Working Bee, and Introducing Paul Hogan!

Damian figured that it was time to get cracking with preparations for esCarpade 2021...  There were a few engine maintenance things to get sorted.

First up - work out how to remove the underbody protection... 5 bolts and off it came!

Introducing Paul Hogan, aka Hoges, who will be joining Damian (and hopefully Damian's brother Jason) on the esCarpade in 2021...

Long arms help in this situation...

Removing the sump plug!

Thumbs up from Damian.

Bit of esCarpade dust floating around under there still!!

And out with the black oil...

Hoges had a turn under the car, removing and replacing the oil filter.

Merlin looking on as Hoges demonstrates correct leg-raising etiquette...

If Damian was that far under the car, his head would be out the other side!

Next up, removing the old, dead battery...  Looks like it was particularly dead!

After cleaning up the battery tray, in with the new battery!

She's aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiive!!

Hoges testing out the driver's seat, while Booger Mobile looks on from the shed.

Damian thinks the seat needs to move about 3' forward from there!

Adjusting the mounting bracket for the new GPS tripmeter...

Voila!!  Is installed!  Damian will replace the cigarette lighter plug end with a connection to the fused power block in due course.

Next up, wash off the dust...

Looking pretty clean now!

Not a complete buff and polish, but not too shabby given it was a quick hose off and wipe down of the windows!

After a lovely BBQ dinner and a few celebratory drinks, Hoges had a bit of a kip on the couch, while Damian took the opportunity (as always) to grab a selfie with a sleeping partner-in-crime!

Hoges has been following Damian's esCarpade adventures since 2017, and has been looking forward to getting involved for many years.  This year, he called up Damian and straight up said that he wanted a seat in the car!!  How could Damian refuse?

Welcome aboard, Hoges!  

Stay tuned folks - things are just heating up for preparations for the 2021 Camp Quality esCarpade!

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Breaking News - esCarpade 2021 Route is Changed Completely...

In what can best be described as bitterly disappointing news for the Qld entrants who were looking forward to not having to drive so far to get to/from the esCarpade, the powers that be have decided that in light of Covid-19 restrictions that may or may not eventuate again, they will move esCarpade 2021 to be completely within NSW...  this will allow the most number of teams to participate should borders with other states close again.

The new start and finish locations for esCarpade 2021 are now Albury (in the far south of NSW - on the border with Victoria) and Coffs Harbour.  

For Damian, Jason and Hoges in Retro Rock-It, this means instead of a leisurely 245km drive to the starting line this year, it's 1500km...  Maybe 2022 will be closer to home...

Still, the boys realise that it's not about them, it's about the opportunity to raise money for Camp Quality and to bring happiness and laughter to the children and families along the route, regardless of where the route may go!

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2021 Camp Quality esCarpade route announced

Get excited people, because the 30th Anniversary of esCarpade is coming up in 2021!!

Even more exciting is the fact that the route is very similar to the route from the cancelled 2020 event, so without further ado, the 2021 Camp Quality esCarpade will be...

When:  Saturday 23 October 2021 to Saturday 30 October 2021

Where:  Lismore to Narrabri via Rockhampton!

Day 1 | Lismore – Gatton – Nambour
Day 2 | Nambour – Maryborough – Bundaberg
Day 3 | Bundaberg – Calliope – Rockhampton
Day 4 | Rockhampton (Lay Day)
Day 5 | Rockhampton - Eidsvold – Kingaroy
Day 6 | Kingaroy – Tara – Goondiwindi
Day 7 | Goondiwindi – Bingara – Narrabri

Retro Rock-It will be back with a slightly updated crew - stay tuned for exciting announcements over the coming months, and remember, we want to smash our fundraising goal, so click that link over on the right, or below, or wherever it shows up on your browsing device!

https://fundraise.campquality.org.au/fundraisers/RetroRock-It/camp-quality-escarpade-2021

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2020 Camp Quality esCarpade - CANCELLED

In disappointing but not completely unexpected news, the 2020 Camp Quality esCarpade has been officially CANCELLED due to the Covid-19 pandemic and border closures.

Fundraising will continue and will be applied to Retro Rock-It's fundraising total for the 2021 Camp Quality esCarpade, which will be esCarpade's 30th anniversary extravaganza!

The official cancellation from esCarpade HQ is below:

Firstly, the esCarpade team would like to let our friends in Victoria know we are thinking of you all and wish you all the best over the coming months. Our hearts go out to you in this uncertain time. 

For 29 years, esCarpade’s participants, sponsors, supporters and volunteers have put their heart and soul into creating a fundraising event that gives our kids and families facing cancer truly positive memories that change the cancer story. Without people like you this wouldn’t be possible. 

During these uncertain times we appreciate our loyal supporters, donors and suppliers more than ever and with that in mind we are writing today to update you about esCarpade 2020 in relation to the escalating impact of COVID-19.

At Camp Quality the health and safety of our kids, families, staff, volunteers and supporters is paramount. We are continually monitoring and assessing our events, programs and services, and where necessary changing existing commitments in accordance with the evolving situation and the guidelines set out by the Australian Government Department of Health.

With the ever changing border restrictions across the east coast and community uncertainty as we face mounting concerns with COVID-19, we have made the unfortunate and reluctant decision to cancel esCarpade in 2020. This has not been an easy decision, but one we feel is in the best interests for everyone’s health and safety. 

You can be assured that whilst this means we all can’t be together as one big esCarpade family, we are working on a number of options – both in person, and virtually – to ensure we bring the ultimate party on wheels to life in as many ways as possible for you.  Consider this simply as our gap year before the big 30th birthday bash! 

Stay safe everyone, and bring on 2021!

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Retro Rock-It Visit to Forge Legal

For the past couple of years, Forge Legal have been the largest single sponsor of Retro Rock-It.  Damian arranged to take Retro Rock-It to visit Tracey and the staff at Forge Legal to say thank you for the support!

Found the right office...

Damian and Tracey with Retro Rock-It outside the office...  (Thanks to Mike from marketing for the photo, since Damian neglected to get one with his camera!)

Oh... fancy!

Damian with Tracey McMillan, CEO Forge Legal.

Hiding in the office foliage... apparently noone else in the office is tall enough for it to be an issue!

After presenting Tracey with the certificate of appreciation, and posing for some photos and an interview with the Forge Legal marketing team, Tracey made a massive announcement concerning Forge Legal's support for Retro Rock-It in 2020.

For EVERY dollar donated to Retro Rock-It in 2020, Forge Legal will make a dollar for dollar donation of their own!!

If you have been contemplating making a donation, now is the time...  your donation will be matched by Forge Legal, effectively doubling the impact of each donation!

Click that big yellow button at the top of the page to donate... you know you want to!!

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2019 esCarpade Thank You Event

While Cara and Rach from the Camp Quality head office were on their way through the Admin Survey for the 2020 esCarpade, they decided to catch up with Queensland teams to say thanks for their efforts during the 2019 Camp Quality esCarpade...

Not wanting to take Retro Rock-It, Damian at least wore his fancy socks!

Quick selfie with some of the Queensland entrants from 2019...

But where was Jo?  She had cheekily ducked behind Damian when he took the selfie, so she gets one of her own!!  Regular blog readers would remember Jo from the 2011 esCarpade (Bendigo to Bright), as Jo-Anne (who is Angus' wife) accompanied Damian in Booger Mobile that year!

Cara posing as only Cara could... no amount of coaxing could get her to provide Jo with a live performance of the banana song!!

Thanks Damian and Angus (with Rach from the office handing out plaques).

The 2019 plaque to commemorate Damian's 10th and Angus' 5th esCarpade...

Time to start thinking about the 2020 esCarpade, really!!  Mostly in Queensland this year (although it does start and finish in northern NSW).

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2019 Camp Quality South Queensland Christmas Party

The 2019 Camp Quality South Queensland Christmas Party had arrived, and as per usual, Damian would be MC'ing the day... Retro Rock-It came out of the shed for a drive over to Bribie Island...

Shiny!!

And who doesn't like the back view?

Parked at Bribie Island, waiting for the families and volunteers to arrive.

Damian performing MC duties...

The crowd seemed a bit smaller than previous years...

The setup was a bit different also, with the gazebos lined up along the edge instead of across the middle near the stage...

The highlight of the day, as always, was the annual firies vs Camp Quality water fight...  One year Camp Quality should bring some hoses too!!

Splish splash!!

Naturally there were heaps of cool things for the kids to do...

Families having fun...

It was a glorious day...

The ladies and gents from the Wallum Action Group, who again made a substantial donation to Camp Quality!

Lining up waiting to see Santa...

Damian and his ever-patient wife Tricia (who took most of the photos for this blog).

And of course, no trip to the Christmas Party is complete without seeing Santa!

Retro Rock-It was back in the shed, a bit blurry... Damian was feeling a bit blurry by the end of the day also!

Thanks to the various Lions and Lioness Clubs from around the area who as always put on a fantastic day for the Camp Quality families and volunteers.

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