A group of tractor enthusiasts based at Yarrawonga, known as Riverina Trekkers, holds an annual ‘Two Rivers Run’ through sections of the Murray and Goulburn valleys.
This year, a convoy of over 40 old machines will set out from Yarrawonga on Sunday, March 15.
The long parade of prized possessions will make its first overnight stop at Goorambat Football Club, before moving to Murchison Football Club (Monday, March 16), Colbinabbin Football Club (Tuesday), Wakiti Creek Resort at Echuca (Wednesday), Wunghnu recreation reserve (Thursday and Friday), finishing at Yarrawonga Showgrounds on the Saturday.
Tractor drivers from the distant Hunter Valley, Wagga, Urana, Lockhart, Jerilderie, Yarrawonga and central Victoria will lead the convoy, which will be hard to miss.
“Some tractors will tow a caravan or a trailer containing tents and swags,” event co-ordinator Robyn Cole of Wagga said.
“Each day’s chug-along is expected to end about 4pm once the destination has been reached.”
At Colbinabbin, club training for both footy and netball will be followed by a public fundraising auction. The town has been included, as several locals are old Assumption College school-friends of former Australian of the Year Neale Daniher, whose long journey through MND has been well documented.
Jim Morgan, formerly of Colbinabbin and now of Moama, is one of Neale’s mates.
“We all want to assist our old friend, who we call ‘the Reverend’. He is not able to participate in the tractor run but he is thrilled with what is planned to help the cause,” Jim said.
Funds raised through the rally will be donated to the long-established MND Disease Research Institute of Australia and to the Daniher charity known as Fight MND.
Neale was diagnosed with MND in 2013. His 13-year campaign to raise public awareness and research funding has only been possible because his form of the crippling illness has progressed very slowly. In most cases a diagnosis allows only between two and three years of struggle.
The long journey’s end at Yarrawonga will include an auction of goods and services in the table tennis pavilion at the showgrounds.
Offers of support and further inquiries will be welcomed by Robyn Cole (0427 246 439) or Jim Morgan (0417 571 967).
