Tieri Team Takes on Sh!tbox Rally for Cancer

On June 15th, long-time friends Brian Carlton, Engineering Manager at Oaky North and Loz Hemmings (previous OCC employee) set off on a 3,500km drive across Australia as part of the Sh!tbox Rally to raise much-needed funds for cancer research.

Sh!tbox Rally was founded by James Freeman after he lost both of his parents to cancer 12 months apart and needed something to excite him and help him to make a difference. From the outset, Sh!tbox Rally has always been about having fun, and not taking the serious task of raising money for cancer research too seriously.

The aim of the rally is to drive an average car (not a 4×4), worth under $1500, from point A to point B, across some of Australia’s most formidable roads, without breaking down.

THE DAM BUSTERS
Brian and Loz first met over two decades ago when they were both working for UK Coal Mines. In 2012, they moved over to Australia and in 2015 began working at Oaky Creek Coal. Throughout their lives, both have been affected by cancer. “My Step-Dad passed away from throat cancer when I was a kid, and my Mother-in-Law regularly has issues with skin cancers,” said Brian. “When we saw the Sh!tbox Rally on social media, we felt it would be a perfect opportunity to raise money for a good cause, whilst taking on one heck of a challenge and adventure.”

After multiple applications over a number of years, they were finally accepted into the Winter 2024 Rally. They purchased their ‘sh!tbox’ chariot of choice – a 1997 Ford Laser – and, after the customary design had been applied, the “Dam Busters” set off for Melbourne where their journey began. They joined 250 other teams as they drove 600-700 kms per day, across varied, rugged and sometimes treacherous terrain, before arriving in Alice Springs seven days later.

“Most of you who read this will no doubt have been touched in some way or another by cancer. We are extremely proud to be doing our part to support such a worthy charity to fund research into preventing, curing and supporting cancer patients and their families,” said Brian. “Thank you to everyone who has donated, together we’ve raised over $60,000 so far – that’s 600% more than our original target of $10,000! Every dollar makes a difference – thank you.”