Mark Thompson from Watson Toyota one of Brad’s sponsors. Brad would like to thank all his sponsors, they include Tyrepower Young, McDonald Signs and Young Industrial Supplies.
For Young local Brad Chaplin, giving back to rural Australia isn’t just a cause, it’s a 4,000-kilometre journey across the country in an old LandCruiser, raising funds and awareness for struggling farming communities. Brad is part of a unique annual event called The Long Drive for Drought, now in its sixth year. It brings together dozens of 40 to 60-year-old LandCruisers, owned and lovingly maintained by a community of enthusiasts from across Australia.
What started as a modest idea has grown into a significant fundraising drive, with nearly $600,000 raised over the past five years for the charity Farm Angels. “It’s a great little thing, a fun adventure for a great cause,” Brad says. “We’ve done quite well over the years. Last year’s drive raised about $180,000 alone. It’s become Farm Angels’ biggest single annual contributor.”
Brad is preparing for his second run this year, driving from his home in Young and back again, a trip that will total around 4,000 kilometres. “A couple of years ago, I did 5,000, but it changes every year. Last year, the route started way up north of the Gulf Coast, so I had to sit that one out. This year’s looks more manageable if all goes well.”
The route takes participants deep into outback New South Wales and Queensland, far from the highways, through rugged country that tests both drivers and their vintage vehicles.
“We like to take the roads less travelled,” Brad explains. “Even if there’s a sealed road, we’ll often choose the dirt track just to keep it interesting. There are always mechanical issues. You can’t drive 50-year-old LandCruisers through the bush without a few hiccups.” But it’s all part of the spirit.
The drive attracts a tight-knit group of amateur mechanics and tinkerers, many of whom have rebuilt their vehicles from the ground up. “Each driver knows their car inside and out. We carry all sorts of spare wheel bearings, seal kits, even entire gearboxes and radiators. There’s probably enough parts among the group to build a whole car from scratch.”
While a few vehicles don’t make it to the finish line each year, most are patched up with a bit of bush know-how and plenty of determination. Beyond the mechanical challenge and camaraderie, Brad says it’s the cause that keeps him coming back. The funds raised go directly to Farm Angels, a charity providing vital support to Australian farmers.
Founded a decade ago in Queensland, Farm Angels began as a response to the tragic suicide of a farmer. “A bloke couldn’t take his cattle to market because they were in such poor condition,” Brad recalls. “He ended up shooting the lot of them, including his dogs, and then himself. The woman who started the charity knew him, and it hit her hard.” From that heartbreaking beginning, Farm Angels has grown into a national organisation, now operating across New South Wales, Victoria, and beyond. They provide financial aid, mental health support, and practical assistance to farming families facing drought, bushfires, floods, and economic hardship.
Brad, who grew up in the Young district and still has a family farm in the area, says the charity’s work resonates deeply. Farmers face so much from pests and weather to pressure from banks and insurance. Supporting them has a ripple effect across whole communities. It’s not just about one farm, it’s about recognising the importance of those families and helping rural towns survive.”
Though Brad has already secured sponsorship to cover his entry costs for this year’s drive, he encourages others to support the cause however they can. “We’re not asking for personal donations, but we’d love people to check out the Long Drive for Drought and the Farm Angels charity,” he says. “Buy some merchandise, donate, every bit helps.”
For more information or to support the cause, visit www.longdrivefordrought.com.au or www.droughtangels.org.au.
– Liam Stuart
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