Multiple Events | Galston NSW

Monday: 10 March 

Pack up and Travel Day

This was the day when we packed the van, finalised the last-minute things at the office connected the trailer to Glen King’s car and started on the Right Around Australia road trip. We left Cooranbong at 2.00 pm and travelled down to Galston Church where we set up the van and trailer and were made welcome at their facility.  Unfortunately, our other team members, Veronica and Pieter Raams, were not able to travel with us as Pieter was still in hospital and we ask for your continued prayers for them as he recovers.  

Tuesday: 11 March – 3 Events 10.00 am – 12.00 pm; 12.30 – 2.00 pm; 2.30 – 5.00 pm

The Persimmon Place

Our first appointment of the morning was to a business in Galston – The Persimmon Place where fresh fruit and vegetables are sold from the property with many persimmon trees. They had invited the Incredible Journey to set up the display at the front of their carpark and near the road with the trailer parked further down the fence with good viewing from the road.  People going past could see the car and the trailer and turned to call in and view the display.  

We were able to set up while it was clear, but soon after, the misty rain set in. However, a good number of people came to view the car and hear the story of this event as they had either read about it in the local community news magazine – Galston, Glenorie and Hills Rural Community News or had seen it while purchasing produce at the Persimmon Place.  Steve Belson, the pastor at Galston Church, had submitted two articles to the news, and these were published in both the February and the March editions.  It was evident that this advertising was very effective.  One little boy was delighted to sit in the car and have his grandma take his picture.  He loved the horn!  It was great to see the interest by many men who had car projects happening and who enjoyed seeing the way the little car had been restored. The church members from the Galston church were also very supportive of the team.  Many people were interested in learning about The Incredible Journey program on 9 GEM each Sunday at 8.30 am. 

Galston High School

At the end of the morning, we quickly packed up and made our way down the road to the Galston High School for the next event. Here, we set up just inside the entrance to the school car park, and after signing in to the school, we were prepared for the students to come down and view the car during their lunch break.  They came in about 5 groups, varying from 10 to 40 students at a time, and enjoyed hearing the experiences of Nevill and Greg.  They were excited to see the car cranked to start especially when some of the teachers had a go at it and were successful.  Some of the students also tried but were surprised at how much strength was needed to get it to turn over.  The students were well-behaved and engaged in the stories, and while they viewed the car, they were permitted to turn on their phones and take pictures.  We appreciated the staff at the school, who were very supportive.  The principal of the school, Kate Shepherd, was delighted to get into the car and have her photo taken.   The visit had been arranged by Richard Young, who was on the SRE committee, with the help of the SRE teacher – Paul, who was also very interested in the resources available from the Incredible Journey on stories of people from history and their impact on their communities.  

Galston Church

We then had to quickly reload the trailer with Bubsie and make our way to the Galston Church, where a display was set up next to the footpath, close to the road and resources were made available under the covered shelter in front of the church.  Eager visitors were waiting for us when we arrived, and although the rain persisted through the afternoon, people who had read the articles in the new magazine came by, and we enjoyed sharing with them.  

Throughout the day, we were able to share the story with over 180 people and the book “The Overlanders” with them.