Monday March 20, saw 250 "shitbox" vehicles roll into Cobar, raising money for cancer research, before driving out on Tuesday Mar 21 on their way to Tooleybuc.  

The Summer 2023 Shitbox Rally started in Rockhampton on Saturday Mar 18, came via Tambo, Eulo into Cobar.

From Cobar the cars went to Tooleybuc, then to the Spirit of Tasmania (Geelong), they offloaded at Devonport, onto Strahan before finishing on Friday March 24 in Hobart. 

ABOVE: Some of the Summer 2023 Shitbox Rally participants parked in front of the iconic Cobar sign [Credit: Shitbox Rallies] 

The object of the Shitbox Rally is not a race, rather a challenge to achieve the unthinkable.

To drive cars worth just $1,500 across Australia via some of its most formidable roads, all in the name of charity. 

Each two person team is required to raise $5000, with proceeds going directly to the Cancer Council to fund cancer research. 

A Shaw Thing 

The Autumn 2023 Shitbox Rally, Cobar will have a bit more of a personal connection, with one of the teams being partly based in Cobar.

A-Shaw Thing is Justin Williams and Ben Ormsby's team name and they are doing the rally in the memory of "Amy Shaw, a beautiful soul, daughter, sister, amazing friend but most importantly a loving fiancé to my best friend and co-driver Justin Williams", Ben Ormsby told the Western Plains App. 

ABOVE: Justin WIlliams and Amy Shaw. Amy is the inspiration for Justin and Ben's Shitbox Rally Team - A Shaw Thing [Image supplied] 

"Amy was 27 years old and unfortunately lost her battle with Adrenal gland cancer last year only a month before her and Justin were due to be married," said Ben.

"I moved to Cobar a few years ago when I started working out here in the mines and met my partner and start a family.". 

"I’m originally from Kiama on the south coast but love our small mining town community here.

"We’ve been absolutely blown away by the donations that have come in not just from family and friends but also the locals from both our towns" Mr Ormsby told the Western Plains App. 

ABOVE: Ben Ormsby posing with the A-Shaw Thing "shitbox", which is getting to participate in the Autumn 2023 Shitbox Rally [Image: Supplied] 

At the time of writing, A-Shaw Thing have raised more than the required $5000, with almost $7000 raised. If you would like to follow or support the A-Shaw Thing team see their team page. 

The Summer 2023 Shitbox Rally has so far raised in excess of $2 million dollars. If you want to find out more about the Shitbox Rallies, check out their website.