William Bonnici and teammate Carey have reached Darwin after an eventful journey in the Spring Shitbox Rally.
The last edition of Network News followed the First National Bonnici & Associates team as it prepared to drive approximately 3,400 kilometres from Adelaide to Darwin in ‘Maureen’, a 2000 Toyota Corolla valued at no more than $1,500.
The rally raises funds for Cancer Council and cancer research. William and Carey began the journey aiming to raise $20,000.
They returned with more than $21,000 in donations and finished just outside the rally’s top 10 fundraising teams.
Maureen stops at Timber Creek
The journey did not end quite as planned for Maureen.
The Corolla developed a cracked radiator while approaching Timber Creek. William and Carey repaired it several times, but eventually ran out of time to complete the final 600 kilometres in the car.
They joined their rally buddy group for the remaining journey and made it to the Darwin finish line. Maureen stayed behind at Timber Creek for what William described as a ‘sleepover’.
The team’s next logistical challenge is finding a way to return the car to Wodonga.
Despite the mechanical trouble, the fundraising result exceeded the team’s original target. William thanked the businesses and individuals whose donations helped them raise more than $21,000.
Across the rally, participating teams raised more than $2.5 million for cancer research.
The rally heads to Albury-Wodonga
There was also some welcome news for William’s home region.
Albury-Wodonga has been announced as the starting point for the 2027 Spring Shitbox Rally, bringing the event and its fundraising purpose closer to the First National Bonnici & Associates team.
For now, William and Carey can celebrate reaching Darwin, exceeding their target and helping the rally deliver another substantial contribution to cancer research.
Maureen, meanwhile, still needs a lift home.