2016 Hunter Convenors BBQ
12 January 2016 / Story: Josh Fitzgerald Photos: Peter Hilkmann
The Hunter Chapter traditionally kicks off the start of the year with the Convenors BBQ, a chance for the convenor, or the case now, Co-Convenors (Lindsay and myself Josh) to host a BBQ and welcome members of the chapter into the New Year.
With a well-planned run through the Yarramalong valley in tatters due to Mother Nature bringing the wettest January in years on the week of the run leaving over a metre of water across roads in some places, we scrambled to find an alternative route with only a few days to spare. Thankfully the weather cleared up and with the rivers receded, the roads were given the all clear just the day before the big run.
What a polar opposite in the weather on the day of the run! From flash floods earlier in the week to sweltering heat in a matter of days greeting members at the meeting point at Morisset.
We set off with 33 cars making our way along beautiful Yarramalong road (a personal favourite of this Convenor) up and over the tight, twisty (and rather bumpy) Bumble Hill Road and dropping down into Gosford via Wisemans Ferry Road, with some members taking a small detour due to a slight error in the run sheet. Soon enough everyone turned up at our coffee break at WaterFall Cafe at Mount Penang Gardens and met up with some of the Hunter Chapters Central Coast members.
With coffees downed and sunscreen applied, off we headed back the way we came in with a short jaunt down the Old Pacific Highway and onto Pete’s Ridge Road. With such a large group of cars, the group was split up through the multiple traffic lights at the Kariong interchange. Thankfully 2 way radios made it easy to communicate to members on where to turn, even though comically somehow a small group ended up passing the main group heading in the opposite direction somewhere after the Old Pacific Highway. With Helen and Grant now taking lead of the separated second group and Lindsay and myself leading the front group we snaked our way back through Yarramalong and up Freemans Drive to our house for some well needed refreshing drinks and a BBQ lunch.
Our large entertaining area suddenly started to look rather small as 60 members scrambled for seats in the shade while feasting on lunch and drinks, with Helen and Grant cooking up a storm on the BBQ and members bringing out some secret recipe salads and desserts for all to enjoy.
After lunch was completed next came the announcements of the Hunter Chapter Member of the Year and New Member of the Year awards. Josh Allen took out the honours of Hunter New Member of the Year and myself being honoured with the Hunter Member of the Year Award.
2015 in the Hunter has since been dubbed the Year of the “Josh”!
A very special thanks to all that attended, including the club president Bryan, Fiona & Alex, and all that contributed to make the day the success that it was.
2016 in the Hunter is gearing up to be a big one. Lindsay and I look forward to more zoom zooming with you all soon!
- Peter Hilkmanns photos: HERE
