Council.
.jpg)
Leading development of a novel epigenetic test to more accurately determine tumour risk — particularly for tumours misclassified by current clinical tools.
Developed innovative x-ray hardware under $0.5M that produces MRI-quality images and captures 3D scans during live treatment delivery.
Targeting pancreatic cancer via anti-fibrotic NID2 therapy combined with Gemcitabine/Abraxane chemotherapy to stratify and improve treatment outcomes.
Exploring genomics to identify high-risk patients earlier and guide development of new therapeutic strategies — improving survival chances.
Advanced pre-clinical evaluation of sphingosine kinase 1-targeting agents as a therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia.
Advancing CAR-T cell therapy for extracranial solid paediatric cancers.
.png)
Harnessing epigenetics for early detection of residual and recurrent breast cancer through advanced liquid biopsy testing.
.png)
A new targeted therapy for resistant HER2-positive breast cancers.
