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An overview of the National Meet by the Event Co-ordinator, Eric North
Most people arriving for the Pre-Tour arrived at the Best Western Motto Farm Motel, Raymond Terrace, during Sunday (7th ) and registration took place on Sunday afternoon followed by a "get-together" dinner in the Motel dining room at night. Many old friendships were renewed over the meal. Most of the WA and Victorian contingents had arrived plus some from Tasmania and Queensland as well as NSW.
Monday was quite a long trip through Maitland and on to Greta where an inspection of the Wyndham Estate Winery and a delicious morning tea had been arranged. The estate manager took us to the vineyard and explained the process of managing the vines and their relationship to the finished products. It was then along the Golden Highway through Jerry’s Plains to the Woodlands Horse Stud, a prestigious establishment owned by the Ingham family. A narrated bus tour of the property was followed by a picnic lunch in the grounds. On the return trip many people called in at the Arrowfield Wine Cellars. Although a long day, there was much of interest to see and do.
Tuesday was a shorter run in the other direction to Nelson Bay and, after some morning tea at a waterfront park, we boarded the vessel "Moon Shadow" for a 90 minute cruise on Port Stephens to watch for dolphins. The beautiful bay was worth the cruise, but as if on order a pod of around 13 dolphins spent quite a while frolicking around the boat, these are really fascinating animals. The afternoon was free to wander around Nelson Bay, visit the lighthouse and Coastal Patrol museum which has a panoramic view of Port Stephens.
Wednesday was a free day to just take in the local sights or laze around the motel and socialise, some of the people went on a 4WD tour of Stockton beach, others visited the Botanic Gardens, which are just down the road from the motel.
Thursday, we again headed north this time to Singleton for an inspection of an open cut coal mine. After a briefing at the Coal Industry Centre and a welcome and lengthy address by the Mayor of Singleton, we were transported by bus to the coal mine, a guide from the mine joined us on the coach and we proceeded to an area where some of the giant dump trucks were parked. We were able to climb up to the control cabin and sit in the driver’s seat. After this inspection, we were taken to an area where we could view the entire mammoth operation. We watched the dump trucks being loaded by giant shovels and transporting the coal to the washery before it is loaded on trains for transport to Newcastle for export. After a late lunch at the Singleton RSL Bowling Club, we returned to the motel and, as had become the custom, to an enjoyable meal and chat in the dining room. Registration for the people who had joined us for the main National Meet also took place on Thursday evening.
2006 Buick National Meet -- May 12-14
Friday was the first day of the National Meet and the now, much larger group assembled for the morning welcome and briefing before heading off on a tour ending up in the historic village of Morpeth for lunch and shopping or window shopping, whichever the case might be. Some took the opportunity to visit the Maitland Gaol before returning to the Motel. The evening was the official welcome and cocktail party where everyone came together and enjoyed the great fellowship of our hobby and of course the food. Again it was great to catch up with old friends again, many more of the Queensland and Victorian contingents joined us plus more from NSW.
Saturday, we were able to view "Fighter World" Museum at the Williamtown Air Force base before assembling on the banks of the Hunter River at Stockton, directly opposite the city of Newcastle. The cars were lined up in decade order and proceeded in convoy across the Stockton Bridge to the Newcastle Waterfront Reserve where we were allowed to park in an area not normally available to vehicles. We were then able to enjoy lunch in the sunshine right on the waterfront, a very pleasant experience.
The evening entertainment was dinner at the "The Old Texas Ranch". The operator had promised us two coaches to transport us to the venue, but only one turned up and it was already part full, so the coach had to make a second trip for the rest of our people. The dinner consisted of entrée, huge steaks or your choice of several other dishes and dessert. The entertainment was a singer plus the opportunity to ride the "mechanical bull", an experience enjoyed or otherwise by a number of our party and many other patrons.
Sunday was the main "Show & Shine" day of the National Meet. We travelled to Pokolbin where we assembled at "Hunter Valley Gardens" and were grouped in decade order for public display. There were in excess of 80 Buicks lined up ranging from 1912 to 1978, including a local 1925 Hearse and a couple of other local cars which were not registered for the event. It was a great display. Participants were given voting forms to vote for their Buick of choice in each decade, almost every entrant voted. In some sections, voting was close but in others there were very clear winners.
The main dinner of the Meet was held at the Maitland City Bowling Club and two coaches were laid on to transport everyone to the venue. It was an excellent room and a very nice meal. The formal part of the evening consisted of the committee being introduced by the Meet Co-ordinator, Eric North, and a welcome and thank you to the participants, sponsors and supporters. Then a welcome and thank you from Colin Castle, the NSW President. A representative from each state club spoke briefly and Queensland confirmed that they would host the 2008 National Meet.
This was followed by the presentation of the trophies for the most popular Buicks in each decade group and the most popular overall.
Results were:
Up to 1919 Graham & Susan Porter Qld. 1912 model 28. Graham and Susan had dressed in period costume and looked magnificent on the day.
1920-1929 Colin & Dawn Castle NSW 1929 Master Roadster
1930-1939 Jim & Yvonne Casey NSW 1938 Century Coupe
1940-1949 Owen & Robyne Mansford NSW 1948 Roadmaster Sedanette
1950-1959 Robert & Lyndal Croxford Vic. 1954 Special Coupe
1960- 1969 John & Enid Neale NSW 1965 Riviera GS
1970-1979 Jim & Beryl Donis WA 1970 Estate Wagon
Most Popular Overall Robert & Lyndal Croxford Vic. 1954 Special Coupe. Robert and Lyndal received the Perpetual Trophy originally donated by the late Percy Zupp, a trophy to keep and a book presented by Buick Motor Division.
Special award for Marquettes: Peter & Gwen Allen
The RACA Trophy for a significant contribution by a committee member was presented jointly to Dawn Castle and Virginia Russell.
Longest distance driven in a Buick to the event, David & Aileen Chaffey from Tasmania driving a 1957 Roadmaster. The Chaffeys were accompanied by friends Everett & Cheryl Ayres from USA, who were presented with a Nationals badge.
Hard luck trophies were presented to Aaron Davis of Qld. and Andrew Sharpe of NSW.
A draw was then held to present prizes donated by Meet Sponsors and Supporters.
As soon as the draw was completed, the people present bolted for the coaches to return to the motel.
Post National Tour - May 15-25
Monday saw us depart Raymond Terrace and travel via Maitland and the Golden Highway through Denman and on to Merriwa where most of us had lunch before continuing on to Mudgee where we spent the night.
Tuesday morning, Tour Director, Graham Weekes called his, soon to be familiar, morning briefing heralded by the sound of a Klaxon Horn. He suggested we visit Steins Winery and Motorcycle Museum and other attractions in Mudgee before heading off to Gulgong only about 29km away. Mudgee is a very pleasant town on the banks of the Macquarie River and the centre of a flourishing vineyard and wine industry. Gulgong is an historic mining town and home of the oldest continuously operating Opera House in Australia.
On Tuesday evening at the Opera House, we were treated to an Australiana show performed by local artists during and after dinner, what a great performance.
Wednesday morning, we were invited to visit the property of Ross & Robyn McRae, about 10km out of Gulgong, to look at Ross’s collection of cars which included Auburns, a Graham and Model T Ford. While we were there, Robyn’s daughter, Angela Kracht, gave us a terrific demonstration by the dogs she trains for TV and movie parts. Then returning to Gulgong to visit their great museum and have lunch at a lookout overlooking the town. Then there was a short drive to Wellington and a visit to the Phosphate Cave and Japanese Garden, which are a few kms outside the town.
Thursday, after a drive to Burrandong Dam and the Auditorium for morning tea, it was on to The Angora Farm where we were treated to a barbecue lunch, a demonstration of shearing an angora rabbit and a tour of the property’s animals which included Alpacas, Llamas, Water Buffalo, Bison, Ostriches, Camels and Koalas. In all, a very informative time. It was then on through Yeoval to Dubbo, some stopped for afternoon tea at the National Trust property "Dundullimal Homestead".
Friday was a free day in Dubbo and most spent a large part of the day at the Western Plains Zoo while others attended the Dubbo Show and others took in the other attractions of the city like the old Gaol.
Saturday morning was overcast and, as we made our way south on the Newell Highway, we had some "real rain" but it stopped as we entered Peak Hill, a sleepy town, where we were given a tour of the workings of an open cut Gold Mine which ceased production a few years ago. There were several giant holes from which the ore was extracted. Then it was on to the Radio telescope north of Parkes where most people picnicked and took in the impressive scientific structure which featured in the movie "The Dish". Then it was on to Parkes, which appears to be a thriving town.
Sunday was spent in the Parkes area, the morning visit to the Alpaca Farm south of town where a great morning tea was provided and the owner gave a very enlightening talk on the Alpaca industry. His wife gave spinning and weaving demonstrations. Then, after lunch, it was a visit to the Parkes Machinery Museum. What a great display. The museum had been opened especially for our group and the Museum volunteers started up several unusual and interesting tractors, a combine harvester and a stationary engine. There were many interesting items for our inspection including a carriage from the "Silver City Comet" train. The museum volunteers also provided us with afternoon tea, and what a spread that was.
Monday, it was south again to Forbes, another historic town where some visited the Bushranger’s Hall of Fame Museum under the Albion Hotel, while others wandered around the town with its pretty gardens and ornamental lake. Then, on through the villages of Eugowra and Cudal to Orange. Orange is a prosperous city overlooked by Mt. Canobolas. Some of us drove to the top of the mountain on some rough gravel roads, it was a magnificent 3600 view from the top which made the trip worthwhile, but it was very cold up there. Orange has some magnificent old buildings and homes and a walking tour of the central area is highly recommended.
Tuesday morning, we awoke to a very heavy frost, all the cars were covered in ice and some were a bit reluctant to start. We then drove to the flour milling town of Manildra where we were entertained at the Amusu Theatre, a relic of days gone by, where they still use "carbon arc" projectors to show the films in a corrugated iron theatre with original old theatre seats. We were even provided with "Jaffas" but asked not to roll them down the aisles. The cars were lined up outside the old theatre for photographs. Some had lunch in Manildra while others drove on to Molong. Molong is still recovering from a flood early in the year and many businesses in the lower part of the town have not reopened. It seems implausible that this amount of damage can be done by a river which is now little more than a trickle. There are some interesting old buildings in the town and one houses a tapestry which depicts early life in the town.
Tuesday night we were invited by the Orange Vintage Car Club to join them at the Gladstone Hotel for a meal and get together. This was a really enjoyable time, many of us renewing old friendships and we were also joined by Andrew Sharpe, who had been with us for the National Meet and pre tour. His car had been repaired and he had joined us for the trip to Manildra as well. Thanks to Keith Packham for arranging this evening and to his wife Nancy and the other club members for the great meal.
Wednesday morning was not nearly as cold as the previous morning as we departed Orange for Bathurst, some travelling via the old village of Millthorpe. Bathurst is the home of the famous Mt. Panorama race circuit which is a public road and some drove around the track experiencing the great rise in elevation of the track which is not nearly as obvious in the television coverage of the car races held there. Bathurst also has some magnificent colonial buildings. Then it was on to Lithgow, centre of a prosperous coal mining and power generation industry, many travelled on the Zig Zag railway for a ride on the steam trains. The Zig Zag is a restored section of the original western railway which used a three section switchback to descend the western side of the Blue Mountains.
Thursday, the final day of the tour, saw the participants climb Victoria Pass to upper Blue Mountains and their accommodation in Katoomba. The day was spent enjoying the beautiful Blue Mountains area.
The final get together was held at the Katoomba RSL club where we were joined by many more Sydney members who had come up for the night. A nice meal was enjoyed and final farewells were made, representatives of all the clubs expressed their thanks for the great time they and their members had had on the Nationals and the tours. Post Nationals Tour Directors, Graham & Narelle Weekes, were presented with a gift for their extra special efforts in organising the tour and Graham made a presentation to Narelle for her contribution. Entertainment was provided by Greg North, Greg preformed Bush Poetry in a new and hilarious way, which provided the group with a really good laugh. Several people came to morning tea at the North’s place on Friday morning just to round out the event.
The committee is to be congratulated for their efforts in putting on a great event, many of the attractions we visited are not available to the general public but the committee was able gain access for us. Thanks again to the committee
Eric North
Posted 07/2006 |
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