Flat Chat Tryna: Why a Canberra Father and Son are driving 3,500km across outback Australia

Just Better Care Canberra & South Coast has signed on as the primary sponsor of local father and son team "Flat Chat Tryna" for the Shitbox Rally Winter 2026, a 3,500km outback adventure raising critical funds for Cancer Council.

When Joel first heard about the Shitbox Rally from a work colleague who had done it twice, his reaction was simple: this is something I want to do. But when it came time to register, he knew immediately who he wanted alongside him.

"Having lost my father to complications related to a cancer diagnosis, it became apparent that our time on this world would end up being very short. You get to realise how precious time is when cancer has touched your life." - Joel

Joel (52) and his son James (25) make up Team "Flat Chat Tryna", a proudly Australian name for a proudly Australian event.

"We're going to give this a red-hot go and raise as much money as we can. And the name has that Aussie lingo to it, which fits perfectly." — Joel

The car (AKA: The Shitbox)
Meet Green Christine

The team's vehicle is a 2002 Ford BA Falcon sedan, acquired through a friend of a friend for the price of two cases of beer.

"He said it's going to be used for a good cause, so he was more than happy to help out. That generosity has been a theme all the way through this process."

The car, dubbed Green Christine (after its Ice Mint Silver Metallic paint job and a rather pointed hospital visit after Joel sustained an injury working on her during preparations), has been fitted with a roof rack, dual spare wheels, an awning, fresh brakes, suspension work, and a camping fridge to keep the milk cold for the morning coffee (and other compulsory refreshments for the journey).

"She's had it in for me once already. Hopefully she's got that out of her system now and knows her job is just to get us to the finish line."

While Joel handled logistics, fundraising and sponsorships, his son James (a seasoned camper and four-wheel-drive enthusiast) took charge of the mechanical and electrical fit-out.

"He's done an awesome job. He's put far more in than I. Which was always the deal." — Joel

Mildura to Townsville: 3,500km through the outback

The Winter 2026 Shitbox Rally departs Mildura on 20 June, heading north to Townsville alongside 250 vehicles and more than 500 participants. The route takes in some of Australia's most iconic outback terrain, including the Birdsville Track and the Flinders Ranges.

"I'm really looking forward to going somewhere I would never have thought of going on a regular holiday. These are places that are part of Australian cultural lore." — Joel 

The rally is supported by a full mechanical and medical crew, with flatbed recovery trucks on standby and teams grouped into buddy convoys of around seven cars. If something goes wrong, nobody is left alone on the side of the road; everyone is strategically paired with different people who have complementary skill sets to help them on their journey.

A cause close to home

For Joel, cancer research is deeply personal. Beyond losing his father, his partner's stepfather passed away from pancreatic cancer, and his partner's mother has survived two breast cancer diagnoses.

"Without the work these researchers do, her mum's survival probably wouldn't have been possible. I don't think there's anybody who could say a cancer diagnosis hasn't impacted them. And that's where the generosity comes from." — Joel

Since its founding in 2009, Box Rallies has raised over $55 million for the Cancer Council. 

100% of fundraising goes directly to cancer research projects, with 63 projects funded to date.

Just Better Care Canberra & South Coast: the primary sponsor

When Joel approached Kiri Tennent, Franchise Owner and Manager of Just Better Care Canberra & South Coast, she didn't hesitate.

"When Joel came to see us, it was an easy yes! So many of the people we support every day have been touched by cancer. Being able to back a local team doing something this meaningful for the Cancer Council felt like exactly the kind of thing we should be part of." - Kiri Tennent, Owner of Just Better Care Canberra & South Coast

The response from the wider team matched Kiri's enthusiasm.

"From the moment I walked in, Kiri was really enthusiastic and really supportive. She came out of our meeting and announced to everyone in the office what they were doing, and everyone was positive and excited and had lots of questions. It was really humbling." — Joel

Just Better Care Canberra & South Coast is the team's major sponsor, alongside other local Canberra businesses including Marko Body Repairs, Priority One Lending, the Ford Performance Club of ACT, and Mesh Cyber.

Smashing their fundraising target

Joel and James initially set their target at $6,000, then revised it to $9,000 as donations rolled in. They have since crossed the $10,000 mark.

"The business community has just blown me away. The response has been amazing." — Joel