Primac Gurus supporting Legacy Queensland

Charity Scooter Ride through Southern & Central Western Queensland raises much needed funds for Legacy Queensland!

In August of 2026. I joined a group of defence force veterans on a charity scooter ride around parts of rural Queensland. I was invited by my brother, Ian (Jake) Jacobsen, a retired RAAF pilot, to join him on the 14 day trip. The ride for charity, is an annual event known as Scootaville. It involves a group of veterans riding some 2100kms on small 110cc Suzuki scooters raising much needed funds for Legacy Queeunsland and homeless veterans.

This year the ride left the Kedron Wavell RSL Club at Chermside in Brisbane on the 16th of August. The convoy travelled west to Toowoomba, Dalby and Roma, north to Injune and Emerald, then east to Biloela, Tannum Sands south to Bundaberg, Kingaroy and Kilcoy arriving back at Chermside on the 29th August.

Previously, back in 2014, Jake Jacobsen organised the very first Scootabor Charity ride across the Nullabor from Port Augusta to Freemantle. This event was very successful, and at the time. raised many thousands of dollars for Beyond Blue. More recently though, the annual Scootaville run is now organsed by Mr. Trevor Benneworth, the Secretary/Treasurer of Radschool Association Inc. Trevor has put many untiring hours into planning these events, over the past years, and needs plenty of congratulations for his generous efforts in supporting our veterans and their families through Legacy Queensland.

This year our group of 16, was made up of nine riders, with six scooters, and seven support crew. We were supported along the way by local RSL sub chamber members, with accommodation usually provided by local councils in showground pavillions, memorial town halls and PCYC venues. The riders came from parts of Queensland including Mt Isa, and one from Port Maquarie in NSW. Many had been on multiple trips. The comardierie between the members was overwhelming, it became obvious to me, that many of the veterans needed this trip as their own form of personal therapy as well as focusing on raising funds for others. As just one of three civilians in the group, they welcomed me with open arms, but coping plenty of banter about my civilian status.

Spreading good will at several rural Primary Schools

Along the way, it had been pre arranged by Trevor to stop off at several small rural Primary Schools to provide some interation with the school pupils. Notable visits were to the Brigalow, Mt Murchison and Dallarnil schools each with between 9 and 20 pupils. It was interesting to see many of the bush kids giving our riders a “dig” about their small 110cc scooters, when some of them had much bigger bikes of their own on their farms. We were able to give the pupils some gift packs of random goodies provided by some genrous suppliers.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Putting money back into Rural Queensland

A quick calculation amongst our group one evening, came up with a figure of around $25,000 to $30,000 was spent with rural Queensland busineses over our 14 day trip. This money was injected into small businesses, in the form of accommodation, food and beverages, fuel and other services. Laundromats in Roma and Tannum Sands did a particularly good trade when we hit those towns for a rest day. The service from rural clubs and pubs was first class, and congratulations go to the many RSL sub chamber members who provided excellent hospitality, and assisted in donating considerable sums of money as donations.

In Toowoomba, we had morning tea with Mayor Geoff McDonald at a Civic rception at the City Hall.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Time to take in some sights along the way!

There was plenty of opportunity to take in some sight seeing along the way. For quite a few of the party, travelling in the rural areas was a rare treat.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Raising money for a good cause!

Not losing sight of the real reason for the two week trip, congratulations go to Trevor Benneworth of Radschool Association Inc and Ian Abes of Legacy Queensland for the good work they, and others do, in raising charitable funds for Legacy and homeless veterans. A quick look at the Scootaville website, shows that since 2022 in excess of $100,000 has been donated to their nominated charities.

With this in mind, and in keeping with our own Associations aim, I consulted with the committee of Primac Gurus Association Inc and sought approval to contribute a sum of $1,000.00 to the Scootaville cause. These funds along with the contributions from this years Scootaville ride, will be directed to Legacy.

From the Legacy Website their aim is: “The Legacy Club of Brisbane Limited keeps the promise by providing long-term social, emotional, developmental and financial support to the families of Australia’s veterans.

Since being founded on 18 May 1928, Legacy Brisbane has worked to assist the partners and children of veterans, who gave their lives or health in recognised military service, to fully realise their potential. We care for those in need, believing adversity in service should not lead to financial or social disadvantage.

Your support can help these families in their time of greatest need. Together, we can serve the families that have given so much for us”.

Many of the beneficiaries of the Legacy movement reside in rural Queensland. On our travels, we were able to meet with several family members of veterans that rely heavily on support from Legacy, and I am confident, our donation from Primac Gurus Association will go in some way in supporting those beneficiaries a little bit more.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•