Dirt n Dust 2024 wrap up

The Bigger Picture: Fundraising for Mental Health

The Dirt n Dust Run is not just a 2 wheel drive - off-road adventure; it's a lifeline for mental health programs across Western Australia.  Since its inception, the Dirt n Dust Run has raised over $480,000 for mental health initiatives, contributing to both local programs and national campaigns like Australian Rotary Health's Lift the Lid on Mental Health.

Each dusty road travelled, every challenge overcome, and all the laughter shared brings the Dusters closer to their mission: to raise awareness and support for mental health services while fostering a sense of community.

Together, they continue to break the stigma and drive change in the way mental health is addressed in Western Australia.

Day 1: Painted Wagons Ride

The event kicked off with a 220 km stretch from Dwellingup to Quairading, featuring rocky terrain and smooth roads. The participants, affectionately known as "Dusters," navigated through scenic gravel roads and forest tracks. Morning tea was at the fun stop, 'Can't See the Forrest Through the Trees.' Where drivers were blindfolded and navigated a course through the trees, this was a representation of the challenges faced when we struggle to see the path forward. After completing crosswords that contained clues for the day's puzzle, Dusters enjoyed lunch from the local bakery at Quairading CRC. As the sun set, everyone arrived at Mangowine Homestead to set up camp and explore the historic museum. Dinner featured a steak sandwich night Donated by the Rose Hotel, bringing the day's adventure to a tasty close.

Day 2: Wild West Adventures

Day 2 started with a hearty Bonanza Breakfast at Donated by the Shire of Mt Marshall in Bencubbine they also provided vouchers for every car to spend in the local town. Dusters had to complete an icebreaker exercise, every car was given a set of cards they had to swap cards with every car to make a full set, then they had to put the pieces together to form a picture with the day's directions on the back, followed by a 262 km drive into station country, heading towards Nalbarra Station. The road conditions varied, with cattle grids and tyre-killing terrain to keep everyone on their toes. The highlight was meeting 'Smoking Bear' in her teepee to smoke the peace pipe, symbolizing unity, and collecting a jigsaw piece for the day's challenge before we had some fun barrel racing with blow-up horses. Lunch was enjoyed in Paynes Find, after which Dusters assembled their giant jigsaw puzzle to receive the next map, guiding them through breathtaking country roads to Nalbarra each turn was decorated with the Singing cactus or a Totem Pole and the skeleton of Lasseter and his gold, at camp western-themed dinner awaited we had an auction and Raced Woodies.

Day 3: Space – The Final Frontier

The theme of Day 3 had a galactic twist, with participants donning Stormtrooper costumes as they left Nalbarra. The day's 211 km trek led through challenging terrain, with sharp shale rocks and washouts to navigate. Plenty of Photo ops on the way After refueling at Perenjori and lunch at the Perenjori hotel the group pressed on through back dirt tracks to Cadoux, where the Sports Club hosted a local feast we held our main auction event and raised over $2600 that night

Day 4: Colours, Culture, and Camaraderie

Today was about looking inward and reflecting. After breakfast and a morning safety briefing, Day 4 featured a unique event: a Colour celebration at Dowerin. Each participant was showered with colourful powder, representing the vibrant and multidimensional personalities of the Dusters. The group then made their way to the Cunderdin Museum for an educational stop before lunch at the famous Cunderdin Hotel Ettamogah. At lunch Tarnia ran us through a confronting exercise using a tape measure to represent our lives, we had to keep cutting the tape down taking off our current age, the statistical age we will live to, and another third for sleeping until we were left with a small piece which represented the time left we had to make a difference. The day ended with the much-anticipated Saints and Sinners night at Brookton Sports Club, where participants donned their most creative costumes and danced the night away to a DJ's tunes and we presented a myriad of awards.

Day 5: Give Me a Home Where the Dolphins Roam

The final day of the Dirt n Dust Run started with a bittersweet breakfast as participants prepared for the 246 km journey home. The route took them along rugged roads, passing picturesque landscapes and ending with a victory lap through Bunbury. After gathering at Anchorage Cove, the convoy proceeded to the finish line at the Bunbury Surf Lifesaving Club, where they were welcomed with cheers and applause.

But hey, this run wouldn't be possible without our unsung heroes—our behind-the-scenes crew. The route masters, the car fixers, people fixers, the cooks, the movers and groovers, the marshals, the tech gurus, and all our other volunteers - your dedication is always the wind beneath the dusty wings!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped in any way big or small, but a massive thank you to those on the run.

• Ben  - Route Director Aka Lord of the Dust
• Tarnia  - The Brains
• Jill - Head Chef
• Dave - Camp Master
• Janelle and Anna - Fix it Humans
• Mike - The Mover
• Cedric - Braai Master
• Mark and Kevin - Fix it Mechanical
• Trevor and Janine - The Vanguards
• Sous Chef - Darralyn, Stephen, Heather, Susan
• David and Michelle - Awesome Humans

6 Brave Albany Drivers

Six brave Albany drivers will take to the dusty roads of rural Western Australia later this month to raise money for mental health support in disaster-hit communities.

Rotary Down Under Article

The Dirt ‘n’ Dust Run is organised by the Rotary Club of South Bunbury. The five-day car challenge takes participants on some of WA’s most dirty and dusty roads. It is not a race, but prizes are awarded for such things as how hopeless a car is and how much the participants embrace the spirit of the event.

Dirty Bangers Bunbury Mail

A four day race along some of the world's dustiest roads. No, it's not the Dakar Rally, it's a South Bunbury Rotary fundraiser for mental health, and they smashed their goal.

South West Drivers brave - South Western Times

South West drivers donned crazy colours and quirky costumes this morning as they braved the wet weather to embark on a five-day charity run, raising more than $40,000 for mental health support.