RACV Fly the Flag 2014 Eastern Tour

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RACV Fly the Flag 2014 Eastern Tour
Saturday March 15 to Saturday March 22, 2014
Total distance: 944 miles 1519 kms
Day 1:
It was still dark when the organisers and marshalls started arriving at the RACV in Noble Park on
the first day of the 2014 RACV Fly the flag Eastern Tour.
However, it wasn’t long before the sun rose and the cars started to arrive to register, collect their
rally bags and greet others they may not have seen since last year’s event.
After breakfast, the Flag Off by RACV Director Suzanna Sheed saw the first of many days of happy
faces and enthusiastic waves as the drivers set off along the Princes Highway towards Gippsland.
The highway run to Trafalgar gave everyone the chance to clear the cobwebs out of their cars and
give them a good, smooth run. The drivers and passengers had time to settle into what would be
their mode of transport for the next eight days during which time they would cover more almost
1000 miles (1600Ks).
In true Flagger style most towns along the way attracted one or two cars which would stop so the
participants could have a coffee, browse in the local op shop or have a pit stop. Inevitably they
attracted local attention and helped promote our rally.
At Trafalgar our tour took us off the highway and through the range to Thorpdale and then on to
Churchill where our lunch was provided by the Churchill Lions Club.
Just before our lunch stop, everyone was reminded of the bushfires that had recently struck the area.
There were burnt trees, paddocks without fencing but true to nature, shoots of lush green grass were
already appearing along the roadsides and in the paddocks. Smoke from the Morwell fire still hung
in the air.
The weather was warm and humid and everyone was wishing they had air conditioning but had to
settle for that other form open air conditioning – just wind down the windows and let the wind try to
keep us cool.
At Sale, The Museum of Timeless Memories certainly took most of us back to our childhood with
the fascinating collection of anything and everything all neatly arranged. We wandered through
three sheds but were told there was about the same amount of things stored in other sheds! And
there were signs encouraging people to donate anything they didn’t want!
Our first overnight stop was Bairnsdale where the RSL club looked after us for Dinner and
breakfast.
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From top left:
The marshalls sort out the registrations at the start of the rally.
Nello Maffodda explains how we will do it to the man in blue.
RACV director Suzanna Sheed flags car #1 of John and Connie Exner off at Noble Park to start the
2014 tour.
Climbing The Hills to Thorpdale.
Churchill Lions Club catered for hungry Flaggers at Gaskin Park.
Fly the Flag ladies have a rest outside Mrs Egan's Boarding House
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Day 2:
Our second day was the longest travelling 295 kms or 183 miles from Bairnsdale to Merrimbula.
After leaving Bairnsdale we descended on picturesque Bruthen and the highly recommended
Bullant Brewery where a couple of Flaggers were seen doing a little morning tasting before buying.
The highlight of the day was our lunch at Cann River population 390. When the rally hit town we
more than doubled the population. Undeterred the townspeople led by the SES put on a great
barbecue lunch complete with cakes and sandwiches and also had an art exhibition and several local
stalls. The day raised more than $9000 for the town which will put that money towards a
community project. The RACV also a grant to the town.
Dinner that night at the Merrimbula – Pambula Golf Club which saw Flaggers mobile phones
photographing the mobs of kangaroos which were happily eating their way around the course. They
only moved when golfers and their buggies headed their way. Interestingly, they did not touch the
greens – perhaps the grass was too short for them to nibble.
Top from Left:
The S3 Bentley of Jill and Don McKenzie at Bruthen.
The Bullant Brewery at Bruthen.
The Cann River SES and other volunteers served lunch for the Flaggers.
Flaggers having lunch courtesy the community of Cann River.
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Above:
Some of the stalls set up by Cann Rivers residents.
Hitting the dance floor at the Pambula-Merrimbula Golf Club.
Day 3:
Day 3 was a leisurely drive that took in the highlights of the Sapphire Coast – its magnificent
beaches, rolling hills, green pastures and tiny towns famous for cheese, heritage and/or beaches.
Then it was back to the golf club for the Denise Drysdale show. She is proudly 66 years old but still
knows how to sing, do the jokes and involve her audience in her act. After the show she chatted
with many of the participants and signed the rally flag which was later auctioned off at the charity
night.
Above left: Wally and Sue Thompson’s Humber Super Snipe enjoys the sights across Merrrimbula.
Right: Kangaroos on the 10th hole of the Pambula-Merrimbula Golf Club.
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Above left: Denise Drysdale during her performance at the golf club.
Right: Nello Mafodda who saw Denise perform in Vietnam caught up with the star after the show.
Day 4:
While we might have been tired, Denise turned up next morning to spend a few minutes flagging all
the cars off. I don’t think she realized how many cars there were but she just kept waving the flag
until the last one left heading for Cooma.
Driving to Cooma showed us all the contrasting country we live in. The coastal fringe gave way to
the rolling hills to Candelo where the school children cheered and waved as we drove by. Soon we
all tackled the climb through the Great Dividing Range via the 10km climb up Browns’ Mountain
(elevation 1110m) before crossing the treeless Eden-Monaro Plains to Cooma.
The Rotary Club of Cooma and Jindabyne combined to cater for our dinner that evening at the
Cooma Multi-Function Centre at the showgrounds. Their well-oiled catering included a large homemade conveyor belt with the empty plate one end and the food ready for the waiters at the other end.
Most impressive - though there was about 20 people in the kitchen. We were welcomed by the
Mayor who gave us a fascinating talk about the district – its past and future. His enthusiasm was
contagious.
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Previous Page:
Tour director Tony Pettigrew helped Denise Drysdale do the flag off at the Pambula-Merrimbula
Golf Club.
The Eden-Monaro Plains on the way to Cooma.
Above:
Wally Thompson at the Cooma Visitors Centre whose A-frame board welcomed Fly the Flag to the
town.
Dinner at the Dinner at the Cooma Multi-function Centre was served by the Cooma and Jindabyne
Lions Clubs.
Day 5:
Probably one of the prettiest trips on this tour took us south across the Eden-Monaro Plains towards
Bombala where we stopped for morning tea at Burnima served by the Bombala Rotary Club. The
tour of the homestead was an eye opener and current owner Stephen, complete with top hat and
tails, told everyone the history of the homestead. He said one owners was suspected of being
involved in the disappearance of several people, but as he was the local magistrate, no inquiry was
ever commissioned. As a result, the homestead is reputed to be “haunted”.
Then it was on to Bombala and back down the Great Dividing Range through towering gums and
wonderful valleys back to Cann River.
Again flaggers boosted the local economy buying lunch and refueling before heading west to Lakes
Entrance.
Both dinners at Lakes Entrance were provided by caterers who drove from Traralgon each day to
cook and service our dinners at the Youth & Recreation Centre. The stamina of all participants was
put to the test the next two nights as they danced the evening away.
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From top left:
Flag off at Cooma at the Cooma Manaro Historic Automobile Club.
The pantry of Burnima Homestead near Bombala NSW.
Chev Truck at Burnima Homestead near Bombala.
Burnima Homestead near Bombala NSW.
Day 6:
Following survey comments last year Day 6 at Lakes Entrance was a free day until dinner in the
evening.
All day the cars drove up and down The Esplanade as Flaggers set off for day trips, looking at the
attractions or organizing boat cruises. Some enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and simply sat by the
beach reading the paper watching people trying to catch their dinner off the footbridge. That
evening saw everyone dressed up for the fancy dress night. We had all type of costumes from Santa
Clause to a witch and warlock, egg and bacon, red Indians, medical team and the like. A lot of
dancing and prancing around saw the night go by only to be followed by a few sore hips and heads
next morning.
The weather, as with every other day, was just perfect.
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From top left:
Sea food lunch at the Floating Restaurant, Lakes Entrance.
Fancy Dress night at Lakes Entrance.
Warlord Alex Farrow with his “witch” Sandra.
Paul & Marie Turner at our Fancey Dress Night.
Is there a doctor in the house?
What did the Cherry Ripe have in common with the chocolate? Cabury of course!
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Day 7:
The Flag Off at Lakes Entrance was special for everyone.
Marshalls had carefully lined up all the cars on the Lakes Entrance Primary School oval. After the
school children had looked at and sat in many of the cars, their two school captains performed the
Flag Off. Around the corner all the children lined the street cheering and waving flags while the
drivers tooted their horns. It was a great scene and a great moment on the rally.
Leaving Lakes Entrance we travelled to Bairnsdale before turning off on to a quiet back road which
took us to Stratford and then across to Maffra to visit the Gippsland Vehicle Collection housed in
the former vegetable dehydrating plant build during World War II. The motor museum had
something for everyone in the range of vehicles from horse drawn buggies to a section dedicated to
the great Peter Brock.
From Maffra it is on to Heyfield and farming country back to our last stop of the tour – Traralgon
and the Charity Auction Night.
Mario and his team who had catered for us at lakes Entrance did another great job in the art deco
former picture theatre and night club now the Premier Function Centre.
There were more than 40 auction items and bidding was brisk and raised a record $60,000 for the
RACV community foundation. As the auctioneer repeatedly said: “that was a real bargain”.
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From top left previous page:
Lakes Entrance Primary School children check out the steering.
Lakes Entrance Primary School children loved sitting in the cars parked on their school oval.
The girls loved the Mr Bean car - 1976 Leyland Mini an owned by Kaye and Michael Thompson.
Lakes Entrance Primary School's school captains doing the Flag Off.
Ian and Lesley Clapperton's 1982 Jaguar XJS drives past the Lakes Entrance Primary School
children.
1950 Ford Prefect utility - RACV vehicle No. 11 at the Gippsland Vehicle Collection at Maffra.
Day 8:
Tony Pettigrew again excelled himself with his wonderful drive home to Yarra Glen via Neerim
South, Nayook, Powelltown and Yarra Junction. Lush rolling hills dotted with herds of Fresian
cattle reminded me of the trademark cow on the Devondale Milk packs. The hills were soon
replaced with our towering Mountain Ash trees as we headed towards Powelltown, once the centre
of the timber industry but now reduced to one mill but a wonderful cluster of timber workers’
cottages.
Everyone seemed pleased to arrive at the Yarra Glen Race Course and, as usual once seated the
chatter started and centred on the places seen, the performance of the cars, incidents along the way,
coffee breaks and bargains purchased throughout the rally.
After lunch and the presentation of the various awards, everyone said goodbye and headed back to
their homes pleased to have finished the rally but more pleased they had participated in the first
place.
Tour Director Tony Pettigrew, Maxine Pettigrew, the fly the flag committee, the marshalls, RACV
staff and the RACV servicemen Steve Kendall and Ron Hoogkomer did a fantastic job throughout
the tour.
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Above: Yarra Glen Final Lunch 2014.
Popular Choice (Frank E Douglas Trophy) won by Rodney and Sue Greasley in their 1948 Jaguar.
Steve Kendall and Ron Hoogkomer kept our cars on the road throughout the rally.
Sue Thompson

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