46th Berrima Rally. 17th & 18th February 2024.

Hello again everyone,

Day 1.  Saturday 17th February 2024.

I have been a little sparse with my blog and adventure stories of late. However this weekend I was fortunate enough to spend the weekend in the beautiful Southern Highlands of N.S.W. mixing it with motor vehicles of different marques. Our Vintage and Classic motor vehicles are what brings us together as one big family from time to time and this weekend was one of those such occasions.

Once you read this account of my weekend away in the Southern Highlands you will not believe how TINNY I am, so let’s get started.

Departure time from the Insular Peninsula here in the Shire was 0700 am on Saturday morning. 

Two hours later after an enjoyable scenic drive in my 1930 Model A Ford  Special Delivery Wagon (see photo) I arrived at Mittagong Public School ( Rally headquarters for the weekend) to register and collect my weekend run pack that included my name tag and goodies that I had pre-ordered.

Ken standing with his award winning 1930 Model A Ford Special Delivery Wagon.

It was great to catch up with Classic and Vintage Vehicle “Tragic’s” like my self that I hadn’t seen for a couple of years. This time last year I was away in America and could not attend this event. As soon as I arrived it was down to business, first stop was to join everyone for morning tea - homemade slices, Sao’s, tea and Coffee. After morning tea it was now time to park the vehicles  in their various categories, my “Woody” was entered in the Commercial Vehicle category class which (includes trucks, utes and tractors). A Judge would then review all vehicles to select “Best in Show” during this time.

Later Saturday afternoon most participants went on a 90 km (54 mile) run to Echo Point Bundanoon.

We all enjoyed Dinner at 6.00pm at the Mittagong (Golf Club).

Menu :  Mains - grilled fish, salad, chips or Roast Pork, chat potatoes, steam greens.

Sweats : Cheesecake or fruit crumble.

After we all pigged out on that scrumptious meal it was time to return to our accommodation to hit the sack and prepare for day two of our Rally.

Day 2.  Sunday 18th February 2024.

Sunday morning started off once again at Rally Headquarters (Mittagong Public School). 

Morning tea was provided (tea, coffee, homemade scones loaded (and I mean loaded) with home made jam, butter and cream prior to the start of our 60 km (37 mile) return trip to Kangaloon, absolutely magnificent scenery and drive. 

We arrived back at headquarters around lunchtime.

Lunch : Cold chicken smorgasbord with salads, tea and coffee.

Presentation of weekend awards afterwards after lunch.

Now this is when the real action started with yours truly. You will not believe what I am about to tell you.

Presentation of Category awards winners,  raffle draw and Gumball counting competition winner.

My dear friends Robyn and Bill Betts that support our Sylvanvale Pre-WWll Vintage Car show and have done so since its inception 8 years ago won the “ Best in Show “ Category (see photo). 

Bill Betts standing beside “Best in Show” his pride and joy a 1929 Buick that has taken him 37 years to restore. Let me tell you, this is one hell of a car. I would put it up there with any restoration that I have ever seen any where in the world, bar none. Well done Bill, you deserve it.

Moving right along, it was now time for them to announce the winner of the “Guess how many Gumballs” in the plastic container competition (see photo).

Photo showing the plastic container full of Gummballs for the Gummball competition, trophies, and raffle prize  ($100 voucher for Cole’s express Fuel & Shop).

On Saturday when I entered the competition I guessed that there were 750 Gummballs in the container, when they read out who the winner was, guess what!!! I was the winner, there were 757 Gummballs in that container, so I was 7 off the mark. Thank you very much, with a nice torch set for winning the competition.

I had no sooner sat down at my table and they announced Ken Warburton as the winner of the Commercial Category with his 1930 Model A Ford Special Delivery Wagon, I went back up to the stage to accept my trophy (see photo) Commercial Category trophy, smaller trophy on the right of photograph.

Again I went back to my table to sit down and listen to the other category winners. The organisers were now getting down to the nitty gritty awards, when they announced the 2024 Berrima Event “Outright Winner”  Visitor Club award my name was read out again to my amazement . 

When I went back up to the stage to accept my trophy for the “Outright Winner” (see photo, larger trophy on the left of photograph) Visitor Club award I joking said to the Club President Eamon Tierney and (M.C.) Bill Flagg  all I need to do now is to win the raffle. When you’re on a roll, I always say go with it. Once again I went back to my table and waited patiently for the raffle draw.

Bill Flegg could not believe his eyes when he read out the name on the butt of the winning raffle ticket, number 53.(see photo, $100.00 fuel voucher at Cole’s).

Yes, you guessed it correctly.  Ken Warburton. 0438 692 737.

It is amazing when all the holes in the cheese line up and if you are fortunate enough to be there at the time I will take what ever they want to dish out to me. Successful weekend.

Hang in there folks because I am about to write another blog story about my Son Nathaniel and myself flying over to Perth to purchase a 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser, original, one owner, 29,000 kms on the clock, 11 seat Troop Carrier.

On the way home we also decided to drop into Port Lincoln in South Australia to swim with the White Pointers.

This is a story that you will not want to miss.

Cheers for now, stay safe.

Warbo.