i98FM’s ILLAWARRA CONVOY BACK FOR ITS 15TH YEAR!

19 September, 2019

i98FM’s Illawarra Convoy is

back for its 15 year anniversary in 2019 for what organisers are hoping to be the biggest event yet. This morning, i98FM Breakfast Show hosts and Convoy ambassadors Marty Haynes, Christie Hayes & Ryan Cram launched the event at the home of the i98FM Illawarra Convoy free family fun day, Shellharbour Airport. They were joined by a number of members from the truck and motorbike community along with many of the recipients of funding provided by the Illawarra Community Foundation, which is where funds from the day go to.

In 2018, Convoy relocated from its home of many years at the Croome Rd Sporting Complex to the Shellharbour Airport, as work was commencing on the Albion Park Bypass and affected the use of the Croome Road site. The move proved a huge success for Convoy with thousands of people enjoying the benefits of easy access to the event via public transport and the immense space the airport provided. 2018’s Convoy saw performances from Sheppard, Choirboys and The Incidentals plus also included the arrival of the motorbikes and trucks, freestyle motocross displays, helicopter joy flights, kids rides, static displays, vintage trucks and over 90 market and trade stalls. “Moving the whole event to the airport was quite a task, but the space we had to work with was incredible. This allowed us to expand the amount of stalls and attractions, plus the sight of hundreds of trucks lined up down the runway was amazing.” said Convoy Manager, Mark Rigby. “It’s a fantastic venue for our free family fun day and as we have seen during Wings Over Illawarra, the airport can handle thousands of people effectively. Getting to and from the event is also made that much easier being directly across the road from Albion Park Rail train station.”

Shellharbour City Council has approved Convoy’s development application for the use of the airport for the next 4 years, securing the event site for the family fun day and end location of the motorbike and truck Convoy. The 2018 Convoy which was held on Sunday, November 18 raised a record breaking total of $2 million dollars for The Illawarra Community Foundation. In the event’s 14 year history, over $13.45million dollars has been raised. This year's i98FM Illawarra Convoy will be held on Sunday, November 17. The Convoy will depart under police escort from the Illawarra Coal's West Cliff Colliery on Appin Rd at about 8am and follow a route that will take them down Mt Ousley through Warrawong and past Stockland Shellharbour, through Albion Park Rail, then into the Shellharbour Airport for the fun day that will feature live performances from Australian Rock Icons Hoodoo Gurus, pop sensations The Veronicas award winning country artist Jayne Denham and local indie surf rockers Swells

The day will also include world class FMX motocross displays, kids rides, helicopter joy flights, motor vehicle static displays, food and market stalls, plus more.

To take part in Convoy, Truck and Bike registrations are $30 which includes a complimentary Convoy t-shirt. They can be submitted via the Convoy website at www.illawarraconvoy.com.au or at the Convoy office on the corner of Princes Highway and Airport Road Albion Park Rail. Food and market stall expressions of interest are also open on the website and a wide range of Convoy merchandise can be purchased in the office or via the online store.

“When we started Convoy back in 2005, we never dreamt it could get this big. Now in its 15^th year and with some world class entertainment lined up for our free family fun day, we are looking forward to another massive day!” said i98FM Breakfast Show host and Convoy Founder, Marty Haynes.