A young man from Maleny, known as the Travelling Jackaroo, has donated his trusty tractor to the Caboolture Historical Village after completing a record-breaking journey around Australia.
Sam Hughes handed the keys to his bright orange 1957 Chamberlain 9G tractor, affectionately nicknamed “Slim”, to the Historical Village. The 21-year-old made headlines after driving Slim over 27,000 kilometres around the country, raising over $270,000 for rural charities and highlighting the challenges those living in the bush face.
Across the Outback for a Cause
Mr Hughes’s epic adventure began in 2021 as a gap year project. He initially set out to raise a few thousand dollars for charity, but his journey quickly gained momentum, turning into a three-year odyssey. He travelled at 40 kilometres per hour, becoming a familiar sight on Australian roads with his distinctive orange tractor, which towed a trailer carrying an aeroplane fuselage and a gyrocopter.
Mr Hughes’s mission was to raise awareness about mental health and reduce suicide rates in rural areas. He believes more needs to be done to support the physical and mental health of people living in the bush.
Hero’s Welcome and a New Home
On Sunday, Mr Hughes returned to his hometown of Maleny to a hero’s welcome. Hundreds of people lined the streets to cheer him on as he drove Slim the final stretch home. He expressed his gratitude for the support, stating that seeing the town come out to welcome him back felt fantastic.
Mr Hughes’s sister, Isobel, spoke of her pride in her brother’s achievements. She admitted that while the family always believed in him, they never imagined his journey would become so significant.
Slim Takes Centre Stage in Caboolture
Slim has now been moved to the Caboolture Historical Village, where it will be displayed for the community to enjoy. Mr Hughes said he was pleased Slim had found a good home and encouraged everyone to visit. The Caboolture Historical Village, a beloved local institution, will showcase Slim as a symbol of Hughes’s remarkable journey and his commitment to rural communities.
The Road Ahead
After a well-deserved rest, Mr Hughes plans to continue his work promoting bush history by establishing a mobile museum. He hopes to have this project on the road by 2026. In the meantime, he will enjoy some quiet time on the farm with his dog, reflecting on his incredible adventure and his positive impact on rural Australia.
Published Date 28-Jan-2025
