Seymour tradies embark on 12-day outback drive for drought relief

The Long Drive for Drought is gearing up for its fifth run this year, but this is the first time Mr Hoskin and Mr McLean are joining in.

“Marcus and I did a trip last year up to Queensland to a 4D convention show, met up with these guys (Farm Angels) and they’re a really cool story, really cool people and a really cool cause, too,” Mr Hoskin said.

“Marcus said we want to be in on this, this is something we want to do.”

Mr Hoskin said there was only one other group from Victoria joining the Long Drive for Drought.

“When we decided we’re going to do it, we would do it loud and proud and really sell the point,” he said.

“Long Drive for Drought is about 60+ old school Land Cruisers, they’ve done it for four years now.

“They just pick a run. It goes for about 12 days in the outback, anywhere.”

This year, they are going from Glenden to Karumba in Queensland, stopping at 12 different towns along the way.

“The whole idea of it is to support the farmers out there by spending your money in those small towns. Fuel up, buy your groceries, or buy alcohol,” Mr Hoskin said.

“They’ll put on events every night that they stop and do things and everyone is in for the same reason, so it’s a really good cause.

“It’s really good people.”

Mr Hoskins and Mr McLean said they were excited about the adventure, but they were packing light.

“We’re just literally taking a swag, camp chair and that’s about it,” Mr Hoskin said.

“The cause is to spend your money in those local towns, so we won’t be packing food ... we might pack some beers for the initial trip, and then we buy them along the way.

“The whole idea is to spend the money local, so we don’t want to pack heavy.

“We just live basic for 12 days.”

They said they were also excited to visit the area.

“Neither of us have been in the outback,” Mr McLean said.

“Everyone’s been to the coast, but you never hear about the rest (of the outback areas).”

For Mr Hoskin and Mr McLean’s first run at the Long Drive for Drought, community members and local businesses rallied behind them to raise the funds that will go directly to Farm Angels.

Farm Angels provides direct and timely financial assistance, essential resources and meaningful relief for primary producers across Australia impacted by drought and natural disasters.

“It’s been a huge support locally,” Mr Hoskin said.

“The local community has really backed us, not only our major sponsors.

“They’ve been fantastic.”

So far, the mates have raised $2400 towards their goal of $10,000.

Ms Hoskin said they had received outcries from other businesses saying they would’ve liked to help.

“That’s why next year we’ll go again. We’ll try and get some more vehicles,” he said.

“The community and the local businesses have really, really been supportive of Marcus and I and what we’re looking to do.”