South Coast Goes to President's Picnic
26 September 2024 / Story: Anda Clayton; Photos: Anda Clayton, Rose Smith, Keith Monaghan
South Coast Goes to President's Picnic
21st September, 2024
This year’s President’s Picnic was a particularly special event, as this year we also celebrate Mazda MX5’s 35th anniversary.
South Coast was well represented, with 11 members in attendance – an impressive number when taking into account the size of our Chapter, the smallest in the Club.
Seven of us, Rose, Geoff, Ian, Chris, Roger, Brian and Anda set out on Friday morning for an overnight stay in Richmond. We met at our now regular meeting place at Hungry Jack’s in Bomaderry, keen and ready for our drive north. Our convoy of 2 NCs followed by 2 red NDs was led by organisers and run leaders Geoff and Rose.
Geoff opted to take us via the scenic route, via Picton and Glen’s Bakery in The Oaks for lunch. Despite striking some traffic in spots, it is Sydney after all, it was a perfect, sunny tops down day for a drive in our beautiful MX5's.
On arrival at our motel in Richmond, we were pleased to see some of our Canberra Chapter friends who had also chosen to stay at the same lodgings. A social get-together at the motel, then an enjoyable dinner at Barrels & Ashes saw us to bedtime.
Saturday dawned, and it was the day of the main event, the Club's annual President's Picnic held in the historic Ebenezer Church grounds. Ebenezer Church, built in 1809, happens to be the oldest surviving church in Australia and still conducts weekly church services.
With 216 members and guests in attendance and well over 100 cars on show, today was an event not to be missed.
Here we met up with the remainder of our Chapter’s attendees Keith, Sue, Kerry and Lesley.
Trophies and awards were given to numerous categories, including Best NA, NB, NC, ND, Best track car, Best Ladies MX5 and People's Choice. Our Convenors Geoff and Rose were honoured to be asked to act as official judges.
A few games of Jenga and a spanner & nut race and catch-ups with numerous members from other Chapters made the day a fun social day.
Lunch prepared and served by church volunteers was, as always, a true feast.
What would a picnic be without a raffle? This year’s raffle prizes, donated by sponsors and members were numerous to say the least. Proceeds from the raffle go to Careflight, the Club’s nominated charity organisation. “Lady Luck” was on our Chapter’s side when the raffle prizes were drawn, with Lesley, Anda and Keith winning prizes, both major and minor.
It may be a long drive, 3.5hrs for some members, for a picnic, but the show of camaraderie and with the opportunity to inspect so many versions of our beautiful MX5's, coupled with a fine sunny day, I feel it was worth it.
