A small but boisterous group of adventurers taking part in this year’s Cruisin’ Along Car Rally left Gosling Creek on Friday, April 4, bound for the Murray River township of Tailem Bend.

The tag-along car tour was founded in 2009 and has raised more than one million dollars for local charities over the last 16 years. Run under the auspices of the Rotary Club of Orange Daybreak, the rally has been instrumental in raising money to establish the Cancer Care Western NSW Cancer Care Lodge and it continues to fund vital clinical trials here in Orange.

Last year alone, the rally donated more than $50,000 to the local clinical trials.

Some thirteen vehicles are taking part in this year’s Cruisin’ Along Car Rally, which will head to the town of Tailem Bend on the lower reaches of the Murray River.

“It’s right at the end of the Murray River where it goes into Lake Alexandria, so it is a fair old journey,” rally coordinator Terry Davis said.

After leaving Gosling Creek, the rally was set to stop in West Wyalong, Hay, Ouyen, and then Tailem Bend, before returning via Mildura, Hay, and Condoblin.

“We do about 300 kilometres per day roughly, mostly dirt roads, but there’s an MG going, and a couple who’ll stick to the tar,” Terry said.

“But we all enjoy ourselves and it’s all raising money for clinical cancer trials in Orange, so we’ll see how we go!”

It was Terry’s brother, former Orange Mayor the late John Davis, who founded the Cruisin’ Along Car Rally and was the driving force behind its success for many years. Terry said they’ll be sure to keep up his legacy.

“John was our founding member and unfortunately, he passed away 18 months ago, so a little bit sad,” he said. “But he was a great supporter of all the fun, and we’ll carry it on.”