Helensburgh couple Steve Melchior and Shelley Daniew achieved that by mixing business with pleasure to promote their Elite Camper trailers in North America.

But it was no breeze.

In fact, there were many stormy moments involving everything from hot, dry, dust to hail and snow.

The day before Mr Melchior was about to realise a dream of ascending into Harley heaven with more than 500,000 bikers from across the United States, another event almost took him to the real place.

The old saying of ignorance is bliss almost caught the Just Cruisin' Harley Tours operator out when he came face to face with a tornado, with nothing but his small two-wheeled camper trailer for protection.

He and Ms Daniew had just visited the home of Buffalo Bill in Cody, Wyoming, and were trying to reach Sturgis for its famous bike week.

When they realised they could not make it, they decided to pull into an RV park in Gillette.

They were just starting to relax and enjoy the cool night air after a hot day on the road, when the gentle breeze stopped and was replaced by an eerie silence.

Moments later, the quietness was shattered by a loud noise.

"We were sitting outside our camper having a quiet drink when sirens and a loudspeaker started," Mr Melchior said. "A severe rainstorm started so we went into the camper to wait it out. After it passed, I went to the local shop to buy supplies and asked what all the noise was about. I was told it was a tornado alert and I should have found a solid building to hide in."

The couple's trip started after Mr Melchior shipped a bike and a trailer across the Pacific.

The plan was to spend six weeks riding through nine states to try to tap into the US market.

The Just Cruisin' Harley Tours operator started the Elite business eight years ago when he decided to have camper trailers manufactured in China that could be towed behind motorbikes.

Mr Melchior found a used bike crate for his bike and both were shipped about a month before he set out from Los Angeles.

"We planned to attend Sturgis Bike Week and demonstrate my trailer," he said.

But in LA, he had to wait five days for customs.

Then for the next 14,000 kilometres, the couple experienced every weather condition imaginable. The weather extremes started on the first day, travelling from Las Vegas to Utah in 43-degree heat, when they experienced the first of many desert storms.

That was followed by a rainstorm so heavy they couldn't see the road.

At Colorado Springs, they rode up the 14,110-feet Pikes Peak to be greeted by hail and then snow.

Mr Melchior is thinking about doing it again in 2015 for the 25th anniversary of Sturgis Bike Week when more than one million people are expected to transform the small town of 6500 people into a Harley city.

Award finalist

The University of Wollongong's new Sustainable Buildings Research Centre was among 99 finalists named recently for the 2015 Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards.

It is one of seven finalists in the Best Sustainable Development New Buildings category after being nominated by COX Richardson Architects and Planners and UOW.

IRT on target

IRT Group's annual report summary for 2013-14, called One Year In Review, revealed the number of IRT customers had reached a new peak at 10,330, a capital works program was under way valued at $170 million and the group had an asset base of $958.6 million.

During the past four years, $6.5 million was directed to benevolence meaning the IRT was on target for its commitment of $10 million by June 30, 2015.

And all this was achieved in a rapidly changing environment in the aged-care sector from increased life expectancy, major government reforms and changing consumer preferences.

Paying it forward

Wollongong resident Sherryl Sherson is calling for more random acts of kindness after an interesting experience at Stockland Shellharbour while doing some late shopping.

A lady approached her with twins in a double stroller and another little one in tow and stopped Ms Sherson to hand her an envelope. She asked her to accept it and not to open it until she got home.

"This lady was in her late 20s, well groomed and had a happy friendly approach," she said.

"At home, I opened the envelope and read the note with a $5 note attached. I'm going to frame the note along with the $5 and I hope one day, I meet this lady again."

The note read:

"Hi! My name is Kerry and I feel very blessed to have a great job I like. I realise that others aren't as fortunate. I want to teach my children that giving is better than receiving. So please take this $5 and buy a coffee. I hope it makes you smile and warms your heart. Smiles to you."

Raffle success

The Rotary Club of Illawarra Sunrise raised more than $14,000 from its annual Christmas raffle recently.