EASTER 2013 IN BENDIGO VICTORIA
There was a huge turnout of club members for the Austins Over Australia event held during
the Easter weekend. 28 Austin A30 Club members were there, from Bendigo itself and from other Victorian regions, and from Melbourne,
NSW and all the way from Perth! Great to see such a large contingent of Club members and their A30/A35s.
Overall, there were about
450 present from the various car clubs at the events held over the four days.
On Good Friday, the A30 club directed traffic through
the scenic countryside between Bendigo and Castlemaine railway station for the steam train trip to Maldon. We were met part-way along
the train trip by a couple of members of the “feral car club” who had their cars on display at Muckleford. After lunch at Maldon,
we looked around the historic township (the first town in Australia classified by the National Trust as a town of historic significance)
and soaked up the old-world atmosphere. The return trip to Castlemaine was enjoyable chatting with members of other Austin clubs.
Saturday
was also a fun-filled day with a visit to Bendigo Pottery and the antique complex. In the afternoon, most people spent their free
time enjoying the Easter Fair festivities in and around Bendigo.
On the Saturday night, Fred & Annette’s A35 van and the
A30s of Don Jones and Brian & Pauline took part in the Torchlight Procession through the centre of Bendigo, together with Nairn’s
Freeway and Adam’s Austin A95. The Procession was a lot of fun for the participants and the spectators. We had a very positive response
to our cars and lots of encouragement and waves from the public.
Sunday was car display day at the Bendigo Jockey club.
Sunday night was the Gala Dinner with request to dress in our best 1960’s
or 1970’s outfits. Lots of people made a big effort with original flares, miniskirts and hippy outfits and it was a lot of fun. The meal and the service at the All Seasons was fantastic and everyone had a good time. There were lots of awards and prizes
handed out by Adam. At the end of the night we rounded up A30 participants for a group photo and we finished the night again
around the pool.
Those who were there on Easter Monday enjoyed a visit to the grand Stupa, a Buddhist construction which when completed
will be the largest outside Asia. The weekend concluded with a farewell buffet on Monday night, attended by 150 members of the various
car clubs. It was a great way to catch up with Austin people from all over Australia in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Congratulations
to Adam Francis and Jan McMaster and the team from the Austin A40 club for a well-organised fun event.
The next Austins Over Australia
will be held in 2015 in Devonport, Tasmania.
Annette Brauneis and Brian Brooks