Frank “The Tractor Bloke” Chiverton should hopefully be arriving back in Dalby this Thursday, October 8, at the end of his 5,746km trip around western Queensland to raise funds for Guide Dogs Queensland (GDQ).

Frank was in Charleville last weekend heading home to Dalby after travelling as far as Birdsville, Mt Isa and Camooweal since he first set off on July 15.

Frank’s journey around western Queensland.

What has made Frank’s journey even more challenging than it would be normally is that his mode of transport has been a 1966 Chamberlain Champion 306 tractor pulling a specially designed trailer for his bed and storage.

The Australian Agricultural College instructor said he had been thinking about doing the trip for a couple of years and decided he needed a good cause to make it all worthwhile. He chose Guide Dogs Queensland with the knowledge that one day his grandson, eight-year-old Sebastian, who was born visually impaired, might one day need to call on its wide range of services.

“He’s an amazing kid, full of beans. I know that soon he’ll need their help, so I thought I’d try and help now,” Frank said.
“If I could get enough money to give one guide dog to one person it would be good because that is $30,000 per dog.”

When I spoke with Frank as he relaxed at the Cobb & Co Caravan Park in Charleville on Friday afternoon, he said he had raised around $15,000. But it hasn’t just been about raising money - it has also been about raising awareness - and Frank’s tractor trek has certainly achieved that.

“I’ve done a better job of raising awareness,” he said. “It’s all over the world.”

And his story certainly has attracted a great deal of media attention, but it has also inspired and heartened many people, particularly those he has met along the way.

“The reception I’ve received has been great,” he said. “It’s unbelievable what some people will do. I’ve been shouted lunch or tea, and it’s the people who can least afford to help you who are the ones who do - the generosity of people who are scratching is incredible.”

Travelling at less than 40kph, Frank said he never got bored on the road. Aside from the sights, “the nice thing about the ride,” he said, “is all the people I have met. When people see me they are usually surprised but they enjoy learning more about the tractor and chatting.”

Frank “The Tractor Bloke” Chiverton parked himself in at the Cobb & Co Caravan Park, Charleville last Friday on his way home to Dalby where his journey started on July 15.

Frank said he’d been welcomed with open arms and wallets in every town and roadside rest-spot he’d stopped at.

“I’ve had strangers shout me a meal, offer accommodation, fuel, and everyone I’ve met has passed the hat around - in local pubs, petrol stations, caravan parks and whole communities - people are even ringing and driving ahead to let them know I’m on my way.

“Cars pass me, the brake lights come on, and I’m watching them dig into the ashtray and down the side of the seat to find coins to donate. Others have stopped, waved me down, given me a ‘hoy’ over the two-way, and offered to shout lunch and pass the hat around at the next pub.”

At Thargomindah, the local tourist information centre person gave him a guided tour of the small community, helped rattle the bucket for Guide Dogs Queensland and arranged accommodation and meal for Frank’s next stop at Noccundra.
“It’s just unbelievable. The other day I had a tourist bus fly by me, then at the next stop they’d passed the hat around and there’s a donation waiting,” he said.

Frank said the stretch between Innamincka and Birdsville was a challenge.

“That’s probably the only time during the trip when I asked myself what are you doing out here?” he said.
“I ran into a wind storm and the visibility is down, the track had blown over - and I wasn’t sure of some of those big claypans and you think where the hell is the road?
“Where I’d been, the Birdsville Track was like a bitumen highway.”

Frank’s journey will culminate at the Dalby Pacific Seeds Beef Galore tomorrow, October 9, where a steer will be auctioned and funds donated to Guide Dogs Queensland.

“I was never real sure what to expect from this trip, but it’s gone better than even I could have dreamed up,” he said.
“I always thought the locals would be pretty friendly, but I’ve really enjoyed meeting all the city folk, the tourists from down south too. Most were always happy to drop a few dollars my way.
“If this trip’s taught me one thing, it’s that there’s a lot of good folk out there especially when they’re drafted from the mob.”

Guide Dogs Queensland’s Marketing Manager Donna Hurley agrees with Frank, describing his efforts in raising awareness and funds across the entire State as “wonderful”.
Since 1960, Guide Dogs Queensland has helped Queenslanders of all ages, who are blind and vision impaired, achieve greater independence, mobility and freedom, through a variety of free services and programs. Though best known for its icon, the Guide Dog, the association’s services also include white cane and electronic travel aid training; low vision clinics, counselling and special education programs for children.

“The association receives no funding from the State Government to provide services in regional Queensland, and less than three percent from the Federal Government for white cane and mobility services - no funding is received for our Guide Dog services,” Ms Hurley said.
“This is why the majority of our work is funded through donations, bequests and fundraising events - though Frank’s trip is definitely the first tractor ride we’ve ever had the pleasure of following.”

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