Executive Summary
The Gibb Challenge is an extraordinary cycling adventure, tracing the iconic
Kimberley stock route of the Gibb River Road from the deep port town of Derby,
through the vast pastoral leases of the central and east Kimberley and on to the
community celebrations of the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster.
In its short evolution, it has exceeded all expectations in terms of public interest,
community involvement and fundraising with over $1,500,000.00 raised for our
charity partners. In a unique approach, participating teams invited to nominate a
registered charity of their choice to benefit from their fund-raising endeavours.
Our organising committee are desirous in securing generous corporate partners to
assist with the costs associated with conducting such a large scale, charitable event in
the remote Kimberley. Valuable funds raised will contribute towards full catering,
camping, wilderness park fees, safety clothing for the volunteers and event riding
jerseys for the anticipated 400 riding participants.
Principal Sponsor will be afforded co-branding on all 2012 merchandise lines as
well as a raft of benefits to promote their corporate citizenship; prime affiliation with
The Gibb Challenge, a corporate profile page in Gravel Rush – electronic newsletter,
media exposure in television, radio, print and electronic mediums, premium Company
logo position on the event riding jersey and a complimentary corporate team
registration.
Contribution: $10,000
Diamond Sponsor benefits offer a strong affiliation with The Gibb Challenge,
corporate profile on a shared page in Gravel Rush – electronic newsletter, associated
media exposure in television, radio, print and electronic mediums, prominent position
for your company’s logo on the event riding jersey and corporate team option.
Contribution: $5,000
Pearl Sponsor benefits offer a strong affiliation with The Gibb Challenge, corporate
profile on a shared page in Gravel Rush – electronic newsletter, associated media
exposure in television, radio, print and electronic mediums and a shared back of
shoulder position for your company’s logo on the event riding jersey.
Contribution: $2,000
Anything you may be able to offer however would be highly regarded and would
greatly assist our efforts to encourage community participation in this unique
Kimberley event.
Thank you in anticipation of your generous consideration.
Simon Rimmer
Principal Organiser
The Gibb Challenge
The Vision
In 2007 Simon Rimmer, a police Sergeant with the Broome Police Station breathed
life into the Gibb River Road Mountain Bike Challenge; a five day team relay
event raising community awareness and money for charity across the iconic Gibb
River Road.
The event’s objectives are to foster community relationships between police and the
communities they served, promote the health benefits of physical activity and raise
awareness and much needed funds for charitable groups. Our success to date is
testament to the allure The Gibb holds, the remarkable beauty and isolation of the
Kimberley and the willingness of people to participate in something that is a little out
of the ordinary. It’s a powerful mix and one destined for continued success.
The Charities
In a unique approach, The Gibb Challenge encourages each of the participating teams
to nominate and raise money at least $2000 for a registered charity of their choice.
Many teams however strive for greater endeavour and in just five years our event has
collectively raised over $1,500,000 directly benefiting;
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WA Police Legacy Inc.
Youth Focus
Broome Medical Services
Environs Kimberley
Kimberley School of the Air
Kyle Andrews Foundation
Matt Butcher Trust
Kununurra Crisis Centre
HYPE
Princess Margaret Hospital
Chris Fong Foundation
Ben Mikic Foundation
Strong Women Strong Babies Strong
Culture
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Legacy
Royal Flying Doctor Service
Starlight Foundation
Angel Flight
Make a Difference Ride
Malibu Special School
Canteen
Peel Palliative Care
Miruwung Gajerrong Health
Halls Creek District High School
Leaning Tree Community School
Sir David Martin Fund
Gawooleup Yawoodeug Aboriginal
Corporation
The Format
The Gibb Challenge certainly offers an opportunity to test the speed, skill and
endurance of those competitively inclined. It also offers an equally rewarding though
less ambitious participation goal that doesn’t preclude the recreational cyclist. The
team relay format of between two and six riders each riding within their ability allows
riders with even a modest level of fitness to participate and contribute towards their
team’s effort.
Depending on team size, participants can elect to ride as few as 30 kilometres in a day
or as many as 140 kilometres. This event is not a race, though social competitiveness is
a valued component of the event. The continued emphasis will remain on
participation, personal goals and team spirit.
The Date
The 6th annual Gibb Challenge is scheduled for the 27th – 31st May, 2012 and will again
feature in the calendar of events for the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster. Our
event aligns with the Airnorth Kimberley Moon Experience to provide an incredible
additional community celebration for our participants.
The Route
The Gibb River Road; 740 kilometres of
rough, unforgiving road through an ancient
and beautiful land. The Gibb was once the
preferred route for cattle drovers moving
cattle from the interior of the East
Kimberley to the deep port facility at Derby.
Now it’s more favoured by four wheel drive
enthusiasts, the last great frontier for
adventurers.
The Gibb is attracting cycling adventurers
too; whether part of an organised tour group
or self paced cycling tourists. It’s certainly
possible with some good planning,
preparation
and
healthy
doses
of
enthusiasm.
The Gibb offers a true modern day challenge
set in the spectacular beauty of the
Kimberley.
The Support
Our event is extraordinarily fortunate to draw on the assistance of the Broome and
Derby State Emergency Service, Fire and Emergency Services (Broome) and the St.
John’s Ambulance sub-station Broome with meal preparation, transport and
ambulance response. In addition, WA Police provide marked police escort vehicles
with voluntary police staff and we are joined by other volunteer health professionals
prepared to provide supplementary medical skills should they be required.
It is anticipated the beneficial community partnerships established to date will
continue in 2012 and beyond, ensuring The Gibb Challenge builds upon a strong
foundation of responsible event coordination with participant safety a principal
consideration.
The Exposure
Each year witnesses intensive media and community interest for our event. Reports
feature in The Kimberley Echo, The Broome Advertiser, Broome Happenings and The
West Australian. There are also reports presented on WIN and GWN Television News,
GWN Community File and extensive radio interviews with ABC Radio, WAFM, 6PR
and Radio Goolarri. ABC Kimberley accompanies our event and broadcast live each
morning from our overnight camping locations.
Our registration with the Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster sees our Challenge
featured in their Program of Events brochure and on their internet site. Promotion is
further enhanced with our inclusion in the calendar of events for Australian Mountain
Bike, Mountain Biking Australia and Outer Edge, all nationally syndicated magazines.
Outer Edge and Mountain Biking Australia also included feature articles written by
our participants.
Electronic promotion of the event was achieved with an e-mail distribution of the
monthly newsletter, Gravel Rush. A regular feature of the newsletter was the
recognition of financial and in-kind support in “Heroic Contributions” and recurring
inclusion of our numerous benefactors’ corporate logos on the “Heroes Page.” The
distribution for Gravel Rush is in excess of 1600 direct recipients with many more
receiving the newsletter through on-sending. Gravel Rush is also posted to each police
station in the Kimberley District and listed on the WA Police Sporting Information
Bulletin Board.
The Gibb Challenge has a website that receives significant internet traffic and
generates regular contact with people seeking to register their interest and
involvement. The site is located at www.thegibbchallenge.net.au
The Potential
Our event has become a genuinely iconic Kimberley experience and immensely
popular event with interest far exceeding availability of team placements. Safety will
always be a prime consideration and our growth is rigidly managed to enhance the
safety and enjoyment of all the participants.
This proposal may assist you or your company in determining whether you can
support our event. Our organising committee are seeking significant corporate
partnerships to assist the development and further promotion of this unique and
exciting community initiative. This is a remarkable opportunity to join a successful
event from its early beginnings, destined to capture the attention of the Kimberley and
fire the imagination of anyone with a sense of adventure.
If you would like further information or can offer any support, please do not hesitate
to contact Simon Rimmer of Karunjie Event Management on 0439 063 441 or
[email protected]