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Story & Pictures, John Neale
2005 New South Wales and Queensland Port Macquarie Weekend Away
Or The Ken, Jenny, and Brendan Show
See pics below
We arrived in Port at about 5.00pm Thursday afternoon after a great run, it took us just 4 hours and 40 minutes, but then we were not driving a Buick, shame shame shame. We checked into the Motel and then cruised the town looking for a good place to eat. After a nice meal we went looking for Ken and Jenny, but unfortunately they were staying in secure accommodation. We were able to walk in but we had to leave the car out on the street, so we decided to wait until the morning.
Friday morning arrived early, and the buffet did not open till 8am., so, we decided to have our morning walk. The motel was in the perfect location, right on the water’s edge. Two steps from the motel’s back gate we were on the Public Walkway which went to Settlement City Shopping Centre to the left and to the right all the way to Flynn’s Beach, passing the wharf where all the cruise boats were moored, and where the Sea Plane Joy Flight’s Aircraft was located, and then out to the end of the Breakwall, absolutely magnificent at this time in the morning. We sat at the end Breakwall for a few minutes watching fishermen catching small Tailor, before heading back to the Motel for breakfast. The rest of the morning was spent enjoying the fabulous facilities of the Motel.
After lunch, Ken and Jenny had set up the Registration table and as the mob arrived they were given their Rally Packs and the weekend’s program.
The first run for the weekend was a run to a local Pt Macquarie Car Club member to view his collection of cars and what a collection! There were 15 cars of which 6 or 7 were veterans, one of which was a Madison, extremely rare. His vintage went from a magnificent Special bodied Rolls Royce, a Studebaker Roadster to an A Model 5 window Coupe. Other cars of note were a Lincoln Zephyr, a 46 Buick a Trans Am Pontiac, and a modern Roller, a fabulous collection. From there it was back to the motel to greet the late comers and to enjoy a Happy Hour beside the pool before tea. After tea there were a few small parties but most of us headed for the cot for a well earned early night.
Saturday started with another early morning stroll along the breakwall before breakfast. After breakfast, there was time to give the Buicks a quick clean before heading out for the day’s program. It was also an opportunity to meet other entrants in the rally who were staying at another Motel, and entrants who lived locally and were participating in the organized events. A very pleasant surprise to Enid and I was to meet up with Brian and Jenny Clarke in their beautiful white 64 Skylark Convertible that Brian’s father had restored many years ago. We left the motel at about 10.45am, headed for Dunbogan 20 miles south of Port. A beautiful drive down the coast through Lighthouse Beach, Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills, North Haven, Laurieton and on to the Dunbogan Community Hall for a very nice pre packed lunch.
Here we were joined by past president and his wife, Ken and June Knight in their faithful 40 model, and also Bill and Margaret Denny.
Ken called the drivers together to explain that we were heading to North Brother Lookout and that the road goes up a bit of an incline, but it levels out in a couple of places, so it should not be a problem to a good Buick, so off we went. Back through Laurieton onto the Kew Road left turn at the sign North Brother Lookout, and up this bit of an incline. This incline went from slight to 3km of bloody steep hill. Once at the top, the view was breathtaking, looking down over the Camden Haven and as far north as Pt Macquarie and south to the Manning River and to the west, a view of Middle and South Brother Mountains. This group of mountains was named by Jimmy Cook as he sailed up the coast on one of his little jaunties. After a couple of group snaps, it was back into the cars and the run down this slight incline. We were midway through the pack and the smell of rather warm brakes overwhelmed the smell of eucalyptus. We all arrived at the bottom safely and it was a pleasant race back to the motel for drinks and nibbles around the pool before dinner. At 7 o’clock we sat down to another enjoyable three course dinner, a birthday cake for Brendan, and after dinner more socializing.
Sunday morning arrived and there were a few bleary eyes, trying to focus on the full buffet breakfast. 9.30am we headed for Westport Park for our Show and Shine. Ken was in the process of lining all the cars in date order. This in itself is quite a challenge, and I know that Ken would like to thank all the drivers for their unquestioning co-operation. All entrants were given a voting sheet to complete with their choices for the trophies that will be presented at the presentation dinner to be held tonight.
While we were all standing back admiring a fabulous line up of Buicks, I got a tap on the shoulder and a greeting "Hi Johno". I looked around and there was Jacqui Everett and her partner Mort. This for me was one of the highlights of the weekend. Jacqui and her late husband Tony were Foundation members of the Buick Car Club and they were very strong supporters of the club up until Tony’s passing about 16 years ago. Also turning up at the show and shine was Keith Chambers. Keith was the club’s second president.
At 11.00am, Ken gave the word, and we all headed off on a leisurely drive to Timbertown at Wauchope. On arrival at Timbertown, we were directed to a special area to park and to see Buicks parked in a large circle around the perimeter of the oval was brilliant. Once we all parked, there was time for a quick look around the displays before we all assembled in the Maul and Wedge Function Centre for more food. After another multi-course meal, it was off to explore Timbertown. There was a fully functional steam powered timber mill, a steam loco that took us all around the grounds, (even small steam trains sound great), and period style work shops and stores, all attended by people in period dress. Australiana is great.
We left Timbertown at 3.00pm and headed back to our Motel. A quick freshen up, then a short walk to a conducted tour of the old square rigged Schooner the Alma Doepel. This magnificent old tall ship was built in 1903 and has had a very colourful past and has been lovingly restored back to its original glory. If you would like to learn more about this magnificent vessel go to www.almadoepel.com.au. A few group snaps, then back to the motel to prepare for the evening’s festivities.
At 7.00pm we were shown into the Hastings Conference Centre at the motel and at 7.30pm more food, followed by the presentation of trophies.
Colin Castle addressed the group as President of the New South Wales Club, followed by David Wilson who spoke on behalf of the Queensland entrants
The winners of the trophies are mentioned earlier in the magazine, and listed below are the special awards:
Hard Luck Award Robyne and Owen Mansford 1948 Roadmaster Sedanette
Hard Luck Award Alison and Hans Spananberg 1964 Skylark Coupe
Lost Sheep Award Noel Humphries 1938 Sedan
Lost Sheep Award David Roberts 1938 Sedan
Maul and Wedge Award Ruth and John Kright 1937 Woody
Furthest Travelled Award Desley Hanrahan 1969 Electra
A special presentation was made by Ken and Jenny to Olga, John, and Lisa Quinn for their great help and support in the organization of the Event.
Colin Castle on behalf of all entrants thanked Ken, Jenny, and Brendan, and presented them with a special gift from all of us.
Once the meal and presentations were finished, and the tables cleared, it was time for drinking, dancing and a good time to be had by all. The Disco Man pulled the plug a little after 11.00pm and we all slowly drifted off to bed.
Monday morning came much too soon and it was time to have our farewell breakfast and all go our separate ways.
To Ken, Jenny, Brendan, Olga, John, and Lisa, to say just Thank You does not seem enough. Your combined efforts has given a group of people from two states and country towns, all with an interest in Buicks to come together for a fabulous weekend, to make new friends and to cement old friendships. It is a pity that we all could not have been at the same motel, as I am sure that with more time together our list of good friends would have grown even more.
Posted 11/2005 |
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