Australians Warren Brown AM and Matthew Benns today embarked on an ambitious attempt to recreate the 1927 journey of Australian adventurer Francis Birtles who drove a British Bean 14 motorcar from London to Melbourne to highlight Australia’s
potential to the world.
Across deserts, through jungles and over snow-capped mountains, Brown and Benns are driving a red Bean 14 motorcar identical to the one used by Birtles to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the largest rural and remote health provider in Australia.
Dressed in 1920s period costumes, the intrepid adventurers were sent on their way today by a crowd including Miss England Milla Magee. Almost 100 years ago Birtles was waved off from the same spot by Miss Australia Phyllis Von Alwyn.
In Sydney before their car was loaded on a ship to London New South Wales Premer Chris Minns wished Brown and Benns well. “This recreates the epic journey of an Australian adventurer, it raises money for a fantastic cause, the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It is an honour to be there from the very start. Warren Brown is a danger man, I cannot wait to catch up with them for, in my
case, a non-alcoholic beer when they get back.”
Warren Brown said “This adventure celebrates so many things – the amazing bond between Australia and Great Britain – the resourcefulness of those marvellous outback pioneers like Francis Birtles – and of course that uniquely Australian institution the Royal Flying Doctor Service.”
Royal Flying Doctor Service UK Chair Peter Box said “The work of the RFDS brings huge medical benefits to remote Australians, a large portion of which are indigenous people. We are delighted to support Warren and Matthew as they set off on what will be an incredible journey.
Australian High Commissioner to the UK Stephen Smith said ‘Warren and Matthew’s Journey from the UK to Australia draws attention to the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The RFDS supports hundreds of thousands of Australians living in rural and remote areas each year by providing essential. health services communities right across Australia.
Warren Brown AM is the cartoonist for Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph and Matthew Benns is the newpaper’s editor-at-large.
