Rally for a Cause
If camping in the cold with 270 others and not knowing where you are staying each night isn’t your dream getaway, then think again.
This is the formula for the award-winning Dunga Derby car rally, which raises funds for the charity Rally for a Cause to assist the most vulnerable in our community.
The groundswell of support for the homegrown charity, which will celebrate its 12th year in 2026, is its commitment to building a more caring and compassionate Fraser Coast community.
The Dunga Derby is a four-day mystery car tour from coast to country, where each team raises funds to support the charity’s work with locals diagnosed with life-limiting medical conditions or other tragic circumstances beyond their control.
Last year’s event saw a record 271 participants and raised more than $650,000.
This will allow the charity to continue ensuring that every eligible recipient is funded for the foreseeable future.
Team fundraising comes in a variety of ways, from direct business donations to barbecues, cake drives, theme nights, raffles, auctions and special events.
Rally for a Cause general manager Scott Rowe said he wasn’t aware of another charity with such loyal community support.
“To think the concept came from a small meeting of concerned friends wanting to do more to help one local family facing the loss of their son, to the award-winning event and charity it has become, it really is remarkable.
“I take my hat off to the original members who ignited the cause, which simply continues to gain momentum.
“The generosity shown year after year by sponsors and supporters also proves what a generous and caring community the Fraser Coast is.”
And it isn’t only the locals that the Dunga Derby family assists.
Each time the Dunga family heads out on their annual four-day adventure, they find someone in need along the way whom they dig deep to support.
“Each year, on track, the Dungarians raise thousands of dollars to help people from other communities facing their own battles.
“The Dunga policy is ‘we always leave a community better than how we found it, ‘ which is something they can be very proud of.
“They don’t know the individual or family, but that’s not the point. If they are in need, then the Dunga family reaches out.”
Rally for a Cause has now raised more than $5.2 million and assisted more than 430 families.
In 2025, Dunga Derby was only the second event to be inducted into the Fraser Coast Business and Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.
For more information on Dunga Derby of the charity Rally for a Cause, please visit http://www.rallyforacause.org.au
