How a Drive Through the Outback Became Part of Their Lives

 See how the Great Endeavour Rally helped Jimmy and Avril Livingstone build lifelong friendships while supporting people with disability.

Since 1988, the Great Endeavour Rally has helped raise funds to support people with disability through a unique journey across regional and remote Australia.

But for Jimmy and Avril Livingstone, the rally has become far more than an annual drive through the outback.

What began as supporting their daughter Heather’s involvement with Endeavour Foundation has grown into a major part of their lives, shaping friendships, routines, and a community they now consider family.

Heather, who has been employed through Endeavour Foundation for more than 10 years, first took part in the rally in 2016.

“She came home talking about all these people she’d met,” her mother Avril said.

“She said, ‘These are all my new friends.’”

At the finish line that year, Jimmy and Avril were introduced to the rally community for the first time.

The following year, they signed up themselves.

Nearly a decade later, they are still returning every year.

A Rally That Became Part of Their Lives

Over the years, the Great Endeavour Rally has become deeply woven into the Livingstones’ lives outside of the event itself.

Through the rally, they have attended weddings, celebrated birthdays, built business relationships, and formed friendships that continue long after the cars are parked away.

“There’s been weddings, birthday parties, 21sts, babies born,” Avril said.

“It becomes more than just a rally.”

One of those friendships even led to them breeding their German Shepherd dogs with another rally participant.

For Jimmy, the rally creates connections between people who otherwise never would have met.

“You meet like-minded people,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what car you drive or where you come from, everybody becomes part of it.”

That sense of belonging is what continues bringing them back each year.

Seeing the Impact Firsthand

While the friendships are a major part of the experience, Jimmy and Avril say the most meaningful part is seeing the direct impact the fundraising creates for people with disability.

Over the years, they estimate they have helped raise more than $200,000 through their involvement in the rally.

“We see where the money goes and the difference it makes for people,” Jimmy said.

They have seen fundraising contribute towards supported homes, workplace equipment, and opportunities that directly improve the lives of people supported by Endeavour Foundation.

For Jimmy, one of the most rewarding parts is seeing people with disability actively participating in the rally themselves.

“That’s the coolest thing of all, seeing people with disability fully included and part of the rally,” he said.

The experience has also strengthened their connection to Heather’s own journey through Endeavour Foundation.

Heather first joined Endeavour Foundation through work experience while still attending Ipswich Special School before transitioning into full-time supported employment.

Over time, Jimmy and Avril watched her confidence and independence continue to grow.

At first, they were driving her to and from work each day. With encouragement and support from Endeavour Foundation, Heather gradually learnt to travel independently using public transport.

Staff encouraged employees to use trains where possible and ran transport safety training to help build confidence travelling independently. Heather first learnt to catch the train to and from work before eventually progressing to travelling by bus as well.

“She became more confident doing things on her own,” Avril said.

“Endeavour always encouraged them to become independent.”

“She became more confident doing things on her own,” Avril said.

Today, Heather continues to enjoy her work, friendships, and routines through Endeavour Foundation.

“She’s never said she doesn’t want to go to work,” Jimmy said.

A Community Built Through Shared Experiences

For the Livingstone's, the Great Endeavour Rally has grown into something far deeper than an annual fundraising event.

Over nearly a decade, it has shaped friendships, created lifelong memories, and connected them to a community that now feels like extended family.

“It’s not just a rally anymore. It’s part of our life,” Jimmy said.

The next Great Endeavour Rally will be held from 4-12 September 2026, from Toowoomba to Mount Dare.

To learn more, or to sign up for a once in a lifetime experience, visit the Great Endeavour Rally website.