General News
28 January, 2026
Carter’s legacy: time to return the support
BEN and Lori Keeble were with family on the banks on Little Lake Boort … picnic chairs arranged in a friendly circle and their boat on water for the first time in a year.
Another step in a year of firsts for the family and town that was rocked by tragedy when their son Carter, 4, died in a caravan fire last January.
Wrapped in love and support by the communities of Boort and the wider Loddon Shire.
“Last year there were a lot of firsts, the last 12 months (for us) has been about family,” Ben said.
Lori adds: “Solely about our family. One of the things we appreciate is everyone who raised money for us, allowed us to spend this time with family.”
With Ben and Lori since the tragic evening has been Boort District Health. They say now is the time begin returning that support.
In July, Ben and five mates will swap his boat for old red and restored postie bikes for a 2500km ride to the Boulia Camel Races in Queensland, raising funds for BDH.
“BDH has been very good to us, incredible since day one with endless support over the last 12 months,” Lori said. “We are very thankful. We want this to be Carter’s legacy of helping people.”
The idea of the postie bike ride came when Ben and Lori were staying with his mother and step-father in Serpentine.
“Sitting in the shed was this old postie bike, covered in dust and with a rusted fuel tank,” said Ben.
“I finally convinced Russell (Gladman) to part with it and the restoration project began. I’d been asking him for four years.
“Then a few of my mates were talking and the idea came to ride to Boulia ... it was something we had wanted to take Carter to one day.
“So we started finding other old postie bikes - nothing over $1000 - cheap bikes and doing them up.”
Lori said they wanted to continue Carter’s legacy ride into a second year.
“Our intention is to do it again and return our thanks with support for the CFA,” she said. “Anything we can do to help.”
While Lori has not returned to hairdressing since Carter’s death - she was popular with clients at Rejoov in Wedderburn and remains in close contact with many -, Ben last month in another first found himself back behind the wheel of a truck, helping transport grain when a neighbour was unable to work.
Both Ben and Lori say they are still discovering the new normal for the loved family.
But being in Boort and having the boat out on the lake, preparing for Carter’s Legacy Ride and returning thanks to the community are helping create that new normal.
“Boort’s a special place for us,” said Lori. “It’s where we met,” adds Ben. “It always feels like home,” said Lori.
The Keebles have started fundraising ahead of July’s postie bike ride. An early donation came from the Boort Ski Club.
Ben and Lori said the ride would both honour Carter and give thanks to a supportive community for its support of the last year.
“This 12 months has shown us the impact Carter had on people’s lives,” said Lori.