The Road to Something Bigger: Big Dick, Tan & the Shitbox Dream
It all started over a couple of beers and a shared belief: "Let’s do something that gives back."
Richard – better known to most as Big Dick – and Damon – called Tan – had always talked about doing something meaningful. Not just another weekend pub session or a gym challenge, but something real. Something that would help people.
That’s when the idea hit them like a busted fan belt: enter the Shitbox Rally.
For those who don’t know, the Shitbox Rally isn’t just a mad road trip across the Australian outback in a $1,500 car—it’s a wild, dusty, laugh-filled journey with a purpose: raising funds for Cancel Council and helps fund the vital cancer research . It was the perfect mix of ridiculous and rewarding.
So the boys got to work.
They started spreading the word among mates, family, and randoms at the pub. The response was electric—everyone loved it. But there was one thing missing: the car. The mighty shitbox.
They scoured Facebook Marketplace, dodged rust buckets and shady sellers, chasing that one golden nugget of crap on wheels that would carry them across thousands of kilometres of dirt, dust, and dodgy servo pies.
Then one night, Big Dick went quiet. Not usual for him. He looked up and said:
“You know what… Walt would’ve loved this.”
Walt had been a long-time mate of Richard’s. A top bloke. Sadly, Walt had lost his battle with cancer not long ago. But what he left behind—besides a lifetime of laughs—was a deep love for one very specific kind of car: the classic Volvo
That’s when everything clicked.
This wasn’t just going to be any old car, This was going to be a Walted Volvo —a rolling tribute to a great mate, and a cause bigger than the both of them.
After a bit of digging (and a few dodgy test drives), they found it: a boxy, silver beauty of a Volvo 240. She had a few blemishes, but a lot of charm, and more character than horsepower. Perfect.
And just like that, the adventure truly began.
Big Dick and Tan aren’t just out to conquer the Shitbox Rally—they’re driving for everyone who’s been touched by cancer, for mates like Walt, and for the future of cancer research.
So stay tuned. Follow the build, the breakdowns, and the bogan brilliance as this duo takes their old Volvo and big hearts on the road.
This is just the beginning..
Walted are fundraising for Cancer Council
They're doing what!?
Shitbox Rally is a 7-day challenge like no other. Participants drive cars worth no more than $1,500 through some of Australia's most stunning (and often rugged) landscapes, all in support of cancer research. It's not a race — it's a challenge and more importantly, a celebration of the power of community.
Yes, the cars break down, and yes, there are plenty of unexpected twists along the way, but that's all part of the fun.
The rally is designed to be a colourful and unpredictable experience, where teams travel in small groups, helping each other along the way.
And when the day's drive ends, we gather around the campfire, share stories, and reflect on the day's achievements.
This event brings together people who have been impacted by cancer in different ways — whether it's through their own battles or through loved ones. Together we'll make memories that last a lifetime while supporting the fight against cancer.
Donate NowEvery rally. Every dollar.
Directly to Cancer Council.
Box Rallies is the largest funder of cancer research in Australia — outside of the government. Every dollar supports Cancer Council.
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Leading development of a novel epigenetic test to more accurately determine tumour risk — particularly for tumours misclassified by current clinical tools.
Developed innovative x-ray hardware under $0.5M that produces MRI-quality images and captures 3D scans during live treatment delivery.
Targeting pancreatic cancer via anti-fibrotic NID2 therapy combined with Gemcitabine/Abraxane chemotherapy to stratify and improve treatment outcomes.
Exploring genomics to identify high-risk patients earlier and guide development of new therapeutic strategies — improving survival chances.
Advanced pre-clinical evaluation of sphingosine kinase 1-targeting agents as a therapy for acute myeloid leukaemia.
Advancing CAR-T cell therapy for extracranial solid paediatric cancers.
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Harnessing epigenetics for early detection of residual and recurrent breast cancer through advanced liquid biopsy testing.
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A new targeted therapy for resistant HER2-positive breast cancers.
