The good news is that money is still coming in and donations are open until the 18th November. Donate Now.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
esCarpade has raised over $1.4 million so far!
Wow, what an amazing event the 2011 Camp Quality esCarpade has been.
On the last night in Bright it was revealed that the fundraising tally was at a whopping $1.4million dollars. Congratulations to all the esCarpadians on their phenomenal effort! That amount of money is equivalent to funding approximately 560 families through their cancer journey, sending 1600 children to camp or throwing 250 fun days. AMAZING! (Photo Left: Dinner at Bright)
The good news is that money is still coming in and donations are open until the 18th November. Donate Now.
The good news is that money is still coming in and donations are open until the 18th November. Donate Now.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Trev’s pick of the pics
Ace photographer Trevor Connell, of EventPix, did his first esCarpade in 2002 and has since volunteered his snapper services for no less than five esCarpades.
To round out our esCarpade blogging from the road, we asked Trev to give us his selection of personal favorites from the 20th annual Camp Quality esCarpade. To see his full selection, visit his photoblog at trevorpix.tumblr.com but in the meantime, here’s Trevor Connells’ top dozen:
Left: Ten 4 Silver Shadow
Left: A bit of Bavarian quality
Left: Beautiful trusty FR12 Team Pontiac
Left: Ben's daily driver briefing
Left: Fred is king of the kids
Left: Heath in a hurry on the red dirt
Left: Jimmy and Car 1089
Left: Kermit and his car with the kids
Left: Limo 64 at the start of esCarpade
Left: OKA to the rescue - Reg and Dianne
Left Our top fundraiser for 2011 - heroes one and all!
Left: Sand and more sand!
To round out our esCarpade blogging from the road, we asked Trev to give us his selection of personal favorites from the 20th annual Camp Quality esCarpade. To see his full selection, visit his photoblog at trevorpix.tumblr.com but in the meantime, here’s Trevor Connells’ top dozen:
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thanks Mildura
It’s not all cars, trucks and four-wheel-drives on esCarpade – sometimes it’s aeroplanes too … and it’s lots and lots of motels, meal stops and meeting the locals.
As esCarpade headed out of Mildura after the lay day, all agreed it was a great place to stay. Top marks to Lisa and the gang at the Commodore Inn, which was base camp for the officials and several esCarpadians. Also to the catering team at the Setts (at the former Mildura Settlers Club) who coped magnificently with feeding us all despite some very late arrivals for dinner. The good treatment continued at Mildura Airport for a few people who were flying home early – the Virgin Blue team made it quick and easy to get bags and passengers all aboard for an on-time departure.
Above: Virgin Australia Crew at Mildura Airport
As esCarpade headed out of Mildura after the lay day, all agreed it was a great place to stay. Top marks to Lisa and the gang at the Commodore Inn, which was base camp for the officials and several esCarpadians. Also to the catering team at the Setts (at the former Mildura Settlers Club) who coped magnificently with feeding us all despite some very late arrivals for dinner. The good treatment continued at Mildura Airport for a few people who were flying home early – the Virgin Blue team made it quick and easy to get bags and passengers all aboard for an on-time departure.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Why we do it!
Along the esCarpade route we meet with families who tell us about their Camp Quality journey, and it never fails to remind us of why we do what we do to raise money through esCarpade. One of the parents who addressed our dinner was Rose Claridge, who has sent her speech notes to use – because we couldn’t put it better than this extract from Rose’s speech:
“You know when you hear about a tragedy that has happened to another person, and you think – thank God I’m not that family. We turned into that family to be pitied on the 13th July, 2000. At the beginning of that day, we had 3 little girls under the age of 7, one of whom had a supposed virus and was in hospital. We ended that day with the knowledge that our little four-year-old daughter had leukaemia and was due to start 2½ years of chemotherapy.
“Nothing can prepare you for this journey. Our hearts were broken. I can remember staying up that first night watching Abby, so scared that she would die during the night. Cancer not only robs you of your health, it robs you of laughter and hope. It takes away your smile.
“I can still remember that first time that I met one of the Camp Quality people. They smiled and treated us like a normal mum and daughter. I clearly remember the smile. True smiles are a rarity in a children’s cancer ward. Abby was so excited when she would hear from a Camp Quality person, get a letter in the mail or a phone call. She knew from the badges and the T-shirts that the Camp Quality people wore, that there would be smiles.
“Abby started to really look forward to Camp Quality. From the other children she would hear about camps, weekends and lots of wonderful experiences that other kids were having. As a motivation to go, Abby decided to try to get as healthy as she could. She was 5 years old, bald and weighed 11 kg. It must have seemed a very tragic group that got on the bus to that camp that day – but what people didn’t see was the massive smiles on the children’s faces, the hope.
“Camp Quality invited us to many adventures – weekends away, junior and senior camps, ski camps and family camps. There was always lots of laughter, lots of fun things to do and lots of talking. But the biggest thing that CQ gave to my family was hope. They allowed us time to enjoy our family by doing normal things, like learning to fish, surf or ski. When Abby started school, she was still bald, and other children shunned her, through fear. Camp Quality supplied their amazing puppets – Dean and Kylie – to talk to the children and answer their questions.
“People often say we should fundraise for a cure. I believe that we do need to fundraise for a cure, but I also think that we need to fundraise so that children who are undergoing this massive life-threatening challenge learn to smile, learn to hope and learn to live.
“Thank you Camp Quality for teaching my children how to laugh again.”
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
True esCarpade spirit in Pinnaroo
In the tiny South Australian town of Pinnaroo this week, esCarpadians showed the true spirit of our wonderful event when the Puppeteers needed some extra support.
When the McDonalds Camp Quality Puppets were ready to visit the local school, only two of the cars assigned to the school visit had arrived in town from the morning’s drive. The Puppeteers called out to the other esCarpadians, who were still having their lunch, to ask if they could boost the number to visit the school.
Moments later, there were no less than 13 cars lined up behind them! The school kids and their teachers were thrilled – the esCarpadians almost outnumbered the kids at the tiny school – and it was a beautiful example of the generous spirit of the Camp Quality esCarpade.
Above: Mallee Tourist & Heritage Centre
Meanwhile, some esCarpadians popped across the road to the Mallee Tourist & Heritage Centre. Highlights include the letterpress printing museum, a collection of restored stationary engines, tractors, farm and household memorabilia, a fascinating display of over 1,000 cereal varieties, and a section devoted to the contribution made by women in the settlement of the Mallee.
When the McDonalds Camp Quality Puppets were ready to visit the local school, only two of the cars assigned to the school visit had arrived in town from the morning’s drive. The Puppeteers called out to the other esCarpadians, who were still having their lunch, to ask if they could boost the number to visit the school.
Moments later, there were no less than 13 cars lined up behind them! The school kids and their teachers were thrilled – the esCarpadians almost outnumbered the kids at the tiny school – and it was a beautiful example of the generous spirit of the Camp Quality esCarpade.
Meanwhile, some esCarpadians popped across the road to the Mallee Tourist & Heritage Centre. Highlights include the letterpress printing museum, a collection of restored stationary engines, tractors, farm and household memorabilia, a fascinating display of over 1,000 cereal varieties, and a section devoted to the contribution made by women in the settlement of the Mallee.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Lyn Burgess, Media Star
Monday’s undisputed media star was esCarpader Lyn Burgess, who cheerfully took on several interviews to spread the word about what we are up to and why we’re doing it.
Lyn is now vying with Doc Mackay as most-quoted entrant this year. Whereas Doc is the one and only driver who was there at the start 20 years ago, Lyn has been winning over the media with her compelling story that goes back 18 years to when her son Mitch was diagnosed with cancer … and follows through all the way up to today when Mitch (winner of this year’s first Turkey) has his own car to run with Lyn’s in esCarpade each year.
No sooner did Lyn arrive in Naracoorte than she was doing a phone interview with the Swan Hill paper, and then she was straight into a live interview with the town’s own local paper. With such a compelling story, it’s no wonder.
Lyn is now vying with Doc Mackay as most-quoted entrant this year. Whereas Doc is the one and only driver who was there at the start 20 years ago, Lyn has been winning over the media with her compelling story that goes back 18 years to when her son Mitch was diagnosed with cancer … and follows through all the way up to today when Mitch (winner of this year’s first Turkey) has his own car to run with Lyn’s in esCarpade each year.
No sooner did Lyn arrive in Naracoorte than she was doing a phone interview with the Swan Hill paper, and then she was straight into a live interview with the town’s own local paper. With such a compelling story, it’s no wonder.
Bonza Beaurepaires
Speaking of a South Aussie welcome, OV2, our advance car, completed its daily recce run with the spare wheel on the car and a rather flat one in the back – but not for long, thanks to the gang at Beaurepaires in Naracoorte.
Not only did the Beaurepaires boys take on the puncture repair job cheerfully just 20 minutes before closing for the day, but they even did it for free as their contribution to esCarpade.
Not only did the Beaurepaires boys take on the puncture repair job cheerfully just 20 minutes before closing for the day, but they even did it for free as their contribution to esCarpade.
Wonderful Warranmbool
Warrnambool won the hearts of esCarpadians with a great dinner on Sunday night and a beautiful clear morning for our scrumptious pancakes and fruit brekky on Monday morning, served up by the local Rotarians.
Dinner at the Warrnambool Greyhound Club was voted the equal of anything so far with its simple and delicious buffet culminating in no less than seven dessert choices! The first school visits of the day got off to a great start, and the local footy and netball club at Casterton proved it could cater with the best of them at lunchtime. Time zone confusion reigned briefly after crossing the border on our way to Naracoorte, but the South Australians made us well and truly welcome.
Dinner at the Warrnambool Greyhound Club was voted the equal of anything so far with its simple and delicious buffet culminating in no less than seven dessert choices! The first school visits of the day got off to a great start, and the local footy and netball club at Casterton proved it could cater with the best of them at lunchtime. Time zone confusion reigned briefly after crossing the border on our way to Naracoorte, but the South Australians made us well and truly welcome.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The trials and tribulations of Limo 64
Nobody could say the guys from new Melbourne team Limo 64 don’t go the extra mile – just look at the length of their car … and then look at the effort they have made to get here.
First, that length – the 1964 Chev with its eight-door airport limousine conversion, is surely measured in miles rather than metres – it just goes on forever, and is the longest car yet seen in esCarpade. As for the effort, Travis Branson was working right up to Thursday night to get the Limo finished and registered to make the start line.
Above: The infamous Limo 64
It made a grand sight as it headed off from Bendigo Town Hall on Saturday morning, and was going wonderfully well until the afternoon run from Ballarat to Geelong. Other entrants were impressed with how the super-stretch managed steep crests and dips without getting hung up, but it all came to grief when the back axle gave way.
Although parts for a 1964 Chev don’t exactly grow on trees, the Limo boys know a bloke who has a whole heap of old Chevy bits and pieces, so they are hoping to get the car sorted in time to rejoin esCarpade in Warrnambool. Stay tuned!
First, that length – the 1964 Chev with its eight-door airport limousine conversion, is surely measured in miles rather than metres – it just goes on forever, and is the longest car yet seen in esCarpade. As for the effort, Travis Branson was working right up to Thursday night to get the Limo finished and registered to make the start line.
It made a grand sight as it headed off from Bendigo Town Hall on Saturday morning, and was going wonderfully well until the afternoon run from Ballarat to Geelong. Other entrants were impressed with how the super-stretch managed steep crests and dips without getting hung up, but it all came to grief when the back axle gave way.
Although parts for a 1964 Chev don’t exactly grow on trees, the Limo boys know a bloke who has a whole heap of old Chevy bits and pieces, so they are hoping to get the car sorted in time to rejoin esCarpade in Warrnambool. Stay tuned!
Turkey of the Day
The Day 1 dinner at Geelong’s Skilled Stadium – home of the Geelong Cats premiership winners and a source of some discomfort to the Collingwood supporters in the crew – was the time and place for the first of this year’s Turkey of the Day awards.
Above: Mitch proudly holding the Turkey Award
Mitch Burgess won the first Turkey award of 2011 with his wet and wild adventures at a creek crossing along the way. He proved his Holden couldn’t ford a stream despite a valiant effort, and it was a great credit to his partner Catta Meacham that she resisted the temptation to say “I told you so”.
As Catta tells it (and Mitch agrees), her last words as they approached the creek and Mitch decided to take the water crossing instead of the bridge were “It looks a bit deep Mitch” … and second later, Mitch proved her right. Fortunately, he also had the presence of mind to cut the engine and protect it from being hydraulicked into oblivion.
By Sunday morning, only the slightly wet seats and carpets in the Commodore bore witness to the adventure … and of course the eyewitness accounts of what a handsome couple Mitch and Catta made as they sat on the roof of their car awaiting rescue.
Mitch Burgess won the first Turkey award of 2011 with his wet and wild adventures at a creek crossing along the way. He proved his Holden couldn’t ford a stream despite a valiant effort, and it was a great credit to his partner Catta Meacham that she resisted the temptation to say “I told you so”.
As Catta tells it (and Mitch agrees), her last words as they approached the creek and Mitch decided to take the water crossing instead of the bridge were “It looks a bit deep Mitch” … and second later, Mitch proved her right. Fortunately, he also had the presence of mind to cut the engine and protect it from being hydraulicked into oblivion.
By Sunday morning, only the slightly wet seats and carpets in the Commodore bore witness to the adventure … and of course the eyewitness accounts of what a handsome couple Mitch and Catta made as they sat on the roof of their car awaiting rescue.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Off and running from Bendigo
Sirens wailed, horns blared, flags waved and engines roared on Saturday morning at Bendigo Town Hall as the 74 cars in the 20th annual Camp Quality esCarpade headed off on their big outback adventure.
Above: The esCarpadians about to set off on their 3,000km journey
There was plenty of action the night before too, when everyone gathered for the official Welcome esCarpade dinner. A highlight of the night was when local Bendigo dad Simon Fitzpatrick told of the wonderful contribution Camp Quality made to the family’s wellbeing when Simon and Tina’s middle son Andre was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. Simon reminded everyone yet again of how valuable their work was for families living with cancer.
Andre and his mum Tina also helped give esCarpade a big media splash with their photo on the front page of Saturday’s paper and a three page feature inside. Also in the feature was local esCarpader Luke Arnott, who really went the extra mile on Thursday by making his premises at Luke Arnott Electrical available for scrutineering. Luke and his fellow locals were a fount of information for arriving esCarpadians in need of everything from car parts to stationery items.
All up, Bendigo proved it was an ideal starting point for esCarpade, not only to celebrate the 20th anniversary but also for the great facilities and tremendous community spirit of the whole town.
Stay tuned more pictures to come shortly!
There was plenty of action the night before too, when everyone gathered for the official Welcome esCarpade dinner. A highlight of the night was when local Bendigo dad Simon Fitzpatrick told of the wonderful contribution Camp Quality made to the family’s wellbeing when Simon and Tina’s middle son Andre was diagnosed with cancer five years ago. Simon reminded everyone yet again of how valuable their work was for families living with cancer.
Andre and his mum Tina also helped give esCarpade a big media splash with their photo on the front page of Saturday’s paper and a three page feature inside. Also in the feature was local esCarpader Luke Arnott, who really went the extra mile on Thursday by making his premises at Luke Arnott Electrical available for scrutineering. Luke and his fellow locals were a fount of information for arriving esCarpadians in need of everything from car parts to stationery items.
All up, Bendigo proved it was an ideal starting point for esCarpade, not only to celebrate the 20th anniversary but also for the great facilities and tremendous community spirit of the whole town.
Stay tuned more pictures to come shortly!
Doc clocks up his 20th
For veteran esCarpadian “Doc” Warwick Mackay, the 20th esCarpade has special significance – because he was there for the very first one in 1992.
Above: Doc hangs out with the McDonald's Camp Quality Puppets at the start of the race
Doc had previously been on another charity run, and decided Camp Quality was the cause he’d like to support. Several cars and more than 60,000 km later, Doc just keeps on coming back for more, and his massive, tiger-striped Chev wagon is a standout in the field. Doc will tell you that he has “raised only a modest amount” – which is to say, more than half a million dollars all up! – and says it’s mostly about having something enjoyable and worthwhile to do.
Not surprisingly, Doc has been the face of our 20th esCarpade for several of the media covering the event, so don’t be surprised if you see his happy smiling face pop up in the paper at some stage.
Doc had previously been on another charity run, and decided Camp Quality was the cause he’d like to support. Several cars and more than 60,000 km later, Doc just keeps on coming back for more, and his massive, tiger-striped Chev wagon is a standout in the field. Doc will tell you that he has “raised only a modest amount” – which is to say, more than half a million dollars all up! – and says it’s mostly about having something enjoyable and worthwhile to do.
Not surprisingly, Doc has been the face of our 20th esCarpade for several of the media covering the event, so don’t be surprised if you see his happy smiling face pop up in the paper at some stage.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Experience esCarpade Queenslad Style!
Dennis Trigg and Ben Mildren travelled up to Queensland recently (18 - 19 June) to catch up with our northern counterparts. The idea was to conduct a QLD Experience esCarpade and double it with a bit of a pre-scrutineering session, something QLD has missed out on until this year.
For the "Experience" part of the day Ben decided to use the section of road 90% of entrants didn't get to drive last year, the section from Kilcoy through Maleny and Montville into Palmwoods.
While there are a total of six cars in QLD only three were able to make it. The good news was that new entrants, Michael Brown in Car 18K (Holden VL) and Darren Redsell in Car 51 (Mitsubishi Pajero), brought their cars along for Dennis to have a look at. Tony Holland's VK also tuned out for a viewing.
Those that weren't operable were the Agnew's Torana and Merc and Damien Sheather's Booger Falcon, but they still came along for the ride.
The pre-scrutineering was a huge success while the drive was a spectacular mix of dirt and bitumen with incredible views of the Glass House Mountains.
A big thanks to Dennis Trigg for sacrificing another weekend for esCarpade and to Penny Sorbello, CQ Fundraising Coordinator in South QLD for helping organise the whole thing and for being a massive help on the day.
For the "Experience" part of the day Ben decided to use the section of road 90% of entrants didn't get to drive last year, the section from Kilcoy through Maleny and Montville into Palmwoods.
While there are a total of six cars in QLD only three were able to make it. The good news was that new entrants, Michael Brown in Car 18K (Holden VL) and Darren Redsell in Car 51 (Mitsubishi Pajero), brought their cars along for Dennis to have a look at. Tony Holland's VK also tuned out for a viewing.
Those that weren't operable were the Agnew's Torana and Merc and Damien Sheather's Booger Falcon, but they still came along for the ride.
The pre-scrutineering was a huge success while the drive was a spectacular mix of dirt and bitumen with incredible views of the Glass House Mountains.
A big thanks to Dennis Trigg for sacrificing another weekend for esCarpade and to Penny Sorbello, CQ Fundraising Coordinator in South QLD for helping organise the whole thing and for being a massive help on the day.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
esCarpade makes tracks in Motorsport Magazine!
Check it out! Motorsport Magazine is supporting our awesome motoring adventure by donating a full page advertisement.
esCarpade is featured in both Motorsport enews and Motorsport magazine.
Subscribers can log in online or look for it at your local newsstand.
www.mnews.com.au
esCarpade is featured in both Motorsport enews and Motorsport magazine.
Subscribers can log in online or look for it at your local newsstand.
www.mnews.com.au
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
esCarpade turns 20!
This year Camp Quality and esCarpade celebrate 20 years on the road! With a field of 80 cars we will no doubt be bigger and better than ever!
Jump online now and support one of our amazing entrants http://www.campquality.org.au/public/escarpade/our-entrants.aspx
Keep these dates free...
22nd May - Experience esCarpade Victoria
29th May - Experience esCarpade NSW
Jump online now and support one of our amazing entrants http://www.campquality.org.au/public/escarpade/our-entrants.aspx
Keep these dates free...
22nd May - Experience esCarpade Victoria
29th May - Experience esCarpade NSW
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