Greetings from England

Monday, 30th May - 2022

Greetings from England,

I am here in the UK for a 3-month stay trying to take advantage of nicer time of year and the Summer-like weather here in the Northern Hemisphere.

I have secured an AirB&B residence for my 12-week stay and I'll use that as a base for all my travels, tours and explorations. I'm staying in little village called Redbourn, just 25-miles north of London on the M1 Motorway.

I was so relieved to know that Her Majesty was delighted to see me the other day when I arrived here in London, she was concerned that I wouldn’t make it in time for her once in a life time Platinum Jubilee Celebrations due to the fact I would be flying on Stand-by. 

To save her any anguish I decided to purchase a one-way full fare ticket on Emirates Airlines not to let her down, so here I am.

The mood here in the UK is pure electric, everybody is so excited with what they have ahead of themselves for this once in a life time opportunity. I am also getting into the swing of things for this memorable occasion.

A little piece of useless information for you: It is almost 50-years since I first set foot in the ‘Old Dart’ with my girlfriend Pam, we travelled the world together for 3-years in our VW Camper van.

Pam and I arrived in downtown London on the 6th July, 1971, the very day that Jazz trumpter Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong passed away. A hell of a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then & to think that Her Majesty has been on the Throne for another 20-years before that. Where did all those years go?

Keep your eyes open for me on Thursday the 2nd July, I will be on the Union Jack lined boulevard, better know as The Mall, adjacent to St James Park, with another 1,000,000 punters, for the Trooping of the Colour, the Birthday Parade and the impressive Royal flyover of 70 aircraft.

I will be easily recognisable when you're watching the BBC coverage, I'll wearing my blue Model A Ford hat.

Following the pomp & ceremony of the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations my mate John & I will be flying on EasyJet across the Irish Sea to the Isle of Man for the annual Isle of Man TT Motorcycle races, can’t wait.

Stay tuned for more “Adventure before Dementia”.

Cheers from the “Royal Squire from the Shire”.

Stay safe,

Warbo

Fletch's You Tube coverage of our Car Show

Check out Fletch's awesome coverage of our 2022 Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show at Sutherland on Fletch's Shannons You Tube channel.

Let's drive up the number of views on this video, so please feel free to share it with all your friends or re-post it.

Charge of the 'Flight Brigade'

Thursday 7th April - 2022

To all our dedicated Qantas Car Show volunteers.

A little over 2-weeks ago here in the 'Shire' we experienced a spectacular community event in Sutherland with the 6th Annual Sylvanvale Pre-WWll Vintage Car Show.

As everyone already knows that our event on Sunday the 20th March, 2022 was a resounding success due to many things, none more important than the support that we received from the Qantas volunteers (past & present) who rolled their sleeves up to join the Sylvanvale team to deliver our most successful fundraising event to date.

Qantas Volunteers all hard at work, spreading goodwill
and supporting Sylvanvale. Photos: John Stanley

Apart from the magnificent Pre-WWll Vintage vehicles that were on display to the public in Sutherland I am very proud to say that the professionalism that you all brought to the show did not go unnoticed by me or the hundreds if not thousands of people that attended our extravaganza on that magnificent day.

I would like you all to know that so far I have not received one negative comment about the show, the feedback is overwhelming in our favor.

Yesterday I was approached by one of my neighbours here on the insular peninsula here in Burraneer, I really do not know him from a bar of soap only that he lives in the same street, he said "Aren't you the guy that put that car show together?" so I listened to what he had to say.

The first thing that he said to me was "Where on earth did you get your volunteers?". He said from the moment he & his family entered the venue in Sutherland they were so impressed, the welcome that they received was unbelievable, they only intended to cruise the car park to check out the Vintage Vehicles for an hour or so & ended up spending three & a half hours there. How good is that?

QF Volunteers collecting Show admission fees at
our Main Gate entrance. Photo: John Bateman

I was also approached by a lady the other day who had nothing but praise for all of your performances & it really was a performance. She mentioned that while she was actually waiting in the queue to pay her $5.00 entry, there were two kids that wanted to see the show & did not realise there was an entry fee of $5.00. (they had no money). Whoever it was at that entrance they allowed those two kids to enter free of charge.

She was so impressed that she placed $20.00 in the kitty & did not want any change. Needless to say those two kids will be fans of ours forever & undoubtable will spread the word far & wide, great publicity.

Two of my cars & the Color Tiles teardrop banners
and trophies on display. Photo: Steve Core

I have been retired from Qantas Airways for 15-years now. Seems like another lifetime ago.

I am here to tell you that I am so proud & privileged to still know & be friends with so many people that I spent 34-years of my life flying around the world with to be part of that wonderful organisation (Qantas) that gave us all so much in life's lessons.

From the bottom of my heart, thanks very much for supporting Sylvanvale at this year's Pre-WWll Vintage Car Show to make it the spectacular success that it was. If you have not already heard through the grapevine we were delighted to have raised a tad over $30K.

With improvements & massaging certain avenues of our show there is absolutely no reason why next year we can't raise $50K.

News hot off the Press, I have decided to move our 7th Annual Sylvanvale Pre-WWll Vintage Car Show from the month of March to Sunday the 17th of September 2023 due to concerns that March is the wettest month of the year, without the weather on our side it just makes the success of the show almost impossible.

Please note in your Papyrus diaries that proposed date for next year's show. (Sunday September 17th '23).

I am looking forward to meeting up with you all next year.

Thanks once again, stay safe & never forget my motto:

"Adventure before Dementia."

Yours sincerely

Ken Warburton. 

(Event organiser & Custodian)

Our Car Show goes off with a Bang... not a whimper

Wednesday 23rd March - 2022

Hello everyone,

It is with great pleasure that I sit down here in my office & report to you all (via email) the day after our Sylvanvale Pre-WWll Vintage Car Show that was delivered as promised to the people of the Sutherland Shire & Sydney was nothing short of a spectacular success.

We were absolutely blessed with perfect weather on Sunday for our extravaganza. It was 27°C (80°F), magnificent blue skies, no wind & the sun shone all day.

The main aim of our Car Show is raise vital funds for Sylvanvale to improve the lives of people living with disability.

We love this shot, Sylvanvale resident Xavier enjoys sitting in the passenger
seat of this classic open air tourer.

Photo: Steve Core

For those of you that for one reason or the other couldn't make it on Sunday you definitely missed out on a truly memorable community event here in the Shire.

We managed to fill the huge Council car park in Sutherland with Pre-WWll Vintage & Classic motor vehicles to the delight of the many thousands of eager spectators that strolled through the venue from early morning until the presentation of the well deserved trophy winners around 3:00pm.

As everyone knows, this year we decided to relocate from Cronulla to Sutherland because we had outgrown the mall in Cronulla. This was of major concern to me, I was betwixt & between about this major change of venue.

Our Show presents a spectacular opportunity for
show-goers to get really close up looks at cars they
would never see out on the public streets.

Like this 1923 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost.

Photo: Steve Core

Everything is easy in hindsight, however I am here to tell you that our new venue here in Sutherland went off with a bang. I have received so much positive feedback from everyone that I am completely over the moon. Rest assured we are not going anywhere from this perfect location.

I think that the major plus is that there is heaps of parking for the general public, with easy access & departure for the Vintage Car entrants. This year I was so impressed with the inclusion of many new entrants to exhibit their pride & joy here in the Shire.

As a matter of fact, after the trophy presentation everybody's friend 'Fletch' from Classic Resto's wanted to say a few words about the show.

Fletch and Warbo at the trophy presentation, Fletch had some

astute compliments and observations to say about about our Show

Photo: John Stanley

What 'Fletch' said completely blew me away, he mentioned that over the years he has covered many car shows both here in Australia & overseas & here is the money line.

"The quality & variance of the Vintage vehicles on display here today would match Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California, USA."

We should all be very proud of ourselves that we have this quality of participation in our ranks here in Sydney & beyond & guess what it can only get better. I can't wait to see his coverage of our show on Sunday. I will let you all know when & where to watch his presentation. I believe it will take approximately 5-weeks from now before it hits our screens.

VIPs Left to Right:

Mayor of the Sutherland Shire, Carmelo Pesce. CEO of Sylvanvale, Leanne Fretton. Car Show founder & Custodian, Ken Warburton and Miranda MP, Eleni Petinos.

Photo: Steve Core

As soon as I find out the final finance figures I will let everyone know in a more detailed newsletter.

So until then I will take this opportunity to sincerely thank from the bottom of my heart all the people that helped us make this event the success that it was on Sunday.

We couldn't possibly have done it without the participation of the magnificent Vintage vehicles & their proud owners taking their time & effort to support us once again this year, many thanks.

With the sun shining brightly on Show day,
the colours on the cars really popped.
Like this 1936 Chevrolet Business Roadster
Photo: Steve Core

I would also like to give a big thank you to the guys here in my engine room that worked tirelessly to put this spectacular together & make it the success that it was.

Major thanks go out to all of the Sylvanvale employees, sponsors and volunteers, Steampunk Sydney, the Sydney Tramway Museum at Loftus for their double decker bus, all the musicians that performed from the Caringbah Music School, the Chrysler Restorers Club members for the effort they made to bring us the BBQ. How good were the scrumptious bacon & egg rolls for the early bird arrivals & then later in the day with steak sandwiches & sausage sandwiches for lunch.

I also want to thank those to made the effort to dress in period-style outfits to help create the atmosphere we created on the day. Hang in there, in my next report I will let you know who the lucky winner was for my choice of "Best car of the Show" & the winners of the Raffles.

Until then, stay safe.

Regards

Ken Warburton

NB. I almost forgot to mention the many thousands of people that showed up in their droves on Sunday to check out these wonderful vintage vehicles that were on display from a bye-gone era & gave generously to buy raffle tickets to support our very worthy cause. Many thanks indeed.

Stay tuned for more reports & photos to follow...

Only 3 sleeps to go...

Thursday 17th March - 2022

Now we're getting into the very thin end of the countdown wedge. Just three more sleeps to go until the 2022 Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show on Sunday the 20th, March.

Besides, we're actually now game enough to look at the weather forecast for Sunday and the BOM is predicting that it's going to be 26°C and partly cloudy. Wow - considering all the adverse weather we've had in Sydney, we'll take that hands down. So stow away that Rain-X repellant spray bottle, you won't be needing it.

Our vehicle entry count still keeps ticking up every day and we'll accept entries right up until Show time and better yet, anyone that has a car that qualifies can just roll up on the day. We'll find a spot for you.

The prestige of our event is reflected in the fact that there are trophies up for grabs in every category of vehicle on display, plus $200 for the vehicle that wins the head judge's nod for the coveted 'Best of Show' grand trophy award.

We'll see everyone in Flora Street, Sutherland when the Sutherland Shire Council's car park will burst into automotive historic life for a guaranteed spectacular day for the entire family on Sunday.

Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show

Sutherland Council Car Park, Flora Street, Sutherland
Show times: 9:00am until 3:00pm
Admission: $5 per adult - $10 per family
Food & Coffee Vendors on site
Every cent raised goes directly to Sylvanvale

Fundraising for people with Disability

Classic Restos to cover our Car Show

Thursday 17th March - 2022

HOT OFF THE PRESS...

Mark ‘Fletch’ Fletcher - TV Presenter / Host / Producer of the Automotive TV Program Classic Restos

TV personality Mark 'Fletch' Fletcher showcases vehicles from the past & travels around Australia & the world to reveal Classic cars & their owners' stories

The man himself, Mark 'Fletch' Fletcher
has had a life-long passion with all types of cars

I am proud to announce that the automotive legend, my hero ‘Fletch', will be attending our 2022 Sylvanvale Pre-WWll Vintage car show to produce an entire show for Fletch's TV series - Classic Restos

Needless to say I am absolutely delighted that 'Fletch' has decided to come on board to support our Charity Sylvanvale with his personable, professional, expert interviewing & photography skills & knowledge of Automotive History. He's never dull. Our event will have colossal content, more than enough to fill an entire program.

With 'Fletch' mingling around all of our Pre 1939 Vintages Vehicles, talking & interviewing people & having their photos taken with him, this will be pure gold. The icing on the cake for our exciting event, I'd say.

Fletch on the job, shooting for his self produced and filmed
Classic Restos TV Program 

So if you wish, we would love to have as many people as possible to go to the trouble of dressing up in period dress. (I certainly will be).

While strolling around the Classic & Vintage vehicles you will have a fun time because people will want to take your photo using a Vintage Vehicle as the backdrop.

Only three more sleeps, the feeling I am getting from everyone is that they just want to get out & do something, our show will be just what the Doctor ordered.

Looking forward to catching up with all my past Sylvanvale Pre-WWll Vintage car show friends, We are anticipating a complete new compliment of Vintage Vehicle entrants now that we have the extra parking spaces at our new venue here in Sutherland. Very exciting.

Stay safe, see you all on Sunday in Sutherland.

Regards

Ken Warburton

To check out Fletch's Classic Restos on You Tube  CLICK HERE

To check out Fletch's Classic Restos on Facebook  CLICK HERE

Just 5-days to go...

Thursday 15th March -2022

The countdown clock continues to tick away. It's now only T-minus 5-days until our big Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show on Sunday 20th March, 2022 at the Council car park in Flora Street, Sutherland.

We have over 100 Vintage vehicle & owners who have registered with us and have committed to display on the day.

And please spread the good word and tell your friends and neighbours.

𝗦𝘆𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗪𝗪𝗜𝗜 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄
Show times: 9:00am until 3:00pm
Admission: $5 per adult - $10 per family
Food & Coffee Vendors on site
𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺

A massive thank you to IT Company - Nexon

Saturday 12th March - 2022

We’d like to give a huge shout out to the kind hearted & high-tech talented folks at Information Technology company Nexon. 

They have stepped up to the plate big time and dug seriously deep into their pockets to become our first top-tier Platinum level sponsor with a mammoth $5,000 sponsorship for this year’s 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗦𝘆𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗪𝗪𝗜𝗜 𝗩𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄.

Thank you so much to Nexon in helping us raise funds for Sylvanvale to assist people with disability.

All we can say is, apart from a gigantic Thank You from the bottom of our hearts is that if your business is looking for any type of Information Technology solutions - you can’t go past the good folks at Nexon.

To check what they can offer in IT please CLICK HERE

T-Minus 10-days and counting...

Thursday 10th March - 2022

I'd just like to remind everyone that from Thursday 10th March 2022, it's only 10-days until our big Car Show on Sunday 20th March, 2022 at the Council car park in Flora Street, Sutherland.

If the weather gods smile down on us favourably - you can expect to see more than 100 Vintage vehicles on display.

Make certain you clear your calendars for the 20th in 10-days time. And please tell your friends and neighbours.

Show times: 9:00am until 3:00pm

Admission: $5 per adult - $10 per family

Food & Coffee Vendors on site

Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show

Sunday 20th March, 2022

Council Car Park, Flora Street, Sutherland

Sydney Tramway Museum Festival

Sunday 27th February - 2022

To promote our upcoming Sylvanvale Pre-WWII Vintage Car Show on Sunday 20th March, 2022. We arranged a bunch of Vintage cars to be on static display at the Sydney Tramway Museum's Festival at Loftus on Sunday 27th February.

The Tram operating past us is No.1740 and is a 1933
R Class model built at Clyde Engineering in Sydney.
Photo: Steve Core

(Above) We parked Warbo's 1929 AA Ford truck in a perfect high-profile position at the Sydney Tramway Museum annual Tramway Festival Open Day.

Part of Tram Museum's tram lines and heritage building and facades.

And the cluster of Vintage cars we helped round
up to make up the static displays.

Photo: Steve Core

On Sunday the 27th February, the Tramway Museum were having their annual Vintage Tramway Festival and with their 'Open House' they were operating numerous heritage and vintage trams along their few kilometers of private track. Anyone who paid the entry fee was free to ride on the Vintage trams, unlimited all day.

(Above) Hopefully, this Vintage double-decker bus, No.1579 from the Sydney Bus Museum will also be on static display at our upcoming Car Show. This is yet to be confirmed due to the Sydney Harbour Bridge's 90th Birthday festivities. Photo: Steve Core

Every year for the past few years we have helped the Tramway Museum out by providing a display of Vintage motor vehicles to help recreate the era of the early trams running along Sydney's streets.

(Above) The Tramway Museum's own double-decker bus is a AEC Regent 3 Double-Deck Half-Cab No.2619. Built in 1952 by Clyde. One of the last traditional double-decker motor buses in Sydney upon withdrawal. Acquired by the museum in 1976. Restored in 2016. This bus will be on static display at our Show on Sunday 20th March, 2022. Photo: Ken Warburton

I took my '29 AA Ford Truck nick-named 'Hoover' to the day because we have the back tray panels adorned with our corflute signs advertising our Car Show in two weeks time at Sutherland.