News
31 August, 2022
Mopeds come to Kilcoy this Saturday
ABOUT 45 visitors will spend the night in Kilcoy this Saturday as part of the inaugural Scootaville ride, which covers a distance of about 2,200km.
The group of elderly ex-Service men and women will ride small mopeds, starting from the Rosewood Showgrounds west of RAAF Amberley this Saturday morning, before finishing at the Townsville Lavarack Army base on September 16.
The group includes 20 riders and 10 scooters, while the purpose of the trip is to raise funds for Legacy.
Destinations and overnight stays include Kilcoy, Kingaroy, Gayndah, Biloela, Emerald, Barcaldine, Longreach, Winton, Hughenden and Charters Towers.
Scootaville organiser Trevor Benneworth said it was planned to start the event a couple of years ago, but that it was deferred three times due to Covid-related issues.
“Some years ago a friend of mine, an ex-RAAF pilot, thought it would be a good idea to ride 50cc mopeds across the Nullarbor,” Trevor said.
“He got together a group of like-minded people, they formed a group which they called Scootarbor and they set off and raised many thousands of dollars for Beyond Blue.
“I thought it would be a good idea if we did something like that again, though this time, in Queensland.”
Trevor said Legacy was chosen as the organisation to support, because of the work that Legacy continues to do for ADF families in times of need.
Trevor said most people agreed that the best way to help a person understand and overcome a problem they might be experiencing was to get together with a group of their peers and discuss it.
“To find that you are not alone in dealing with past experiences can be a wonderful help in overcoming some of your fears, your worries and in some cases, your sleepless nights,” he said.
“As Scootaville is meant for the ex-ADF person, it will be an ideal opportunity for some to meet and discuss any problem with men and women who have similar experiences.”
The riders are scheduled to arrive by 4.30pm on Saturday at the Kilcoy RSL Sub Branch, where they will have dinner and refreshments.
Locals are welcome to meet them for dinner and have a chat.
Donations can be made at www.radschool.org.au/donate
