Southcare Open Day 2015

Sunday 29th March was obviously the day to have a car show on. First of all there was our scheduled club run to the South Care Helicopter open day, in addition, our club endorsed Royalla Open Day and 3rd of all the Auto Italia car show. With so many shows on in the one day, getting a good turn out to any one particular show was going to be a challenge for all three event organisers.

As our official club run was the South Care open day, the majority of us turned up at the Hume service station as planned to head out to Symonston to display at the Snowy hydro Helipad. Driving in was interesting as you get to drive past the Alexander Maconochie Centre, and as we did, I noticed a contingent of the local dwellers there watching on as the cars rolled in. Probably something a little different for them to see as I would imagine their daily outlook would be fairly mundane being locked away in there!

That said, we arrived at around 9.45am to set up. There was already a large contingent of cars there set up and from all early indications it looked like it was going to be a big day. With no club trailer in tow today it was a simple case of lining the cars up and setting our chairs up. No club trailer also meant that members had to fend for themselves food wise for the day. This was no real issue as there was an abundance of food stalls on hand.

To me it appeared as there was about 150 cars on display. From what others that attended last year said, the numbers were down significantly. So I assume that was due to the other shows on the same day. That certainly didn't dampen the spirits of those who attended as things were very busy and the amount of stalls well worth looking at. Having taken 'Mini me' (my son) along with me, his priority was to get a look at the rescue helicopter. So we lined up for about 20 minutes so he could climb all through it while I was given a run down on the set up of the vehicle and its construction. It was quite interesting actually. A big thanks to the volunteers who took the time to talk to anyone interested in the operation of the service.

Come lunch time it was time to find a feed. The Rotary stall looked like the place to purchase a feed. I indulged in a steak sanger where as 'mini me' had a hotdog. Then we finished the afternoon with a very refreshing choc top ice cream which went down a treat given it was really quite hot.

Come early afternoon many of the cars on display started leaving. A number of our cars also had to leave due to other commitments. So that only left Black Betty and the Green Machine to fly the CTC banner. I decided I would hang around to the trophy presentation to see if Black Betty could take home another 'dust collector' for the mantel! As it turned out she took home two prized trophies. One for best coupe, and the other for best engine bay. Well done to you both Steve and Helen! I am sure your lovely beast will continue to draw the crowds to it at any show and I am sure there will be more trophies in future.

So with the formalities over and the raffle drawn, it was time to head home. Thanks to all that made the effort to come out for the day. It was a good day in all. A big thanks to the event organisers and volunteers of the South Care helicopter service.

See you all next time.

Cheers, Gerry