What’s happening?
Scootaville will return to Queensland in August 2025. About 30 riders will set off from Brisbane on Sunday 24 August on 100cc mopeds. They will stop at barracks at Toowoomba and Townsville along the way. The route includes two nights in Toowoomba, then Goondiwindi, St George, Cunnamulla for two nights, Thargomindah for two nights, Quilpie for two nights, Charleville for two nights, Blackall for two nights, Barcaldine, Emerald, Biloela, Gayndah for two nights and Kingaroy, before arriving back in Brisbane on 13 September.
Why it matters?
Scootaville raises funds for Legacy, which cares for the families of hurt or missing veterans, and for the Air Force Association, which helps homeless veterans. The event also gives ex‑service personnel a way to connect and talk through challenges while travelling together.
Local impact
Riders will visit schools, spend time with children, hand out show‑bags, give rides on scooters and talk about the ADF and Legacy. Organisers have decided to reroute the event through outback Queensland to include the recently flooded towns of Cunnamulla, Thargomindah and Quilpie. They are in talks with the Mayors of those towns and plan to hold events to lift the spirits of locals. “We realise there are many more communities that were flooded but unfortunately we can’t get to them all, hopefully they can join with us and try and forget this terrible devastation for a few hours,” organisers said.
By the numbers
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Since 2022 Scootaville has raised $80,000 for Legacy and the Air Force Association.
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About 30 riders will cover more than 2,300 km across Queensland on 100cc mopeds.
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Riders pay $1,100 and supporters $750 which covers scooters, jackets, helmets, bedding, accommodation, breakfasts and many meals.
Zoom in
Trevor Bunneworth, a Caribou aircraft technician who served with 35 Squadron during the Vietnam War, said, “We can sit around at night, have a drink, have a yarn and help each other out.” He added, “Some of them have got a few problems.” The Radschool Association Inc, formed in 1999, runs Scootaville to keep veterans connected. The ride is open to both men and women. A motorcycle licence is needed for riders, while organisers provide scooters, jackets, helmets, bedding, overnight accommodation and most meals.
Zoom out
Mr Bunneworth said the idea came from hearing about a ride across the Nullarbor to raise money for Beyond Blue. He then led rides from Biloela to Barcaldine and Charleville to Charters Towers. The event now highlights flooded towns like Cunnamulla, Thargomindah and Quilpie, where riders will spend days visiting schools to teach children about Defence and hold community events.
What to look for next?
The journey will continue to take shape as organisers finalise plans with local Mayors in the flood‑hit towns. While there, events will be held for locals to lift community spirits. Further Scootaville events are planned in Victoria in November and will be held in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania by 2027. To follow the ride or be part of it, visit HERE to get involved or donate.