Creating Our Community Of Riders
On Saturday 2 May 2026, thousands of riders will come together along the Great Ocean Road for the Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride, proudly supporting Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
By taking part, we are helping fund life-saving cancer research, supporting patients and their families, and riding together to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer.
Simply register, activate your fundraising page, and share it with your network. You’ll be amazed how many people rally behind you — supporting your ride and helping create real impact through every kilometre.
The Stories That Power Our Ride
We’ve invited some of our Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride community to share why they choose to ride and the impact this event holds for them.
These ambassadors represent the heart of our event — riding with purpose, supporting the incredible work of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and inspiring others through their personal stories, dedication, and commitment to making a difference.
This is where we share their journeys, their motivations, and the stories that drive them forward.
Be Inspired By Their Journeys
Professor Sonia Fullerton
Prof. Sonia Fullerton rode the Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride in 2025, fundraising for Peter Mac after witnessing first-hand the life-changing impact of cancer research on patient care.
A Palliative Care Consultant with more than 20 years of experience, and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Prof. Fullerton has seen remarkable advancements in treatment throughout her career.
“Compared to when I first started as a palliative care doctor 25 years ago, the way we treat many cancers has been transformed through research,” she says. “It’s incredibly inspiring to see how our work is supported by the Peter Mac Foundation, and even more rewarding to get outside, ride my bike, and connect with the community.”
Russell Yardley
Russell Yardley, a Charity Champion, completed the 145km Otway Classic in 2025, fundraising for Peter Mac alongside his wife Sue after both experienced cancer first-hand. Sue was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and Russell with aggressive prostate cancer in 2023.
Motivated by gratitude for the research that helped save their lives, Russell raised $6,167 to support the next breakthrough in cancer treatment. Despite riding with a strained Achilles tendon, he finished in just over five hours and has set his sights on returning in 2026 with a goal of breaking the five-hour mark — continuing to ride with purpose and give back to the community that supported them.
Tim Semple
Tim Semple, Head of the Molecular Genomics Core Facility at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, rode the Great Ocean & Otway Classic Ride in 2025 and raised more than $3,000 to support cancer research.
A passionate cyclist, Tim is motivated by witnessing the direct impact of fundraising through his work at Peter Mac — particularly how community support helps provide state-of-the-art equipment for researchers and accelerates life-saving breakthroughs. He shared this message at the 2025 start line and is looking forward to riding again in 2026.
“Every dollar you raise has a real, tangible impact. It brings powerful technologies into the hands of researchers, helps turn bold ideas into action, and directly accelerates progress toward better cancer treatments. Your support makes a massive difference, and we couldn’t do our work without you.”
