March 2006 - Come Thunder Down Under
- President's Post Event Report
Well the day has arrived for us to travel to Melbourne for the
second Chapter meet for NCRS Australia Inc., our American friends
have arrived and we are all loaded up into Wendy's 1964, Murray's
1990 and the Family Shopping Cart (MERCEDES BENZ) and Colin & Pamela
Woods in their (F**D shopping cart).
 Wendy
& Murray are in the 1964, Roy and Cheri Sinor are in the 1990,
Ralph and Sharon Ridge are in our Merc and Colin & Pam in their
F**D shopping cart . We drove down the hill to the BP service
station, refueled the cars . The arrangement was to meet Ron & Deb
Barrett and also Richard & Yvonne Stones at Windsor. As we drove
across the North Richmond Bridge we noticed smoke coming from under
the front guards of Wendy's 1964, OH NO !!!!! something is
dramatically wrong here.. so we pulled over and gathered in a
driveway to find that we had completely seized the front brakes of
the car. We proceeded to cool them down with water & nappies
(cleaning cloths for the cars of course). After 1.5 hrs ordeal we
were eventually able to free the brakes. Then we de-adjusted the
brakes with everybody's assistance and advice. By the use of the
cell phones, we were able to contact Ron & Deb, also Richard &
Yvonne who were waiting down the road for us, they came back to
where we were.
 Eventually
we head off for Queanbeyan. Ron & Richard needed to fuel up for the
journey, so we went to Penrith Mobil station where Wendy decided to
top up also, BUT ALAS !!!!!!! the brakes seized but again.... So,
embarrassingly announced to the station owner I couldn't move my
car, took the wheels off again, readjusted the brakes and YES !!!!
off we go at last.
Because of the lost time, we were supposed to meet Bill Axias and
Steve Busittil at Pheasants Nest, Murray contacted them on the cell
and told them to go straight to Queanbeyan where we would meet them.
Once we arrived at Pheasants Nest and had breakfast, we all headed
off to meet up with Terry & Karen Ruse in Queanbeyan. Murray then
spoke to Bill & Steve and instructed them to head towards Merimbula
where we were all staying for the night.
On arrival at Queanbeyan, we met up with Terry & Karen then on our
way to Merimbula. It is ironic that we have now 2 cars in our
convoy, Richard and Terry's 1993 roadster Collectors and after
Murray had checked their VIN numbers, found that both these cars
were approx 600 numbers apart. So here they are 13 years later
travelling in a convoy, where they were in a queue, on an assembly
line , thousands of miles apart, to be together again.
We left Queanbeyan heading south to Cooma then headed east down
Black Mountain to the coast towards Merimbula. It was an eerie
experience coming down Black Mountain where the clouds had dropped
to the ground in front of you and were travelling across the road
faster than we were travelling. The car in front of you would
dissappear into the grey mist with just the ember of their tail
lights to go by. Roy has taken some great photos of Wendy's silver
64 in front of him, disappearing into the mist AWSOME , at the same
time Murray took photos of Roy's 1990,behind us, in the side mirror
GREAT SHOT.....
On arriving at Merimbula we met up with Steve & Bill who had settled
into their bungalows. After everyone was settled into their
accomodation, the arrangement was made to catch the shuttle to the
local golf club for dinner. What a surprise to us and especially our
American guests to find kangaroos grazing all over the golf course,
hundreds of them (yes, we have photos). The food was spectacular,
the company was excellent. On arrival back at the bungalows, having
a couple of night-cap drinkys, we heard an outcry of help from Bill
& Steve's room......(not mentioning any names of course) someone had
left their CAR KEYS which was towing their corvette , at the
restaurant on the window sill..... So, Murray gallantly leant his
Merc to the rescue and he was pleased to report they were just where
he had left them.
In the morning, Steve & Bill left early (because they were towing
their car), we were able to get the convoy together and all headed
for Melbourne.
Approximately 1.5 hrs out of Melbourne, Murray noticed that the 1964
(Wendy's) amp meter was showing a very high charge rate. So it was
decided to run into Melbourne with the headlights up & on. This then
reduced the charge rate down to 5 amps. We had just installed a
BRAND NEW reproduction AC Delco battery before the trip, to our
HORROR on arrival at Melbourne accomodation, the battery had been
boiled dry & melted. WHAT NOW ????? have to but another
replacement battery for the show.
Friday morning:
early for the start of the Chapter Meet. The first part of the Meet
was a power point presentation carried out by Roy Sinor at the
Sandown Regency Motel. This was attended by approx 50 people, where
Roy expalined the operation and judging of the NCRS organisation.
Friday afternoon:
we headed off for Sandown Race track where we were to start judging
cars that had been set up the night before. There were 14 cars,
being 11 to be Flight judged and 3 sportsman. They ranged from 1958
through to 1993.
Friday night:
was our Welcome Dinner at the Sandown Hotel (just down the road),
what a great night, fantastic food and especially all the NCRS
members made it perfect.....
The first day of judging
was concentrated on the C1's and C2's. The second day was on C3's.
The third day was C4's and Operation checks on all cars.
We found the quality of cars was outstanding and we were able to
get 4 cars Top Flight, 4 cars Second Flight and 3 cars Third
Flight. Leaving the 3 Sportsman Awards.
At the Show
we had an exhibition of some of our sponsors being Vigil Insurance,
who spoke to the members about insurance and how they can help them.
Also another sponsor who had a C6 ZO6 on display and what an awsome
piece of machinery it was.
On the Saturday afternoon:
the weather turned BAD, we had organised the public to come in and
invited the local Melbourne Corvette Car Clubs to attend our Show &
Shine, we found ourselves in the middle of a mini-cyclone with winds
that tore roofs off, branches off BIG trees sprawling them all over
the place. Thank heavens our judging cars were inside, because
outside was trashed completely.
At this time, I would like to thank Louis Rokas and Jim Gramms for
the tremendous work they both put in to the organisation of the
spectacular event.
Saturday night:
we all loaded up into a coach and headed off for a spectacular night
at the TITANIC Restaurant, WOW what a night.
Being a Theatre reastaurant, and the re-enactment of the sinking of
the Titanic, they put on a wonderful show. I must report there were
no lives lost at sea on this night. ha ha ha...
 Sunday
morning: up early as
usual, off to the judging field. Today we judge C4's and Operations
on all cars. We were able to complete this task by 3-30pm in time to
prepare for tonight Presentation Dinner on the Yarra River.
We were blessed with good weather and the vessel took us on a
journey of spectacular sights. Heading out into Port Phillip Bay and
across to Williamstown then back to the dock, during which time our
Presentations were made and we were able to run a small auction to
raise money for the Chapter. the food and service was of high
quality and everybody had a good time......
Monday morning:
after saying a sad farewell to our buddy's and a safe journey home,
a small group of us prepared for a trip to the Great Ocean Road.
Murray headed off to pick up the mini bus for this trip, where we
all went to Sandown Racetrack to pick up the Corvettes, then we left
them in storage at the Club house of the Chevrolet Car Club of
Victoria, who we thank very very much for looking after our
babies..... from there we travelled on to Apollo Bay, staying the
night there and being graciously entertained by Louis and Venessa
Rokas at their holiday house. Thank you for a wonderful night of
food, drink and laughter.
Tuesday morning:
off we go to the Twelve Apostles, what a sight, they are
breathtaking and a perfect photo oportunity for all.
Our next venue is called The Fly which is an elevated
walkway into the tree tops of a rainforest, in the middle is a tower
that rises 60-80 metres up into and above the tree tops. A bit
scary if you don't like heights but otherwise completely safe and
enjoyable. Lunch at the restaurant there and travel to Ballarat for
the night, where we saw the show called the "Blood on the Southern
Cross" being a story of Eureka stockade. I must admit, at this
stage, I had never really understood the real story about the Eureka
stockade, but after seeing the show I now truly appreciate what had
actually happened on that fateful night.
 Wednesday morning:
we had a free day where everyone did what they want to do. So we
decided to go to the Animal Park where we were met by overwhelmingly
welcoming kangaroos, they were so cute. Our American friends really
enjoyed the closeness and being able to hold and pat all the animals
there.
Thursday morning:
return to Melbourne, pick up corvettes and shopping carts, head off
to Albury where we stayed the night. Enjoyed the Bullring
Restaurant at the Siesta Motel and had a good nights sleep.
Friday:
return to Sydney and all reflected on our fabulous NCRS Chapter Meet
in Melbourne.
Thank you to everyone who
attended and participated in this our second Chapter Meet in
Australia. The
participation of our Western Australian, Tasmanian, Victorian and
Queensland and New South Wales members, we appreciate you efforts to
attend this Meet. We also must thank our American & New
Zealand Members who have come all this way to join us in our second
Chapter Meet.
We are in negotiations as we speak, to hold our
next NCRS Chapter Meet in THE GOLD COAST, BRISBANE.
The dates will
be APRIL 5th through to the 9th, 2007 (Easter weekend). More
information to follow.
I also would like to inform you that we are
considering holding our 4th Chapter Meet in TASMANIA at the
Wrestpoint Casino in 2008.
Could you please come back
to me by email
eagleviews@bigpond.com
, those who are interested in the 2008 Meet.
I
hope you have enjoyed my report and look forward to our next
Chapter Meet in 2007.
Murray Forman
President |
Up
early for breakfast and off to the judging field to place our cars
in position for the Show & Shine event. After getting all cars in
position, I then waited for Lon LeMaster to arrive as it is his 1963
silver roadster that is being judged at this exhibition. As the time
moved on and I began to panic, the phone rang it was Lon. OH NO, he
had been pulled over by the long hand of the law. The officer didn't
like his interpretation of a NSW licence plate, and made him change
it back to the original one, that has both sides bent up so it fits
into the plate area. Luckily there was no fine and Lon was able to
continue on to Penrith.
For
those folks that did not have the pleasure
of attending our second
Chapter Meet, the guys in
Melbourne did a fantastic job in organising this event. I would like
to personally thank both Jim Gramms & Lou Rokas for the outstanding
effort and dedication they gave to putting this event on and make it
the success is was. The second NCRS Chapter meet was held at Sandown
Race Course inside one of their pavilions. It was fully carpeted and
air conditioned and a real pleasure to judge in, especially in
comparison to our first event which was held outdoors on grass and
luckily no rain.
It
was great to see the high quality of cars that were presented this
year. I can only see the NCRS movement here in Australia growing and
moving forward in the years to come. Our membership has increased in
the last year and we are now in the 60's and growing and interest in
the chapter and for the NCRS judging process continues to expand and
grow within the Corvette enthusiast community across Australia.
This
was our first Chapter Meet ever to be held in Australia. In
attendance we had 7 American Judges and 5 New Zealand members join
us. We also had 40 members from Australia all gathered together.
*
4 Top Flights 
After
the Event, the Presentation Dinner was held on the
Hawkesbury Paddlewheel where
all the Awards, Certificates & Ribbons were presented.
NCRS
Australia presented the 7 American Judges with a large Tyre clock ,
each one engraved with their name & thank you message.
d we took
them in our corvettes from the helicopter to a presentation area
(stage). The organizers wanted to pay us in some way, so we decided
to accept a cheque made out to The Royal Flying Doctor Service, who
is our nominated charity in NCRS Australia Inc.
