Ern Meharry has travelled the length and breadth of Australia in his time.
And next month, he sets off on another trip, one far different to anything else he has done before.
This trip will be in a “shitbox”.
He’s taking part in the Shitbox Rally, where about 250 teams of two people drive beat-up cars thousands of kilometres across Australia to raise money for cancer research.
The rally has raised more than $32 million cancer research over the past 12 years, with $1.3 million raised so far for the spring rally.
Mr Meharry and his son-in-law Amba Allan, originally from Shepparton, leave Mackay in Queensland on October 15 and, in theory, arrive in Darwin six days later.
Teams will travel to Darwin via the Savannah Way, through Normanton, Hells Gate and Borroloola.
Unless the car fall apart, which was a possibility.
Cars must have cost less than $1500 and breaking down was part of the journey.
Mr Meharry and Mr Allan’s team, called A-Drive and Kicking, has so far raised $11,580, smashing their $5000 target.
Paul Tsobaris from the Aussie Hotel chipped in with a generous donation and social media exposure, Rod Poliness from Central Tyre Service has looked after the car by fixing a few issues and supplying tyres, while many other generous people have also donated.
Mr Meharry said Mr Allan had been trying to get into the Shitbox Rally for five years before finally getting a place.
He said he was “pretty excited” to try something new and was happy to raise money for a good cause.
For information or to donate, head to https://spring2022.shitboxrally.com.au/a-drive-and-kicking