When Theodore P&C’s Trail ride opened entries for its 2025 annual event, they probably weren’t expecting that 1118 riders would make this the biggest Theodore Trailride ever.
A small community of less than 1000 people, Theodore is situated 560 km north-west of Brisbane, and its P&C began the trail ride 15 years ago.
According to trail ride Committee Secretary Jessica Weimar, the motivation for the annual trail ride was the P&C’s desire to break the never-ending cycle of approaching local businesses for donations to the school.
“Most of the P&C were active trail riders at that time and so the ride was a natural step. Over the years it grew to the point where a dedicated Trail ride Committee was formed.”
“This year’s event was incredibly successful and our biggest year ever, so next year there might be a need to cap it.”
The concept of P&C trail rides is a hugely successful one, and the income forms a significant and a critical slice of P&C fundraising.
Trail ride funds go into the P&C’s resources, and they decide where best to use it, in relation to things the school doesn’t have budget for.
“So far,” says Jessica, “trail ride funds have gone towards the purchasing and maintaining a school bus, allowing kids to travel to sporting and extra co-curricular opportunities and extra educational resources. And currently the P&C is working towards a multi-use undercover court that can be used for basketball, netball, pickleball and school gatherings.
While visitors to last year’s trail ride added an impressive $40K to the P&C’s budget, riders in this year’s record-setting event brought a whopping $70k to the party.
“The trail ride is very popular in the community,” says Jessica, “particularly with people who have or have had kids at the school, and over the 15 years we’ve had been lucky enough to have four different land holders allow the camping and trails on their property.
“Working alongside the landowners to keep the areas weed-free, and cleaning up properly afterwards is key to a successful event.
“You also need a committed team, and a dedicated trail boss because they spend a lot of time track marking. So, it takes a good team and a bit of work, but the outcome’s well and truly worth it.
“But in the end our goal is to put on a fun event for our community, that gets everyone out there having fun riding bikes, and the fund raising becomes a by-product. That way everyone looks forward to it every year, and people take time off so they can come camping.
“I’ve only been on the committee for two years, and I’m not a rider myself, so although I came in with a handover, MQ was very helpful providing the paperwork, answering my concerns and questions and making sure the insurance side was covered. That’s the big one for property owners, knowing who’s liable, because injuries are going to happen. But anything to do with paperwork or with Ridernet regos, Courtney from MQ was always there to help.”
If you’re a member of a school P&C and considering adding a trail ride to your fundraising options, MQ has a full, efficient and helpful staff that can make it a seamless exercise. Reach out to Courtney to see what your options are at admin@mqld.org.au
Images: Coulton’s Country or other photographers as marked