Community & Business
24 July, 2025
A journey around Australia
ONE hundred years ago, a 1923 Citroen 5CV made history and became the first car to circumnavigate Australia thanks to the efforts of a young Western Australian man.
This year, the centenary of his journey is being commemorated by a group from Perth who will soon arrive in the Tablelands in a replica of the original vehicle.
A small team from a Seventh Day Adventist church in Perth decided to commemorate Nevill Westwood’s “incredible journey” by replicating it.
They plan to retrace the steps of Nevill’s missionary trip around Australia in a restored 1923 Citroen 5CV, re-enact a number of scenes from the original expedition, and produce television programs on the event.
In the “true spirit” of Nevill’s journey, they’ll also share the “Everlasting Gospel” as they go. This will include conducting outreach programs and other forms of evangelism in major cities and in smaller regional centres across Australia.
The group left New South Wales on 21 February and made their way to Perth, where Nevill originally left for his journey, and will eventually make their way back to Perth by the end of December.
They have since been stopping at towns along the way and will arrive at the Tablelands next week.
For those interested in viewing the replica car or hearing more about the story of the young adventurer, they can do so from next Tuesday-Thursday.
Next Tuesday, the group will be at the Falls Teahouse in Millaa Millaa (10am), Eacham Place in Malanda (12noon), and the Historic Village in Herberton (2pm).
The following day, they will be at Railway Street carpark in Atherton (9am), Yungaburra Park (12noon), and Main Street, Tolga (3pm).
On the Thursday, they will be at Arnold Park, Mareeba (9am) and then Centenary Park in Kuranda (11am).
For more information, visit https://rightaroundaustralia.tij.tv or www.nma.gov.au/explore/collection/highlights/citroen-tourer.
