General News
25 July, 2025
Grayden to pedal more than 700km for Macquarie Home Stay
Bogan Shire Council’s new director of infrastructure services, Grayden Curry, will get a close inspection of the region’s road network this October when he will ride more than 700 kilimetres over six days to raise money for Macquarie Home Stay.
Mr Curry will join the peloton for the Toyota Tour de OROC which is a unique biennial cycling event from October 6 to 11, 2025.
A keen cyclist, Mr Curry takes to the pedals most days either around Nyngan and surrounding areas when time and weather permit, or inside on his stationary bike.
The Tour De OROC is an initiative of the South Dubbo Rotary Club, and has been described as one of the longest and most rewarding charity rides on the global calendar.
Taking place every other year, the ride takes various routes around the Orana region. Since its inception in 2013 the tour has contributed more than $1 million to Macquarie Home Stay - an accommodation facility for people from regional and remote communities needing medical treatment in Dubbo.
Each rider on the tour is aiming to raise more than $2500 this year, which will go to the planning and development of stage three of the facility, which will include family orientated rooms.
Mr Curry moved to Nyngan from Gympie in Queensland just before Christmas last year to take up the infrastructure services (formerly engineering services) role at council following the retirement of Graeme Bourke.
He’d barely sat in his new office chair when news of his love for cycling reached the ears of the general manager and the mayor, who were quick to suggest he sign up for Tour de OROC - which will pass through Nyngan this year.
It will be Mr Curry’s first multi-day ride, and he’s now in training so he can complete the six days and also raise the $2500 for the fundraising commitment.
Mr Curry took up cycling in Gympie when the elder of his two sons was in his early teens and competing in triathlons. “I said that I would train up and do one with him. The first couple of triathlons I did was up on a mountain bike! My son then decided to specialise in just the cycling as that was the part of triathlon he enjoyed the most,” he said
“He started racing and as part of that I was taking him all over Queensland. When you’re taking your kids to these sporting events, sometimes there’s a rub off effect and you end up doing a bit yourself.
“I’ve found cycling to be a terrific father son experience. Both of my sons ride. Also, as men, it’s a great way of exercising, having a chat- that sort of camaraderie.”
Mr Curry was a member of a social cycling group in Gympie for eight years until he moved to Nyngan, and has now joined cyclists for rides around Nyngan and Dubbo.
He also enjoys the online connection through fitness apps such as Strava, where fellow cyclists can share their rides and offer encouragement.
Mr Curry is currently riding around 150km a week as part of his early preparation for the tour, and will gradually increase over the coming months.
“I would prefer to ride outside, but sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. I’m doing a fair bit of indoor training at the moment because of the cold.”
The 2025 Tour de OROC starts in Dubbo on October 6 and goes through Warren, the Macquarie Marshes, Nyngan, Cobar, Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett, and Coonamble, where the cycling component finishes on October 11.
Mr Curry expects the weather will be one of the biggest challenges, particularly the wind.
“You can almost bet that over six days, you’re going to have one day where you’re going to be just riding into a headwind for the entire day!”
Despite being in Nyngan for only a short time, Mr Curry said he has heard about Macquarie Home Stay and its importance to the population of western NSW.
“In terms of the people I’ve met, - when you start asking - more than 50 per cent have used Macquarie Home Stay or know someone who has,” he said.
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