A CAMPING safari fundraiser that has raised more than $150,000 over the past 17 years for charities will go ahead this year – without its chief pudding maker and organiser, Bob Green.
The 21-day bus camping safari, from May 9- 29, will be the last time the Happy Wanderers tour explores iconic coastal and outback Queensland destinations between Ipswich and Karumba.
Bob, a well-known Ipswich fundraising identity, died last October, aged 67.
His son Jason will lead Happy Wanderers north along with long-time coach driver Ian Lowie and Ian’s wife Hennie.
“The tour was being planned before Dad passed away. Seeing it go ahead pays respect to Dad and is a fitting end to some amazing memories,” Jason told The Senior.
“Happy Wanderers enabled so many people from across Australia to experience the great outdoors and make strong new friendships.”
Jason said the organised camping tour particularly appealed to older people.
While numerous charities benefitted from the coach tour ticket sales, Ipswich Hospital’s Sunshine Ward for children was a key beneficiary: Bob never forgot the hospital’s care of his daughter Belinda when she contracted meningitis as a youngster.
Ipswich Hospital’s women, children and family divisional director Lyn Barrett said the Happy Wanderer tours had made life-saving and thoughtful contributions to the special-care nursery and Sunshine Ward, including an oxygen monitor, equipment for premature babies’ care, a defibrillator and maternity chairs.
The Sunshine Ward’s parents’ waiting room was named after Bob’s late wife, Judy.
- Phone (07) 3281-1296 or 0439-014-239 or email happywandererstours@bigpond.com for a brochure.
