Published in the Riverine Herald on August 18, 2017
A VINTAGE tractor battled through the pouring rain on Tuesday, pausing for a pit stop at Elders rural agency in Echuca on its way around Australia.
Tail End Charlie II the tractor is making the trip around Australia to raise funds and awareness for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and Breast Cancer Network Australia.
Eighty-two-year-old Ron Bywaters is one of the four volunteers taking turns driving Tail End Charlie II, puttering down the lonely road with only two teddy bears named Caroline and Elijah for company.
“They’re very good because they don’t say anything,” Mr Bywaters said. “They’re not backseat drivers.”
Mr Bywater said Caroline is the mascot for breast cancer while Elijah represents prostate cancer.
“Early detection is the key to winning the battle against these forms of cancer so we need to spread the word within rural communities about just how important it is for both men and women to have regular screenings,” he said.
The round-Australia trip marks the 60th anniversary of the Mobilgas Round Australia Rally, when Mr Bywaters drove the original Tail End Charlie tractor around the country in 19 days.
Owner of replica Tail End Charlie II Dick Garnett said the 62-year-old Chamberlain tractor was still in good shape, despite its high odometer reading.
“The tractor is running beautifully with no maintenance problems. No maintenance problems with the crew either,” the 78-year-old said.
Mr Barnett, who drove the tractor from Albury to Echuca on Tuesday, said the tractor had a rich history, having circumnavigated Australia twice and travelled from New York to Los Angeles.
“We’re doing this trip partly to keep the history alive, partly because we’re passionate about these old tractors, but mostly to spread the word for breast cancer and prostate cancer,” he said.
The trip was sponsored by Elders Limited, with the Echuca branch donating $1000 to the cancer research fund.
“We are grateful to Elders for partnering with us to achieve our goal,” Mr Bywaters said.
Anyone wanting to make a donation can do so at tailendcharliethetractor.org