For many years now the Sporting Register has begun the year with an Australia Day Mystery Run complete with an Aussie Trivia Quiz organised by Glenn Campbell. One could say it?s become traditional. The weather for this year?s event was ideal for roofless sports cars even though it became cloudy later in the day and a few drops of rain fell whilst heading home. About thirty cars assembled at the start in Warragul where Glenn issued instructions and took numbers for those intending to lunch at the Meeniyan Pub. The early estimate of 30 diners was amended to 53 and telephoned through, but the Pub was able to cope and meals looked really nice.
The route took us south from Warragul on the Korumburra Rd before turning east at the Seaview turnoff and following the Grand Ridge Rd towards Mirboo North for a morning tea break. The participants soon sorted themselves into a group of sprinters out front, a middle group and a bunch of tourers at the rear. After having set up and photographed the cars as they passed through Trida, your correspondent set off in the Bugeye in pursuit of the tailenders. Several groups of motorcycles were also enjoying the road but when they pulled over to regroup, the Bugeye had a clear run and soon made up ground, overtaking a rogue Camry in the process.
A 40-minute break at Mirboo North quenched a few thirsts and relieved a few others. Clint and Viv Wilson with their beautiful German Shepherd tuned up in a Morris 1100, having opted for the direct route through Trafalgar and Thorpdale after missing the start. The cafes were turning a good trade and the main road looked colourful with most of our parked cars decked out in Australian flags.
The second stage of the run took the cars out of Mirboo North passed the Brewery towards Boolarra then along the Limonite and Mirboo roads to Mirboo and Dumbalk. Terrific drivers? roads and virtually no traffic. Another photo location was set up on the Limonite Rd, although it seemed that some participants had discovered an alternative route that avoided my location. At Dumbalk a few Club members stopped to assist Paul and Marg Van Rossum whose Z3 had snapped its serpentine drive belt. The car would go no further under its own steam, so Paul and Marg caught a ride to Meeniyan in the Jaguar of Ian and Jenny Honey leaving the Bimmer to be collected by the RACV.
Meeniyan was a hive of activity, but we all managed to find car parks before retiring to the Pub for lunch and the all-important Trivia Quiz debrief. After an exhaustive elimination, the top 3 teams were separated by them trying to guess the length of the Murray River. Anne and Malcolm Irwin won first prize (a Stubbie cooler), Paul and Marg Van Rossum came second and Carol and Ian Mallows won the toothpicks with Aussie flags as third prize. Commiserations to John Moss who missed out on prizes when he went outside in the rain to save his MGB from drowning.
A very enjoyable day, great roads and even some friendly competition. Thanks once again to Glenn for his organisational work and leadership in bringing it all together.
Most enjoyable day. I counted the tree ferns and the “Tatts” on the man we passed. Looked for interesting letterboxes along the way. All wasted. Glen didn’t ask for these details. Really did cherish that magnificent prize. Maybe next time.