By KATH GANNAWAY
THE Yarra Valley will be well represented when riders from around Australia set off in September in the inaugural Scootarbor Challenge.
Scootarbor (sub-titled Seniors Cross the Nullabor) will see 30 predominantly over-65s ride 50cc motor scooters across the Nullarbor to raise funds for beyondblue, and to lift the profile of the baby boomer generation.
Healesville neighbours Jock Purves and Bob Gannaway signed on and quickly recruited Perry Carter from Launching Place, Diane Roberts from Yarra Glen, Neil Jorgensen from East Warburton and Felicity Nolle from Chirnside Park.
For Diane, 68, the ride will be a return to younger days when she rode motor scooters. She has kept her licence alive and said she was looking forward to the challenge of such a long ride, as well as the challenge of fund-raising for beyondblue and raising awareness of mental health issues.
Jock, 67, is a retired paramedic with 40 years’ experience behind him, a regular scooter rider and a veteran of several Great Victorian Bike Rides.
Scootarbor appeals to his sense of adventure.
“It is not only the physical challenge of getting across the Nullarbor on a 50cc, but the challenge mentally,” he said.
He said raising funds for beyondblue was an important part of the adventure, and the challenge.
The group’s first fund-raiser, a mega garage sale, is on Saturday 1 March, in Marna Street, Healesville.
The group has garnered support from a number of households, some of whom will hold their own garage sales, and others who have donated goods to be sold at Scootarbor stalls.
There will be a barbecue breakfast and lunch as well as coffee, tea and cakes and raffles.
There will also be information available from beyondblue on a range of mental health issues, and their programs.
“We’ve got seven months to do our bit towards the Scootarbor goal of $300,000, and we are hoping this event will give us a really good kick-start,” Bob said.
“There will be some great bargains and a bit of a festival atmosphere, so we are hoping people will just come along, bring some cash and help us support a great cause,” he said.
Stalls will be on the go from 8am. Phone Jock on 5962 3032 or Bob on 5962 5131 for further details.
