Ian ‘Rattles’ Retallack was up early today, as always, to hitch up his horses and resume his epic fund raising journey around Australia.
“But a bit of a slower start today,” Ian said.
“My two horses Paddy and Matt had wandered off in the night in Boggabri and I had to catch them.”
However, Ian - nickname ‘Rattles’ and his two mates were soon back on track and headed for Narrabri.
Ian Retallack has embarked on what is possibly a ‘first’ - a wagon trip right around Australia.
He is raising funds for cancer research and will be in Narrabri about 11am on Friday.
“I set off from Boyup in WA at the end of October 2013,” he said.
“So far I have covered 5,500 km.
“I will finish back at Boyup, in about two and a half years, on the day I left.
Ian is headed up to Katherine, and maybe as far as Darwin.
He’s mindful of the rainy season up north.
“But whatever happens, happens” Ian said.
“I came across the Nullabor Plain in the hottest months.
“I don’t think I will do that again, I can tell you,” he adds.
His horses Matt and Paddy are retired pacers, and well adjusted to their more leisurely speed.
The fourth member of the team is his ‘Kelpie cross with a bit of dingo’, Ruff.
Ian has undertaken his fund raising trip, ‘Rattles’ Ride for Cancer’, to raise funds for cancer research, but he has a very personal interest in the cause as well.
“My Mum passed away with cancer,” he said.
“And my brother Steve suffered from bowel cancer, but he got a clearance while I have been on this trip.”
Ian is looking forward to a major family reunion when he gets to Moree next week.
He is excited to be meeting up with some Inverell relatives, three generations of family he has never met.
“My great, great grandfather took a bullock team across the country and left his brother behind and we never got to meet the descendants,” he explained.
Retallack is not a particularly common name, and these are “Retallicks” as well.
“Apparently it’s rumoured there was a big family split many years ago,” said Ian “and one side changed the spelling of their name.”
Ian has a fundraising target of $1 million.
“But if I don’t raise it that’s fine, as long as what I do raise saves one child’s life,” he said.
In Boggabri a trivia night on Monday added $160 to the funds.
Ian is keen for someone to organise something in Narrabri.
“I will be in Narrabri Friday and Saturday nights,” he said.
His number is 0498 467 735, and is happy to chat with any callers.
“And I would appreciate some feed, lucerne chaff or lucerne hay, for Matt and Paddy,” he said.
“That would be very welcome.”
What’s the standout feature of the trip so far?
“Generosity,” said Ian.
“The true blue generosity of people I meet, right across this whole country, the truck drivers, at service stations, the farmers, the hotels, everyone. You can’t beat ‘em.
“They say ‘come on in and have a meal.’ It is really hard to explain.
“But I will include it all in the book I am definitely going to write ‘Aussie Adventure - Rattles’ Ride,” Ian said.
“I think I might be the first to go right around the whole country with a horse and wagon.
“But the most important thing about this whole journey is getting people to be more aware of what is going on a round them in terms of people suffering from cancer.”
“So many people talk to me and release their stress and experiences about what has happened to them.
“Cancer touches every family or someone you know.
“And if I can do my bit to help I will get out and do it.
“If I don’t raise a million, but can help save a life, I have done my job.
“I have raised $54,000 so far.”
Meanwhile, Matt and Paddy continue their slow plod north, every step hopefully taking Ian closer to his target.