SAFELY back in his home town of Dalby, Qld, "the tractor bloke" has been reflecting on his momentous sponsorship initiative that saw him raise more than $30,000 for Guide Dogs Queensland.
Frank Chiverton has just completed a 5900km lap of inland Queensland on his trusty Chamberlain Champion 306 tractor, towing a mobile caravan/workshop which not only helped make life on the road a little easier but also ensured he could carry out repairs on-the-run.
As far as he is concerned, likewise his legion of supporters, it's a job well done with respect to his endeavours on behalf of blind Queenslanders like his young grandson, Sebastian.
Frank recalled the day he set off – July 15 – as being a cool morning with his open cab "adding an early bit of character" to the trip, with dust storms making their presence felt right from the start.
Then it was all about meeting his punishing itinerary which he had meticulously drawn up over the past two to three years.
Essentially, a giant figure eight, it was all about "capitalising on any likely crowds" as Frank first headed north to Mt Isa before looping down into NSW, even South Australia.
"It was important to get to the (Mt Isa) Rodeo and on to Camooweal for the Drover’s Reunion, also the Birdsville Races," he said.
"Then it was acros to Winton for the Outback Festival and finally back for Beef Galore in Dalby."
Clocking up about 200km a day, stretching to 350km on one occasion, the farm manager and instructor at the Australian Agricultural College Dalby campus had eleven and a half weeks to reflect on his endeavours.
As well, he told me he worked out the tractor’s front wheels had turned an amazing 2.3 million times by the time he switched off its engine on completion of the journey in Dalby.
"Most times I stayed in a town - so I could talk to people and spread my message," Frank said.
"But I spent three nights camped out in the desert with early morning frosts and it got to over 40 degrees up around Mt Isa."
Loving old tractors, also travelling the outback, Frank said his motivation was not only a personal mission on the part of his beloved grandson but also for Guide Dogs Queensland.
His fund-raising venture will see the proceeds go towards training a guide dog, thereby providing a new lease of life for visually-impaired Queenslanders.
And what were some of the highlights a long the way?
Immediately Frank Chiverton said: "Meeting such lovely people and their generosity when I could see they needed help themselves.
"They were more than happy to donate because they knew what I was trying to do – eventhough they had children with their own problems."
Any down-sides?
"The mosquitoes," Frank quipped.
On reflection he said the trip probably was a "one off", later adding that he might do something similar in a few years.
"But I would go tomorrow if I knew I could help somebody who couldn’t see," Frank said.
Talking to people en route, he said that most people were "amazed" it cost about $30,000 to train one guide dog.
Guide Dogs Queensland community relations officer Meg Winterford, who was in Dalby to welcome Frank back, said she was in awe of his individual fund-raiser.
Pointing out the organisation did not receive government funding, Ms Winterford said of Frank: "It’s been an unbelievable effort and we so admire him for his courage and his hourable intentions."
With the strong backing of his family, particularly his wife Lesley, Frank told Queensland Country Life he wanted to underscore his thanks to all rural people who had supported his cause.
"I really appreciate the help they gave me – whether it was money, a motel room, even a meal," he said.
Finally, the machine that made it all possible, Frank’s Chamberlain Champion 306 tractor, has a special place in the hearts of the Chiverton family.
Purchased brand new by his father in 1966, currently it’s on track to become a fourth generation heirloom and one that will see it proudly maintained by the family for ever and a day.
As well, the made-in-Australia icon will be fondly remembered by Guide Dogs Queensland which says it plans to name a puppy ‘Champ’ in recognition of the part in played in the Chiverton family’s fund-raising venture.
* Donations can still be made via the Guide Dogs Queensland website.
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