‍The Long Road to Glory

Every now and then you come across something that just feels Australian. The Shitbox Rally is one of those things.

Each year, a few hundred teams buy a car worth less than $1500 (it used to be $1000, but inflation is a thing!).....and give it a questionable paint job, then drive it thousands of kilometres across the country. The point isn’t to win anything or even make it look easy. It’s to raise money for the Cancer Council and have a laugh along the way.

This year, one of those teams includes Matt, one of Eldium’s founders. Back in 2019, through Stake, they sponsored a staff member to do the rally. Ever since, he’s been trying to get in himself. After years on the waitlist, his number finally came up. This time, Eldium’s along for the ride, supporting Matt & his good mate Pete get to the starting line - from there is up to them! 

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From Alice to Wonderland 

The 2025 route runs from Alice Springs to the Gold Coast. It’s about 4,000 kilometres of red dirt, unsealed roads, wide skies and towns that barely make it onto a map.

Each morning, hundreds of old cars roll out of camp together. Some are barely holding on, others are works of creative engineering. They break down, get patched up, and keep going. Along the way, you meet people you’d never otherwise cross paths with, share stories in tiny pubs, and end each day covered in dust and laughter.

It’s not a race and there are no prizes. Just a group of people choosing to do something big, albeit a little bit mad and all for a good cause.

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The Eldium Car

Our car fits right in. A white 2001 Toyota Corolla that’s seen better days, now wearing Eldium’s colours with a few creative extras that definitely weren’t in the original design brief. It’s loud, cheerful and just the right amount of ridiculous finance puns...

We’ll save the story behind the design for Part Two, where we’ll share how it came together and what inspired it. For now, it’s on the way to Alice, ready, and somehow still running.

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Why it matters

Since it began in 2009, the Shitbox Rally has raised more than $40 million for cancer research. It was started by James Freeman after losing both his parents to cancer. What began as a personal tribute has grown into one of Australia’s most loved charity events, bringing together people who want to make a difference and have fun doing it.

For us, it’s a reminder that good things don’t always start polished. Sometimes they start with a beat-up car, a few mates and a sense of purpose.

Stay tuned for Part Two. We’ll take you behind the design, the colours, the details and the fun we had in making it all work.

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Learn more about ShitBox Rally here.