Day 1 - Friday 8 March 

Oh No! 8th March already. Quick Sheila we’ve got to pack to 
go to Rawson. What’s the weather going to be? Do I need 
shorts or longs? Heavy jackets or short sleeves? Decisions, 
decisions. So, guess what! We take some of both. Now to pack 
the car. There’s only two of us so there’s plenty of room. 
Yes, take that extra jumper. But when the boot is chockers 
I say to myself. "How did we manage with four kids?" and 
our early model cars with no boot, but we did and had a ball.

We decide to leave early after lunch on Friday to beat the 
traffic and have a nice quiet drive. And we did. We stopped 
at Maccas at Moe for a coffee and a muffin ("coffee" the 
Shugg’s middle name – Ed!) and stretch our legs. What a busy 
joint, cars, caravans, boats, trail bikes, mountain bikes, 
you name it they were there. All heading away for the long 
weekend.

Continuing on to Rawson, the traffic was light and driving 
was pleasant. Driving through the forest our thoughts were 
with our early pioneers who had no tracks to follow and 
carried everything they owned on their backs.

Arriving at the Camp at Rawson we booked in, checked 
our room, which we found great, unloaded and then wandered 
around and checked the place out. Our evening meal was 
enjoyed in the Bistro. Roast pork and vegetables, apple 
strudel and ice cream, tea or coffee ……. GREAT!! 

Our thanks to go to the organisers in anticipation of 
another great weekend.

P.S. "Who said vintage motoring is not fun. Keep the 
wheels turning" Keith and Sheila 

Day 2 – Saturday 9 March 
I woke up as usual at 5.00am. It was very quiet except
for someone snoring. The light was just visible above 
the door so it was back to doze until the others woke.

Then came the mad scramble to get to breakfast on time. 
It was easy in the bathroom though because the rooms 
were setup to accommodate 6 and we only had 4. Breakfast 
was through the shrubs and across the oval with just 
sufficient time to appreciate the quietness and clean 
air on the way. As is normal, breakfast was lively with 
members and friends mixing well.

The first "activity" was a drive down to Erica to visit 
the chainsaw display at the local Hotel. 

But before we could start we had to do running repairs 
on guess what (whisper whisper RR) – cannot mention the 
marque – reputation and all that what! Dashed Australian 
battery terminals – dashed bad show Eh! What!

I can’t really speak though because two nights before I 
had to abandon the Chevrolet as it would not run smoothly. 
So we traveled with Pam and Ern. The presentation by a 
local historian was very informative with some interesting 
current issues thrown in. We had morning tea and the chance 
to purchase some locally made jam. We went across the road 
to visit the local junk shop (bric-a-brac) but it was not
open. Still there were eight or so interesting 40’s and 50’s 
cars – 2 Oldsmobiles (very good grills), 1 Hudson, a Ford 
Single Spinner ute etc. etc. Such a shame they were not being 
used

Then back for lunch and on the way visited the local Berry 
Farm – strawberries, blackberries, blueberries – pick (and 
eat) your own then pay by weight. Numbers of members were 
seen to return with berry stains on their faces – must have 
been picking with their mouths!

After lunch it was off to the Thompson Dam shepherded by 
tour guide Geoff. We drove across the dam wall and with 
recent rain the vegetation looked great. A huge surface 
of water. Roger started what was the first of many rides 
taking pillion passengers on his Harley. The ladies seemed 
to like this particularly, coming back very enthused. Roger 
must have liked it as well because he kept doing it! Vivian 
got to ride in different cars as a result. Thanks Roger.

The cars were lined up and a video taken as weheaded off to 
the lookout where we had lunch on our previous weekend in 
Rawson. This time it was warm and sunny and the views through 
the trees and up the dam were magnificent. I gave Peter a 
large fright when my foot slipped of Ern’s clutch as we were 
backing around Peter & Mazz’s newly purchased ’29 Chev. Oh 
well it raised the blood pressure in training for that nights 
entertainment. Everyone headed back to Rawson, most for coffee 
in the local shop. We missed the instructions and ended up in 
Erica for excellent coffee, fresh scones and jam with King 
Island cream – delicious.

Dinner was at the resort. As with other meals it was excellent. 
Afterwards those who felt energetic headed off to the local 
pool for swimming. All the big kids plus some of the young 
people took over most of the pool playing a game loosly called 
"throwing the ball to hit the opposition". All in good fun 
with everyone enjoying the exercise – they must have because 
it went for more than one hour. There would be some sore 
bodies that night with a lot quick to nod off to sleep. Others 
enjoyed group water aerobics led by Pam with choreography 
courtesy of the Arthritis Association.

Back to the common room for coffee and cake to top off a 
varied and always interesting first day. Those who had not 
swum were engaged in cards, games or the oldest of activities
 – a good yarn.

We have been to many of these weekends but the company this 
time made it very enjoyable – thank you Geoff and Gay, Joy 
and Lindsay for excellent organisation.  Noelle & Peter

Day 3 – Sunday 10 March 
After breakfast ( How many of you kept to your usual small 
bowl of Weeties ) final preparations were made, seating 
arrangements confirmed and we headed off in convoy to 
Walhalla. Conspicuous was Roger’s burbling Harley Davidson, 
‘The Hog’. (His term not mine).

First stop was the Thomson Station of the Moe to Walhalla 
goldfields railway. When we were last here the trip was 
from the station to the start of the bridge and back, 
about 100 metres, but this time we were destined for Happy 
Creek. 

We boarded the train and headed off across the bridge 
spanning the Thomson River and skirted the side of the 
Springers Creek Gorge via the narrow ledge on which the 
line is constructed. On arrival at Happy Creek we dismounted 
and had a short time to enjoy this picnic spot before the 
return trip.

Back at the station, while some of us males took a casual 
glimpse of the Anna Kournikova look alike, the rest watched 
Mazz don the leathers and helmet to complete the run on 
‘The Hog’. The rest of us, including Vivian, had to go by 
the normal transport.

As we pulled into Walhalla, Brian directed us to a roped 
off parking area he had organised and we then collected 
and consumed our packed lunches in the adjacent picnic area.

To make numbers more acceptable we now split into two groups; 
one to go with Lindsay to the Masonic Lodge and one with 
Brian to the old Post Office. I went with Lindsay and we 
climbed the 51 steps to the ex-Wesleyian church. After we 
had wandered through the building observing the historic 
items one of the members enlightened us as to the meaning 
of the various symbols. Questions were answered vaguely but 
the Masons wouldn’t be the Masons if they told us non-members 
what we really wanted to know.

The group from the Post Office had by now arrived so we were 
ushered out and Brian directed us up another flight of steps 
to a footpath high on the hillside. Our club cars looked 
really impressive from this vantage point. Back down to road 
level and the Post Office and after Brian had told us a bit 
of history of the place we meandered through the rooms, 
somewhat dilapidated but easily restorable, until our interest 
was satisfied whence we moved back out into the sunlight. 
And it was a beautiful day. Aileen and I then walked up the 
street to the fire station, rotunda and other buildings 
before returning to the hall for tea and scones (not scons) 
and boy did I rip into these.

Well fed, we now moved outside again to prepare for the 
return trip. I climbed into the car in which I was travelling 
and found myself next to Vivian. It took a while for the 
penny to drop but my thoughts were confirmed when I looked 
out of the window and saw Aileen putting on the leathers and 
helmet for her turn on ‘The Hog’. Has she not listened to 
anything I’ve told her about Harley Davidsons? Some people 
just have to learn the hard way. Back at Rawson I had to 
listen as Peggy and Aileen, who had swapped places halfway, 
rave about how fabulous the ride had been. They do it to 
annoy me but I shall turn it in my favour when a nice Triumph 
becomes available. Seriously though, Roger’s rides were the 
hit of the weekend, so many thanks on behalf of all your 
bikie chicks Roger. What a theme for a presentation night. 
I must make a mention of Bev Sinclair who arrived with Irwin 
and James for the day having recently undergone a double knee 
replacement. A valiant effort Bev.

After tea the evening was spent as always with card playing, 
prune juice drinking and various other activities including 
a video of the weekend so far. And it was on this evening 
that a remarkable hand of cards was played that will remain 
in the annals of DVHCC 500 history for all time, and the 
memories of those fortunate enough to observe it. Les 

Day 4 – Monday 11 March 
After waking at 7:40 am, showing and reaching the dining 
room, I found that breakfast was really at 8:00, and not 
8:30 as Mrs President had previously informed me. It was 
then time to pack up from the night before, and get every-
thing ready to depart after lunch. 

We then headed off to the nearby golf course for a round, 
where we broke into 2 groups. The first one being Pete, 
Herbie and I, and the seconded made up of Mazz, Shelly, 
and Mike, with Gail the convenor of both groups. After 
playing off nine holes, it was time for a relaxing drink 
before lunch, where we had our final gathering before 
saying goodbye and departing for home. 

I understand that some members stopped to look at "Junk 
Shops", while others headed onto the designated stop at 
Yarragon. Rex, Chris and I journeyed onto Melbourne 
where we picked up their daughter’s car, before arriving 
in Bendigo at 6:15 pm. 

Thanks to all those present for making it yet another 
great weekend away, and especially to Geoff & Gay and 
Joy & Lindsay for all the planning and effort that went 
into the event. Looking forward to 2003! Paul 

Lindsay is getting lots of practice being a pensioner, 
at the ticket office. "Do I get a discount?" Sitting on 
the train "Why haven’t we left on time?" and at every 
mealtime. "When do we eat? It’s past my lunch time." 
Shocked Walhalla locals looked in amazement while Mazz 
demonstrated 101 uses for two oranges. Now we know why 
men buy Harley Davidsons – women will do anything to 
get on the passenger seat. And while we’re talking two 
wheelers, one young lady told us daddy sold his police 
motorcycle. Can someone tell those old ladies that 
synchronised swimming is no longer an Olympic sport.

Club Cars Weekend away 
Gay and Geoff Tangey 	1937 Chev Roadster
Peter and Mazz Lafrank	1927 Buick Tourer
Gayle & Brent Herbert	1929 Chev. Sedan
Geoff and Dulcie Strahan	1926 Oldsmobile Tourer
Ern and Pam Hopgood	1928 Chev. Tourer
Kevin and Carol Clarence	1933 Rolls Royce Saloon
Stan and Margaret Snyders	1930 Model A Ford
Ron and Pam Barnett	1928 A Model Ford
Lloyd and Margaret Lancaster	1930 Chev. Tourer
John Zeigler	1928 Chev. Roadster
Brian Walsh	1929 Chev. Van
Joy and Lindsay Tharle	1938 Plymouth Sedan

Special Interest Vehicles
Peter and Pat Grogan	1956 DeSoto
Ian and Judy Clark	1948 Holden

Modern
Ken and Shirly Savage, Graeme Smith, Peter and Noelle 
Matthews, Les and Aileen Thomas, Clive and Peggy Bennett, 
Fred and Val Lubbe, Phil and Carol Bowden, Paul Tangey, 
Jodie and Amy Clarence, Chris Rachael Catherine and 
Mitchell Tharle, Graeme and Bev Copes, Eric and Barbara 
Nichol, Roger Bowen and Vivian, Keith and Sheila Shugg.

Visitors
Chris and Rex Wallis, Joan Graham, Neville and Cheryl Young, 
Michelle Brent and Michael Furst.