It all began with the Ozzie Road Trip (www.ozzieroadtrip.com), after riding 14,600 kilometres around Australia in 43 days to raise awareness of youth mental health it became clear that following on from the success of this ride that youth mental health, depression and suicide is a universal problem, you guessed it, we are now off around 'The World' with my mate Ray 'Budge' Blackett working with the Inspire Foundation as they launch there Reach Out program (www.reachout.com) in the USA and Ireland. To helps us out Chris Dolan will aslo be tagging along, maybe to take some happy snaps and occassionally to make 'tea'
Regards
Joe Campbell
Founder
A former real estate executive, Joe currently owns and operates one of
Joe was nominated for Australian of the Year in 2009 for his 14,500 kilometre trip around
Joe has more than 30 years experience in sales, having worked with major retailers, computer software and hardware suppliers and large real estate organisations within
Fitness has always been a big part of Joe’s life. From an early age he played rugby, he trained in martial arts and boxing, was involved in competitive swimming to masters level, surf boat rowing in his thirties and in his forties he tackled triathlons, finishing consistently in the top five for his age category. He has both the physical stamina and mental toughness to take on endurance challenges and win. This trip appeals to him precisely because it will challenge him, physically, mentally and emotionally. Joe sees this trip as the pinnacle of his life’s achievements, bringing together all the elements that he has learned in his fifty odd years and offering him and others the opportunity to put something back into the community.
Joe is married to Cathy with 3 adult children and 6 7 grandchildren with one or two works in progress.
Joes' Story:
Ray is fifty something year old husband of Barbara, father of six children and grandfather to eleven grandchildren. His hobbies include restoring old vehicles and motor cycles as well as spending weekends and holidays riding his Harley with his wife Barbara. Most recently they rode through the
Ray worked with the National Parks and Wildlife Service for twenty five years and was awarded the Australian National Medal for his service during that time. Ray is now retired and spends his time helping to raise funds for children’s charities and riding his Harley. During his service with NPWS Ray was involved in bushfire fighting, whale and mammal rescue, training and search and rescue. During his search and rescue activities he was closely involved with suicide situations and sometimes spent many hours comforting victims until medical help arrived. Ray is passionate about helping to raise awareness of youth suicide as he has lost two close mates to suicide, in one of which there were no outward signs of depression.
Ray also had 13 years of Interstate haulage and frequently experience fellow drivers with mental health problems.
Bio ‘Chris Dolan’
Unfortunately Chris withdrew from the trip while he was crating his bike Darwin ready for shipment to Indonesia after hearing of the death of a friend in a motorcycle accident in Argentina.
Chris Dolan from Newcastle, NSW will join Joe on the Big Blue Ride. Chris is married with two children and currently runs his own pool business, CY Pools.
Starting his career as an apprentice panel beater Chris developed a passion for motor vehicles and motor sports. One of his most memorable experiences was working in the pit crew at Mt Panorama Bathurst to repair a V8 touring car for STP Roadways Commodore racing team. Chris also won a smash up derby in Maryborough QLD and rebuilt a HR Holden to enter the Variety Bash in Newcastle. His team raised thousands of dollars for Variety, the Children’s Charity.
Chris has spent many years either repairing, riding, driving or racing some form of motorized vehicle and has almost every licence to go with it. His driving career includes working as a driving instructor teaching off road skills, driving semi-trailers interstate, racing go-carts, driving coaches, tow trucks and he even drove the Fire Engine at Windale for the NSW Fire Brigade. He is a licensed Bobcat operator and can operate excavators and bulldozers. Chris also enjoys the ‘rural life’ on his property at Merriwa where he has a cattle farm.
