The new book Bubsie and the Boys chronicles the amazing, and accidental, 1925 journey Nevill Westwood and Greg Davies took as they drove a Citroën 5CV christened Bubsie around Australia. The book was launched at Wallsend Seventh-day Adventist Church on September 13. Author and pastor David Riley was joined by Signs Publishing’s book editor Nathan Brown, who officiated the event, as well as documentary filmmaker Wes Tolhurst, who has made a short film as part of the project, as well as North NSW Conference president Pastor Cristian Copaceanu, who prayed a dedicatory prayer.
The book began as a passion project for Pastor Riley when he discovered the story of Westwood and Davies. “I thought, ‘I need to find a book on this story’. To my surprise, nothing had ever been written.” As a result, he embarked on a multi-year journey to write what would eventually become Bubsie and the Boys.
Westood was a ministerial assistant, and Davies was a teacher-in-training. Both were 21 years of age. “No-one had even driven from Perth to Darwin before,” said Pastor Riley, “So that’s all they were intending to do.” The original mission was to distribute Adventist literature to the remote outback stations of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. But when they were due to reach the Northern Territory, the enterprise expanded. “Well, we’ve come halfway around, why not go the other half?” said Westwood.
As it turns out, there were many reasons for them to not make the attempt. From flat tyres to engine breakdowns to sweltering hot weather, the journey was no less arduous than it had been in the first half. But, despite hardship and numerous challenges, Bubsie and “the boys” managed to pull off this remarkable feat.
“This is a great Australian story,” said Pastor Riley. “Like all good history, this story still speaks to us today. No matter what kind of journey we might feel called to go on, if we step out in faith, even if we’re not sure how we’re going to achieve it, God has a wonderful way of steering us along the way. I’m hoping people will be inspired to go on their own adventure—whether it’s circumnavigating Australia by car, an adventure in ministry or something else.
“Rather than a trip of a lifetime, make it a lifetime of trips.”
Pastor Riley’s enthusiasm for Bubsie has also been overshadowed by personal tragedy. His 17-year-old daughter, Jess, passed away in early 2025 after a short, yet intense battle with cancer. This prompted the family to take medical tests themselves, after which Pastor Riley discovered that both he and his late daughter had a rare genetic syndrome that prevented their bodies from suppressing cancerous growths. Only a few weeks before the book launch, Pastor Riley received a shocking diagnosis: he too had cancer. “Even though this diagnosis came so soon after Jess’s, I feel incredibly grateful, because the odds are I shouldn’t even be here today. I should have been gone a while ago. I’m at peace with the diagnosis. My faith remains strong. I’m just grateful for every day I’m given.”
Watch our interview with Pastor Riley below:
