1st September 2009 IPSWICH car dealer John Grant is putting the infamy surrounding the ute he lent Kevin Rudd to good use – giving
the vehicle to charity for a massive fundraising trek. With the “ute gate†scandal now behind him and the prime minister, Mr Grant said he was looking forward to some good coming from the affair. “Mission Australia are going to use it as a fundraiser,†Mr Grant said. “They are taking it to the biggest ute muster in Australia, on October 2-3, at Deniliquin. “We thought we would go from ute gate to charity gate. “It’s good to see it being used by charity to raise money.†Deniliquin Ute Muster festival director John Harvie said he was rapt the ute would be coming to New South Wales for the event, which attracts thousands of ute fans each year.
“It will be great for the thousands of people to see the infamous ute in its glory,†Mr Harvie said. “Let’s hope Mr Rudd is even more tempted to come along and bond for one final time with the ute.â€