Turners couldn’t wait for rally

By Andrew Stackpool

LAC Graham Turner and his wife, Deb, with the VW Beetle they took on a Camp Quality rally.

Photo by Phil Barling

LEADING Aircraftman Graham Turner, of RAAF Base Williamtown, and his wife, Deb, decided that after he retired from the Air Force they would devote their time to raising money for Camp Quality, a charity established to support children with cancer and their families.

“I used to do car rallies when I was a lot younger,” LAC Turner said. “Camp Quality’s rallies seemed to offer us a new challenge and another opportunity to do something worthwhile for the kids.”

Then Deb had a cancer scare and they decided not to wait. “We know how we felt as adults dealing with cancer, and could imagine what it must be like for kids and their parents,” Mrs Turner said.

Which was why on October 16 they and their 1963 red convertible VW joined 35 other cars and some 150 competitors at the starter’s flag in Tamworth, NSW, for the annual Camp Quality esCarpade car rally to Coffs Harbour.

The six-day rally was for vehicles built before 1980. The Turners found the Beetle in September last year. “I always wanted a red convertible, but couldn’t afford a Ferrari,” LAC Turner said.

A tow bar was added to the front of the car, a skid plate fitted underneath, the suspension raised slightly to accommodate the rough outback roads and a bike rack fitted to the rear to hold the orange safety light. The rest of the VW was standard, including the original 1300cc engine.

“The car went well, like a trooper. It is my drive-to-work car and I was very happy with it. We had no dramas.”

The rally took entrants along bush tracks to Roma in Queensland via Moree, Narrabri and St George. They headed south-east through Goondiwindi, Texas, Glen Innes and Nymboida before arriving in Coffs Harbour on October 22.

LAC Turner said there were all conditions – hail, rain and hot and dry. “The driving was pretty good and even though the roads were pretty rough, the scenery was superb.”

The esCarpade challenged their dirt-driving skills, although it was not a race. Safe driving was expected and all road rules had to be obeyed. Cars had to be fitted with a UHF 40 channel CB radio, rear-facing dust amber/yellow lamp, tow bars at the front and rear, laminated windscreen, seat belts, fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.

Teams covered about 500km each day and then formed up to conduct group entries into the towns. They held a number of fund-raising and information activities in these towns, and spoke to school children about Camp Quality.

“Everyone came out to see us and when we stopped at little schools in the middle of nowhere we’d have mums coming from up to 70km away with a cake.”

The couple raised $6500 for the charity. “I’m really delighted by the generosity and support we’ve received from everyone,” LAC Turner said. “It was a fantastic experience. We will definitely be doing it again. We have already begun planning for next year.”

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