WITH his first-ever book about to be launched, based on the family trip of a lifetime four years ago, Wallsend pastor David Riley has a lot to look forward to, but not a minute to spare.
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Earlier this year, his 17-year-old daughter Jessica was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer and passed away.
Tragedy was heaped upon tragedy when he was diagnosed in September with the same cancer that his daughter died from, and he has been given just months to live.
The release of his book Bubsie and the Boys coincides with the 100th anniversary of the epic quest of West Australian mates Nevill Westwood and Greg Davies, whose story Mr Riley fell in love with and recreated for himself.
At the age of 21 in 1925, those two men left Perth in a 1923 two-seater Citroen 2CV, in a borrowed, secondhand car on a mission for their church. And they just kept driving, right around the country, without so much as a map.
There was no four wheel drive, no GPS, no roads for much of the route, and no air conditioning.
Four years ago, Mr Riley, a self-proclaimed history buff, took his family of four on what he describes as a remarkable journey to follow in their footsteps.
Their car, known affectionately as Bubsie, which had less horsepower than a modern lawnmower, became the first car to drive around the continent of Australia.
After deciding that he, too, wanted to have a go at the big lap, Mr Riley said there was little to go on.
"I tried to find a book about it, but when I called the Citroen car club in WA they confirmed one didn't exist," Mr Riley says.
"The bloke said, "Well, maybe you're meant to write it. I thought, well, maybe I am."
That is how the two-year trip began.
In September, Mr Riley went public with his diagnosis, issuing a warning about his "difficult personal news"
"This will come as a shock to some given we lost our daughter Jessica to brain cancer in May," Mr Riley said at the time.
"But during Jess's illness we discovered she and I shared a very rare syndrome where our genetics can't suppress cancerous growth like most other people.
"So, it was probably only a matter of time before I had my own battle."
Fortunately, his two other children, Kea and Ted, have not inherited the same genetic syndrome.
Mr Riley's approach to his diagnosis has been one of optimism, and he continues to make the most of everyday, and shamelessly promote his book.
His advice - whether it's a family trip or a career change or another dream, don't put it off. The time is now.
Gabriel Fowler
Community health & welfare, social justice, investigations, court, general news. gabriel.fowler@newcastleherald.com.au
