2024 Premier Event - Inverell
The 2024 Premier Event was held at sunny Inverell from the 10th to 14th of April. The event began with registration at the National Transport Museum, followed by a pizza night at the Fossickers Rest Caravan Park where the majority of entrants were staying.
Thursday began with final registrations and the morning briefing at the National Transport Museum before setting off for Gum Flat School where the P & C provided a great lunch. We had been told we might see one of the local koala's and sure enough there was one snoozing happily in a tree in the middle of the school yard. The students are obviously quite used to sharing the space with one of our most iconic marsupials.
After lunch entrants were entertained by the students reciting poetry and a musical performance. They then had the choice of continuing to Copeton Dam and returning via Gum Flat to Inverell or from the dam continuing on to Bundarra and back to Inverell, a round trip of some 155km. Only three entrants opted for the long trip. As is often the case with day one of rallying, there were a few casualties along the way - some more serious than others.
Friday morning we assembled in the carpark of the RSM (Returned Servicemen's Memorial) Club for the morning briefing before heading off to Graman where the local RFS volunteers had prepared a sumptuous morning tea for us - sponsored by the Paul Butler Bequest.
From there we continued through Wallangara to Ashford for lunch at the Ashford Bowling Club. The cars were parked on the road outside the club and many locals and school students, who had obviously been given some time away from school had a look and asked many questions of the owners. Upon leaving Ashford most of the cars took a short detour past the retirement village/aged care facility where quite a few of the residents were outside to have a look. The days run was about 140km.
Saturday morning we again assembled in the carpark of the RSM Club for the morning briefing. The days run was somewhat shorter, being only about 80km, but included a morning tea at Tom Horwood's (very large) Tractor Collection. After morning tea we continued to Delungra where we enjoyed a very nice lunch at the Delungra Hotel. From Delungra entrants had the choice to follow the morning route back to Inverell or return more directly on the Gwydir Highway.
Sunday morning's start and briefing was back at the National Transport Museum. We then set off for Tingha where we had Devonshire Tea for morning tea, beautifully presented by the volunteers at the Wing Hing Long Museum. After having a look through at the various displays, and listening to a presentation we headed back to the National Transport Museum for lunch.
The Sunday run was somewhat shorter, about 60km's, which allowed entrants the afternoon to prepare for the rally dinner that night and prepare for their journey home.
The dinner was held in the RSM, with many of the entrants taking the chance to wear their period costume. After dinner and a few speeches the 70th birthday cake was cut and shared amongst the diners.
Overall a great few days of rallying, made all the more enjoyable by the good roads and great weather. It was also great to have so many entrants from Northern N.S.W and Queensland join us for the event. Thanks to the rally committee who did such a fabulous job in organising the event - I'm sure it was greatly appreciated by all who attended.
The 2024 Premier Event was held at sunny Inverell from the 10th to 14th of April. The event began with registration at the National Transport Museum, followed by a pizza night at the Fossickers Rest Caravan Park where the majority of entrants were staying.
Thursday began with final registrations and the morning briefing at the National Transport Museum before setting off for Gum Flat School where the P & C provided a great lunch. We had been told we might see one of the local koala's and sure enough there was one snoozing happily in a tree in the middle of the school yard. The students are obviously quite used to sharing the space with one of our most iconic marsupials.
After lunch entrants were entertained by the students reciting poetry and a musical performance. They then had the choice of continuing to Copeton Dam and returning via Gum Flat to Inverell or from the dam continuing on to Bundarra and back to Inverell, a round trip of some 155km. Only three entrants opted for the long trip. As is often the case with day one of rallying, there were a few casualties along the way - some more serious than others.
Friday morning we assembled in the carpark of the RSM (Returned Servicemen's Memorial) Club for the morning briefing before heading off to Graman where the local RFS volunteers had prepared a sumptuous morning tea for us - sponsored by the Paul Butler Bequest.
From there we continued through Wallangara to Ashford for lunch at the Ashford Bowling Club. The cars were parked on the road outside the club and many locals and school students, who had obviously been given some time away from school had a look and asked many questions of the owners. Upon leaving Ashford most of the cars took a short detour past the retirement village/aged care facility where quite a few of the residents were outside to have a look. The days run was about 140km.
Saturday morning we again assembled in the carpark of the RSM Club for the morning briefing. The days run was somewhat shorter, being only about 80km, but included a morning tea at Tom Horwood's (very large) Tractor Collection. After morning tea we continued to Delungra where we enjoyed a very nice lunch at the Delungra Hotel. From Delungra entrants had the choice to follow the morning route back to Inverell or return more directly on the Gwydir Highway.
Sunday morning's start and briefing was back at the National Transport Museum. We then set off for Tingha where we had Devonshire Tea for morning tea, beautifully presented by the volunteers at the Wing Hing Long Museum. After having a look through at the various displays, and listening to a presentation we headed back to the National Transport Museum for lunch.
The Sunday run was somewhat shorter, about 60km's, which allowed entrants the afternoon to prepare for the rally dinner that night and prepare for their journey home.
The dinner was held in the RSM, with many of the entrants taking the chance to wear their period costume. After dinner and a few speeches the 70th birthday cake was cut and shared amongst the diners.
Overall a great few days of rallying, made all the more enjoyable by the good roads and great weather. It was also great to have so many entrants from Northern N.S.W and Queensland join us for the event. Thanks rally committee who did such a fabulous job in organising the event - I'm sure it was greatly appreciated by all who attended.
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