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Geraldton locals planning charity outback truck convoy from Mt Augustus to Uluru

GEOFF VIVIANMidwest Times
Jamie Morrison, John Marriott and Michael King with Mr Marriott's 1944 Studebaker 6 x 6 military truck.
Camera IconJamie Morrison, John Marriott and Michael King with Mr Marriott's 1944 Studebaker 6 x 6 military truck. Credit: Geoff Vivian/Geoff Vivian The Geraldton Guardian

Old military trucks languishing in yards or cannibalised from others left in paddocks and deserts over half the continent are being brought back to life for an outback convoy.

The Geraldton-based organisers plan to take the trucks for a “rock to rock” fun run from Mount Augustus to Uluru in June.

Geraldton resident John Marriott had the idea for the convoy and decided to run it as a fundraiser for Parkinson’s Disease research as he suffers from the condition.

“I needed an excuse to do a truck up,” he said. “We’ve got some good men doing good work, all voluntary.”

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When asked if they were all friends of his, Mr Marriott chuckled.

“They were initially, I don’t know they will be when we’ve finished,” he said.

Michael King's 1945 military truck.
Camera IconMichael King's 1945 military truck. Credit: Geoff Vivian/The Geraldton Guardian

One enthusiastic participant and friend he “still has” is Michael King, who said they welcomed potential participants who were drivers or mechanics. “If you’ve got 10 trucks, that means that’s probably 30 people who are going to have to service those 10 trucks,” he said.

“To anyone who really wants to join in who has either got a vehicle, or is possibly capable of driving a truck, we need drivers and we need service people.

“No one will be left behind, everyone will just keep getting towed until help comes.”

Mr King said they also welcomed major sponsors for the event and donors to Parkinson’s Disease research.

“Please be forthcoming,” he said. “Parkinson’s is a horrible thing. It tears people down and I think there’s not too many of us who don’t know somebody that’s got it.”

Mr King said all donations would go straight to Parkinson’s research rather than through the organisers, and he would like potential donors, sponsors and participants to call him on 0428 929 598.

Mr Marriott and Mr King are also to appear in two episodes of the Prospero Productions series Outback Truckers on 7Mate.

The production, about recovery of a truck from the desert, is to screen on June 2 and 9.

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