The Birthday Bash continues to be a very well supported and popular event on the GSCCR?s social calendar. As those attending gathered in Trafalgar to commence the run to the Fish Creek Hotel, the skies looked threatening, but other than coping with a very brisk wind the weather gods were in our favour. Fortunately, there was only a brief sprinkling of rain on the way to Mirboo North and the run for the most part was in pleasant winter sunshine, but the chilly winds remained. None of the owners of participating soft tops were prepared to brave the elements and drive with the tops down, maybe we?re not just as hardy these days or just a little more pragmatic.
At 11:00am sharp we all set off on the run to Fish Creek, all except the Irelands in their Porsche 944, which required a quick dash to the Shell Servo to purchase a pair of jumper leads to get some charge into a recalcitrant battery. The run took us up to Thorpdale and on to Mirboo North via the Strzelecki Hwy. We then took the Grand Ridge Rd and wound our way through Mirboo and Dumbalk and eventually joined the South Gippsland Hwy for a short distance before turning onto Falls Rd which took us all the way into Fish Creek.
I suppose organising a car club run in Gippsland isn?t too difficult a task considering the plethora of glorious driving roads with stunning vistas. Falls Rd leading into Fish Creek is a testament to this being a very enjoyable piece of winding tarmac running along a ridge with panoramic views. I received comments from a number of members who had been to Fish Creek quite a few times but were never aware of the Falls Rd approach and were very pleasantly surprised.
At the end of the run we gathered at the Fish Creek Hotel, a beautiful art deco building built in 1939 and tastefully redecorated on the inside. The birthday bash took place in the Oberon function room where there was plenty of chatter over a glass of wine/beer and a very tasty meal. Our club President Ray Youlden welcomed all the members to the 19th GSCCR birthday bash and performed the obligatory cutting of the birthday cake. Special thanks to member Kevin Gracie for once again providing a nicely decorated and tasty birthday cake.
Reflecting on this occasion of the Club?s 19th Birthday function makes you appreciate the efforts of the founding members in establishing a club that is still going from strength to strength and it is terrific to see so many of our members continuing to support club runs.
The efforts of those who map out runs, prepare route instructions and organise venues is very much appreciated, and all members are welcome to plan a run in conjunction with the committee?s scheduling of events. Organising club runs is not limited to committee members.
Words and pictures by Phil Barnard
Many thanks to the organisers of the 19th birthday bash for another great day out. Despite its temperamental start, the 944 made it safely home and loved the drive.