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250km was far too long for our little scooters to tackle without a break so we decided to stop at the Exchange Hotel at Torrens Creek – 90km down the road. We had made it a long stop last year and back then were looked after very well by the owner so it was a surprise to find new owners this time. Lots of hotels change hands lots of times out west it seems.

After a refreshing drink, a few riders changing their ride for a seat in the bus, we set off again, next stop was the Pentland School.

We didn’t have a lot of goodies to give away so as well as giving away what we did have, we’d arranged to cook a barby lunch for the kids. The school provided the barbecue, we provided the goodies. Jillian O’Toole was ecstatic, another sausage sizzle, she could hardly control herself.

Sue and Kiwi cooked the snags while we all stood around and watched, then the kids lined up and in no time they had all gone.

Our chief Pilot, Patti Bradford, who had donned the lion uniform along with our WOD Ros Curran, set out the “give aways” on a bench, after which the kids lined up to get theirs along with a bunch of chips.  Seemed to go down well.

Smiths, IGA, the Air Force, thank you for giving us those items to give to the kids, it’s a shame you can’t see the joy on those little faces yourselves, it certainly makes our day!

The local copper, a lovely bloke, joined us too, he and Dan Willett, an ex copper, swapped stories.  We met  hundreds of lovely people on this trip, you have to believe that the world is full of nice people, unfortunately it's only the minute minority that "try" and muck it up sometimes. It's good to be alive.

Dan presented the Rosemary seedling to the kids, telling them the significance of Rosemary with memorial services. He asked the kids to plant the seedling and to care for it.

We refuelled the scooters from the two Jerry cans we had on the ute then set off for Charters Towers but before we left we decided to have a look at the old jail. Click the pic to read the sign.

With the Charters Towers PCYC out of bounds, we were introduced to Kerri Forno who manages the Goldfields Sporting Complex and as she had very generously allowed us to stay there, we arrived, backed the truck to the door, unloaded, set up, cracked open the esky and had a breather. This was heaven, plenty of room, showers and toilets under the one roof – and air conditioned.  

Thanks heaps Kerri.

That night we did a “Ghost of Gold” tour up on the Hill. Mayor Frank Beverage welcomed us, which was nice, then we were given a talk by Amanda Stevens from the Visitors' Centre on how and when gold was first discovered at the Towers, after which we were shown an explanatory film. Normally there is a small charge to take part in this tour but Charters Towers Council generously “shouted us”.

Thank you.

After the tour, with nothing else planned for the night, we decided on a pub meal, luckily the Enterprise Hotel was just over the road and still serving dinner and as we’d eaten there last year we thought we’d give it another go – which we did.

Next day was free so it was time for a bit of sight-seeing. We went out to the Weir which is not far from town and which holds back the Burdekin River. Apart from providing the town with water it’s also a nice spot to visit with barbecue facilities and a play-ground for kids.  It is also a good spot to try your luck with a rod and reel, the river holds Sooty and small-mouth Grunter, Catfish, Sleepy Cod and Barramundi. There is a boat ramp about a km up-stream from the weir where you can water ski, jet ski or just go sailing.

Great spot.

Water from the weir is pumped the 17km back to Charters and stored in the large reservoir on Towers Hill from where it is piped down to the town.

Floyd Wilson at the Burdekin Weir Park.

Ian Aves at the weir, probably thinking to himself, “The toilets are way back there – wonder if anyone is watching” – but we could be wrong.

After the trip to the weir it was time to celebrate Ian “Bestie” Aves’s birthday.

Ros Curran had spent hours in the kitchen and came up with a cake which was so good you would have thought she had bought if from the Cheesecake Shop.

We all wished him all the wellest - then tucked in.

After celebrating Ian’s luck in reaching the fine old age of 57, it was time to present our awards. Every year we present some of our Scootavillens with an invaluable award to acknowledge their outstanding ability in a particular field.

L-R:  Floyd Wilson,  Ian Aves, “Kiwi” Campbell,  Ros Curran,  Johnno Saunders,  Patti Bradford,  Trev Benneworth,  Allan O’Connor.

That night the Heritage listed Civic Club hosted us for dinner with Ryan James, the Lions Club Secretary, organising the meal. We’d been there before too, having had a good night there last year.

Built in 1900, it was used as premises for an elite men’s club. It reflected the interests and leisure activities of the many influential men involved in mining, commerce and the professions who were its members and patrons. The establishment of such a club in Charters Towers, at the time the richest of the North Queensland mining fields, demonstrated the importance of this city at the turn of the century.

The Civic Club, as it was known from 1907 onwards, enjoyed an era of prosperity until 1920, when there was only one mine operating in Charters Towers. The decline of the industry invariably lead to a decline in population, so much that by the end of the First World War, the number of people living in the area had halved.

The club continued as a source of recreation in the city following and remained a (boring) male preserve until 1980 when the membership base was expanded and women were invited to join.

Although a quiet night, not a lot of people used the Club that night, as usual we were made very welcome.

We were in for a very nice surprise too – Elvis popped in, chatted up a few of the girls then sang us a few songs.

Elvis, who some say looked a lot like Mark Lucas, hit the stage, along with two lovely helpers and sang us a few of his best known songs accapela.

All agreed it was fantastic that Elvis would bother to join us on our fund-raising tour without charging us and hoped he’s be available when next we went touring.

Elvis with his two lovely helpers, L-R:  Marie Henson, Mark “Elvis” Lucas,  Maream Dietzel.

Next morning, which was Friday the 8th September, we woke early, breakfasted, packed and cleaned up, loaded the truck and reluctantly headed further east to our last stop - Townsville. Today was our last day, we’d travelled hundreds of kms, met lots of wonderful people, seen some fabulous sites, raised some money for Legacy, got to know each other a lot better and had a helluva good time.

But now it was all over.

We set off for Townsville and Ken Hey had arranged a smoko at Donnington Airpark which is a private airport on the Flinders Highway, about 50km west of Townsville. As it’s next to the “town” of Woodstock, it is sometimes referred to as Woodstock Airport. Prior to leaving Charters, Sue and Kiwi went shopping at Woolies and bought a selection of nibblies which we intended to enjoy at the airport.

The airport is 250ft AMSL, has one grass runway of 3,018 feet in length and lies 11/29.

Sue Trimmer preparing smoko at Dorrington Airport.  Mike Gahan in the background checking the Enroute Supplement!.

Chris Smith, who runs the airport, telling us some of the history of the airport.

We left the airport and very soon arrived at the gates to Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, our home for the next few days.  Thanks Army!.

Our home for a couple of days at Laverack Barracks, how lovely it was not having to blow up a bed but having civilised facilities like sprung beds, sheets, a shower/toilet block a few paces away, washing machines, driers – it was wonderful.

We enjoyed a fabulous meal in the Officers’ Mess too, with not a sausage in sight.

Saturday morning, as we didn’t have to take the bikes out to NQ Freighters which would transport them back to Brisbane for us until Sunday morning, those who could ride grabbed a bike and went exploring. The Chief Pilot loaded up the bus with those that weren’t riding also went touristing. Some went over to Magnetic Island, a lot went up Castle Hill for a good look out over Townsville.

L-R:  Alyn “Hawkeye” Hawkes,  Mark Lewis,  Ros Curran,  Ian Aves,  Arthur Reeves,  Bob Anderson,  Patti Bradford,  Jillian O’Toole,  Cathy Yang.

As close to a RAAF base as we got.

We searched all over Townsville for this sign - Cathy Yang had to have a pic of it, we found it eventually.

Ted Mildren, State President and Basil Nelson, Townsville President, from the Qld Air Force Association put on a lunch barby for us, at the top end of the Strand in Townsville, was very thoughtful of them and was great to meet them. Both live in Townsville (way up there) and most of us have only spoken with them by phone. Good to have a face to face.

That night it was all back into the bus and off to the RSL for dinner. We had Kev Rosser join us, another Radtech A, which helped lift the quality of the evening.

Sunday morning, riders hopped on their scooters, the Chief Pilot hopped in her bus and we all went out to the NQ Freighter depot in Bohle, a western suburb of Townsville to deliver the scooters.

For the second year NQ Freighters has taken our scooters back to Brisbane for us, we drop them off one day and in no time at all they are back in Brisbane, practically before we get back. Very generous of them - we thank them very much.

When the scooters arrive Brisbane they are delivered to NQ Freighters’ depot on the south side of Brisbane.  Asset Towing help us out there, they pick up the scooters from the depot and deliver them to Nibble Bike Hire in Brisbane, there are some very generous and lovely people in this world.

Sadly Monday morning came and it was time to leave. We packed, some went their own way, some by train, some by air, the rest climbed aboard the Chief Pilot’s bus and off we went.

Chief Pilot, Patti Bradford, doing a pre-flight before setting off to Brisbane.

Patti had arranged for us to stop at her sister’s place in  Ayr for morning smoko. What a welcome, we were made to feel like Royalty, the ladies had a wonderful spread set out for us, fussed over us, didn’t want us to leave.

Patti (centre) with her two sisters Monica Burrows (left) and Joan Charlton.

Seated L-R:  Maream Dietzel,  Dave Pedler,  Cathy Yang,  Sue Trimmer.

Standing L-R: Trev Benneworth,  Jillian O'Toole,  Ros Curran,  Neil Snudden,  "Kiwi" Campbell,  Chris Dietzel,  Allan O'Connor,  Pattie Bradford.

Unfortunately we had to go, it was a long way down to Rockhampton where we intended to spend the night then onto Brisbane on Tuesday.

It was a fabulous trip, we had a great team, saw some great people and towns, raised $30,200 for Legacy – and we’re going to do it again in 2024.

Next year's events.

We will be holding events in both Qld and NSW in 2024, iIf you want to come, please fill in the form HERE.

NSW event will start from Windsor (Near RAAF Richmond) then go and overnight at Singleton,  Mudgee,  Dubbo,  Parkes,  Wagga,  Canberra,  Bathurst  and back to Windsor.

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