Get ready to race in soapbox derby

A soapbox derby, most popular in many towns and cities in Australia and overseas, is being planned for Geraldton. The combined Rotary clubs of Geraldton are wanting to hold the inaugural race in 2021 and would like to make it an annual event. The derby, in which motorless vehicles race against the clock or another competitor on a downhill road, will be held in or close to the city precinct. The Rotary club said the soapbox derby would have both “a competitive and novelty” aspect in a festival-like atmosphere, designed for community involvement in both a competing and spectating sense. It will be modelled on the most popular soapbox derbies held in Albany and the likes of Sao Paulo in Brazil and London. Soapbox derbies started in the United States 86 years ago, after a newspaper photographer covered a race of boy-built cars. So taken with the idea was Myron Scott of Ohio that he acquired rights to the event and the following year persuaded 50 cities in America to hold soapbox car races. The Geraldton derby is expected to cost $20,000 and the Rotary Club of Geraldton-Greenough has been granted $2000 towards the cost by the Bendigo Bank. Bendigo Bank on Thursday awarded $60,000 in grants to 28 Geraldton and Mid West organisations. Wandina Primary School plans to buy a sea container to ease its storage challenges. The container will house furniture, projects and second-hand uniforms. “There is a lack of storage (for the Parents and Citizens) on school grounds, with volunteers storing items in their own homes,” the school said. “The P&C, school and students will benefit, but primarily our employees in the canteen, as the temporary storage solution is the school canteen.” The school was granted $2000 of the planned $4285 project.