Sylvanvale Pre-WWll Vintage Car Show: Another roaring success

Despite the heat (33C or 91.5F ), the seventh Sylvanvale Pre-WWll Vintage Car Show on Sunday 17th September 2023 was a roaring success. Crowds flocked to see the stunning selection of vintage cars on display, with an estimated 7,000 people visiting the event during the course of the day.

The Flora Street Council Car Park in Sutherland was the perfect venue for over 100 cars, stalls, kids activities and Food.

People we support enjoying themselves in Nick Holden's 1912 Model T Ford. (Photograph taken by John Stanley)

The annual Car show is a fundraiser for Sylvanvale, my parents were the founding members of this charity 75 years ago.

Funds raised on Sunday will make a difference to the lives of people moving into the organisation's brand-new, state-of-the-art Specialist Disability Accommodation in Illawong.

 

Sylvanvale CEO, Leanne Fretten, was thrilled with how the event went.

L-R. Jeff McCarthy (Chairman of Sylvanvale), Jenny Ware (Federal Member for Hughes), Leanne Fretten (CEO of Sylvanvale), Ken Warburton (Custodian of event), Mark Speakman ( Leader of Opposition in N.S.W.), Carmelo Pesce ( Mayor of the Sutherland Shire). (Photograph taken by John Stanley)

"We are delighted with the fundraising outcome, which exceeded our expectations. I am proud to report that this year we increased our fundraising by 33% from last year. The funds raised will well and truly furnish our new state-of-the-art disability accommodation. This will be hugely beneficial for the people who will soon be moving into their new home." 

Mike Dalton from Channel 9 News reporting live from Andrew Webb's 1913 Model T Ford speedster.  (Photograph taken by John Stanley)

Special bonus for our show this year included the appearance of Mike Dalton from Channel 9 News (Click here to watch!).  Feedback we have received is nothing short of sensational for our unique Vintage Car Show. 

The exposure that we have received for Sylvanvale  and our current sponsors and future sponsorship for next year's event is priceless.

Qantas Volunteers. L-R. Siggy Jablonski, Ed Ronsisvalle (sitting), Graeme Bethell, Denise Armstrong,Tony Moorhouse, Andrew Heath.  (Photograph taken by John Stanley)

Without the support of the Sutherland Shire Council, staff from Sylvanvale, (30) Qantas Volunteers, all our sponsors, including Platinum sponsors mySupply Store and Nexon Asia Pacific, this exceptional Sutherland Shire Community event would never have happened.

 

My inner circle team of John Bateman, Geoff Graddock, Trevor Eisler, Chad Holmes the electrician, Julie Everton (Sylvanvale) worked together like a well oiled Model A Ford engine. I am so proud of you all for your 120% efforts throughout the many months it takes to organise this event. As I keep saying to my team "if you don't do your homework, you will never pass the exam."  

I would also like to give a huge thank you to John Stanley who did a marvelous job taking photos on the day and produced all the wonderful images attached to this post.

Let me tell you all from the bottom of my heart, you have all passed with honors, that is why we can all enjoy the outstanding success from last Sunday. 

Jo Akroyd worked all night from L.A. to Sydney  (17hour tour of duty) disembarked her flight, went home, had a shower to freshen up and was back in Sutherland to Volunteer at our car show all day selling raffle tickets and looking sensational. Why wouldn't you buy a book of tickets from this stunner.  (Photograph taken by John Stanley)

I also must mention the winners of our raffles:  1) David Musso. Chauffeur driven in my 1931 Model A Ford Tudor to the Sea Level Restaurant in Cronulla. 2) Adam Tokarczuk.  500 degrees. 3) Peter Beyer Bunnings. 4) Ross Williams Lively Catch. 5) Lena Teixeira Highfields.  Congratulations and a BIG thank-you for supporting Sylvanvale.

Peter Shaws 1925 T.T Ford Tow Truck.  (Photograph taken by John Stanley)

Phillip & Ann Joseph's 1929 Pierce Arrow 2 door Classic (1 of only 2 in Australia) & The Hesse families 1938 Phantom lll V/12 cylinder Rolls Royce.  (Photograph taken by John Stanley)

Last BUT not least my choice for the best car of this years (2023) Sylvanvale Pre- WWll Vintage Car show went to Robyn and Bill Betts (from Berrima) in their immaculate and very rare 1908 Renault (see photo).

Robyn and Bill Betts are very special people, they have supported our Sylvanvale Pre-WWll Vintage Car show every year since our innaugral show at Cronulla Mall in 2015. Not only do they exhibit their 1908 Renault they also come dressed in period dress. In the next photograph Robyn is standing beside their 1908 Renault. The clothes rack next to her is chock a block full of period clothes. To help us raise more funds for Sylvanvale both Robyn and Bill dress you up in period clothes then sits you in their 115 year old Renault Vintage vehicle for the photo shoot of a life time, where else in the world can you do that!! 

Families with their children cherish this opportunity with photos that money just can't buy. 

Robyn standing beside her 1908 Renault waiting to dress you up for the photograph of a lifetime.   (Photograph taken by John Stanley)

Bill and Robyn accepting their 'Best car of the Show award' from yours truly.  (Photograph taken by John Stanley)

That my friends is all she wrote until next year. We are so grateful to everyone who was part of it. Show us how much you appreciated the show by coming back to see us next year because it will be bigger again with many new entrants for you to drool over.

Stay safe, looking forward to catching up with everyone in the future and the prospect to meet  new vintage car enthusiasts.

Sincerely

Ken Warburton. (Event organiser and Custodian of this unique event.)

About Sylvanvale. 

Sylvanvale was founded in 1947 when a group of 5 sets of parents (including my Mum and Dad) united to form an organisation that would give their children with a disability a better quality of life through access to education and social inclusion. Today we support over 750 children and adults, 28 group homes throughout Sydney and the Blue Mountains from a range of cultural backgrounds to live and participate in their community, as they choose.